Baffles…Parallel or Perpendicular

[BuckeyeFan]

I’m in the process of completing my DIY UQ and will then start my TQ. I’ve noticed that many, if not all UQs have the baffles in line with the axis of the hammock. While many, if not all the TQs have the baffles perpendicular to said axis.

So I’m wondering…why the difference in baffle direction and is there a benefit?

[Dutch]

Think about which direction you don't want the down to move. Such as a bottom quilt i think should run lengthwise to keep it up the sides. For top quilt I don't think it matters as much.

[jheander]

I have no idea concerning the TQ, but for an UQ it is better to have parallel baffles since the down will otherwise tend to settle underneath the hammock leaving your sides cold and unprotected.

[Otter1]

For me the determining factor is gravity.

Gravity pulls down DOWN. Therefore, when tossing & turning, the down migrates off me and to the sides in my TQ - NOT fun. I believe quilts that use narrow chambers for the down mitigate this issue, though. In an UQ, Gravity is my friend, pulling more down DOWN to where I need it most.

To sum it up, I prefer "vertical" baffles in my TQ (Enlightened Equipment) and "horizontal" baffles in my UQ (JRB).

[Chard]

Think about which direction you don't want the down to move. Such as a bottom quilt i think should run lengthwise to keep it up the sides. For top quilt I don't think it matters as much.

I have no idea concerning the TQ, but for an UQ it is better to have parallel baffles since the down will otherwise tend to settle underneath the hammock leaving your sides cold and unprotected.

For me the determining factor is gravity.

Gravity pulls down DOWN. Therefore, when tossing & turning, the down migrates off me and to the sides in my TQ - NOT fun. I believe quilts that use narrow chambers for the down mitigate this issue, though. In an UQ, Gravity is my friend, pulling more down DOWN to where I need it most.

To sum it up, I prefer "vertical" baffles in my TQ (Enlightened Equipment) and "horizontal" baffles in my UQ (JRB).

Same logic I used when building my quilts. I run the baffles parallel to the ridgeline for my underquilt and perpendicular for the topquilt. My logic on the top quilt was that any pushing of the down away from the sides and into the middle would be done by the part of my hammock that has a thick underquilt behind it, so there's no real loss of insulation. Also you can bang all of the down to one side if it gets too warm and not suffer from either overheated toes or chest as you would with parallel baffles.

[HillbillyHanger]

And from another point of view, the down is going to settle. When the baffles are perpendicular, the down settle to the bottom where you are laying. Your top quilt wraps around your sides. With the baffles perpendicular, the settling down could create voids at the top of each baffle. I think someone could make reasonable statements about both arrangements.

[rais'n hammock]

I had the same question but decided the best way for me to feel comfortable with my DYI TQ was to use Karo Step.
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...-Style-Footbox
I know it doesn't answer your question about which is best but with Karo Step you get the best of both and for only a little bit more effort.

[BuckeyeFan]

And from another point of view, the down is going to settle. When the baffles are perpendicular, the down settle to the bottom where you are laying. Your top quilt wraps around your sides. With the baffles perpendicular, the settling down could create voids at the top of each baffle. I think someone could make reasonable statements about both arrangements.

I'm inclined to agree. Any comment / insight from the vendors as to why they make their TQ baffles the way they do?

[BuckeyeFan]

I had the same question but decided the best way for me to feel comfortable with my DYI TQ was to use Karo Step.
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...-Style-Footbox
I know it doesn't answer your question about which is best but with Karo Step you get the best of both and for only a little bit more effort.

Very nice quilt. That may be a future project, but for now I'm keeping it simple with a 'typical' TQ & UQ.

[georgecarr]

I'm inclined to agree. Any comment / insight from the vendors as to why they make their TQ baffles the way they do?

At Loco Libre Gear we use perpendicular chevron baffles in our Ghost Pepper series to help mitigate down shift. Every time the baffle turns it creates a spot that catches down.
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