uq's shell materials

**fred1diver** · 10-19-2010, 18:16

O.K. so I've decided to make my own uq, what fabric would you all recommend, I'm thinking momentum on the hammock side (lightweight)
would putting sil on the outside be a good choice? I'm wondering because if you look at the hhss the ext shell is sil...
maybe make it in sil but leave a patch of momentum for breathability?
I'd like to put sil to be able to get to lower temps since it would be water and wind proof, but will condensation be a problem? I am a warm sleeper.

or should I go momentum all the way
as for insulation I'm debating betewn down (a bit pricey) or 2 to 3 layers of 4oz primaloft, what do you recommend ( I know down is a favorite)

as far as dimension I'm not sure yet, maybe a kaq or a 3/4 length modified kaq

the uq is for a hh exed asym, the tarp is a 70d hex from hh, and we'll see about the tq, using a sleeping bag at the moment.

I'm awaiting your help in helping me decide before I make my fabric orders....
thanks in advance
FRED

**Dblcorona** · 10-19-2010, 18:26

Well, I went with 1.1oz DWR for everything. If your going momentum, I would just use it for the whole thing.

**MAD777** · 10-19-2010, 19:22

I would be afraid of using waterproof fabric throughout the bottom. If condensation did develop, it would have nowhere to go. Your down would be useless.

Perhaps the outer baffle or two on each side could be waterproof with the middle breathable. That would guard against windblown rain and some splatter but still render the quilt breathable.

The more I think about that, the better it sounds!

**Dblcorona** · 10-19-2010, 20:23

You can go with a waterproof and have a nice quilt. There are guys like Tim Marshall from Enlightened Gear making tq and uq out of cuben fabric. I really have not had an issue with condensation on my under quilts. Really it comes down to what you want to use. Make it how you want it.

**MarshLaw303** · 10-20-2010, 08:15

if you are going to make the shell (outside) waterproof you MUST also make the liner (inside) waterproof. If the liner is M90 and the shell SIL the moisture will enter through the m90 but not be able to exit through the sil. if you want WP use sil on all sides and add a small stripe of m90 to the shell (outside) for air to enter exit for stuffing/lofting.

On cuben quilts you don't need the m90 stripe to let air in as the needle holes are plenty but i think the holes will self seal a lot more with sil so would expect it to need the stripe for packing/lofting.

-Tim