What does extra down do???

**Billiard Pete** · 08-25-2013, 01:19

Hi guys, in either the top or under quilt, what does the extra down do? Like for example, if I have a 15 degree rated top quilt, will more down increase that, and if so what does every extra ounce add???

**dankie** · 08-25-2013, 01:57

It lowers the temp rating. By how much I don't know.

**Catavarie** · 08-25-2013, 02:06

The conventional wisdom is that each ounce of over stuff adds about 5°F additional to the temp rating of the quilt. Up to about 5 ounces of over stuff, then there isn't much change.

**Trambo** · 08-25-2013, 08:35

To expand on the question........ Would overfill be better on top quilt or bottom?
I would think that bottom see more improvements from it.

**BigCarDaddy** · 08-25-2013, 08:40

IMO, overstuff would be effective bottom and top. If I could put it one place only, the bottom.

**dammfast** · 08-25-2013, 08:41

There is a point of diminishing returns on overstuff. If the down is not able to expand fully it wont be as warm.

**nothermark** · 08-25-2013, 08:51

Don't know. If one computes the volume of the down tube and then uses that to compute the weight of down used to fill it then in theory an overfill allows for bad math or some clumping of the down with dirt and moisture. On a top quilt I think that may be more of an issue as there is more exposure to moisture laden breathe.

OTOH with a differential cut underquilt the inside should be the tight side so that the down fill channels sag open. More down might be less effective there...

**Detail Man** · 08-25-2013, 11:29

With my Incubator (no overfill) from time to time I would experience cool spots that moved around. It was a mystery for quite a while as I attempted to compensate with different suspension tricks, washing the quilt, etc. I finally realized that the down was migrating. There was ample down to fill the quilt, but also enough room for it to shift slightly creating the migrating cool spots. The fix was to add about 1 oz of down, just enough to prevent shifting when fully lofted.

I don't know that I increased the temp rating because the loft is the same. But the comfort rating is way better.

IMO, adding warmth to the UQ provides the most bang for the buck. There are easy ways to add insulation on top (sleep in clothes, use a jacket as a blanket, etc.) It's harder to add insulation underneath, especially while on a trip.

**Billiard Pete** · 08-25-2013, 11:32

Originally Posted by Detail Man

With my Incubator (no overfill) from time to time I would experience cool spots that moved around. It was a mystery for quite a while as I attempted to compensate with different suspension tricks, washing the quilt, etc. I finally realized that the down was migrating. There was ample down to fill the quilt, but also enough room for it to shift slightly creating the migrating cool spots. The fix was to add about 1 oz of down, just enough to prevent shifting when fully lofted.

I don't know that I increased the temp rating because the loft is the same. But the comfort rating is way better.

IMO, adding warmth to the UQ provides the most bang for the buck. There are easy ways to add insulation on top (sleep in clothes, use a jacket as a blanket, etc.) It's harder to add insulation underneath, especially while on a trip.

Did you send your Incubator back to Hammock Gear to do that? If so, how much does that cost???

**Detail Man** · 08-26-2013, 11:44

I added it myself as my DIY skills have improved since purchasing the quilt and I had some down on hand. You'd have to contact HG and find out what they'd charge.

Here's what I did to determine if/how much down to add to my quilt. First I laid the quilt flat on the bed and made sure the down was fully lofted. Then I gently shifted all the down to one end of the quilt, not trying to compress it, but eliminating any thin spots. There ended up being several inches of empty quilt when I finished. I measured and calculated how much volume of down was needed to fill the void.

If you do this you'll find out if your quilt will accept any more down. If you can't easily shift the down, then I doubt that adding down will accomplish anything besides adding weight.

FYI, when I washed my quilt after about three years, I regained about 1" of loft. It looked clean, but the wash water was quite dingy until the third rinse.