Has Anyone tried to make a PrimaLoft underquilt?

**MMiller** · 11-04-2014, 19:59

I dont have the money to get down, and PrimaLoft' insulation properties are nice (water resistance and heat retention). I would end up doing two layers of the stuff. I'm looking at making this as more of an addition to my 3 season system. I figured I would ask for help before I dropped 60ish bucks on materials. I found the material here: http://www.questoutfitters.com/insulations.htm

**The Old Boot** · 11-04-2014, 20:41

Use this instead

http://thru-hiker.com/materials/insulation.php

Primaloft has to be quilted every 6 inches or so to hold it in place. With Climashield no quilting is necessary. I stitched it into the outside seams and then top stitched about an inch in from the edge to make sure it wasn't going anywhere and for looks.

**MMiller** · 11-04-2014, 22:06

good to know thanks!

WV · 11-04-2014, 22:19

Personally, I like Primaloft, and have made several insulated hammocks with it (that's essentially making an underquilt and sewing it to the hammock, except you leave out one layer of fabric.) I believe there are different types of Primaloft with different suggested spacings for quilting. I used 16" to 24" with no problems. Climashield is good, too, and with more than one layer you can usually get a uniform thickness, though it's easier with Primaloft. Getting the right shape for the underquilt is more important than which insulation you use, IMO, so try whichever one appeals to you.

**Tacblades** · 11-05-2014, 10:14

If you dont mind importing, i am using this down from Germany a really good price i think.

I have used them for other stuff and they are a great company, good communication good international delivery.

http://goo.gl/FL235q

**Just Bill** · 11-05-2014, 10:43

I will probably try one soon- but other than WV- all advise seems to point against it.

If you are only making one, or budget is tight- Apex is the known choice.
PL Gold is worth some experimentation if you want to tinker.

**FLRider** · 11-06-2014, 08:47

WV has the right of it when he says that the shape of the underquilt is important.

However, assuming that you get it right with the shaping and draft blockage, the way to figure out what weight of synthetic insulation for a given temperature you need is the following equation:

W = (70 - T) / (CLO * 14)

where W is the weight of the insulation in oz/sq yd, T is the target temperature in * F, and CLO is the CLO value of the insulation (this is given on most high-end synthetics, but as an easy reference, Climashield APEX is 0.82 and Primaloft Gold is 0.92). Note that this assumes you wear a normal base layer to bed (otherwise the temp is subtracted from 84 rather than 70).

As a worked example for, let's say, 40* F with Climashield APEX:

W = (70 - 40) / (0.82 * 14)
W = 30 / 11.48
W = 2.61

So, you would need approximately 3 oz / sq yd APEX for a 40* quilt (I always round up to ensure that drafts, humidity, "cold" sleeper, etc. have less of an impact on the quilt's rating).

Hope it helps!

**ShooTa** · 11-06-2014, 10:51

it may be a cost saving or not (depending on your skills/preferences) but the snugpak UQ is a primaloft (with tweaks) and only costs £50 - not sure what shipping would be like though.