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light, down-proof nylon without DWR for making gear

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 7:03 pm
by MoapaPk
I'm going to make a light down quilt adjunct for my 15F bag. I would like to use the most breathable fabric I can get. This quilt will only be used as add-on to the sleeping bag. (I first made such an overbag 40 years ago, but for various reasons, that one is no longer suitable.)

I notice that most of the fabric sold by places like thru-hiker.com has a DWR coating and is described as having low-to-moderate breathability.

Where can one get 1.1 oz/yd^2 (or lighter) nylon/synthetic, woven or microfiber, down-proof cloth that does NOT have DWR?

Re: light, down-proof nylon without DWR for making gear

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:08 pm
by Buz Groshong
MoapaPk wrote:I'm going to make a light down quilt adjunct for my 15F bag. I would like to use the most breathable fabric I can get. This quilt will only be used as add-on to the sleeping bag. (I first made such an overbag 40 years ago, but for various reasons, that one is no longer suitable.)

I notice that most of the fabric sold by places like thru-hiker.com has a DWR coating and is described as having low-to-moderate breathability.

Where can one get 1.1 oz/yd^2 (or lighter) nylon/synthetic, woven or microfiber, down-proof cloth that does NOT have DWR?


From a sailmaker. It's called spinnaker cloth (0.75 oz/yd^2). Of course, that might be a bit stiffer than you are looking for.

Re: light, down-proof nylon without DWR for making gear

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:38 pm
by BigMitch
Try asking your question on the MYOG forum on Backpacking Light.

Also check out the offerings of Rockywoods and Seattle Fabrics.

Re: light, down-proof nylon without DWR for making gear

PostPosted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:28 pm
by MoapaPk
Isn't spinnaker cloth waterproof? I checked Backpacking Light -- they wanted me to subscribe. Rockywoods doesn't seem to have light down-proof materials; Seattle Fabrics gets down to 1.1 oz ripstop: http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html#1.1 oz RS0

Re: light, down-proof nylon without DWR for making gear

PostPosted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 12:30 am
by Marcsoltan
MoapaPk wrote:Isn't spinnaker cloth waterproof? I checked Backpacking Light -- they wanted me to subscribe. Rockywoods doesn't seem to have light down-proof materials; Seattle Fabrics gets down to 1.1 oz ripstop: http://www.seattlefabrics.com/nylons.html#1.1 oz RS0


Mt wife and I have been using down jackets, down bags, and down comforters from Western Mountaineering for many years. They use the best, as far as I know, micro fiber, down-proof, breathable material there is. I don't know if they sell fabric to the public or not, but it's worth a shot.

Re: light, down-proof nylon without DWR for making gear

PostPosted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 2:00 am
by Damien Gildea
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/techfab.php

I have a Minim in MX, it's very light, downproof and not water-resistant. I'm not sure what MX is generically, but it's like a very light original Pertex. Maybe ask Peter: http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/contact_us.php

Re: light, down-proof nylon without DWR for making gear

PostPosted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 2:11 pm
by MoapaPk
Thanks all. I ended up buying non-dwr 1.1 oz/yd^2 ripstop "seconds," where the cloth is marked irregular only because it has markings (meant for laser-cutting, military apps) on parts. Not the lightest, but inexpensive. I figure I'll use <4 yards*2, so I won't give up more than an ounce. ;)