Montbell SS – baffles sewn through?

my apologies…

I will try again using the method posted by David below (thanks for the tips) and report my results.

No – the baffles are not sewn through. Yes – you can migrate the down between baffles.

At the end of each baffle is the elastic. However, there is not just one elastic, but two. One for the outer shell and one of the inner shell (the inner shell elastic is 'smaller' thus bringing the fabric closer to your body and 'hugging' you). You have to carefully pull the two elastics apart at which ever two baffles you want to move the down from and to, and shake the bag at the same time. It sounds like an exercise in magic but it is really very easy. It is harder to move down from the very top to the bottom – it will take some time. But between baffles it is easy.

Figures…I started to question myself after I posted. David, is this only for the montbell bags? I'll edit my post above…thanks for the info.

Hi Steve – I can't comment on the non UL Hugger MB models (I think this is what you were asking). My #2 did not require any 'manual down migration,' but my #4 did. It took but a few minutes and the down was nicely distributed. It seems to me that on the MB's, the down migration from an 'underfilled' baffle is directly from a concurrent baffle so it is not a big deal to move some down around.

I just spent the better part of an hour fiddling with the bag and doing everything conceivable to make this work. While it may have been possible in your bag, David, I'm convinced that the baffles are disconnected in mine, and that it is indeed impossible to move down from one to another. I should mention that I tried at great lengths to pinch apart the elastic "hugger" bands in the way you mention, and there is clearly a fabric running horizontally between them that prevents this from working.

I am really sorry to hear that. What year is yours? My 2009 #2 allows this without issue.

Have you contacted Montbell directly?

.

Montbell made all of this right. They replaced the bag with a replacement. You can be sure I scrutinized the bag's baffles, and the down is very evenly spaced. The whole process was no-hassle and I am pleased. These bags are great.

"Partitions have been created inside each baffle to more effectively distribute the down and limit migration."

Consider his comment – "limit migration" implies it can happen. One can separate the partition and move down around. Not easily but it can be done. I will try to post some pics tonight.

By the way – nice to hear about the return!!

How would you be able to demonstrate this with pictures.

Yup – not possible.

You want to drop by?

I have a #2 ulss 2007 model, and for the life of me, I cannot move down from one compartment to the next. Mine are very securely partitioned.

Why can I?

David,
Here's a wild ass guess –

Someone failed to sew your baffles….

Ha!! Maybe I have one of the bad ones that will keep down migrating ultimately causing empty baffles.

Now this actually concerns me a little? Crap.