Argon vs Momentum vs Std Nylon

[Izraelius]

So I am planning my first DIY down top quilt project and am trying to learn as much as I can about fabrics. Also I think the answers that are uncovered here will be a great resource for others.

* I will add that I am focused on going as ultralight as possible, but not at the risk of poor quality.

So... What is the difference between:

• Argon CS90
• Ultralight Argon
• Momentum 90 T
• Momentum 90 MR
• Standard 1.1 ripstop nylon

Thanks in advance to those who take the time to share their valuable knowledge!

-Together we are smart DIYers!

[Bushwhacker]

What type of comparison are you looking for? Weight, breathability, water resistance... ?

"M50 - most water repellent, least breathable
Argon - most breathable, least water repellent
Pertex GL - falls in between the above on both"
- https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...tralight-ARGON

[Bushwhacker]

A less discussed topic is how downproof these materials are - I have been disappointed in my searches for that.
I do know that Pertex Quantum GL is remarkably downproof, and wind resistant (check out the windbreakers you can get), and slightly water resistant.

In general checking how good a material is for some property is checking reviews for products made of that material.

[Bushwhacker]

Also, I don't know if my prejudice is warranted, but I have a hunch that ripstop nylon is not very downproof.


Edit: Just re-read your post:

* I will add that I am focused on going as ultralight as possible, but not at the risk of poor quality.

I would definitely say that if weight is your ultimate goal, I have not EVER seen anything comparable to cuben fiber baffles and pertex quantum gl in terms of quality and weight. Check out zpacks - I spent several months researching the lightest sleeping bag, and could not get any lighter than that. Well, there is one exception, but it's the same material, different brand.

From the reviews of owners who've gotten more use out of their zpacks, it seems to be durable enough to not rip. A word of warning though, I think I've seen some reviews of GL jackets that have ripped. But those people rock climb in them WITH NO TOP COAT. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!?!?!


2nd edit: forgot about this m90/cf combo. I have serious doubts as to its comfort.

[Bushwhacker]

So in short, I'd suggest to grab pertex from zpacks (they sell the material by itself). Yes I'm kind of extremely biased.

I think (but I'm not sure) that the next best option is ul argon. That's what Hammock Gear is using, and they seem pretty on top of their game.

[CountryRoads]

Yeah I think UL Argon is the lightest of those listed. I could be wrong but think its around 0.6 oz per square yard. The others are no less that 0.9. And I love UL Argon, just made an UQ out of it.

EDIT: just went and checked, UL Argon is 0.67 oz/square yard.

[Bushwhacker]

The baffle material zpacks uses is .33 oz cf

[Izraelius]

I have a hammock gear under quilt, so now knowing that it is UL Argon gives me a good reference point.

It is extremely thin, so should I be concerned about using it for a top quilt since I'll be pulling it, laying on it, and such during normal tossing and turning at night?

Also, since it is the most breathable will it "release" more heat out of the down?

[CountryRoads]

I have a hammock gear under quilt, so now knowing that it is UL Argon gives me a good reference point.

It is extremely thin, so should I be concerned about using it for a top quilt since I'll be pulling it, laying on it, and such during normal tossing and turning at night?

Also, since it is the most breathable will it "release" more heat out of the down?

In my opinion, you should not be concerned about the durability of UL argon. It is thin so take care of it, but pulling on it (within reason) or lying on it is not going to hurt it. I put that fabric though the ringer, ripped a lot of seams out of it, and it seemed to recover from excess needle holes if you gently stretched it in different directions.

About releasing down, I haven't seen a single bit come out of it, though I haven't used it a lot yet, but this fabric is designed for holding down. I trust that Dutch did his research on how to make down proof fabric.

[Ratdog]

Argon is plenty downproof but tears pretty easily.

Almost all of the snap attachment points have torn out of my argon underquilt.