To make things even more difficult, some people are hot sleepers and others are cold sleepers and gender also makes a difference women generally sleep colder than men. Check out our Gear Reviewsoverview page, or focus in on one of these gear review sections: In our Gear Lists section we provide a list of best-in-class items for specific outdoor adventures. Any chance you will interview somebody about that subject, or is it too nerdy? Most backpacking quilts weigh just over one pound, while most ultralight sleeping bags hover around two pounds. Copyright 2007-2023, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. Im really interested to see if this quilt is all Ill need for what I intend to do. Nonetheless it is a useful and important metric to consider. The Magma Trail Quilt is a nice initial offering from REI it is lightweight, has a small pack size, and is relatively inexpensive. Despite that I really appreciated the lightweight and roomy feel with quilts. Pretty light, very warm, and a great design. The exact design of the pad attachment system differs across manufacturers. Mud Meal 2.0 Gift Cards Blog Blog . . from $360.00. Hybrid Backpacking Quilt: Outdoor Vitals LOFTTEK Hybrid 0 - 15 F Top Quilt Sleeping Bag; Best Warm Hybrid Sleeping Quilt: . The latest incarnation of their quilt is warmer and roomier than its predecessor, and also uses hydrophobic down. This is the perfect quilt for those on a budget. When it gets cold you can wear a fleece hat, a down jacket with a hood, or a separate goose down hood. For Hammock Sleepers: Kammok Bobcat Trail Quilt. Also has the optional Black 20D weather resistant stripes and includes the matching Hoodlum (rated to 0 degrees). The Flex includes a scarf-like draft collar which improves warmth retention in cold weather and also gives the quilt a much cosier feel. Total: $58.50. Heres how they assign the ratings per their website. The down-filled quilt design makes it lightweight and packablestuffing down to 13 by 7 incheswithout sacrificing warmth or comfort. Hopefully in the coming years, with the growing popularity of backpacking quilts, an industry standard will be developed so that manufacturers can then send their quilts for independent testing and temperature rating. Ultralight Backpacking Quilt and Sleeping Bag Weight. Free shipping. Unfortunately, two-person quilts can be harder to seal from drafts and their versatility is limited. The quilt has a flat clip to secure the collar when it is cinched in. . PROS: Ultralight, warm, comfy draft collar, great pad attachment system, half zipper maximizes versatility. Of course the higher the fill power, the higher price tag! "I usually use [this bag] and an Enlightened Equipment 0-degree Farenheit quilt together. Good point Philip! Comparing temperature ratings across quilt manufacturers is like comparing apples and bananas. PROS: Versatile and high-quality design, full-length zip adds insulation. Weve found that the regular sized quilts sold by many of the cottage quilt brands arent wide enough for most people, so weve significantly increased the width of our quilts, including the new Vespers. We manufacture high quality back packing quilts, tarps and accessories from our shop located in Jackson, Michigan. The edges of your quilt can then be attached to these straps using some form of clip or fastening. Why do Waterproof/Breathable Rain Jackets Wet Out? The most important thing for men and women is to have a quilt that fits you properly. And down is a significant component of the manufacturing cost for high end backpacking quilts. PROS: Ultralight, draft collar, customizable, CONS: Supply chain issues mean months long lead times for new quilts. Katabatic Gear quilts, for example, use a pad attachment system with both primary and secondary clips to provide even better draft protection. What features should a good backpacking quilt have? For now, Nunatak has ceased fulfilment of custom orders and international shipping (other than Canada). If you are interested in a comfort temperature rating for backpacking quilts then we suggest adding 20F to the manufacturers temperature rating. That is, your backpacking quilt will pack down smaller when not in use. This means that the Katabatic Gear quilts can generally perform better in colder conditions compared with the competition. I also checked out Neo Air Xlite short and they give a R 3.5 for theirs. And do you really need that hood? In other words it is not possible to unzip the footbox so that the quilt can be opened flat like a blanket. Regardless of sex, people . 900-fill-power Nikwax Hydrophobic Down stays drier and maintains loft 60 times longer than untreated down. But expect an increase in costs and lead time. Philip Werner February 6, 2019 Gear Tech. Montbell Down Hugger 900 #2 - 1 lb 8 oz (0.68 kg) / 25F (-4C) / 900 Fill. The so-called bottom opening is a trademark feature of the backpacking quilt. Use of limit temperature is common among manufacturers of unisex sleeping bags. In terms of durability and weight these fabrics land somewhere in the middle relative to other ultralight quilt manufacturers. Such high fill power is great because it provides the best warmth to weight ratio and compressibility, however it also drives up the cost of the quilt since the fill is a major cost component for high-end sleeping bags and quilts something reflected in the pricing of the Vesper. Id give more weight to the Therm-a-rest answer because Ive spoken to a person whos studied the issue with sophisticated testing equipment as his disposal and explained to me the difficulty of converting clo measurements to temperature ratings. The Old Rag Mt. When the temperature really drops, securing a backpacking quilt directly around your body doesnt do a particularly good job of preventing cold drafts. They cant convince people that theyll stay warm in a quilt below 20 degrees. The Bandit is also available with a zippered footbox (most versatile option), boxed flat sewn footbox (lightest option), or insulated footbox (warmest option). That means you get great customer service and highly customized cutting-edge products. Didnt see that when I ordered an EE Revelation recently, but gratified that its been tested. There is no best choice for the design of the footbox. Available with temperature ratings between 0- 50F and different sizes and colors, I love that you can totally customize the . Size: fits up to 6'4". Enlightened Equipment, Zpacks, Nunatak). Quilt uses thermally efficient box baffled construction with mesh walls that maximize loft and minimize cold spots to ensure warmth and comfort in an ultralight package. I would imagine quilt temperature ratings have a similar problem, so Im surprised that Enlightened Equipment has found a way to eliminate the statistical issues for predicting temperature ratings for quilt stacking combinations under 20 degrees. At least, thats been my limited experience. You want to make sure the device used for securing the collar (i.e. the fill weight) must be viewed relative to the quality of the down (i.e. The Nunatak Arc UL 20 is part of their ultralight quilt series. Note however that the additional weight savings from having a sewn in footbox are usually pretty minimal. Note: Some products sold as quilts have a full length zip along the bottom opening. . Below that temperature we believe you would need to be adding warmth by wearing an insulating jacket, for example. I dont trust temperature ratings since they assume so many other factors, unstated, whereas an R value doesnt. And I had a Thermarest Xtherm pad. The quilt can be secured directly under your body with the supplied straps or attached to your sleeping pad using the simple pad attachment system. Premium 800 fill-power HyperDRY down rounds out the package and delivers a final quilt that is weight competitive with much more expensive offerings while delivering on Zenbivy's promise of maximum comfort. I will be taking the 35 degree quilt. At that temperature we believe most . Having a sewn in footbox helps to maximize warmth, as well as being slightly lighter than an otherwise equivalent quilt with a zippered footbox. A 30 denier liner fabric found on a Feathered Friends winter sleeping bag (left) vs a 10 denier ultralight liner fabric found on an Enlightened Equipment backpacking quilt (right). As a rule of thumb, we recommend an R-value of 1.5 or more for any reliable warmth and an R-value greater than 4.0 for camping in the winter. you regularly sleep out on rough terrain then consider a bag with a slightly heavier outer shell fabric, e.g. from $380.00. But for the dedicated ultralight power couple, a two-person quilt is more often than not an excellent option. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a989366944e366c4138d6a2e75c2338b" );document.getElementById("je705695a8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Shop the Winter Clearance! Rain Jackets: How to Make your DWR Last Longer. . It's my personal favorite two-person sleep system for backpacking. It is certainly no top quilt: fully zipped, it performs more like a traditional sleeping bag. The Arc UL 20 has a sewn in footbox to maximize warmth and weight savings. 1-2 Pounds: This is the target weight for ultralight sleeping bags or backpacking quilts. Importantly, this adds no cost to our readers, yet helps us to keep doing what we love. I also love that almost every feature on their quilts can be customized. Very high warmth-to-weight. 45F / 7C or higher), but is unlikely to be warm enough for use in alpine areas or deep into the shoulder season. It is the space measured in cubic inches that one ounce of down will occupy. Our original and best selling sleeping quilt, but with APEX Synthetic fill!A favorite of long distance hikers, the Revelation Sleeping Quilt is known for its amazing versatility, thoughtful design, and ultralight weight.On warm nights, the Revelation can lay open as a blanket, and in colder temperatures, you . The water resistant shell and insulation keep you dry and warm in cold, damp conditions. It didnt quite make our top pick overall (the Katabatic Gear Flex) or top pick for ultralight hikers (the Zpacks Solo Quilt) but it sure wasnt far behind in either of those categories. I havent had a conversation with Enlightened Equipment about the issue, so have no way to assess if theyve done similar due diligence. REI is another manufacturer to recently make a first foray into the world of backpacking quilts. Enlightened Equipment Accomplice Best for Backpacking. If you choose the Revelation you should size up about 6" since the length measurements are taken when the quilt is laid flat. Heres a summary of our conversation. The spaciousness also gives you the option to stuff in an extra quilt if you need to . Our award-winning Classic Sleeping Bag strikes the perfect balance of warmth and weight. On the other hand, the exceptional warmth-to-weight and packability of the Vesper makes it a great option for backpackers who want to go fast and light including those into fastpacking. a 20F (-7C) degree rated bag is likely to be comfortable down to about 40F (4C) degrees. We test our quilts the same way we test our sleeping bags, by sending them to the testing lab at Kansas State University. Editor's Choice: UGQ Outdoor Bandit. I didnt feel this way with quilts. Zpacks Solo. Rather, you need to decide whether you want a zippered footbox to maximize versatilityor a sewn in footbox to maximize warmth and weight savings. Warmth-to-weight: 5.1 | Warmth-to-cost: 5.0. I got to test the Vesper 32s rating this weekend. There was plenty of width to reach the ground on both sides of my XTherm pad, and the ability to snap it closed around my neck and cinch down the draft collar sealed the deal. Got two quilts, one 20 degree with sewn footbox 55w with 850 goose down for my son and one 10 degree with sewn footbox 55wide with 950 goose down . If you go with the short length 50-degree quilt, then your pack will only . Agreed, although Therm-a-rests answer was really a non-answer, it reinforces my skepticism with EEs chart. Good news. But featuring a drawcord-adjustable footbox, the Flicker UL does also work as a quilt when unzipped in cooler temperature. And while you are at it, why not get rid of that zipper too? VERSATILE USE: The included pad strap allows you to use your down quilt while ground camping as well as in a hammock, which means you'll be use your quilt for any environment you go in! It's available here. It depends on the conditions. The entire thing is OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring it's free of over 100 chemicals that could harm you or the planet. Their products are high quality, their designs are innovative, and their customer service is great. Sponsored. The Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 is an awesome backpacking quilt manufactured by a company renowned for their comfortable and innovative sleep systems. VERSATILE USE: The included pad strap allows you to use your down qui. Read Review. a DWR treatment. If you camp in colder climates or in the high alpine, the added protection and functionality is worth it. Light Quilt 10 45 reviews from $309.00. . The quilt also comes with a standard pad attachment system as well. Best Budget Sleeping Bag: Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15. - Matt Waughtel, backpackers.com. This ultralight top quilt, weighing just one pound six ounces, features a convertible footbox that makes for a quick entry and exit. The Marmot Trestles 0 is designed to perform in less than ideal conditions. So probably not (yes too nerdy). Pros: Ultralight. They should patent or copyright it. It features a 100 percent cotton fill, a linen-rayon blend on the surface, and a silky-soft cotton sateen backing. In general though a pad attachment system involves securing two straps around your sleeping pad. Its also based on clo valuesand not temperature ratings, which makes it hard to translate for general use. What are some of the other variables that can affect your comfort level and warmth when you sleep with a quilt? Since quilts do not have mummy hoods, we put an insulated hood on the mannequin, because we assume that users will wear an insulated hat or hood when they sleep with a quilt. A sewn in footbox is permanently closed. will also function as a hammock underquilt ( JRB Suspension System sold separately). Returned custom orders (or customer orders . For example, a 20F (-7C) degree rated bag is likely to be comfortable down to about 40F (4C) degrees. Free shipping. Zpacks make some of the best ultralight backpacking gear around and the Zpacks 20F Solo Quilt is no exception. from $335.00. This method is much more effective at preventing cold drafts, since the quilt stays in place when you toss and turn during the night. A pad attachment system involves strap around the sleeping pad the quilt is then attached to the strap using a clip. Zpacks is slightly better for an ounce counter, Katabatic is better for those who like a premium feel, and Hammock Gear is slightly better for someone on a tight budget. What is down fill power? UGQ Outdoor Bandit Top Quilt. Although relatively pricey, Katabatic Gear quilts are hands down the best ultralight backpacking quilts on the market. There is however a flat clip on the centre of the underside of the quilt which is handy for securing the sides of the quilt and stopping drafts when the temperature drops. SCORE. Ultimate Guide to Dehydrated Backpacking Meals. Backpacking Quilt. button. Their initial and only entry so far, is the Magma Trail Quilt 30. It's available as a Custom or Stock (Fast Track) model in a wide range of different lengths, widths, colors, temperature ratings, and fabrics. Fill: 11.7 oz. For much below zero, we have some -30 degree bags from Eddie Bauer that are overkill and bulky and heavy. That setup is good to -50 degrees Fahrenheit. 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