Aries Quilt Information
What is a quilt and why you should consider buying one.
A down quilt is one of the most important pieces of ultra light outdoor equipment that you can own. For the backpacker and thru-hiker switching from a sleeping bag to an ultra light down quilt is one of the best and easiest ways to shed a significant amount of unwanted weight. Quilts are like sleeping bags without bottoms or hoods. Why carry the extra weight of the bottom of your sleeping bag if under your weight it compresses to zero thickness, offering you no insulating value at all. One of the great qualities of down, its ability to be compressed to a fraction of its volume for packing, renders it useless as an insulator under load. Your pad or mattress supplies the insulation under your body while the quilt provides it on top and at your sides.
Materials & Construction
Fabrics: The outer shells and linings of our quilts are made using 10D nylon taffeta, a super light, tightly woven strong fabric. It has been specially treated during the manufacturing process to make it downproof and water repellant (DWR finish). The 10D fabric weighs approximately 0.7 ounces per yard.
Down: Our insulating material is super lofting, highly compressible 900 fill power HyperDRY®* water-resistant, RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified goose down. Note that 900 fill power down is not warmer than for example, 800 fill power down. It just takes less 900 than 800 to fill an equal volume. Therefore, a quilt filled with 900 fill power down will weigh less for the same loft and temperature rating. We overfill our quilts by 80% which adds some weight and cost, but in the long run it produces a better quilt, since the down does not shift in the tubes and always produces the maximum design loft.
Differential Construction: We use differential construction in all of our down quilts and bags. This means that the outer fabric has a greater girth than the inner. Imagine a smaller circle drawn inside a larger circle. This construction allows the down to loft even when you push out from the inside. In a quilt or bag that is not differentially cut, it is easy to compress the down to a minimal thickness by pushing from the inside. This design feature takes more materials and more time to make, but it results in a superior product.
Sizes & Temperature Ratings
Widths: Our quilts are offered in three widths, 46, 54 and 64 inches, not only for different body sizes, but also for different amounts of tucking under at the sides. To determine which quilt is right for you please go to our sizing page to see how to determine the minimum width quilt that you should order.
Lengths: Our quilts come in two different lengths, regular, that fits individuals up to 5’ feet 11 inches, and long that fits individuals up to 6 feet 3 inches in height. Longer or shorter versions can be made on special order. Contact us for a quote.
Temperature Rating/Loft: The loft, that is the thickness of the quilt, determines its temperature rating, the thicker the quilt the lower its temperature rating.
Key Features:
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Durable, light weight 10D downproof, DWR nylon shell and lining
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900 fill power HyperDRY®* water-resistant RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified goose down
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80% overfilled to ensure consistent, non-shifting insulation thickness
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Differential construction to ensure maximum design loft is achieved
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Fully baffled internal construction with no sewn through seams eliminating cold spots
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Boxed and baffled foot box to eliminate drafts
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Snap and draw cord with toggle at neck to keep shoulders warm
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Removable under straps, one with elastic loop for pad to keep the quilt in place and minimize drafts
- Optional hood available
- Optional collar information