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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Outdoor Vitals Top Quilt - Down Alternative |
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03/14/2018 02:06PM (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Outdoor Vitals just released a new "synthetic down" top quilt with a type of synthetic insulation that is supposed to be similar in weight and loft of 525 fill power down. I was a little skeptical, but had an amazon gift card to burn, so I bought one.
https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Vitals-Ultralight-Backpacking-TopQuilt/dp/B078X19156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521058050&sr=8-1&keywords=outdoor+vitals+top+quilt
I bought the large version. I haven't had an opportunity to test it outside, but sitting in my 55 degree basement I was very very warm.
It isn't quite as compressable as a true down quilt, but it is surprisingly compressible and light, especially if it is truly 15-degree.
They have a video on Youtube where they soak it in water and then sleep in it after letting it drip out. Seems really promising for any situation where you are concerned that even treated down might fail.
I kind of wish that the footbox wasn't sewn shut, but I can definitely understand why they did.
https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Vitals-Ultralight-Backpacking-TopQuilt/dp/B078X19156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1521058050&sr=8-1&keywords=outdoor+vitals+top+quilt
I bought the large version. I haven't had an opportunity to test it outside, but sitting in my 55 degree basement I was very very warm.
It isn't quite as compressable as a true down quilt, but it is surprisingly compressible and light, especially if it is truly 15-degree.
They have a video on Youtube where they soak it in water and then sleep in it after letting it drip out. Seems really promising for any situation where you are concerned that even treated down might fail.
I kind of wish that the footbox wasn't sewn shut, but I can definitely understand why they did.
03/23/2018 09:12PM
After a few more days, I think the down alternative they are using isn't quite "ready" for prime time yet. It really clumps. So much so that they either need to change the baffle structure (should probably be as small as a down coat) or figure out a way to prevent caking, perhaps with some type of anti-static coating. It very quickly lumps together, which seems to create some empty spots that would result in significant heat loss.
Bummer. I'm returning it.
Bummer. I'm returning it.
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