​Are Enlightened Equipment quilts overstuffed?

Understanding 30% Overstuff in Quilts.

In 2019, Enlightened Equipment introduced a major update to its down quilts and sleeping bags: a 30% overstuff across the board. This change increased the amount of down fill beyond the standard amount, enhancing loft, warmth, and long-term performance.

In this article, we’ll explain what overstuffing is, how it affects your quilt’s performance, and why more down isn’t always better when it comes to sleeping system efficiency.

What is Overstuffing?

Overstuffing means adding extra down fill beyond what’s required for a quilt’s temperature rating. While many assume this makes a quilt significantly warmer, that’s a misconception. Warmth comes from loft, the air trapped between down clusters, not from extra density.

Instead of raising the temperature rating, overstuffing helps reduce down migration, keeping the insulation evenly distributed in the baffles. This results in better long-term performance and less need to adjust or shake out your quilt over time.

Why Enlightened Equipment Uses Overstuff.

Overstuffing offers several performance advantages for down quilts and sleeping bags. First, it improves loft resilience, helping the insulation maintain its structure and warmth even after exposure to compression, moisture, or dirt.

Second, overstuffing minimizes down migration, keeping the fill evenly distributed and ensuring consistent warmth throughout the night. These benefits lead to a more reliable sleep system in a wide range of backpacking and camping conditions.

Does overstuffing affect temperature ratings?

It’s a common misconception that overstuffing down quilts increases their temperature rating. In reality, Enlightened Equipment’s temperature ratings are based on rigorous lab testing conducted at Kansas State University under the EN 13537 standard. These tests confirmed that our quilts meet established industry benchmarks for warmth and comfort.

The switch to 30% overstuff was not meant to raise warmth ratings, but to improve long-term performance. By boosting loft resilience and minimizing down migration, our quilts and sleeping bags offer more consistent insulation and durability across a wider range of outdoor conditions.