Baffled by baffles

**Slackdaddy** · 05-23-2010, 22:23

Trying to finalize the summer UQ design.
looking to get to 45-50deg.
Do all the synth insulations need baffles sewn in to hold them ?
Or are they quilted, what spacing ??
Outdoor Fabrics only has Primaloft, Is that what I want, or is there something better/easier for a 50 deg quilt?

Thanks,
Slack

**gargoyle** · 05-23-2010, 22:31

Paul at Arrowhead might sell you some Climashield.

**Just Jeff** · 05-23-2010, 22:36

Baffles are used for down only. (Or other loose insulations, but outdoor products generally only use down as loose insulation.)

Synthetic insulations are quilted. How close the quilting loops need to be depends on which material you use, so check the manufacturer's or retailer's recommendations for the one you choose.

Quilting loop thickness should be about the thickness of the insulation, but I think it stabilizes a little better if I tie them just a bit smaller than the thickness. In theory that creates a cooler spot in the quilt but I never noticed it when I used my synthetic ones.

**Slackdaddy** · 05-24-2010, 06:08

I found Thinsulate, Climashield, and permaloft.
Are they about the same?

Thanks,
Slack

**Ramblinrev** · 05-24-2010, 06:14

Originally Posted by Slackdaddy

I found Thinsulate, Climashield, and permaloft.
Are they about the same?

Thanks,
Slack

Not to my knowledge.. Thinsulate is a trilayer fabric system if I understand correctly. I am not familiar with climashield and permaloft but I believe they are more like batting in the construction and use. I would think climashield or permaloft would be better suited for your intended use.

**TinaLouise** · 05-24-2010, 06:34

Originally Posted by Slackdaddy

Trying to finalize the summer UQ design.
looking to get to 45-50deg.
Do all the synth insulations need baffles sewn in to hold them ?
Or are they quilted, what spacing ??
Outdoor Fabrics only has Primaloft, Is that what I want, or is there something better/easier for a 50 deg quilt?

Thanks,
Slack

I made my summer under quilt from Climashield from Wilderness Outdoor fabrics using thier thinest one they sell. (1/2" one called green - it's still white though). I have it single layer between DWR nylon (also bought from same site and it's 2nds quality) I did no quilting only sewing around the edges to connect all the layers together. I've now used it all summer and fall of last year and I've been using it this year since the temps have gone above 40 degrees at night. I've had it on my hammock down to 35 degrees at night (wasn't supposed to be that cold but it was!!) and I was very chilly. at 40 degrees I'm just a tad chilly. At 45 - perfect. Then I can go up in night time temps to about 65 degrees before I need to start tieing the quilt on very loose (or dropped down from the bottom of my hammock so it's not so hot). All of these temps have been a trial and error testing so when you make your's you'll need to test to find your comfort zone. I also made my under quilt in a banana looking shape w/tapered ends to fit the contours of the bottom of my hammock.

have fun making and then testing your quilt,
TinaLouise

**Just Jeff** · 05-24-2010, 07:32

I've made underquilts and insulated hammocks from Primaloft from thru-hiker.com. Lots of folks use Climashield now. I haven't heard of anyone using Thinsulate for what we do...don't know if it would be appropriate or not. But Primaloft and Climashield will work for ya.

**Slackdaddy** · 05-24-2010, 07:55

Tina,
Thankyou, you do not know how helpfull your info is

Thanks also Jeff, Rev, and the rest.

I am going to use 1.1 ripstop for the shell, 3.3 Climashield insulaton or 4oz permaloft.
We sleep in the $6.00 WM fleece sleeping bags for comfort, so this with the 3.3 or 4.0 should get me to ~45deg.

I plan to make the UQ cut to the shape/size for each hammock, and sew about 3 small "loops" along the edge of the hammock (were the bugnet and bottom meet), the UQ will have 3 shock cords sewn on each side with small plastic hooks that hook into the loops to hold the quilt on.
I know this makes each UQ work with only a modified hammock,
I'll keep you updated on progress.

Slack

**OldnSlow** · 05-25-2010, 21:14

I got the climashield that Paul Gibson sells. (I believe it is HL) I made a two layer UQ, and was very comfortable down to 32* (0*C sounds better

) at the MAHHA. It was a square "new river" like uq, with cinch pulls on all four sides.

If the material was lighter, it probably would have fit better, and kept me even warmer. I guess I am a fairly warm sleeper. YMMV

John

**koaloha05** · 05-27-2010, 19:03

In down uq does the design of the uq (2/3, full, asymmetric, symmetrical, differential cut, non-diff, suspension, temperature range etc.) dictate the number of baffels? If so, interested in why or how the number of baffles are determined?

Counted the number of baffles in the WB Winter Yeti. Total is eleven. At the other end from the photos of Leigh's Summer uq it looks to consist of 6 baffles.