$100 Pertex 800 fill top quilt

**Strung out** · 09-15-2011, 09:20

Well, it only got down to about 34 this morning. There was just a slight breeze. hardly noticeable.

I was nice and warm under this quilt.

Details:
I was using a DIY full UQ with about 12oz of 800 fp down. about 3" of loft when in use.
No tarp.
I was wearing wool socks, thin flannel pants, t-shirt and hooded sweatshirt, synthetic stocking cap.

I feel that this was near the lower limit of the quilt.
One nice thing about this quilt is that you can keep all of the down on top of you.
when hemmed correctly, the remaining fabric allows you to keep a nice tight seal along the sides, and every bit of down is lofted on top of you.
With many quilts, you end up tucking some of the down underneath you.

The quilt does not start to taper until about 20"+ from the top.
The material that is left when you cut the back is about 10" wide on each side.
This makes a nice wide area throughout your midsection of about 60" wide by 20"+ long.

Very happy with this quilt, and it is definitely a 3 season winner for me.

**rtramseyer** · 09-16-2011, 21:45

just finished modifying my topbag. I removed the back, leaving about 4" draft skirt. Took off the top 3 chambers - I'm pretty short- & added 8 or 10 oz. of down. (didn't mess with the footbox - that seemed pretty well stuffed.) It's plenty cozy & still fits into its stuff sack.

I'd originally planned to also add the down from the section I removed but decided instead to turn it into a pillow/hood. My cheap postal scale says it weighs only .5 oz and it stuffs into a fist size ball. Not my best sewing but I'm fairly delighted.

**Lonely Raven** · 09-16-2011, 21:49

Wait, you added 8 or 10 oz to that! Isn't that like doubling it's stuffing?

**rtramseyer** · 09-16-2011, 22:02

...well, yes. did I mention I'm new to all this? I read a thread that said it's virtually impossible to overstuff though there was some discussion about diminishing returns & all. I had a high quality down throw which I could spare & just decide to add it all. was this a foolish move?

**Lonely Raven** · 09-16-2011, 22:10

Originally Posted by rtramseyer

...well, yes. did I mention I'm new to all this? I read a thread that said it's virtually impossible to overstuff though there was some discussion about diminishing returns & all. I had a high quality down throw which I could spare & just decide to add it all. was this a foolish move?

Foolish? No. But you may have just made yourself a nice winter quilt!

Honestly it doesn't look overstuffed from the images.

What Fill Power was the down you used?

Oh, and I finally broke down and just ordered one of these myself. I need to have a spare around for when friends want to use a hammock. Plus I only have a winter quilt right now, and it's often too warm.

**rtramseyer** · 09-16-2011, 23:46

I have a vivid memory of camping in way northern Michigan in Aug when the temperature plummeted to around freezing. we were totally unprepared. It was an endless night! I vowed it would never happen to me again. I guess I may have overdone it.

The fill power wasn't marked but it was a very nice Eddie Bauer throw, light & stuffable but remarkably warm (... & I destroyed it...).

I appreciate your comments. Thank you.

Rita

**sir_n0thing** · 09-17-2011, 10:01

I saw one of these Rab top bags on sale for $85 + shipping. Sounds like the consensus opinion is they are worth it?
I almost purchased it, but I am trying to save up for a winter quilt...

**Doody** · 09-18-2011, 19:02

I just had mine out this weekend and was plenty warm at 38 degrees. I was using a winter incubator underquilt but my back got chilly a few times due to an airgap that I was too lazy to get out and fix. My top stayed perfectly warm.

**letstieoneon** · 09-19-2011, 22:20

Originally Posted by sir_n0thing

I saw one of these Rab top bags on sale for $85 + shipping. Sounds like the consensus opinion is they are worth it?
I almost purchased it, but I am trying to save up for a winter quilt...

I have only seen it on the Department of goods site for 103 free shipping.

thanks in advance, Nota

**jwright** · 09-20-2011, 00:19

Cutting mine now as we speak. Took 1 beer to get up the courage to cut apart my first and only piece of down gear. Wow, this stuff is really, really light. It feels like I am carrying a few cotton balls that happen to take up a good sized storage sack. Now I know why everybody is so fond of down. I wish it wasn't so damp/humid around here, I would love to have more of the downy goodness. Don't expect any pictures until after I learn to sew and can finish the edges.

Jason