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Need baffle help


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  • #1265313
    Ike Mouser
    Member

    @isaac-mouser

    Im making a 48(head)x38(foot)x74 winter quilt(finished measurements). It is to have 3" of loft.

    calculations for review:
    (48 + 38)/2 = 42 average width

    [42*74*3(loft)/850(Fillpower)]=11oz

    11oz + 15%(cold sleeper) = 12.65oz.

    Questions:

    My question is, how spaced apart should i make my baffle lines?

    How do i know how long or high to make the nanoseeum baffles?

    Assuming the baffles were 6": Would it be a 9" wide piece of nanoseeum for each 6" baffle space to allow for 3" of loft?

    #1662671
    Brad Groves
    BPL Member

    @4quietwoods

    Locale: Michigan

    I like to space the baffles a little tighter, about 5" between them. 6" would probably be fine.

    If you're shooting for 3" of loft, then you probably want to cut a 3" strip of netting for each baffle. When sewn in that'll be closer to 2.5" or so, which should help maximize density/minimize cold spots while allowing great loft. Cut the 3" strip for the overall width of your fabric at that point… so for your topmost baffle, cut it at 48" long.

    #1662676
    Ike Mouser
    Member

    @isaac-mouser

    "Sewn thru baffles tend to create cold spots because the loft is restricted at the seam lines. With offset baffles the loft can remain constant across the quilt.

    Don't overstuff them too much or you will defeat your purposes. If you overstuff them too severely you self compress the insulation. I dont believe you can realistically reach 30° with a sewn 'thru baffle.
    It would be pointless, it seems, to have anything more than a 1.5" loft if you have shells sewn together. That will give a fair rating of 40° alone."

    That has me retreating to a rectangular quilt instead of tapered, should i be worried?

    #1662714
    Lance M
    BPL Member

    @lancem

    Locale: Oregon

    Ike
    Have you read "Make Your Own Gear – Down Quilt or Sleeping Bag"? It has lots of good info and drawings.

    Try this Google search: "baffle spacing site:backpackinglight.com" Lots of hits there. Here's an example: Baffle thread.

    My personal experience with approximately 2-1/2" high baffles is that 6" spacing is too big. The down shifts from on top of you to your sides. My experience with 5" baffles is better, however I think 4" would be better yet.

    -Lance

    #1662717
    Tim Marshall
    BPL Member

    @marshlaw303

    Locale: Minnesota

    sewn through means shell sewn right to liner, no mesh baffle in the middle.

    a tapered quilt with 2.5-2.75" baffles is about right. cut 3" stripes of mesh and sew with <1/4" seam. space them about 6" apart for best down control. I do 5" for 2" loft and 5.5 for 2,5"

    hope that helps

    -Tim

    #1662845
    Dustin Short
    BPL Member

    @upalachango

    Ike,

    Don't worry too much about overstuffing. Assuming you are not forcefully packing extra down in you should be ok.

    Down actually increases it's insulation value the denser it is packed, it just doesn't increase as much as the weight increases (ie it's less warm/weight but more warm/inch…as lightweight backpackers we care more about weight).

    A little overstuffing does have other benefits though, it keeps the down from shifting as much which provides a more uniform warmth and less cold spots..

    #1662963
    Ike Mouser
    Member

    @isaac-mouser

    Thanks guys! Back to work.

    #1662981
    Vick Hines
    Member

    @vickrhines

    Locale: Central Texas

    One thing to consider: can you get your hand into the down tubes? It's really hard to stuff a fist full of down into a tight tube.

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