BPL Newsletter: How to Choose a Down Quilt

[Terran Terran]

Enlightened Equipment quilts tend to get a bad rap for being “under-stuffed” while actual comparison of fill weights shows them to be one of the highest for temperature rating. I think in producing ultralight quilts, you would want large baffles with minimum fill. I think EE has done a very good job of doing that. It does require a good shake before use. Personally one reason that I don’t use a compression sack. I don’t over compress my quilts.

[Jerry Adams]

If you’re understuffed it will be warmer for the weight if you tested it in a lab

But in actual use, after a while the down loses a little loft so you’ll start getting baffles where the down has shifted away from spots.  Better to overstuff by 20% or 30%.

But, if you’re careful and fluff up the down frequently it will have a little more warmth for the weight.  And wash it if it gets a little body oil.

It’s a trade off.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

But, if you’re careful and fluff up the down frequently it will have a little more warmth for the weight.

Isn’t that the point of developing UL skills?  Additionally, degradation is also a function of the type of down that you use, I have heard that Duck Down degrade faster that Goose Down.  That being said, the lifespan of Duck Down has been reported at about 5 years or so.  Anyway, that is what I have heard.  I have a 10 year old EE quilt that I am still happy with.  My 2 cents.

[baja bob]

I think the bad rap EE gets is complaints about the quilts not living up to temperature ratings. They achieve their perceived lightweight by using limit ratings to identify their quilts while others use comfort ratings. Obviously, a 20 degree limit rated quit will be lighter than a 20 degree comfort rated quilt. Lightweight is all in a name.

My 30 degree Gryphon Gear quilt has basically the equivalent amount of down as the EE 20 degree quilt at about the same weight.

[Terran Terran]

The 30*GG quilt with 900fp down is $10 more than the EE 20* quilt with 950fp. . As the newsletter said, it’s somewhat better to compare fill weights and fill power rather than temperature ratings. Ryan came up with a pretty good formula. I think we’re all getting better at reading temperature ratings though. If the survival rating is tested accurately, the comfort level is subjective. We each personally decide what we’re comfortable with.

[JCH]

I have 2 EE quilts…a 30 deg revelation (750 duck) and a 10 deg enigma (800 goose), both 10 years old, and both functioning as new. Never stuffed, always packed loosely in the bottom of the pack liner. I love them. Do not understand any negative comments re: EE.  Compare the specs and use your experience to guide your purchase decisions.

[Dan]

In my experience, EE quilts are fine for what they are, but over time, mine have definitely lost loft and become harder to redistribute. It takes more work and effort compared to my other quilts because they don’t have the overstuffing.

[Terran Terran]

I had to redistribute the down in my EE after a washing which was a bit time consuming. Trying to get it even was a judgement call. After several years there’s about a 4” section of one of the inside baffle seams has given out. Not a deal breaker in my opinion. It was a great starter quilt at the price. It leaves more room in the budget for other necessities. I bought a 20* Revelation for above freezing temperatures, which I have pushed at times. In retrospect, I would have bought a 10* quilt. I had the fear of getting too hot and didn’t want to carry excessive weight. I’ve found that I like the foot box, making the zipper unnecessary, though it is nice for car camping. Now that I have all my gear, I can afford to step up, though EE is still on my list. I was looking at Nunatak’s new offering, but it hasn’t came out yet. Then ZB gave me a large 10* duck down. I prefer an extra large. Beggars can’t be choosers and it’s difficult to excuse the expense when I have one. By the time the duck down breaks down, I’ll be in my 80’s, so it really doesn’t matter.

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