Geeze, all these replies saying essentially what I told the guy..... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> He needs to go to a REAL outdoor store and climb in a succession of bags without looking at the ratings and get the fit he needs first...THEN get the rating he needs and he'll have his warm bag. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> It ain't rocket science, every single year we go through the same thing with someone who keeps banging our collective heads against the proverbial granite outcropping <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

If he chooses to carry his bag outside of his pack so be it, then he can opt for a builkier, synthetic bag, which will be better for damp climates he's using it in. Down is not a panacea for every backpacker just because it's lighter in some cases. A down nag can be heavier than a syntheic bag when it starts absorbing ambient moisture....that you will carry with you for days until you can dry it or you get home <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />