I’ve been looking at the Kifaru, Enlightened Equipment and VIAM for a 10 or 20 degree synthetic quilt. What’s your experience with these items, how they compare, and are there any other brands I should be looking at?
Any chance you could upload a pic of it, compressed?I've had a Viam 0 degree for a couple of years. I like it.
They're fine, a bit bulkier than I'd like. They hold up well when abused. I used to experience the same concerns you do until iI switched to hammock camping in wet climes. I put the tarp up first and then hang the hammock under it, nice and dry and up away from the snow & mud.Thanks for the replies gentlemen. I already have a 20 degree BA down bag that has been pretty nice, but my worry is always moisture. In my last hunt I had to set up the tent in a rain storm, which caused the interior to become a bit wet before I could get the fly on. Everything was damp the next couple days, even though the bag continued to perform. My hope was to switch to synthetic primarily so as to not worry as much about moisture and also as a means to warm myself and dry off throughout the night if my clothing were wet.
Where's Bruce, what was your thoughts on the Kifaru quilt?
Here's a picture from the VIAM website https://viamoutdoors.com/product/insulator-quilts-wide-width-58/. In the provided compression stuff sack, I'd say the quilt is about 12 inches long with an 8 inch diameter.Any chance you could upload a pic of it, compressed?
I am looking into the same thing. I stumbled across the UGQ Synergy (thier synthetic version).
Not to hijack the thread, just tossing in another question for educational purposes.
The UGQ Synergy uses "loose" synthetic fill. Picture a blender got hold of it and now the synthetic material is not a sheet but more like down.
Here is my question: I understand that the continuous filament (like Kifaru and others mentioned) big selling point is no cold spot! The argument for the shredded fill is that it is lighter in weight and has a higher warmth to weight rating.
Can anyone tell me if either of there is a true game changer OR is it just another form of marketing and all of it is good these days and it is more like picking fly poop out of chili?
Did you get a chance to test this quilt out in lower temperatures yet? I was leaning this way but after looking at the different features you can get on the UGO quilts (for not much more) it has me reconsidering...I just bought an outdoor vitals zero degree quilt. Seems very well made and reasonably priced. I haven’t got to try it out yet just another option for you. Best wishes
My experience with loose synthetic is that it packs out even quicker then the sheet insulation. My last loose insulation piece was from 5-6 years ago, so maybe its changed, but I doubt it.I am looking into the same thing. I stumbled across the UGQ Synergy (thier synthetic version).
Not to hijack the thread, just tossing in another question for educational purposes.
The UGQ Synergy uses "loose" synthetic fill. Picture a blender got hold of it and now the synthetic material is not a sheet but more like down.
Here is my question: I understand that the continuous filament (like Kifaru and others mentioned) big selling point is no cold spot! The argument for the shredded fill is that it is lighter in weight and has a higher warmth to weight rating.
Can anyone tell me if either of there is a true game changer OR is it just another form of marketing and all of it is good these days and it is more like picking fly poop out of chili?
I want to go synthetic as I live in TX where it gets cold but is usually wet when it is cold and do not want to take the risk of down (even though down has "gotten better" with the additives.
What do you mean by "packs out"? It gets to full loft faster?My experience with loose synthetic is that it packs out even quicker then the sheet insulation. My last loose insulation piece was from 5-6 years ago, so maybe its changed, but I doubt it.