Quilts and Drafts: Are Quilts Warmer than a Mummy Bag? Infrared testing.

[Alex (he/him)]

I find ZenBivy to be pretty much draft-proof, but I also find their temperature ratings to be even more optimistic than industry standard. I’m comfortable down to 40 degrees in my 25 degree zenbivy “Light” quilt, and have only tested the 10 degree quilt down to about 30 so far but wouldn’t push it far below that.

Still, I find the side sleeping comfort to be worth it.

I sleep with a ZenBivy Flex pad and a mostly-down hood.

[Terran]

Much higher than their claims. It should be in the 20’s next weekend. Sounds like I may get cold.  I see most of their quilts are duck down. I wonder how much difference that makes? Its not Muscovy. Its 800. Is everything below 800 considered 750 or under? Or is it a range of plus or minus 25?

 

[JG H]

I’m not sure that goose vs duck impacts the temp rating, if that’s what your asking. A 20° rated bag should insulate accordingly, regardless of the animal from which the down was sourced. Sounds like ZenBivy is taking some liberties with their ratings.

And the power-fill number refers to how many cubic inches in an ounce of down, I believe. I’ve never seen fill ratings in anything other than 50s or whole 100s, but I’ve seen them as low as 550 and as high as 1000.

[Jerry Adams]

There’s an EN standard for sleeping bags.  With a heated manikan inside climate controlled chamber

No standard for quilts.

[Terran]

ASTM F1720 covers ‘sleeping bags and sleep systems”. Also with manneguins. I may have it in my 2012 copy. IDK. I found that online. I imagine its for survival ratings. Perhaps that’s what he was referring to. In checking for comfort ratings, they might be following the same parameters and I get to be the mannequin.

[Terran]

While the fill ratings work on a scale of 50, I’m wondering if all 800 fill is equal, with some being closer to 850. I guess I need to get over my stigma from using duck feather pillows.

[Bill in Roswell]

Paul, Big Agnes made a sleeping bag with uninsulated bottom. Timmermade has a false bottom bag. But neither of those have the adjustability of your bottom zipper. It’s a great idea.

[Author]

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