An idea....

[Splat]

A local store has a Western Mountaineering Tamarak http://tinyurl.com/6jau2d . It's only 5' in length but otherwise a nice bag that opens up easily to convert to a lightweight 30° quilt. This is just an idea so go easy on this quilt-newbie if it's ....well an unworthy idea. I was thinking that I could get this Tamarak and then sew on 1-yard of insulation (Climashield maybe) and ripstop nylon at the top to make it fit me and I'd have a quilt. This would negate me having to sew a whole quit, instead I'd only have a yard's worth of material to put together and sew to the top of the Tamarak. Whole thing would cost me about $230. Good idea or ney?

[Miguel]

I'd have to go with a nay. If I were paying that much ($230) and going to that much hassle, I'd just save a bit more and get the real deal. I made one from scratch (well....my wife really made it) for well under $100. I used the same insulation and it's kept me toasty into the upper twenties. It may be good even lower but I haven't had the opportunity to comfirm it. Oh yeah....I'd also like it longer than five feet although some have made short ones. I'm not buying into it though....I'm a full coverage kind of guy and seep fairly cold.

Miguel

[txulrich]

I would also vote nay. You can get a JRB Nest for $250 or a Hudson River on sale now for only $200. Usable right out of the box and high quality too boot.

[JayS]

Have to agree with the others above. Western Mountaineering make great bags but it would be a whole lot easier, and probably cheaper, to get a purpose made quilt.

Or make one yourself. I made a 30* down quilt recently with materials I ordered over the internet. Made it exactly the way I wanted it and it, at full size, weighed exactly the same as the WM bag you're looking at before I added four grosgrain tie outs (which may have added and ounce). I don't have a lot of experience sewing so I just took my time and it worked out.