Zpacks twin quilt

[Colin Krusor]

In April, I ordered and received a twin quilt from Zpacks, but my wife found it uncomfortable due to a stiching irregularity in the baffle seams (which Joe attributed to a sewing machine adjustment problem) and very heavy, abrasive thread. I described these problems in another thread:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=76223&skip_to_post=651472#651472

To my surprise, Joe immediately offered to accept a return of the quilt. I asked if he would be willing to take another order from us, and I proposed that I could send him some lightweight thread (Thruhiker Dacron Hydrophobe thread) and enough fabric (TiGoat Nobul 1) for the shell of the new quilt. He was happy to do it. I sent back the first quilt, along with the materials for the new quilt, a couple of weeks ago, and the new quilt arrived this week. The double-layer loft is about 7.5", and it weighs 32.8 oz on my scale. It packs surprisingly small in its roll-top cuben stuff sack.

The 10D shell material of the first quilt clung to the skin and felt plasticky. The Nobul1 shell on the new quilt is soft, silky, and very breathable (much faster lofting and easier compression of the quilt), but no heavier or apparently less downproof than the 10D shell material of the first quilt. The Nobul1 is also a bit translucent. The down clusters are visible beneath it.

The seams on the new quilt look great. The stitch spacing is tight, the seams are neat, and the thread is not at all abrasive.

At 84" wide, there is plenty of room for my wife and myself, and width to spare for tucking in at the sides. The footbox is about 22" wide. The head end can be divided into two openings by fitting a black plastic "button" through a button hole in the middle. The openings can then be independently cinched up.

I'm pleased with this quilt, and it is at least five ounces lighter than a comparable quilt from any other company. It goes without saying that working with Joe is always a good experience. He deserves his reputation for being attentive, knowledgeable, good-natured, reasonable, and sincere.

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