Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Hammock
    GT Single, Hammock Bliss No-see-um
    Tarp
    GG12x12
    Insulation
    Wallyworld CCF
    Suspension
    Whoopie, Dutch
    Posts
    35

    550 vs 700+ fill power down

    What's the difference between 550 FP down and 700+ FP down? Besides the minor difference in weight. I know that it takes more 550 to keep you warm. Does it mean there will be more feathers? Comparing quilts that i want to make, same size, same 3 season quilt, just different FP. There is only a difference of 2 OZ, i think i can live with that. Seems a minor amount of extra weight. I see posts about people harvesting down from sleeping bags, pillows, etc and i wondered if the difference in FP really mattered to such a HUGE degree some would have you believe.

  2. #2
    New Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Ft. Bragg, NC
    Hammock
    DIY
    Tarp
    SpinnUL
    Insulation
    Down
    Suspension
    whoopies & straps
    Posts
    36
    Images
    1
    You may have more down leakage. No material is actually "downproof" and when you use a lower FP down (smaller feathers) you may experience more leakage.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Hammock
    DIY HyperD 11"
    Tarp
    HH Hex
    Insulation
    DIY UQ & down bag
    Suspension
    Whoopies & straps
    Posts
    293
    Quote Originally Posted by ieye360 View Post
    What's the difference between 550 FP down and 700+ FP down? Besides the minor difference in weight. I know that it takes more 550 to keep you warm. Does it mean there will be more feathers? Comparing quilts that i want to make, same size, same 3 season quilt, just different FP. There is only a difference of 2 OZ, i think i can live with that. Seems a minor amount of extra weight. I see posts about people harvesting down from sleeping bags, pillows, etc and i wondered if the difference in FP really mattered to such a HUGE degree some would have you believe.
    Those are the only differences. The higher the fill power the less down it takes to achieve the same effective insulation. A 550 FP down vest will be a lot thicker than an 800 FP vest but they'll both keep you as warm as the other. The amount of feathers in the down is a completely different thing altogether.

  4. #4
    Senior Member boulderv7's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Grand Rapids, MI
    Hammock
    DIY
    Tarp
    DIY
    Insulation
    DIY Down UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    1,151
    550 won't compress as much. Along with everything else pointed out.
    My head is an animal

  5. #5
    Senior Member ShellHammock's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Central KY
    Hammock
    Sheltowee Hammocks
    Tarp
    Big, Retangular
    Suspension
    Webbing/Buckles
    Posts
    321
    there should be a feather % and down % listed, regardless of fill power. Shoot for at least 85% down and 15% feather. Even the highest fill has at least 10% feather; it's hard to get all the feathers out when harvesting down. It's the feathers that tend to leak out of fabrics (because their quill pushes its way through), not the down clusters.
    -Alex

    Sheltowee Hammocks Feature INTEGRATED UNDERQUILTS! Starting at $224

    Step Out Of Your Sheltowee @ www.ShellHammocks.com

  6. #6
    Senior Member Boston's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Georgetown, KY
    Hammock
    DIY w/ Net
    Tarp
    DIY 11'x10' Hex
    Insulation
    DIY UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    DIY Whoppies + TS
    Posts
    1,760
    Images
    44
    Lower fill power down means the clusters are smaller kn average. This means more potential leakage. Fabric down oroof for 800fp may not be for 550 fp. Typically you need a heavuer weight material.

    It may also contain more feathers, depending in quality.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Metavo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Tartu, Estonia
    Hammock
    DIY 9ft Custom hammock
    Tarp
    Hex
    Posts
    116
    CLO value by oz, according to my calculations should be:

    550 FP 0,7
    Primaloft sport 0,79
    Climashield apex 0,82
    600 FP 0,88
    625 FP 0,92
    [Primaloft One] 0,92
    650 FP 1,16
    700 FP 1,22
    800 FP 1,68
    850 FP 2,53
    900 FP 3,38

    Theoretically, same amount of down, 550 FP and 700 FP should get You in first case to 50 F and 12 F
    Or to get down to 30 F with comfort You'll need 65% more 550 FP down then You'll need 700 FP down.
    Last edited by Metavo; 01-26-2014 at 04:04.

  8. #8
    New Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    St. Louis, MO
    Hammock
    GT Single, Hammock Bliss No-see-um
    Tarp
    GG12x12
    Insulation
    Wallyworld CCF
    Suspension
    Whoopie, Dutch
    Posts
    35
    Thanks for all the reply's. I see many posts on down, and no explanations on the actual difference. I was looking at some down online, and don't want to make a purchase I'll regret. I am going to make an APEX quilt soon, both TOP and Under. I think I'll stick with Apex 5.0. My next project, at some point is going to be an ultralight summer (down to 50 at the most) quilt, which i was considering down for. Since it is small, i won't need as much down, so investing in 800 + FP down would be in order.

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Adding fill to a quilt: Fill power question and others!
      By Meriadoc in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 02-19-2014, 21:01
    2. What the heck is fill power?
      By Bobbinheadlodge in forum Top Insulation
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 02-01-2014, 15:10
    3. fill power down
      By simonmx23 in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 11-10-2012, 18:22
    4. 1000 Fill Power
      By oldgringo in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 10-13-2011, 14:44
    5. GG down jackets w/750 fill power - $49.97
      By jloden in forum [SOLD/WITHDRAWN] Items no longer available
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 10-25-2010, 15:16

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •