Adding Down to JRB Quilt

**hacktorious** · 04-29-2008, 09:00

I have some extra down and am contemplating opening up my no sniv and putting it in. How difficult of a project would this be? I am not that great at sewing, however, I have made a quilt, a hammock, and a tarp.

It almost seems it would be easier and safer to just make a new quilt. Any thoughts?

**headchange4u** · 04-29-2008, 10:04

I have been thinking about adding some extra down to my JRB quilts. I don't really think it would be that hard, but it would be time consuming. You would just have to open the the roll hem on one of the long sides. Since the hem is already sewn and creased it would be pretty easy to refold and re-sew the hem.

**NCPatrick** · 04-29-2008, 10:06

I'm pretty sure that would void your warranty...

**BurningCedar** · 04-29-2008, 11:47

I don't THINK adding more down would really increase the warmth of the quilts significantly. The warmth comes from the volume of trapped air (generally measured by the thickness of the quilt). The Jacks tend to slightly overstuff their quilts to begin with -- making sure that they "inflate" to their maximum possible volume. Adding more down would mostly just increase the weight of their quilts.

I'm sure one of the Jacks will jump in with a more informed opinion.

**Peter_pan** · 04-29-2008, 12:27

Originally Posted by BurningCedar

I don't THINK adding more down would really increase the warmth of the quilts significantly. The warmth comes from the volume of trapped air (generally measured by the thickness of the quilt). The Jacks tend to slightly overstuff their quilts to begin with -- making sure that they "inflate" to their maximum possible volume. Adding more down would mostly just increase the weight of their quilts.

I'm sure one of the Jacks will jump in with a more informed opinion.

First, there are actually two full length seams (one is hidden)... and, there are two 18 to 24 inch seams for the omnitape on the foot box depending on which length quilt you have.

Opening seams is a PITA.... And you risk tearing or puncturing the light 1.1 rip stop with the unstitcher.... But Hey.... You might enjoy it...

Finally adding down will puff the baffle chamber which turns the realitively flat surfaces (top and bottom sides) into sine waves... Thus the quilt will be effectively shortened in the process.... Sooooooooooo, if you are at or near the recommended size for your height...This can turn your idea and action into a mistake....

With a resale market for JRB quilts that normally brings 75-85 percent of original price in 24 hours or less .... for those who feel they need more quilt they are better off selling a quilt and purchasing the next loftier model IOHO.

BTW.... The New JRB 5th Anniversary Special Nest will debute at Trail Days.... Full 3 inch baffles, JRB standard over stuffed of 15 percent to achieve 3.5-4 inches of loft....More details? Come to Trail Days...

FWIW, HC4U, your custom, sub 16 oz each, Nest and No Sniveller set is more valuable/marketable as is ( No ... JRB does not do custom sets....HC4U owns my personal one off ultra light set, made several years ago as a test of what is now unavailable .85 oz rip stop)

Pan

**hacktorious** · 04-29-2008, 18:01

Well, I just finished stuffing more down into my no sniv. It truly looks like it is on roids.

Fortunately it is still plenty long enough for me. The quilt now has twice the loft it had, and still fits in the same bag. However, it now weighs 2 lbs.

I am going to test it out in the back yard tonight. I am certain it will be much warmer. I tried it for a few minutes and it seems very warm.

**angrysparrow** · 04-29-2008, 18:07

Originally Posted by hacktorious

Well, I just finished stuffing more down into my no sniv....it now weighs 2 lbs...much warmer...

A 2lb No Sniveler? We need pics.

You must be the coldest natured person on this forum.

**te-wa** · 04-29-2008, 19:00

I added 2oz of Speer's down to a Hudson River. It now has over 3" loft. If you add more than this you may be wasting down as its loft could be hindered. Opening the seams and adding the down with a shop vac is not very hard to do. My quilt gained about 10° rating for only 2oz. Job took about 5 hours. Worth it to me!

**hacktorious** · 04-29-2008, 19:54

Hmmm, I think I added about 10 oz.

I previously made one of these:
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/make-down-quilt/

It didn't turn out right, so I stuffed the down in my Sniv.

It has about a 3-4 inch loft now. Maybe I did over do it a bit. I can always remove some if I have to. However, it seems like there is plenty of room left over in the baffles. It lofts up really nicely.

I'd hate to be wasting weight on extra down if it isn't necessary.

Yes, I do sleep very cold. The sniv and nest are not warm enough for me when it is 60* out. I need a lot more loft than the ave person. I have always been that way. Just imagine how I felt growing up in the snow belt of Lake Erie.