What to make first

[tommychic]

Two questions; discuss as needed. As always, thank you in advance for everyone's insight.

I can afford to make 1 quilt at the moment. Is my money better spent on a top or bottom quilt? My gut says top quilt makes more sense as heat rises, but my gut has been known to be wrong.

Second, my inclination is to use down because of its weight and ability to compress. Having access to Climashield and Primaloft (Ripstopbytheroll.com being my source), can I achieve the same amount of compression and weight:warmth ratio? Compression size is my major concern.

Again, thanks in advance for everyone's insight!

[SilvrSurfr]

I would definitely say UQ is the way to go - more bang for the buck.

[xxl_hanger]

If you are on a budget it is better to make all as cheap as possible because you can accomplish then more and get more utility (this is says the Gossen's law). One of the cheapest solutions is a DIY Climashield Quilt because you don't need a downproof fabric which is normally a bit more expensive and CS is much cheaper than downs. If you have already an hammock I would start with an UQ (perhaps even with something like that) because the cold from beneath can be hefty even at summer time if you have no protection at all.

[boulderv7]

I second an UQ. And the short answer is, no, synthetic insulation cannot equal down when it comes to weight, warmth and compressibility, at least IMO.

[xxl_hanger]

I have only once in my live heavily frozen and fighted to the death. This was in a German army down sleeping bag which became wet only because of some air moisture. I think Climashield and Primaloft were developed by the US Army. I think to know why they have done that.

"In 2005 three men, including Ryan Jordan set out to make a 1000 km trek without re-supply across the wilds of Alaska. For this trek Jordan designed, prototyped, and subsequently tested a number of pieces of gear including a sleeping quilt insulated with 180 g/sq. m. synthetic insulation." Nuff said!