How to choose the right fabric for sleeping bags and quilts?

The choice of fabric for a sleeping bag or quilt is crucial to its performance, influencing durability, weight, breathability and moisture protection. Here's a technical overview of fabrics in 7D, 10D, 20D and, more rarely used, 40D. 🙂

Fabric comparison

Here's a useful comparison between the different types of fabric.

 
Fabric Weight Volume Durability* DWR treatment** (DWR) Breathability Recommended use
7D Ultra-light Ultra-compressible Moderate - Yes Very good Long-distance travel, specific projects with weight minimization
10D Light Highly compressible Moderate + Yes Good Long hikes, hiking, outdoors
20D Moderate Moderately compressible High Yes Average Camping, refuge, hiking
40D Heavy Low compressibility Very high Yes Average Special projects with intensive abrasion

* Durability = The durability of your sleeping bag depends largely on how well you care for it and how you use it during your outdoor activities.

** DWR = Durable Water Repellent.

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment applied to the fabric of a sleeping bag creates a barrier that helps repel moisture, preventing water from seeping quickly into the fabric. This treatment makes the surface water-repellent, allowing water to bead up and slide off instead of soaking in, while maintaining breathability. 

7D fabric: Ultra-light and breathable

7D fabric (0.56 oz/yd² - 19 gsm) is one of the lightest available. Made from extremely fine fibers, it enables us to manufacture ultra-light sleeping bags with minimal bulk. 

 

This fabric promotes breathability and moisture management, allowing body moisture to evaporate, essential for optimal thermal comfort on mild nights. 

 

Recommended use

  • Conditions: Long hikes, specific projects with weight minimization.
  • Highlights: Extremely lightweight and highly compressible, perfect for adventures where every gram counts.
  • Limitations: Due to the fineness of the fibers, 7D is less resistant to abrasion and wear. It can also have poor feather retention, as micro-leaks can occur.

10D fabric: Balancing weight and durability

10D fabric (0.66 oz/yd² - 22.4 gsm) is designed to offer a compromise between lightness and strength. It is very popular because of its superior durability to 7D, while remaining light enough for long hiking activities. 

 

This fabric is commonly used for the inside and outside of sleeping bags, offering greater protection against abrasion.

 

Recommended use

  • Conditions : Long hike, trekking, outdoor
  • Strengths: Good balance between durability and breathability, making it a versatile option.
  • Limitations : Although more robust than the 7D, it doesn't reach the 20D's level of protection for truly abrasive environments.

20D fabric: Maximum durability

20D fabric (1.0 oz/yd² - 34 gsm) is often chosen for sleeping bags and quilts designed for demanding environments. Its thickness confers enhanced resistance to tearing and abrasion. The thicker fibers of 20D also provide better waterproofing, protecting against the elements.

 

Recommended use

  • Conditions: Camping, refuge, hiking.
  • Strengths: Extremely robust, abrasion-resistant and durable.
  • Limitations: This fabric is heavier, which can be a disadvantage for those looking for ultra-light equipment.

40D fabric: Specialized use for demanding environments

40D fabric is rarely used for sleeping bags due to its weight (approx. 1.6 oz/yd² - 54.3 gsm), but its durability makes it an exceptional option for areas of intensive friction. 

 

It is designed for situations where robustness is crucial, offering excellent resistance to tears and wear. However, this added durability adds significantly to weight and may reduce compressibility.

 

It is used only for special projects with intensive abrasion.
 

Conclusion

In short, the choice of fabric should be based on your needs and the use you will make of it outdoors. The table above gives an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fabric.

 

At Mount Trail, we offer fill power between 850 and 950, superior to the standards of the major brands, for maximum warmth and lightness. 

 

10D fabric offers an excellent compromise for hikers looking to lighten their gear without sacrificing durability.

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