Anyone ever heard of Micromax?

[Syb]

I just found out my wife is allergic to down so much for my light weight hammock days! . Now I need to seek out other options and my wife and I saw a comforter that had a synthetic fill of Micromax. My first thought was to buy it, cannibalize it and make an under quilt. Apparently my wife wants to actually use it as a comforter. The nerve. Anyway, it, the comforter, packed down very well and everyone at the store was telling us how warm it was. Hey, I'm in sales, my product is perfect for everyone... right.

Down's warmth is gauged by it's fill power so how are synthetics measured?

Thanks,
Syb

[canoebie]

I don't know a whole lot about them, but if I were to inquire, I would start with Paul Gibson at Arrowhead Equipment. He does work with synthetics, as does Te-Wa. This is not an endorsement of anyone, it is just that I know these two guys use synthetics.

I struggle with considering down or synthetics as well, because most of my outside stuff is on water, synthetics have a certain appeal. Down, if wet, is no good.

Any hoo, hope this helps.

[Bags4266]

Yea if you were going to make a down TQ or UQ why not make one using Climashield insulation? Much easier too.

[bigbamaguy]

Syb:
Check the Arrowhead Equipment site and look for the DIY quilt kit. I have made a quilt from this kit and have been very happy with it. It has the 6 oz Climashield HL for the insulating material and I find it capable of keeping me warm to the upper 20*F range.

[WV]

I'd consider Primaloft or Climashield, and I'd decide between them based on the complexity of construction required.

[wisenber]

Before you give up on down, you might check on some of the higher end products that are supposed to be non-allergenic.

[mountain_man_mike]

I ran into a deal on a roll of Climashield and that stuff is fantastic! When I cracked it open it nearly consumed my garage, but it's provided about a dozen quilts with room for a couple more and a bunch of scraps for caps, vests, etc. It seems like two layers made for a 20 degree quilt.

Happy Trails...

[Browny]

Just out of curiosity. From someone who is going through desensitizing injections due to severe allergies.(Lots of grass and pollen, great for those who love the outdoors!)

Is she allergic to the actual down, or dust mites etc etc in/on the down?

(Im a bigger fan of synthetics though, down is better but I like hiking in the Aussie winter/spring and generally get wet at some point. Down is out for that reason alone.)

[warbonnetguy]

Before you give up on down, you might check on some of the higher end products that are supposed to be non-allergenic.

yes, from what i understand, folks are allergic to the dust in lower quality down rather than the down itself, you can get hypo-alergenic down that is just washed alot more. you may even be able to do something like that yourself. i think they just rinse it many times to get all the dust out

[MedicineMan]

and before i'd leave down and all its virtues (if the hypo-alergenic down doesn't work out) I'd find somone who could help me desensitize to it.