Shift hybrid quilt / Underquilt
The Shift hybrid sleeping quilt was designed around my key principles, that being multi-use, innovative, and of sound, practical design.
This systems is very lightweight and thermally efficient. This is accomplished with a system of hybrid insulation, combining high-quality goose down with a fully integrated and breathable reflective layer. "Patent Pending" It effectively keeps out the wind and cold, conserving heat by reflecting the infrared radiation given off by the occupant. Other heat loss is trapped by the 800 fill goose down. This combination keeps you very warm.
The Shift is a flexible in other ways. It quickly converts from an quilt style bag to a hammock under / over quilt, hammock pod or a wearable bag. unlike other down bags, the Shift also has a built-in safety factor. The integrated reflective layer is unaffected by moisture and reflects body heat even when wet.
The Shift's most unique feature would be the arm hole openings, these can be opened from the inside or out. This enables you to use your hands while still nice and cozy in your sleeping bag. The draw string bottom allows you to quickly open the foot end. This allows you to walk around camp, or take that midnight nature call without getting out of your bag.
The Shift also incorporates other useful features. Each end of the bag has a draw string to cinch the bag around a hammock if being used in the under quilt configuration or it can even be used as a hammock pod system that will be able to fully zip. It also has two built in shock cords that make it easy and quick to setup any of the hammock configurations. The shock cords can also be easily removed if not needed.The reflective layer will also add more protection from the ground and enhance your sleeping pad capability.
Lastly the Shift quilt can be worn reversed. For example a grey outside shell and a brown inside could be reversed and the brown used as the outer color. However to be the most effective against the cold it should be used in the default setup as there is internal draft baffles that help in the bags effective temperature rating.
Color schemes available:
Outer / Inner
* Brown / Grey
*Grey / Green
*Green / Brown
Configurations of the Shift hybrid quilt:
* Alone as a single sleeping bag / quilt
* Two zipped together for a two-person sleeping bag
* Open flat for a down blanket or comforter
* Hammock underquilt / topquilt
* Zipped closed for a hammock pod
* Used as a wearable bag
Detailed specifications:
Outer shell: Water-resistant 470T 10-denier nylon.
Inner lining: Breathable water-resistant 470T 10-denier nylon.
Insulation: Hybrid 14.11oz (400g) pure goose down 800fp, with integrated thermal reflective layer.
Baffle: 3.5" (8.8cm) box-stitched (see below).
Size (closed): 78.74" x 33.8" x 22" (200cm x 86cm x 56cm)
Size (flat): 78.74" x 67.7" x 44" (200cm x 172cm x 112cm)
Packed weight: 1.87lb (850g) with accessories, sack
Individual weights: Quilt:1.68lb (762g), Storage sack 1.2oz (34g) Suspension, 1.9oz (55g)
Packed size: 11.5" x 5.5" (29cm x 14cm) uncompressed.
Nylon stuff sack included.
Hammock suspension is easily removable for a weight savings of 1.9oz (55g)
Temperature rating: Extreme Lower limit estimated 5°F, Comfort ~15°F, Upper Limit 45°F.
Note: Getting the Shift Quilt back into the stuff sack can be a bit difficult. The sack was created for a quilt with 350g of down. I added and extra 50g of down to the quilt after the stuff sacks were made. It is doable but you must go slowly and get as much air out as possible. The best way I have found so far is doing it the following way, this took me about 5 minutes the first time.
- Unzip the quilt.
- Start with the top (long end) corner, stuff into bag, working the rest of the top edge into the bag.
- Continue in a circular direction pushing the quilt into the sack.
- The last 10" of the quilt will be a little difficult but just go slowly and keep pushing a little at a time.
- The 10d stuff sack material is tough but if you get to rough and impatient it could rip.
Additional Note: Yes, I know there is two spelling errors on the stuff sack. Can you find them?
Baffle construction:
The Shift is box-stitched and doesn’t use a conventional [baffle-box design] Understanding Baffle Construction , for several reasons. First, the hybrid integrated insulation means the down loft is less critical overall. Second, box-stitching lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining equivalent performance. Thirdly, box-stitching lowers weight by avoiding the extra material required to support the sidewalls.
How to remove hammock suspension:
-
Grab hook end, then grab flat base and pull apart, see pictures below.
- Reverse to reattach.
