The effect of "overstuff" on a down quilt?

**angrysparrow** · 09-15-2011, 19:14

Originally Posted by Slo

don't quote me but I could've swore somewhere around here I saw you get about 5 degrees for every ounce of overstuff on 900fp down. Again, I'm pulling from memory from way back but that should be a close ballpark.

That's oversimplifying. Different size quilts require different fill adjustments.

**Red Wing** · 09-15-2011, 19:18

sorry, on a 5" baffle... probably less degrees on a 3 1/2" baffle.. still more than 1 degree per ounce though

**Doctari** · 09-15-2011, 19:26

Originally Posted by Buffalo Skipper

I am really burned out at work and cannot think in big words right now.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

**hangnout** · 09-15-2011, 19:27

I think that talking about a % of overstuff would be a better question. An ounce of down is only relative to the size of the quilt.

IMO after about 30% overstuff you will gain more warmth with a taller baffle (more loft) as opposed to adding more down to the existing baffle size.

**TiredFeet** · 09-15-2011, 19:37

The only real example I have for overstuffing down quilts are the UQs and TQs TeeDee made for us.

He used Ed Speers 900 fp down.

The baffles are all 4" on both the TQs and the UQs.

He used 10% overstuff on all of the down quilts except the leg portion of the UQs which have zero overstuff.

All of the TQs and UQs ended up with 5.5" of loft between the baffles. He said that he had no idea what the actual loft would end up being, but that since he was using a 10% overstuff, he was pretty sure the final loft would be more than the baffle height.

In TeeDee's and my opinion, the overstuffing is probably more effective for a Karo Step quilt in adding loft over and above that of the baffle height. I think this is probably because there are fewer and more widely spaced baffles to constrain the loft. Also, I think the overstuff in a Karo Step quilt works to hold down down migration. Thus a Karo Step quilt is not only easier to make, but with overstuff it is just as effective as a traditional baffle arrangement.

**Peter_pan** · 09-15-2011, 20:28

Originally Posted by hangnout

I think that talking about a % of overstuff would be a better question. An ounce of down is only relative to the size of the quilt.

IMO after about 30% overstuff you will gain more warmth with a taller baffle (more loft) as opposed to adding more down to the existing baffle size.

Couple points first, Hangout is right that after 25-30% one is better off going to taller baffles and the correct fill for that height.

Stated another way, It is more efficient and generally less costly per oz of down to go to a winter quilt than over stuff a three season quilt...

Example at $20 per oz OS adding 3 oz of OS costs $60 upcharge while a winter quilt in the same model will be 5 oz more down in taller baffles and be only $50-60 more depending on the model in question and be a solid 20* or more temp range.

FWIW, OS value is limited to more like 1-2* per oz than any estimates of 5 * or so.

Pan

**DemostiX** · 09-15-2011, 20:41

Gravity plays only a small and insignificant role and in this? No significant difference in treatment of the top quilt from that of the underquilt?

Also, does overstuffing of the top quilt not affect drape? Even forty years ago consumer testing organizations were attributing superiority of some quilts and blankets as part of ordinary bedding just to drape, for which, as a class, down was superior to synthetics. Thats how great convection losses are.

**exup** · 09-15-2011, 20:59

On the backpackinglight test for 3 season down jackets, it was mentioned (in a crazy scientific way) the down could be compressed up to 3x its natural loft without losing any insulating value. I don't know how true this is and how much it pertains to this thread.

**sir_n0thing** · 09-16-2011, 07:29

Originally Posted by thexuprising

On the backpackinglight test for 3 season down jackets, it was mentioned (in a crazy scientific way) the down could be compressed up to 3x its natural loft without losing any insulating value. I don't know how true this is and how much it pertains to this thread.

That's a bit of info I have been curious about as well... Exactly how much compression needs to happen before negatively effecting the warmth. This would matter when layering, whether shells over a coat or nesting quilts or bags.

**Buffalo Skipper** · 09-16-2011, 07:52

Originally Posted by Doctari

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Are you taunting me?

In the first 4 days this week I have already put in 16 extra hours and I came in an hour early this morning as well. I have a planned campout with my son beginning tonight. All I ask is to leave on time and not to have to come in to work tomorrow. All week, I have been looking forward to nothing more than a good nap after lunch tomorrow. Is that really too much to ask.

Frankly, I am just thankful you didn't throw "Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis " at me. Depending upon the source, this is the longest word in a major dictionary. Yours wasn't a real word.