Adding down to a GoLite 20

**StumpJumper** · 10-20-2009, 21:50

I really like the feel of this bag, but I think the 20-deg rating is very optimistic. I was wondering if anyone had tried adding additional down to a bag or quilt? Maybe this would be done with small slits in each chamber or pulling and resewing the full edge seam.

Any advise? I don't have sewing machine, so I may have to out source that part. Also where should one get additional down? Can you simply use the fill from an old jacket or nice pillow?

Any input would be great.

**Coldspring** · 10-20-2009, 22:01

Originally Posted by HobieCat

I really like the feel of this bag, but I think the 20-deg rating is very optimistic.

From what I've read, it is about 20 deg. too optimistic.

**east_stingray** · 10-20-2009, 22:03

Someone has done this... I think it was SlowHike. Whoever it was, they told me it was way harder than it should have been because of how the quilts were put together.

I use this quilt and I agree with you that 20 is probably pushing it for most people. So far I've had it down to 38ish and was not cold.

**PepeLp** · 10-20-2009, 22:22

Funny, I'm thinking of trying this too. I figure a few more ounces of down couldn't hurt.

**HitchHiking** · 10-20-2009, 22:53

not sure what kind of hem they have down the outside but a stitch ripper and a sewing machine may do the trick. Get the down from Ed Speer. The group buy is still happening. Check the gorup buy part of the forum.
Will love to see the results

**Booya** · 10-20-2009, 23:24

I just recently had my golite 20 down to 22 degrees, and I was plenty warm... I did have a fleece liner in it though

I too would love to know how this goes if you give it a try.

**HappyCamper** · 10-21-2009, 05:23

Originally Posted by HobieCat

I really like the feel of this bag, but I think the 20-deg rating is very optimistic. I was wondering if anyone had tried adding additional down to a bag or quilt? Maybe this would be done with small slits in each chamber or pulling and resewing the full edge seam.

Any advise? I don't have sewing machine, so I may have to out source that part. Also where should one get additional down? Can you simply use the fill from an old jacket or nice pillow?

Any input would be great.

Well there is a group buy going on for down. Great qualty 900 fill from Ed Speer. You won't find better.

I've added down to my quilt but it wasn't a Golite. It was easy. I had 8 baffles and added a half oz to each. Nothing magic. I measured a 1/2 oz of down on my scale. Then I took a seam ripper, opened a space on one baffle wide enough to add down and then VERY SLOWLY added the down. Then I pinned that space shut. Then measured another 1/2 of down and repeated the process. When all the baffles were filled, I sewed the seams shut with my sewing machine by sewing one long seam down the side. Then I did another one right next to the first. I did go down to local sewing shop and got matching polyester thread. You can't even tell I fooled with the quilt unless you look really really close. And I'm not good with a sewing machine. Just make sure you have a new needle on machine and practice on some sil nylon scraps before you sew your quilt to make sure your sewing machine has correct tension.

The Golite may be a very different animal. You could PM Slowhike and ask if it was him.

**te-wa** · 10-21-2009, 09:37

i opened up an Ultra 20 and the baffles are constructed such that it appeared once they are sewn shut, a real pain to get open.
you'd have better results by purchasing some momentum and down from thru-hiker and making a TQ based on my or someone's (newer) instructions. mike

**HappyCamper** · 10-21-2009, 09:56

Mike,

What are the baffles made of? Could you simple take a seam ripper or sharp sissors and make a new opening at the end and then sew it closed?

Going in a new direction. Golite quilts would be easy enough to sell.

**pgibson** · 10-21-2009, 10:10

While I am not mike and I have not cut into my Golite, I believe the baffles are still the normal noseeum. However the design is a bit different than most other bags or quilts. They have a set of horizontal baffles running down the center to the quilt and then another set running in sync to the outer edge of the quilt that are separate chamber from the central baffles. This let you tuck the edges without the down being forced out from under you into the center.

Kind of like this:

--|------|--
--|------|--
--|------|--
--|------|--

That makes it very difficult to access the central baffles. But I would be possible to add some to the edge baffles, it just would not likely make that big of a temp boost.

Paul