I've been hammock-camping for over a year now, still using my 35* sleeping bag. I can't go through another Fall or Spring with this thing - it just doesn't keep me warm - so I'm looking to pull the trigger on a proper TQ. Of course, I've done tons of research and have considered all of the cottage vendors who are mentioned here on HF. I've been looking seriously at Loco Libre, Hammock Gear, and UGQ's lines and options. All of these companies also offer an economy/value line, which is great but also adds more options into the mix, making things a bit more difficult I have a spreadsheet going which lists all possible information among a variety of companies and their model options. This helps me be able to visually see everything as I'm comparing.
My question is specifically related to the differences of these companies in their regular line vs. their economy line. I can see that they are using less fill power (800 vs. 900 or 850), and also different material, each of which makes the quilt a bit heavier. Besides weight, how much does the fill power and/or material effect how small the quilt will be able to compress? I feel like that is another point I'd like to consider, besides weight and price. I've recently switched to a smaller backpack, and space is even more critical for me now. When I see it on paper, it doesn't seem like a huge difference at all... for example:
LL's 10* Ghost Pepper (52" wide, 70" long): 900 fill / 13oz fill weight / 19.1oz total weight
LL's 10* Serrano (52" wide, 70" long): 800 fill / 14oz fill weight / 20.2oz total weight
(Note: I know another difference between these two quilts is their baffle style... not sure that factors into my choice here because I have no experience with any of the baffle styles, so I have nothing really to compare it to!)
HG's 10* Burrow (50" wide, 69" long): 850 fill / 13.3oz fill weight / 19.84oz total weight
HG's 10* Burrow Econ (50" wide, 69" long): 800 fill / 14.4oz fill weight / 23.3oz total weight
It's hard to justify the extra cost of the regular models which weigh only a few ounces more (especially Loco Libre's, only weighting 1 oz more!)... but if the 900 fill also compresses a bit smaller, than I might be willing to spend that difference. If it's really not noticeable, then perhaps the economy quilt would be the way to go for me.
To be clear, I know that going with any of these vendors and any of these options will be an extreme improvement over my sleeping bag and I'll be happy with any of it! I can see that the differences here are small; however, I don't have the funds, nor can I justify multiple TQ purchases, so I'm really just trying to make the best, educated decision possible for my needs.
I appreciate any insight those of you with experience may be able to give me regarding the fill differences and any other considerations I may have missed. Thanks!
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