Changing The Jarbidge River from Synthetic to Down.

**Greenman** · 03-25-2016, 15:34

I would like to know if anyone has changed The Jarbidge River from Synthetic to down. I want to do this, and would like to know how much down to use? The under quilt is smaller one and I would like to get down to 30 degrees...

**FJRpilot** · 03-25-2016, 16:12

I'm sure you will get a lot of feedback on this.... But. Would just offer that it's not quite that easy...

**SilvrSurfr** · 03-25-2016, 16:18

That doesn't sound possible. Down requires baffles, and the Jarbidge, to my knowledge, has no baffles. You're better off starting from scratch on a DIY down UQ.

A 3-season Jarbidge is already good down to 25* F.

**pgibson** · 03-25-2016, 16:20

WAAAAAAAAAT?

Thats a new one. For starters you would have to unstitch the quilt entirely, hem the edges, sew the end channels and hardware back on, add in 6-8 baffles, try to pretend like there was enough fabric to add a differential cut to the outer fabric, add 8-9 ounces of down, sew it back closed, and reinstall the quilt suspension. Or you can just buy a FlameThrower which is basically the down version of a Jarbidge without all that rigimorow to try and convert something from being one thing into another thing that it is not. Synthetic quilts are not built at all like down quilts, totally different way of manufacturing. Cars and Boats, hot dogs and hamburgers, similar traits but different process.....which is why there is a cost difference from one to the other.

**Pyrogen** · 03-25-2016, 16:29

If the Jarbidge doesn't suit your needs, maybe you should consider passing it along in the For-Sale forum and moving on to a properly made baffled down quilt like the FlameThrower from AHE. Realistically, If you've got the skills necessary to properly convert a Jarbidge, you're probably already well beyond the skill needed to DIY-scratch-build a baffled down UQ (And if that's the case, RBTR has you covered!). I think butchering a perfectly good Jarbidge will just end with an half finished project in the trash and regrets.

**gunner76** · 03-25-2016, 18:16

Could it be done....yes. But its more trouble than its worth.

**Greenman** · 03-25-2016, 18:42

Originally Posted by pgibson

WAAAAAAAAAT?

Thats a new one. For starters you would have to unstitch the quilt entirely, hem the edges, sew the end channels and hardware back on, add in 6-8 baffles, try to pretend like there was enough fabric to add a differential cut to the outer fabric, add 8-9 ounces of down, sew it back closed, and reinstall the quilt suspension. Or you can just buy a FlameThrower which is basically the down version of a Jarbidge without all that rigimorow to try and convert something from being one thing into another thing that it is not. Synthetic quilts are not built at all like down quilts, totally different way of manufacturing. Cars and Boats, hot dogs and hamburgers, similar traits but different process.....which is why there is a cost difference from one to the other.

Never meant to step on your toes. Love the quilt, just wanted to see if it was possible. I would also like to thank everyone for your answers also..... Looks like I will be looking at the Flame Thrower...... It will go with the booties I got a few years back.......
Thanks again and happy hanging......Shellrock Lake Oregon 005.jpg

**pgibson** · 03-25-2016, 20:30

No toes stepped on at all....was just trying to say it would be way more work than it would be worth.....and seeing that your Jarbidge goes back to the old camo it would leak down. That fabric was not calendared, fine for Climashiled but not good with high grade down.

**ninjahamockman** · 03-25-2016, 21:44

Yeah man not going to happen unless you completely gut it and start from scratch pgbgibson makes a really good point. You need allot more fabric than what is on quilt. Even if you did somehow manage to do it it would not be as good as buying a flamethrower like pgb gibson suggest. It isn't cost effective by any means.