Bandit Top Quilt

The outer shell of our BANDIT Quilts is crafted from either M10T or MRS20 fabrics. MRS20 strikes an optimal balance between ultralight weight, durability, and a DWR finish, all while maintaining breathability. Meanwhile, M10T, renowned for its superior finish and satin feel, is selected for the inner shells. In situations where achieving the lightest possible finished product is paramount, M10T serves as the best option for both inner and outer shells due to its weight considerations. For those prioritizing a more durable outer shell, MRS20 stands out as the ideal combination of weight and durability. Both M10T and MRS20 fabrics have received exceptional ratings in independent testing conducted by the International Down and Feather Laboratory (IDFL).

The vertical arrangement of down-filled chambers on the torso section of the BANDIT Quilts (running from top to bottom) ensures exceptional draping, allowing the quilt to lie close to the body and thereby enhancing thermal performance. The efficient draping eliminates nearly all dead air, minimizing the gaps between your body and the quilt’s interior that are challenging for your body to heat. In the foot box, the chamber design offers various options for achieving a snug and efficient fit.

Each down chamber is constructed with Ultralight Nano-mesh baffles placed between them to facilitate maximum loft and thermal convection. The vertical design of the torso chambers allows for effective heat transfer between the core and extremities. The inner chambers vary in size from 4-5″, reducing down shifting compared to larger-chambered designs.

The strategic placement of Nano-mesh baffles is integral to the quilt’s functionality. Through advanced design and construction, the down is concentrated in areas that require it most, resulting in a quilt that maximizes warmth while minimizing weight.

UGQ already incorporates 130% of the required down in its standard quilts, a practice included in the base price of all our quilts. However, you might want to consider additional over-stuffing if you tend to be a cold sleeper. This supplementary down serves as a buffer, particularly enhancing the lower limits of the quilt and ensuring warmth even beyond the specified lower limit. Another scenario to contemplate over-stuffing is when you anticipate using your quilt for an extended duration without access to laundering. The extra down aids in maintaining the quilt’s performance between washings.

We provide two distinct types of over-stuffing options:

1. OVERSTUFF: This choice evenly distributes additional down throughout the entire quilt, including the foot box, ensuring an even boost to each chamber’s down content.
2. FOOTBOX OVERSTUFF: This option evenly distributes extra down exclusively in the bottom horizontal chambers of the quilt. It is particularly effective in elevating the foot box’s temperature rating by a few degrees, providing enhanced warmth to this critical area.

The Wafer Clip with elastic webbing and a drawcord neck closure provides a customizable draft control feature, allowing you to fine-tune the level of insulation. This versatile design enables adjustment of the drawcord from either end or at the center on all quilts. For enhanced cold weather protection, consider adding the optional Neck Line Draft Collar, available at an additional cost. This collar further improves the seal, providing an additional layer of defense against drafts in colder conditions.

The BANDIT Quilt offers three distinct foot box styles: Zipper with Draw, Boxed Flat Sewn, and Insulated.

1. Zipper with Draw: For maximum versatility, the Zipper with Draw option allows you to lay the quilt out fully open, create a partially-closed foot box for ventilation, or fully close the foot box for colder weather use. This option is provided at no additional cost, offering flexibility without compromising on functionality.
2. Boxed Flat Sewn: Opt for the Boxed Flat Sewn option for simplicity and added warmth, albeit with reduced versatility. This style does not feature a zipper or drawcord; instead, the foot box is seamlessly sewn shut and shaped into a “Box.” Choosing this option will result in a weight reduction of approximately 0.25oz, available as an add-on at an extra cost.
3. Insulated: The Insulated Foot Box delivers a complete and continuous insulation envelope for your feet, ensuring optimal warmth for cold weather quilts. This option enhances the finished product’s weight by approximately 1.25oz and is available as an add-on at an additional cost. This style prioritizes insulation, making it ideal for users seeking the utmost warmth and comfort, particularly in colder conditions.

The Dynamic Tension Control System (DTCS) consists of two adjustable elastic webbings running lengthwise along the left and right edges of the quilt’s torso. These elastic webbings are meticulously concealed within the edge detail of the quilt, ensuring a streamlined appearance and a comfortable sleeping experience.

On colder nights, the elastic webbing can be tensioned to compress the quilt’s edges and draw them under you, providing a gentle hug effect and effectively sealing out cold night air. When paired with the pad strap system, this feature enhances the seal between the quilt and your sleeping pad. In a hammock setup, the DTCS assists in keeping the sides of the quilt tucked, minimizing drafts. During warmer weather conditions, loosening the elastics allows you to use the quilt as a lightweight down blanket.

This optional feature is available at an additional cost and weighs only 0.5oz (14g). The DTCS not only contributes to temperature control but also enhances versatility, making it a valuable addition for adapting the quilt to various sleeping conditions.

M10T is a ultralight 10-denier breathable, calendared DOWNPROOF taffeta nylon designed for versatility. This fabric offers exceptional wind and water resistance, a soft hand feel, and high down-proofing, both in laboratory tests and field use. With a finished weight of only 0.66 oz/yd2, it stands as one of the thinnest and lightest taffeta nylon fabrics available. M10T comes with a Durable Water Repellant (DWR) finish on the face side, providing protection against environmental moisture. While best suited for the inner shell of a quilt or the outer shell for those seeking the lightest option, it involves some sacrifice in durability.

MRS20, an ultralight 20-denier breathable mirco-ripstopped DOWNPROOF nylon, combines strength, breathability, and durability. Featuring a micro-ripstop pattern woven with 20-denier nylon thread, this fabric weighs only 1.1 oz/yd2. MRS20 includes a DWR finish for moisture protection and retains high breathability, preventing excessive condensation inside the down chamber. It offers excellent color depth, a luxurious feel, and stands out as the best overall outer shell fabric for weight, durability, and down-proof score.

OutdoorINK® fabrics represent a line of lightweight custom printed patterns on a 20d 1.1 oz breathable, double-calendared polyester micro ripstop (MRS20-P) with DWR applied. Combining breathability, wind/water resistance, and exceptional down-proofing, these fabrics offer a unique aesthetic with the softest hand feel in the market. MRS20-P scores a 5 out of 5 on the International Rotating Box Down proof Test, making it the ideal outer shell fabric for weight, durability, and down-proof score, particularly for those seeking a distinctive printed quilt.

PRYM1® Patterns and HEXCAM® Patterns, both digitally printed using the same process as OutdoorINK®, are DOWNPROOF and suitable for down gear/projects. They offer similar properties to 1.1 oz ripstop nylon but with less stretch, increased UV resistance, and a micro-ripstop grid pattern. MRS20-P, with its 5 out of 5 score on the International Rotating Box Down proof Test, is the preferred outer shell fabric for those looking to have a unique printed quilt.

It’s important to note that Made To Order quilts and tarps ordered with OutdoorINK®, PRYM1®, or HEXCAM® are not returnable unless due to an error on our part or a defect with the product.

Our BANDIT Quilts provide you with the option to select from two types of down: Ultima 850 fill power duck down or, for those seeking even lighter weight and superior performance in severe conditions, Ultima 950 fill power goose down. The combination of these premium down options with our DWR shell materials ensures an optimal balance between moisture control and breathability. It’s important to note that all our down undergoes third-party testing and certification for fill power, down content, species, and cleanliness, ensuring the highest quality standards. More information about down testing and standards can be found [HERE](insert hyperlink).

Our unwavering commitment to utilizing Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down means that the entire journey of the down we source is rigorously monitored by the independent and highly respected Textile Exchange. The stringent standards of the RDS provide confidence that the down in your UGQ product not only meets the highest quality benchmarks but is also ethically sourced from humanely treated animals. Each phase of down sourcing undergoes annual monitoring and auditing, coupled with tracing capabilities that make the origins of the down transparent. Further details about the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) can be explored [HERE](insert hyperlink).

UltimaDOWN, our chosen down, is not hydrophobically treated. While we have offered hydrophobic treated down in the past, careful consideration of the benefits versus drawbacks led us to discontinue the use of WR down. The marginal benefits observed in real-world scenarios were outweighed by concerns such as lower loft, clumping during laundering, and the necessity for more down to offset the lower lofting and potential clumping. Effective April 11, 2016, we have ceased using hydrophobic down in our products. This decision reflects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of performance, ethical sourcing, and transparency in the production of our quilts.

The BANDIT quilts offer three options for use on a ground pad:

1. NONE PROVIDED: This option does not include any connections, making it suitable for hammock use or experienced quilt users aiming to minimize drafting. While providing the lightest possible quilt, it comes with an increased risk of drafting.
2. ULTRALIGHT: The Ultralight system features three sets of loops along each side of the quilt and two continuous straps using 3/32” shock cord and toggles for connection. This offers a functional connection at the lowest possible weight and is available at no additional cost. The single strap weighs 0.5oz/14g.
3. DELUXE: The Deluxe system includes three sets of wafer clips along each side of the quilt, two continuous 1/2” elastic strap loops with wafer clip connections, and a single 1/2″ elastic flat strap. For quilts wide enough to fully encircle the user, the wafer clips on the quilt can be fastened together to close the back of the quilt. Alternatively, the wafer clips on the quilt can be secured to the continuous loop 1/2” elastic strap placed around the pad, with the 1/2″ elastic flat strap positioned under the user to provide an effective functional connection. Optimal results are achieved by attaching the 1/2″ continuous straps loop to the upper two wafer clips on the quilt, and the 1/2″ flat strap to the bottom set of wafer clips. This option is also available at no additional cost, with a weight of 0.75oz/21g.

Each option caters to different preferences and needs, providing users with flexibility in choosing the best configuration for their specific use case.

All BANDIT Quilts include a 40d Silpoly Stuff Sack

Q:  How should I clean my down items?  Is it safe to wash down?

A:  Washing down items is a great way to extend the life of the product and return the down to its original loft.  Use only low-sudsing, down-safe detergents, and extend the rinse cycle to ensure that no soap remains in the down.  We recommend you place your quilt in a large heavy duty commercial style laundry bag. This will protect the quilt from any sharp edges in the washer/dryer as well as any hot dryer parts. Do not use an agitator-style washing machine,use a front loader tumble style washer,  use only cold water on the machine’s gentle cycle.  Make sure you dry your down quilt completely on low heat.  Use dryer balls to break up any clumps of down, and to fluff up the plumules.  Do not use high heat, which can damage the down and nylon fabrics.  Never store your down until no dampness remains.

Purchase ALLIED DOWN WASH

Q:  How do I know if my down product is dirty?

A:  Down quilts and garments should be cleaned when they start to accumulate too many oils from your body, hair, or from lotions/cosmetics that you use.  If your product has started to lose loft, or if the fabric is starting to look discolored, it’s time to wash it.

Q:  I just got home from a backpacking trip.  What’s the proper way to store my down quilt?

A:  The way you store your down quilt between uses will affect its lifespan.  When you get home from a trip, begin by airing out your quilt (turned inside out) for a couple of days to ensure that it’s completely dry.  Then store it in a large breathable storage sack such as the ones we sell separately; do not store your quilt in a tight stuff sack, as this will damage the loft in the long term.  Do not use waterproof storage sacks, because condensation can accumulate in them, and cause your quilt to develop mildew.  In short, store your quilt so that it is adequately lofted, with plenty of cool, dry ventilation.

Q:  I store my down quilt in a compression sack.  Is that a bad idea?

A:  Never leave your quilt in a compressed state for an extended period because that will eventually reduce its loft.  Down can be stored partially-compressed in a breathable sack; never in a non-breathable bag.  Our advice is to store your quilt in the provided large mesh sack, or in a king-size cotton pillow case, in a dry place that has a fairly consistent temperature.  Do not expose your quilt to sunlight except to dry it out, because excessive heat evaporates the natural oils in the down.

Q:  I remember when my quilt was brand new and super-fluffy.  Will that level of loft ever return?

A:  Yes, a quilt’s loft often returns to its original value with proper air circulation, warmth, and moisture.  Some of those conditions can be met simply by using your quilt.  In addition, proper care, storage, and cleaning of your down items can help return maximum loft.  Another way to maximize loft is to gently shake out the product before using it (increasing air circulation), or tumble dry the item to add warmth and air circulation.

Q:  How long can I expect my UGQ quilt to last?

A:  With proper care and cleaning, your down quilt will remain functional longer than you will!  You will definitely get your money’s worth so get out there and go camping!