UK supplier for 800+ goose down?
- Thread starter gregorach
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You could try here:
http://www.shelby.fi/catalog/default.php
It doesn't appear to have what you're after BUT does have a whole range of similar stuff. The forum is pretty good as well with plenty of advice, patterns, etc for making your own gear.
I am, of course, unaffiliated with them.
http://www.shelby.fi/catalog/default.php
It doesn't appear to have what you're after BUT does have a whole range of similar stuff. The forum is pretty good as well with plenty of advice, patterns, etc for making your own gear.
I am, of course, unaffiliated with them.
Did you know that there is a group buy probably happening for an underblanket............Jongregorach said:
Jon Pickett said:
Yeah, I know, but (a) it's probably going to take a while and (b) I really want down rather than synthetic. Although at the rate I'm liable to move this project along, point (a) could well be moot...
I'm just pricing materials and hatching plans at the minute.Mantic: cheers for that link. Like you say, they don't seem to have any down, but it's one to add to the suppliers list.
Getting hold of down is quite hard it would seem, both in Sweden as in the UK
I did manage to find a supplier in Poland who makes custom sleepingbags and extreme weather jackets. If you ask nicely you might be able to buy down from them (or even get them to sew up the quilt =)
http://www.roberts.pl/
When i do my next winter session i'm seriously considering getting some stuff from them.
I did manage to find a supplier in Poland who makes custom sleepingbags and extreme weather jackets. If you ask nicely you might be able to buy down from them (or even get them to sew up the quilt =)
http://www.roberts.pl/
When i do my next winter session i'm seriously considering getting some stuff from them.
Cheers for the thought mate.
If you're looking for a down supplier and are prepared to go abroad, it can be ordered easily enough from Thu-Hiker.com in the States... But I'd prefer a UK supplier.
If you're looking for a down supplier and are prepared to go abroad, it can be ordered easily enough from Thu-Hiker.com in the States... But I'd prefer a UK supplier.
Is there really such a difference between down and synthetic?
For those of you in the know, what are the good and bad points of each.
TIA
Ogri the trog
For those of you in the know, what are the good and bad points of each.
TIA
Ogri the trog
Well, the main advatages of down are weight and pack size. For a given level of insulation, down will weigh much less and pack much smaller. However, it's pretty much useless if it gets wet (or even damp) and is difficult to dry. It also needs to be washed very carefully and is a real nightmare to handle during construction. Synthetics are also cheaper.
Many, even most, people seem to prefer synthetic, but having recently bought a down sleeping bag, I'm a convert. The difference in packed size in particular is amazing - you just wouldn't believe how small a space down can be packed into if you haven't seen it. Here's a photo of my down bag, packed, with a waterbottle for scale. OK, it's only a 2-season bag, but still... It's tiny. And only 480g.
My design goal is a 2-3 season underquilt weighing in under 600g, and packing down to no bigger than my hammock / net combo - about 6L.
Many, even most, people seem to prefer synthetic, but having recently bought a down sleeping bag, I'm a convert. The difference in packed size in particular is amazing - you just wouldn't believe how small a space down can be packed into if you haven't seen it. Here's a photo of my down bag, packed, with a waterbottle for scale. OK, it's only a 2-season bag, but still... It's tiny. And only 480g.
My design goal is a 2-3 season underquilt weighing in under 600g, and packing down to no bigger than my hammock / net combo - about 6L.
You could try these people they have a exellent reputation for customer care.
http://www.mountaineering-designs.co.uk/
Give them a phone call and see what they say.
http://www.mountaineering-designs.co.uk/
Give them a phone call and see what they say.
I just bought some 900 loft down from Ed Speers over at www.hammockcamping.com
Ed's a really great guy to deal with, and he always chucks in a free copy of his book "hammock camping" with every order. It's the same price as Thru Hikers 800 loft down, so if you're shopping overseas, you may as well go the 900 loft. I used it to fill a down hammock, and you won't believe how much this stuff fluffs up.
Ed's a really great guy to deal with, and he always chucks in a free copy of his book "hammock camping" with every order. It's the same price as Thru Hikers 800 loft down, so if you're shopping overseas, you may as well go the 900 loft. I used it to fill a down hammock, and you won't believe how much this stuff fluffs up.
When buying down remember that the American system for measuring fill power is different to the European system for measuring fill power.
The American rating system is easier to score higher powers on, thus down rated 800+ buy the Americans would not score as high in the European test.
Its a bit like the Americans having a different billion.
Just keep this in mind when buying, down rated 800 fill power under the American system is inferior to down which has scored 800 on the European system.
The American rating system is easier to score higher powers on, thus down rated 800+ buy the Americans would not score as high in the European test.
Its a bit like the Americans having a different billion.
Just keep this in mind when buying, down rated 800 fill power under the American system is inferior to down which has scored 800 on the European system.
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I need to speak to the folks at Penine Outdoors about some fabric samples, I'll ask them if they know anyone...
Stuart - that's a very interesting point. My calculations so far are based on the US system (800+ means 1 ounce of down will occupy 800 cubic inches - that involved some funny conversions to work in metric) - can you shed any further light on the European system?
Stuart - that's a very interesting point. My calculations so far are based on the US system (800+ means 1 ounce of down will occupy 800 cubic inches - that involved some funny conversions to work in metric
) - can you shed any further light on the European system?
EdS
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
is down such a good idea for an under blanket. Soon as you lay on it, isn't it going to compress an awful lot - result virtually no insulation. That is why you use a mattress on the ground.
Spoke to a local firm that makes custom duvets and pillows over the weekend... They can supply Hungarian goose down at £60 per pound, but I'm not entirely sure about the quality. Still, I figured I'd mention them here in case anyone else is looking... They're called "The Feather Company", based in Edinburgh, and they're in the yellow pages.
Hi,
Pete Hutchinson Designs will custom make your own sleeping bag, range of down fabric choices, styles, no zip etc I have a Pertex Endurance outer ( almost waterproof) with 750+ fill down, no zip - weighs 850 grams - its great.
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/
Nyanja
Pete Hutchinson Designs will custom make your own sleeping bag, range of down fabric choices, styles, no zip etc I have a Pertex Endurance outer ( almost waterproof) with 750+ fill down, no zip - weighs 850 grams - its great.
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/
Nyanja
Yeah, but it's not a sleeping bag I'm after... Getting an underquilt made up by them would involve some additional expense I would guess, as they can't use an off-the-shelf pattern. I might give 'em a call anyway, see if I can't blag some down.
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