Topquilt 20D/10D fabric vs all 10D

[OneClick]

I liked how Hammock Gear used to have an option to select 10D and 20D fabrics, inside and out. Many people did 10D inside and 20D outside.

Since that is no longer an option (other than camo in 15D), does any even care? Is 10D the new standard all around?

[cmoulder]

I have 10D quilts that I have used a lot, one that is almost 10 yrs old now, with no issues. No problems with any HG and EE 10D quilts, and a very new UGQ Bandit 10D that looks really solid.

I have a couple of 7D quilts, EE Enigma and Revolt, and they look great but I don't have the 'history' with them yet to make a call. However, I see no reason at all that they won't hold up well. I don't baby gear but I am also not rough with it or prone to accidents.

All my quilts are same material inside and out, except the Bandit that has 10D taffeta inside.

IMVHO, nowadays 20D is overkill for most people and 7D is definitely the UL standard.

[OneClick]

Everything I have is 20D out, 10D in. Except my warm weather quilt which is all 10D. So that will take some getting used to for me should I ever buy more. I like that 20D sturdiness in the winter.

HG Economy line is all 20D. But I'm into the premium lineup more for the down, not fabric.

I see Enlightened Equipment has 20D options. LOTS more colors too (inside). Hmm....don't want to switch vendors...but...

[cmoulder]

Relevant discussion here....

Weight and volume impacted far more by shell material than down.

[OneClick]

Relevant discussion here....

Weight and volume impacted far more by shell material than down.

Can't wrap my head around that! But keeping it in mind if I ever need to reorder.

[cmoulder]

Can't wrap my head around that! But keeping it in mind if I ever need to reorder.

It would be an expensive experiment, but order three quilts, #1 with 20D/950fp, #2 with 10D/850fp and #3 with 10D/950fp.

You would find the weight and volume difference between #1 and #2 greater than the difference between #2 and #3.

Of course the best of both worlds would be 10D/950fp, or 7D/950fp if you were comfortable with the lighter material.

[AmberG]

Relevant discussion here....

Weight and volume impacted far more by shell material than down.

I figured that out before I ordered the stuff for the quilts I’m in the middle of making. For an extra $25-$30, I could either get 900FP down (vs 850) or 7D fabric (vs 10D). When I crunched those numbers, the 900FP down would’ve only saved around an ounce, while the 7D saved me 3-4oz. Guess where that $30 was spent?

FWIW, I used 10D for my last TQ and found it plenty light enough. I worried a bit about the durability of 7D, but figured what would damage one would likely damage the other. No problems with the 10D durability so far, but I’ve only been using it for around 150 miles.

[OneClick]

Man 7D, I can't get there. I have my quilts on the floor now airing out after a trip and one from washing. The 20D just feels and looks more substantial than the 10D. I like that. The UL in me disagrees.