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  1. #1
    Senior Member engine386's Avatar
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    How is this not the best Ultralight UQ?

    I thought that I had found my UQ. The 3/4 Phoenix sounded good and I've heard nothing but good things about Hammock Gear. Then I came across insultex and the Baby Orca at Molly Mac Gear.

    The Baby Orca is cheaper, lighter and should be able to take me to the same temps, if not a bit lower. So what am I missing here? what advantage does the 40 degree Phoenix have over the Baby Orca?

    40 Phoenix - 11.7 oz $144

    Baby Orca - 8.5 oz $125 +plus its on sale right now w/ free shipping

    I just want to find the best option for my underquilt and being lightweight is a big factor. I'm open to other options, these are just my two favorites so far.
    -Eric

  2. #2
    Senior Member Groovy's Avatar
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    Wilderness Logics

    Take a look at WL summer series under quilt. The price includes shipping and they get it to you quickly. Just another option.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
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    Insultex is not breathable and holds moisture.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

  4. #4
    Senior Member engine386's Avatar
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    Groovy- Nice find, that is a good option. However, it is slightly heavier and more $ at
    10 oz and $135

  5. #5
    Senior Member Fronkey's Avatar
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    There's compactability to thing of as well.

    Fronkey

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Some people have had condensation issues with insultex, some swear by their's. Different strokes for different folks.

  7. #7
    Senior Member BrianWillan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bubba View Post
    Insultex is not breathable and holds moisture.
    It is also not nearly as compressible as a down quilt. On the plus side for Insultex, it is not affected by being stored in its stuff sack over the long term.

    Cheers

    Brian
    Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment. - Unknown

  8. #8
    Member SteveS's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Slo View Post
    Some people have had condensation issues with insultex, some swear by their's. Different strokes for different folks.
    Question I have is does anyone EVER complain about down?

    I've just ordered the materials for a down 40* TQ, and I have been quite happy with a 3 layer 35* IX for the under. You now have me wondering if perhaps I'd be happier surrounded by a puffy cloud of feathers.

  9. #9
    Senior Member MAD777's Avatar
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    This is a great question to pursue. The key to the fact that we are comparing synthetics to down is the fact that this is only a 40 degree quilt, which translates to about 1-1/2" of down. At this thickness or less, synthetics can give down real competition. At cold temperatures, nothing beats down in the warmth to weight ratio comparison. Only fear of wet quilts would justify synthetics in the cold.

    From all my research into Insultex (IX) underquilts, I'm of the opinion that they will do a fine job as long as you can get them to seal properly. These IX quilts seem to be a bit more finicky than their down counterparts on this point. I believe that MacEntyre has added bolsters to his original design to help address this.

    Breathability is an issue for some. But I would suspect that this becomes more of a problem as temperatures warm up and some venting might be appropriate anyway at these warmer temperatures.

    As to compressibility, IX will compress surprisingly well and at this size of quilt, wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. Remember, you can compress the living p00p out of IX without harming it - not so with precious down.

    As an off topic side note I will add that I have a double layer TOP quilt made of IX and I personally do not like it at all in that application. But those problems are not present in an UNDER quilt.
    Mike
    "Life is a Project!"

  10. #10
    Senior Member lazy river road's Avatar
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    I've shied away from insultex because its not breathable from what I understand. I'm a sweater in general and would hate to wake up in a soaked hammock. However that's just me and I personally have not tried out insultex so I cant really speak to much about it beside what I've heard and read here on the forum so take that for what its worth which isent much . However both Mac. and stormcrow make excellent UQ's and gear overall and lots of people here on this forum have had great success with both UQ's form both those vendors, every ones mileage varies. However I had stormcrow from Hammock Gear make me a custom 40 phoenix quilt (specs below, review linked http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=53238).

    40 rated Phoenix, 46 long by 45 wide

    a. 40 rated Phoenix approximately 3.25 oz. down
    b. 7D inner and outer shell
    c. no plastic line locks on the corners original continuous looped suspension
    d. attached silk ribbon loops centered on Phoenix
    e. No draft collars
    f. Total Weight 8.2 (in cuben stuff sack weighting .2)

    Its .3 lighter then the Baby Orca and made from down. HYOH YMMV
    Sometimes I like to hike and think, And sometimes I just like to hike.

    Hiking is'ent about waiting for the storm to pass its about learning to hike in the rain.

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