M50 vs Argon

**HomeMadeHiker** · 09-24-2013, 17:05

Looks like Dutch and HG are directly competing with thru-hikers M50, though no one has really admitted it (atleast not that I've seen).
So, any real difference besides $3/yrd?
I'm about to buy a deep winter top and bottom set from UQ's.com.
I have a 20 degree M50 uq and it's real nice, kinda reminds me of a thick plastic bag but still really nice stuff.
Anybody compare the 2 apples to apples yet?
I'm leaning towards Argon cause I'm cheap and I love all things Dutch but I'd love to hear from the real world first.

**SwinginIt** · 09-24-2013, 17:28

That's a good question. I can't answer it but one specific thing that comes to mind for me is breathability/wind resistance. M50 has lower breathability/higher wind resistance than most of the other nylon fabrics we use. That was actually a plus for me when buying my UQ. I'm curious to find out how Argon compares in that respect.

**Yukon** · 09-24-2013, 17:29

I have a new Argon top quilt from Hammock Gear, and the Argon fabric is hands down the softest I have ever felt.

**HomeMadeHiker** · 09-24-2013, 18:39

Originally Posted by SwinginIt

That's a good question. I can't answer it but one specific thing that comes to mind for me is breathability/wind resistance. M50 has lower breathability/higher wind resistance than most of the other nylon fabrics we use. That was actually a plus for me when buying my UQ. I'm curious to find out how Argon compares in that respect.

Wind/water resistance is one factor I'm very interested in as well.

**HomeMadeHiker** · 09-24-2013, 19:02

Originally Posted by Yukon

I have a new Argon top quilt from Hammock Gear, and the Argon fabric is hands down the softest I have ever felt.

That's interesting, I think I remember another comment like that. Any thoughts on wind proofness? Does it take awhile to loft?

**Lost_Biker** · 09-24-2013, 19:10

I have the ARGON material to make uq shells with and I like it a lot better than the m50 - it is softer and doesn't have a plastic bag feel to it. It is very wind proof and with the dwr coating pretty water resistant.

The ARGON and m50 are the same when it comes to working with them - really thin material. I would not ever make a hammock from the ARGON or the m50 - just too thin.

**adkphoto** · 09-24-2013, 19:35

I have a quilt with M50 fabric and it is quite wind resistant. One of the downsides of M50, and I assume Argon too, is that it is very thin and not ripstop - so a rip can be tragic. Have you considered the Illume fabric from Underground Quilts? It's slightly heavier, but has a very nice hand and a micro ripstop weave.

David

**Downhill Trucker** · 09-24-2013, 19:54

I was thinking of lining my DL hammock with m50 or argon. The outer layer would be 1.1 oz ripstop. Any thoughts on this holding my 200 pound frame? I have m50 already.

**SwinginIt** · 09-25-2013, 05:07

Originally Posted by Downhill Trucker

I was thinking of lining my DL hammock with m50 or argon. The outer layer would be 1.1 oz ripstop. Any thoughts on this holding my 200 pound frame? I have m50 already.

That should hold you just fine. Matter of fact I may hafta try it myself. I want a double layer but it's hard to reconcile with my gram weenie nature. Double layer M50 is too expensive but a M50/1.1 mix is doable.

**HomeMadeHiker** · 09-25-2013, 08:43

Originally Posted by Downhill Trucker

I was thinking of lining my DL hammock with m50 or argon. The outer layer would be 1.1 oz ripstop. Any thoughts on this holding my 200 pound frame? I have m50 already.

Originally Posted by SwinginIt

That should hold you just fine. Matter of fact I may hafta try it myself. I want a double layer but it's hard to reconcile with my gram weenie nature. Double layer M50 is too expensive but a M50/1.1 mix is doable.

I've had similar thoughts. But no hijacking