About this episode
Send us a text In the backcountry, your insulation pieces are your lifeline. It's important to select them intentionally and care for them carefully so you can use them freely. In this episode, we talk with down expert, Chad Houghton from UGQ about how to care for your down products and how they fill their quilts in the shop. UGQ Shop UGQ Quillow UGQ Instagram UGQ YouTube UGQ TikTok Takeaways UGQ Outdoor Equipment has recently undergone changes, with Chad Houghton taking over as the new owner. Chad's go-to backpacking trip is North Manitou Island in Michigan, and his favorite gear includes a hammock from Dream Hammock. UGQ's latest product is the Quillow, which combines a blanket, pillow, quilt, and liner into one versatile item. Chad recommends hand washing and air drying down products and emphasizes the importance of conservative temperature ratings. Chapters 00:00- Introduction and UGQ Overview 01:35- Excitement of Taking Over a Cottage Company 03:03- Favorite Backpacking Trip and Gear 05:01- Go-To Backpack 06:16- Funny Story of Working with Down 08:14- Dealing with Down Clinging and Cleaning 10:25- Introduction to the Quillow 15:06- Quilt Production Process 18:13- Duck vs Goose Down 20:30- Conservative Temperature Ratings 23:28- Fabric with Best Balance of Weight and Durability 29:17- Missing Fabric in the Market 34:30- Missing Insulation in the Market 39:02- Principles of Down Care 40:55- Importance of Down Care 42:30- Natural vs Synthetic Insulation 45:19- Fabric Care for Down Products 46:37- Recommended Down Wash 48:53- UGQ Outdoor Links and Podcast 51:57- This or That Game Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com