Various Flavors of Primaloft?

[Frost]

I'm looking to make a mess of gear, and while some of it will definitely be down (I can't for the life of me recall who it was here that suggested buying a big honkin' down pillow on eBay, but they're a genuis), I think I might lean toward high end synthetic fill for my TQ and UQ. Especially for winter outings where weight/bulk isn't such a big deal thanks to the pulk, I'd like something that is still going to function well when damp.

About the only place in the country that gets more precip than NW PA is Seattle.

It seems like Primaloft is pretty much the standard for synthetic insulation, but I see on their website that there are several different types. I'd like to find Primaloft One for sale in bulk somewhere, but I'm not having much luck googling. Downlight offers some kind of primaloft on their website, but it doesn't specify which variety it is.

Anyone able to suggest a source for this stuff?

[chickenwing]

http://www.therainshed.com/ <-- source for Primaloft Sport at various oz/yd^2

http://www.owfinc.com/Fabrics/insulation.asp <-- Primaloft Sport at 1.8 oz/yd^2

[bigbamaguy]

Frost:
Not to turn you away from Primaloft or to confuse you anymore......have you looked into Climashield synthetic insulation? I have used it in several of my UQ, whether DIY or Vendor/Cottage guy purchased. I have been very pleased with the results so far.

[chickenwing]

+1 on the climashield and they can be sourced from the same places

[Frost]

Bigbamaguy, I'm up for suggestions really. Primaloft One looks to have a better warmth/weight ratio than climashield, but I'm seeing some info that maybe primaloft doesn't 'drape' very well, which would definitely be a problem in a quilt.

Anybody able to offer some experience on the drape of the two synthetics head to head?

Obviously from a comfort perspective, down would be the way to go, but given the weather in these parts, I need something that would keep Spongebob warm in the arctic if I hope to get out from mid October to mid April.

[JerryW]

I don't have direct experience with Primaloft, but Climashield works great for quilts.

One thing to note, it's recommended that Primaloft be quilted every ~6" to keep it in place and intact whereas, in my experience, Climashield doesn't need any quilting. It's also supposed to be more durable, repeated stuffing won't break it down as quickly.

As to warmth to weight, for any slight difference in CLO value, I don't think you'll notice any real-world difference between the two. I recall reading somewhere that Climashield is warmer-per-ounce than any Primaloft.


Jerry

[ExPXGUY]

Thruhhiker http://thru-hiker.com/materials/index.php also has it. It you go into the forum, there is information on primaloft and climashield

[DivaB]

Does anyone know who has the best price for the clamishield? Also, how many layers would you use for a late fall/winter UQ? Thanks

[Frost]

Thanks ExPXGuy. That page does answer my initial question about Climashield. It looks like the new Primaloft One does have Climashield beat ounce for ounce by about 10-15% in insulation quality alone. That doesn't speak to it's drape or, more importantly, the availability of Primaloft One in bulk, but it does tell me that they aren't too far apart. The last tidbit I'd really like to know before I settle on one or the other would be how compressibility compares. I guess if I find the Primaloft somewhere, I'll just have to order some of both, test it, and post the results here.

EDIT: Why is the word Co_m_m_it censored by the forum software? I mean, I've heard of folks being commitment phobic, but sheesh.

[JDShearer]

The primaloft from Downlite is actually loose fill. I bought the 5lb bag and used it to stuff a couple quilts. My experience with it is that it kind of clumps after a while, at least in my larger baffles. It is cheap and warm, though.