The effect of "overstuff" on a down quilt?

[Oskar]

I was looking at dwon top quilts yesterday and one of the manufacturers (sorry, don't remember which one) wrote that the quilt got shorter with overstuffing.

[sir_n0thing]

I could see that being true... As the material stretches outward, it would pull from either length or width... But I doubt it would be a significant amount?

[Doctari]

Are you taunting me?

In the first 4 days this week I have already put in 16 extra hours and I came in an hour early this morning as well. I have a planned campout with my son beginning tonight. All I ask is to leave on time and not to have to come in to work tomorrow. All week, I have been looking forward to nothing more than a good nap after lunch tomorrow. Is that really too much to ask.

Frankly, I am just thankful you didn't throw "Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis " at me. Depending upon the source, this is the longest word in a major dictionary. Yours wasn't a real word.

Yes I was!
Been where you are & SO understand. Sometimes "HI" is too big of a word for me. And, I did think of posting "Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis " but thought that would cause you damage, where as the "Made up word" would just make you laugh.

BTW, I second Pan's "get a winter quilt" if you need that much insulation. That being said, my next No Sniveler is getting an OZ or 2 OS. But then I don't need quite as much insulation as most.

[MAD777]

I was looking at dwon top quilts yesterday and one of the manufacturers (sorry, don't remember which one) wrote that the quilt got shorter with overstuffing.

When I make my DIY quilts, I allow for 5% shrinkage due to the expansion of the down. It works out just right.

[Buffalo Skipper]

Yes I was!
Been where you are & SO understand. Sometimes "HI" is too big of a word for me. And, I did think of posting "Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis " but thought that would cause you damage, where as the "Made up word" would just make you laugh.

Yes, it did make me smile at the time, but I won't thank you for that. Last night I tossed and turned all night with dreams of Julie Andrews and **** vanDyke.
It wasn't a pleasant experience.

I am looking to a good relaxing hang this weekend with no worries or responsibilites. It's long overdue.

[Hobbit]

Very timely thread. Thanks for all the good info as I am deciding on a new underquilt for the coming season. Last winter I made do with layering what quilts I had and found I really enjoy winter camping with the hammock. So narrowing the details of what to purchase really helps.

[TiredFeet]

I could see that being true... As the material stretches outward, it would pull from either length or width... But I doubt it would be a significant amount?

With the boxed sides that TeeDee used, this wasn't a problem. Instead of puffing up and pulling the sides inward, the down simply puffed up and also pushed the sides outward. So maybe it made the quilts an 1/4" wider and longer counting the puffed out sides.

[WV]

I purchased a top quilt/poncho from another HF member, and have been pleased with the design, but noted that it seemed "understuffed" when viewed with bright sunlight behind it. Nevertheless it worked fine down to about 50 degrees F. Before the Dolly Sods hang I added about 3/4 oz. of down to each of the ten tubes. (That's a lot of overstuffting.) I was very comfortable at 33 degrees on Thursday, and I expect to use this quilt comfortably at Mt. Rogers. The particular quilt is a discontinued model, so I don't think it's appropriate to identify the manufacturer. I did notice the phenomenon that Demostix mentioned: drape can definitely influence warmth. When I first pulled the quilt over me, I found it helped to pull it down around my legs to limit air spaces in which convection could occur. Of course, I could have just waited 10 minutes and my body heat would have heated the space completely. This is now a very warm quilt.

[fourdog]

I first learned about overstuffing from Mors Koshanski. He started back in the 1970tys to take one down coat and take the down from that and place into a second. He found under extended field use it was not just twice as warm it was more then that. The examples of artic down parkas he has that are sold to be used by workers in the far north are all over stuffed when comparied to
consumer camping gear. There out in it day in and day out not for the weekend.

He's theroy is it prevents any void spots to act as channels for heat loss.
I agree. Since learning that I ether over stuff if it does not have it or order it over stuffed by 30%. It works for me. I camp to down to -35F.

fourdog

www.fourdog.com

[exup]

Great post fourdog, thank you.