I've decided to make a quilt and was preparing to order some material from ACYE at thruhiker. I know that Thru hiker and Speers both sell in 3oz increments. While we all seem to be trying to pinch our pennies I was looking into possible alternative sources for down and scoured the usual homemade gear forums on various sites. I contacted a few named sources and found that either you have to order a minimum $500 worth or 2lbs (still a good deal). If ordering from Canada the shipping costs along with the possibility of additional fees for Homeland Security or Fish and Wildlife inspection fees, even Brokerage fees really add lots of additional cost that makes it very unfeasable. Companies I contacted include Downdecor, Feather Factory, Feather Industries & Feathered Friends.

Does anyone know of an alternate source within the US that may be feasable?

A guy from hammock forums ordered down from this site. http://www.featherind.com/ . He said he did not have any problems with it being from Canada. He said it was listed as 750 fill down but acted closer to 800 fill down. I'm not going to start the 800 vs 900 fill argument.

Here (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=219) is the thread on HF where he was talking about it. I think he started a thread on WB too.

Hammock engineer.......thanks for the reply. I e-mailed them but did not hear back. I was going to phone them but after the news I got back from the other Canadian company I got a little discouraged. Their prices were great ($41lb) for the 750 fill, but the additional fees they told me about for import into the US really added up. Plus they quoted me $45 to ship. I'll call Feather Industries though and see what they say. It's for an underquilt by the way.

No problem.

Shipping on that much down is going to be a lot. Shipping 1 lbs uncompressed is going to take a decent size box. Arkwater said that 2lbs came in an 8 cubic ft box, and that is about 42% compressed.

32oz costed $154.65 shipped. That's $4.84 an oz shipped. Speer's 900 fill down is $8.33 before shipping and the Thru-hiker 800 fill down is $8.65 before shipping. Something to consider. I was thinking about starting a down quilt awhile back, but won't get to it until after my hike.

Post some pics when you finish your quilts.

Ed Speer is the best source for small amounts... Highest quality... Lowest cost.... Plus he is a Hiker and Hammocker....no brainer IMHO.

Pan

Actually, after checking my email Feather Industries was who I was considering buying from. They have a very large selection of various types of down. The best value seemed to be a 750 fill White Hutterite at $41.75 lb plus a 20% surcharge for purchases under 5lbs ($50.10/lb). Shipping quoted was $45 for the 2lb minimum purchase. It's bulky and is shipped mostly uncompressed. In addition to that they told me there could be a $25 Brokerage fee at the border (don't know who gets that). Plus a hit or miss possibility that there would be inspection on the down by either Homeland Security and/or US Fish and Wildlife. Those possible additional inspections carry a fee of $25 each. Plus possible state and federal taxes.

So you can see my apprehension.

I would be interested to hear from Arkwater. Sounds like he did not encounter any of these additional fees and it's the same company.

So it could cost $170.10 for a pound of down! All that for a bunch of feathers?!:eek: Yet another reason I use synthetic insulation in my projects.

Actually, after checking my email Feather Industries was who I was considering buying from. They have a very large selection of various types of down. The best value seemed to be a 750 fill White Hutterite at $41.75 lb plus a 20% surcharge for purchases under 5lbs ($50.10/lb). Shipping quoted was $45 for the 2lb minimum purchase. It's bulky and is shipped mostly uncompressed. In addition to that they told me there could be a $25 Brokerage fee at the border (don't know who gets that). Plus a hit or miss possibility that there would be inspection on the down by either Homeland Security and/or US Fish and Wildlife. Those possible additional inspections carry a fee of $25 each. Plus possible state and federal taxes.

So you can see my apprehension.

I would be interested to hear from Arkwater. Sounds like he did not encounter any of these additional fees and it's the same company.

You'll have to PM him. He hasn't posted in a while.

I've decided to make a quilt and was preparing to order some material from ACYE at thruhiker. I know that Thru hiker and Speers both sell in 3oz increments. While we all seem to be trying to pinch our pennies I was looking into possible alternative sources for down and scoured the usual homemade gear forums on various sites. I contacted a few named sources and found that either you have to order a minimum $500 worth or 2lbs (still a good deal). If ordering from Canada the shipping costs along with the possibility of additional fees for Homeland Security or Fish and Wildlife inspection fees, even Brokerage fees really add lots of additional cost that makes it very unfeasable. Companies I contacted include Downdecor, Feather Factory, Feather Industries & Feathered Friends.

Does anyone know of an alternate source within the US that may be feasable?

speyguy,
While I do not have any sewing skills, I had a friend who would sew up my designs. As I am not in the industry, it never occurred to me to get down in bulk. What I have done is accumulate down that is already in a product and 'salvage' it. Being patient on eBay waiting for a damaged high quality sleeping bag (like Marmot, etc), or I go to REI parking lot sales for a bag return with a broken zipper, or Goodwill/Salvation-Army store where I have seen name-brand down parkas & bags, or even garage sales. Being willing to get damaged goods (usually broken zippers, busted seams, or tears in the shell) all of these were sources that I was able to get quality down for pretty cheap... as low as $10/pound and average of perhaps $25/pound. A little bit on the dirt-bagging side (o.k. a lot), but since I did not want to invest too much in my hair-brained ideas, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time... doodah-man

While I do not have any sewing skills, I had a friend who would sew up my designs. As I am not in the industry, it never occurred to me to get down in bulk. What I have done is accumulate down that is already in a product and 'salvage' it. Being patient on eBay waiting for a damaged high quality sleeping bag (like Marmot, etc), or I go to REI parking lot sales for a bag return with a broken zipper, or Goodwill/Salvation-Army store where I have seen name-brand down parkas & bags, or even garage sales. Being willing to get damaged goods (usually broken zippers, busted seams, or tears in the shell) all of these were sources that I was able to get quality down for pretty cheap... as low as $10/pound and average of perhaps $25/pound. A little bit on the dirt-bagging side (o.k. a lot), but since I did not want to invest too much in my hair-brained ideas, it seemed like the right thing to do at the time... doodah-man

I did the same with an old bag of mine and reused the down for my quilt. This is a great idea and a great way to learn how stuff is made while you disect it.

Thanks for the great replies. I especially like the suggestions to recycle the down from some other down products. I may go that route. I did find a supplier in Seattle that quoted me $95/lb for 800 fill plus $12 shipping.

Please post for supplier. I am not going to make a quilt untila after I finish my hike, but after that I am going to need some down and be making a couple of quilts.

http://www.allaboutdown.com/

They quoted me $95 per lb for 800 fill.
Best of luck.