which synthetic insulation for what?

Discussion about making bushwalking-related equipment.

which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby taipan821 » Mon 04 Sep, 2017 9:46 am

Hello All

looking at various synthetic insulations for some simple projects (DIY top quilt, UQ and poncho liner)

main ones seem to be climashield, insultex and primaloft, thus the question:
- Which insulation is best for which roles?
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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby Gadgetgeek » Mon 04 Sep, 2017 6:48 pm

If I have it right, Climashield apex is the top of the heap for light and compressible. Primaloft is cheaper, and denser, so might be easier to work with. and insultex is more of a fabric, much like a vapor barrier but with more insulation, probably more self supporting, so easier to make into stuff without worrying about "quilting" it.
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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby undercling-mike » Mon 04 Sep, 2017 7:52 pm

Climashield apex is the most common insulation used for quilts (both top and under) and the easiest to work with because it's a continuous filament insulation and can just be sewn to the edge of your piece where primaloft gold in not continuous filament and needs quilting lines to stabilize the insulation. Primaloft gold is mostly used for clothing because it's a bit softer and drapes more easily. In terms of warmth to weight Primaloft gold is theoretically a little better than Climashield Apex but it needs quilting so it probably comes out about even in the finished item. Primaloft gold is more expensive, at least from the DIY materials retailers.

The short answer is probably use Climashield Apex for your applications, Insultex is more like a thin foam and doesn't seem to be very popular these days so probably isn't as good for these typical DIY applications.
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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby taipan821 » Mon 04 Sep, 2017 10:31 pm

Thanks for the info, follow up question:

Does anyone have a guide as to which type (2.5 oz, 5 oz etc) fits within the temperature range?
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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby simonm » Tue 05 Sep, 2017 5:41 am

taipan821 wrote:Thanks for the info, follow up question:

Does anyone have a guide as to which type (2.5 oz, 5 oz etc) fits within the temperature range?


This formula is often bandied around though I haven't found it entirely accurate.

The formula for calculating the temperature ratings for Climashield where Climashield Apex has a Clo of 0.82.

84 - (14 * CLO * X), where the final result is in degrees F, CLO is the CLO value of the material and X is the weight of the insulation in oz/sq yd. With no base layer worn.

If wearing a base layer 70 - (14 * CLO * X) is commonly used.

Mostly I have found Apex to be approximately equivalent to:

2.5oz =10c
3.6oz = 4c
5.0oz = 0c
6.0oz = -3c
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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby Moondog55 » Mon 09 Oct, 2017 8:20 am

Simons base guideline needs to be modified if you are not the young, superfit athletic type
Personally I need to knock 5C off those limits as a minimum for sleeping, my own APEX quilt made using 3.6 is only good down to 10C when I am wearing my insulated pants and hoodie over my base fleece layer for instance, I sleep cold mostly. If in doubt I would advise going up the the next higher level in insulation weight, the actual weight penalty on the back isn't great
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby Rileyr » Sat 25 Nov, 2017 6:03 pm

Some great info here, and excuse me for hijacking but where do you guys buy the climashield apex and outer materials?

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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby Warin » Mon 27 Nov, 2017 10:15 am

Look at the last post in viewtopic.php?f=53&t=26127
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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby Rileyr » Wed 29 Nov, 2017 10:30 pm

Warin wrote:Look at the last post in viewtopic.php?f=53&t=26127
Thanks Warin

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Re: which synthetic insulation for what?

Postby Moondog55 » Tue 02 Jan, 2018 1:09 pm

Also a note on Thinsulate
I've found that while no longer popular for clothing it is probably still the best for mitten insulation. A thin layer of Thinsulate over a layer of light fleece is good to well below freezing if the shell is windproof
Otherwise APEX for sleeping bags and Primaloft for clothing.
However for Australia even the lightest of these in the easily purchased weights is too warm for active wear bushwalking pants
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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