Cost to save an ounce

[Jeff Cadorin]

What would you pay to save an ounce?

I have my gear for the shoulder seasons down to just under 7.5lbs. I am looking at picking up a new quilt that puts me just under that number. The difference from 800 to 950 down is 1.25oz and $65 bucks. It’s about a 7% reduction in overall weight for that $65 on that piece of gear. Besides saving 1 ounce, is 950 down that much better then 800 in general? Finding it hard to pull the trigger one way or another. Appreciate any input.

[Jerry A]

No it is not worth the price.When it get’s cold, wear more clothes. I wear a Base layer and you probably going to have it on or will when you wake up..

[Greg Mihalik]

“…is 950 down that much better then 800 in general?”  Good question!

Has any independent agency measured a loft difference between 800 and 950 down using the same methodology under the same conditions?

Pictures, or it didn’t happen.

[Jerry Adams]

recent thread – 950 down loses loft more when damp so maybe not much better than 800

good question though, how much does it cost to save an ounce

[Jeff Cadorin]

My particular conundrum was just an example of what I am up against to decide. The more research I do the less likely I am to pay for that upgrade.

I would like to know if others have a sweet spot for savings? Perhaps your last purchase of an upgraded item hit your sweet spot. Would love to here about it.

[Chris FormyDuval]

Most of the upgrades I look at seem to fall in the $10-15 per oz saved.  Less than that I get without much thought, more than that I’ve really got to want it.

[Nick Gatel]

My opinion is that saving a few ounces isn’t worth it whatever the cost, unless the replacement item has improved function or increases efficiency.

For example a modern 800 fill jacket is lighter and takes up MUCH less space in the pack than a 1980’s 600 fill jacket with a bomber shell.

When I switched from a poncho/tarp and bivy combination to a 8′ X 10′ cuben tarp and Marmot Essence I lost weight but gained a tremendous amount of living space and could stay dry in a downpour when setting up my shelter, because I no longer had to take off my rain gear when setting up.

Moving from that combination to a Hexamid and cuben poncho saved a couple ounces, but gave me quicker time to set up and rain gear that wasn’t a sweat box when hiking.

[James Marco]

That all depends on what the item is. Sometimes it is, given improved function for the same weight or less. Other times, it isn’t. I pay for ti shepherds hook stakes and carry 7 of them. I could just whittle a few when needed. It is worth it to not have to fiddle with making stakes to carry an ounce and a half of them. Sometimes volume is very important. It is worth an extra ounce to save the decreased 25% volume…say a sil tarp vs a heximid. The tarp doesn’t save weight, it is just a lot smaller to pack.

Anyway, 900fp down is exceptionally good for cold weather. Low humidity, not a lot of rain and wet snow. If I was to head out at ~32F/0C I wouldn’t want it, though. 800fp down will be about the same warmth as 900fp. And it depends on where you hike. If you hike in a dryer area, go for the 900, but, if it is in a wetter region, you are just wasting your dollars because the extra will be humidity loss.

[Matt Macaulay]

I was in a similar situation, but I was more concerned with packability than weight. I was upgrading from a RevX 800 fill. I was curious how much better 950 fill would compress and got this back from EE:

“950 fill will compress roughly 10-15 percent more than 800 fill.
Let me know if you have any other questions.”

I ended up going with an Enigma 850 fill and saving that extra money for something else.

[Bob Moulder]

Also consider the quilt’s shell material… 10D is much lighter and less bulky than 20D and IMSO (in my subjective opinion) 10D also permits the quilt to dry out a lot more quickly than a heavier, less permeable shell.

[Author]

Posts