What's the deal with overfill/stuff??

[CVKealey]

So, I'm looking at purchasing a top quilt, probably the HG Econ Burrow, and probably in either 20 or 30 degrees. Am I wrong in assuming that the amount of down is the primary factor in the temperature rating of a TQ?

As an example, a 30 degree Econ Burrow (standard length/wide width) weighs 20.16 oz. A 20 degree (same dimensions) weighs 24.59 oz. So, is the 20 degree the same dimensions, but with 4.43 oz more down? Granted, cost-wise, the 20 degree is about $20 cheaper than the 30 with 4 oz. overfill, so if that were the case, it makes more sense to just get the 20.

So, if I'm wrong (and that never happens ), and the temp rating isn't a function of the amount of down, what does overfill/stuff actually get you in a TQ? What is the advantage and why does it seem like everyone chooses that option?

[Otter1]

Well tons of folks don't choose overstuff.

I have it on some and not on others.

It liits or prevents down migration to one side or another. Therefore, it inhibits cold spots.

[SilvrSurfr]

As I recall, most vendors use some degree of overfill (I think it's 20% to 30%). However, that's more of a design element and really doesn't affect anything.

First-time buyers, however, will often get more down than is offered in the standard fill. If a 20* Burrow comes with 22.19 ounces of down at $159.95, then a couple of ounces of overfill ($175.95) must be better, right?

I must admit, when I bought my first set of quilts from HG, I also thought this way. Each ounce of overfill theoretically adds 5* of warmth, so two ounces adds 10 degrees. However, I sold those quilts and subsequently bought quilts with no overfill. If you can only afford one set of quilts, then maybe overfill makes sense. However, I have three sets of quilts (40*, 20* and 0*), so I just went with the standard fill.

[HandyRandy]

Over Stuffing vs Temp Rating
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Quick summary though is: overstuff WILL increase performance. It isn’t strictly all about loft. It’s just controversial how much is too much and if different scenarios call for different answers.

[Seadug]

My first thoughts on this would be a 0 degree quilt would have larger baffles than a 20 degree quilt. Is that the way it works?

[Silverpalm2x]

I have a 20 degree underquilt no overfill and have always been warm in it and am thinking about getting a top quilt. Based on @silvrsurfr 's comments overfill is not really necessary?

[OneClick]

It's an argument on par with Apple vs. Android. Not only has the horse been beaten with this topic, but re-beaten, then re-beaten, then slaughtered, thru a meat grinder, eaten, reincarnated, and repeated several times.

Asking if it is "necessary" is a good way of putting it. In that case, I think a solid "no" is appropriate. But like anything else, a little extra anything can go a long way. For $10, an extra ounce is NOT going to hurt and can only help. After 2 or 3 oz extra, you could be hurting things, but it's a gray area as to "how much".

With the repeated stuffing, unstuffing, smashing with your body, fluffing out, cramming, etc. the down is taking a beating. Quality down lasts a long time, but I feel an extra oz is definitely combating that use and buying you more (warm) time in the hammock.

[Grisnakh]

My first thoughts on this would be a 0 degree quilt would have larger baffles than a 20 degree quilt. Is that the way it works?

Yep! Our 0 degree quilts have 3.5 inch interior baffles, while the 20 degree quilts have 2.5 inch interior baffles.

[Grisnakh]

So, I'm looking at purchasing a top quilt, probably the HG Econ Burrow, and probably in either 20 or 30 degrees. Am I wrong in assuming that the amount of down is the primary factor in the temperature rating of a TQ?

As an example, a 30 degree Econ Burrow (standard length/wide width) weighs 20.16 oz. A 20 degree (same dimensions) weighs 24.59 oz. So, is the 20 degree the same dimensions, but with 4.43 oz more down? Granted, cost-wise, the 20 degree is about $20 cheaper than the 30 with 4 oz. overfill, so if that were the case, it makes more sense to just get the 20.

So, if I'm wrong (and that never happens ), and the temp rating isn't a function of the amount of down, what does overfill/stuff actually get you in a TQ? What is the advantage and why does it seem like everyone chooses that option?

The main difference, besides the fill weight, is the interior baffling height within the quilt. Our 30 degree quilts have interior baffling which is 2 inches tall, whereas the 20s have 2.5 inch interior baffling. While that may not seem a like a big difference, the extra loft is what helps determine the temp rating.

More than anything, overfill helps combat down migration. The higher the fill power of down used, the less you need to achieve the desired loft. In bags that use 600 fill power down, they jam pack the chambers with down, so it doesn't move around a lot. Once you start getting up to 800, 850, or 950 fill power, you need quite a bit less to achieve the same rating. Less down in a fixed chamber volume = more movement. We've used construction techniques to help combat down migration, as do most other vendors out there, but it never hurts to have just a little extra. As most of the responses are telling you, overfill isn't required to meet the temp rating (since we already overstuff the quilts a little more than needed). It's just an option that customers like.

I hope that helps!

[WalksIn2Trees]

also, over time and use, I think the down fibers interlock with each other, providing less loft. I just bought a 30° and it seems much more lofted than my 0°

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