How big should my baffles be?

**Preacha Man** · 11-30-2008, 00:23

I am slowly rebuilding all my gear after having it stolen back in March. I got my new ULA Conduit, my anti-gravity gear gravity filter, and now, I am trying to get Amanda to make me a new quilt set.

I thought each quilt would use 12oz of Ed's 900fp down, and the baffle height would be 3".

Is the Baffle height big enough to keep me comfortable to about 20*? All the winter quilts from JRB have 3" Baffles, but I sleep cold. Should I buy an extra bag of down and increase the baffles to 3.5"? I don't think the 2 quilts will weigh very much either way considering I use to lug around a 5lb bag when I slept on the ground. Just throwing this out there.

Dwight

**Just Jeff** · 11-30-2008, 06:56

Are you planning an overstuff? 3" baffles with ~3.5" thickness would be a pretty warm quilt. If you're not sure, make one 3" and one 4", then switch them out (top vs bottom) for different weather. I'm warmer if I put the thicker one on bottom...YMMV.

**txulrich** · 11-30-2008, 08:44

I have a 3" overstuff that I use on the bottom. Definitely, thicker is better.

**Preacha Man** · 11-30-2008, 09:25

Yep. I planned for an overstuff, so even with 3" baffles, the loft will be 3.5" to 4". I want the thicker on the bottom too. Is 3.5" of loft good for 20*?

Dwight

**Just Jeff** · 11-30-2008, 09:30

Should be a good estimate...depending on the fit, how you sleep, etc.

**Dutch** · 11-30-2008, 09:30

I used my UQ last night down to 25* it is about 3.5 and it used 4 bags of Speer 900 fill. I got a slight chill at my butt. I think that if I had to go down to 20 or teens I would want a small torso pad or warmer clothes. All I had on was cotton pajamas. My top quilt used 3 bags of down and was fine at that temp.

**Preacha Man** · 11-30-2008, 19:34

thanks guys. I will plan on 8 bags and disperse them accordingly. 24.8oz plus fabric is not too bad. Maybe 2 pounds for 2 quilts that are sub-zero, I cannot complain about that.

Dwight

**tight-wad** · 11-30-2008, 22:35

From Jeremy Padget posted in thru-hiker.com for a down quilt...

Comfort Rating in
Degrees Loft Height
Fahrenheit Respective in inches

40 1.5
30 2.0
20 2.5
10 3.25
0 4

In case this table gets all awry....
1.5 inches = ~ 40 degrees
4 inches = ~ 0 degrees

**Preacha Man** · 11-30-2008, 22:49

Thanks, Ayce knows his stuff.

**Coffee** · 12-01-2008, 05:26

I have a 3.5" quilt on bottom I seem to use year round. I'm thinking teens underneath without a sock or pad figured in. When it gets warmer I just hang it a little lower. I also sleep really cold. Part of that is I only had a couple quilts for the longest time.

When in doubt go thicker if you do not want a lot of different quilts. A few extra oz's in the warmer months, but this way you only need one. Plus if you figure up the math, the extra down is not that much. Maybe a couple oz's for an extra inch of thickness. I think there is 3oz difference from my 3.5" to 2.5" quilt.