The Outdoor Vitals OV-Roost 40°F UnderQuilt / Sleeping Bag delivers a robust multifunctional sleep system. This versatile bag can be used as a hammock underquilt, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pod system, a technical blanket, or a double sleeping bag.
Pros
Double zipper can combine 2 quilts to make a double sleeping bag
600 fill synthetic insulation keeps the bag warm
Lightweight under 3 pounds
Cons
Can be too wide to work as an effective underquilt, some quilts have problematic seam stitching
The Therm-a-Rest Vela Quilt Sleeping Bag is perfect for any traveler or camper looking to sleep in luxury. Therm-a-Rest offers two sizes for this Large and double, and both are big enough to allow anyone, even on the bigger side, to a nice night’s sleep.
Pros
Big tough mummy bag alternative
High-quality Nikwax Hydrophobic Down keeps the quilt lightweight and warm
Only 2.3 pounds for a lot of easily packable quilt
Cons
A little on the pricier side
Temperature rated at a lower limit of 35 degrees but not recommended to use under 50 degrees for maximum warmth
The Therm-a-Rest Corus HD Camping Quilt is a great alternative for anyone who wants to break from the tight confines of a sleeping bag. The bag offers a ton of room alone, but also includes perimeter snap loops with an included loop kit to marry two of these bags together to create even more space for you and one more.
Pros
Very big and warm quilt
650-fill Nikwax® Hydrophobic Down keep you nice and warm
Ulltralight at 1.5 pounds
Cons
Not as warm a the 35-degree temperature rating would lead you to believe.
The Eagles Nest Hammock Spark TopQuilt is a great lightweight quilt that will make your summer hammock into a year-round hanging tent. It’s temperature rated at 50 degrees making it a good 4 season blanket.
Pros
Ultralight 27 ounces, packs down small
Low temperature 50 degree rating
Cons
Velcro foot-box can be irritating and can make annoying noises
The Outdoor Vitals Aerie 20°F Down Underquilt is a very warm quilt that can be used down to around 30 degrees. Like other Outdoor Vitals under quilts, this bag also is highly versatile. It offers five different ways to be used, including as a hammock under quilt, a hammock pod system, a technical blanket, a sleeping bag, or even in combination with another sack to make a double sleeping bag.
Pros
Made from tough 20D ripstop ultralight fabric
800 fill power down for easily compressible insulation
Ultralightweight at 2 pounds.
Cons
Although its rated at a lower limit of 20°F it might not keep you warm at that temp.. may be better suited for 40°F.
Paria Outdoor Products Thermodown 15 Degree Down Sleeping Quilt is a great lightweight way to stay comfortable on those frigid nights. Not everyone prefers the confinement of a sleeping bag at, so the Paria quilt is a nice way to stay warm with space to shuffle around.
Pros
Big, warm design
15 degree EN Temperature rating
20D ripstop nylon for durability
Flexible baffles
Cons
The top snap on the foot box sometimes doesn't stay snapped leading to cold feet
Some of the drawstrings and snaps can get under you while you lay and creates discomfort
The Big Agnes- Kings Canyon UL Quilt is a great sleeping bag alternative to a puffier mummy sleeping bags for those milder to warmer nights. Although the temperature rating is around a lower limit of 45 degrees this bag isn’t really meant for any conditions that chilly.
Pros
Ultralight bag
Packs down very tight
Perfect for cool to warmer weather
Cons
Rated lower limit at 45 degrees and it wont keep you warm when its that cold
The Montem Sneaky Snuggler Camping Blanket is a reliable backpacking quilt that will work great for any backpacker and camper who need to stay warm on even cooler nights outdoors.
Pros
Very warm
Water resistant and odor resistant
Included stuff sack
Cons
Not machine washable.
Doesn't compress down enough for lightweight backpacking
The Outdoor Vitals Aerie 30°F Down Underquilt / Sleeping Bag delivers a lot of versatility for many different uses in a lightweight package. It can be used in a variety of ways including as an underquilt, a hammock sleeping pod system, a sleeping bag, a technical blanket, or a double sleeping bag.
Pros
Extra tough and versatile
Packs down tight with the included compression sack
Big enough to fit bigger campers
Clips easily into hammocks
Cons
Even though its rated at 30°F we can't guarantee this bag will keep you warm in anything below 45°F.
The Therm-A-Rest Apogee Quilt is a spacious sleeping bag alternative that will keep you warm while adding a ton of comfort. The Therm-A-Rest quilt comes in 2 different sizes, Regular and Large. Both are ultralight at just over 1 pound for the regular and just over 2 for the large.
Pros
Temperature rated at 45 degrees
Ultralight at a pound for the smaller and 2 pounds for the bigger quilts
You might be the kind of backpacker who loves everything about the outdoors.
Connecting to nature, the physical exertion, the scenery.
But trying to sleep outdoors is a different story.
The Therm-a-Rest Corus HD Camping Quilt includes perimeter snap loops with an included loop kit to marry two of these bags together to create even more space for you and one more camper.
At home, you sleep like a baby tucked away on your Tempur-Pedic mattress memory foam pillow.
But trying to get a restful night of sleep in a sleeping bag can be an absolute nightmare.
You feel constricted, the zipper’s jamming into your side, you can never get warm.
A good night’s sleep is essential to give your body the break it needs after a long day out on the trail.
Fortunately, a quality backpacking quilt can alleviate a lot of this pain and help you get the rest you so badly want in the backcountry.
Backpacking Quilts Are More Convenient
Figuring out how you’re going to rest in the backcountry is one the most important decisions for any backpacking trip.
Your sleeping bag will be one of the four biggest things in your pack (sleeping pad, sleeping bag, shelter, and backpack).
The Outdoor Vitals Aerie 20°F Down Underquilt / Sleeping Bag can be used in combination with another sack to make a double sleeping bag
So aside from comfort, considering the bag’s portability is a must when it comes to this decision.
If you’re like most ultralight backpackers then you’re always trying to find ways to cut weight from your pack.
In many instances down to the ounce.
Replacing your sleeping bag with a backpacking quilt will cut quite a few ounces from your pack.
In some instances close to half as much!
This is why quilts have become so popular in the ultralight backpacking community.
What To Look For In A Backpacking Quilt
Buying a backpacking quilt is not an easy task, especially if you’ve never used one on the trail.
The Paria Outdoor Products Thermodown 15 Degree Down Sleeping Quilt includes 22 oz. of high loft 700-fill power down.
There are many factors to think about when purchasing a quilt.
And many of these factors can differ from how you search for a sleeping bag.
Below is a list of qualities, features, and specs to keep in mind when looking for a backpacking quilt.
1.)Weight
Most of the appeal of quilts is that they can spare you a lot of weight over your conventional sleeping bag.
The lightest quilts are usually made from down.
A synthetic quilt can seem appealing from a price standpoint.
However, over time it will wear out faster, and weigh down your pack especially if its wet.
Be sure to stay away from low quality down, and heavier synthetic materials.
The Therm-A-Rest Vela Quilt measures 84L x 72W and can fit someone up to 6 foot 6 so anyone under the size will find plenty of space in this mummy bag alternative..
2.)Down Fill Power
Down fill power (FP) is a sign of the quality of down utilized as a part of the quilt.
Higher fill power implies higher quality down.
Higher quality down implies less weight, more extended durability, better warmth maintenance, and more fluffiness.
Fill power is estimated in cubic inches in each ounce.
For example, one ounce of your average 850 fill power down can fill around 850 cubic inches of volume.
As you may expect the higher the fill power of the down in the backpacking quilt, the higher the cost.
When in doubt, stick to 850 or more prominent fill power down.
When you dip beneath 850 fill power, you start to see feathers blended in with your down
This causes a drop in the weight effectiveness.
The Therm-A-Rest Apogee Quilt comes in 2 different sizes, Regular and Large. Both are ultralight at just over 1 pound for the regular and just over 2 for the large.
3.) Water Repellent Down
Water repellent spray has been a hot topic of discussion over the last few years in the backpacking scene.
Some people believe that spray coating can lessen the life of the down material in the long term.
Others question the ecological effect that the ingredients have on our planet.
You’ll see that most big name brands have waterproofing built into their backpacking quilts.
You’ll also get some added protection with some water repellent spray.
Down quilts with built-in waterproofing tend to naturally last longer.
While a waterproof down backpacking quilt won’t completely protect you from heavy amounts of water, it is sufficient enough to withstand light water exposure and keep you dry inside.
4.) Pad Straps
Some quilts include loops or straps which are intended to secure the backpacking quilt around your sleeping cushion.
This keeps it from shifting excessively throughout the night.
Whether these straps are necessary is debatable.
Simply put, not many backpackers utilize them.
The Big Agnes – Kings Canyon UL Quilt with PrimaLoft Insulation breathes much easier than a puffy sleeping bag and has a back pocket and straps for a sleeping pad to stay secured..
A lot of quilt straps tend to be clumsy and a minor disturbance, also that they add a bit of weight to the quilt.
I’ve discovered that the best strategy for protecting my quilt is by just placing the pad underneath my body.
This technique guarantees that drafts remain out, and doesn’t cost me any additional weight.
5.) Hoods
Backpacking Quilts do not have hoods, nor should they.
Simply utilize your down coat or a beanie to keep your head warm.
Many backpacking sleeping bags on the market include hoods, but you will not find this luxury with a quilt.
You’re also not going to find too many quilts with draft tubes.
While sleeping bags are now made with draft tubes to prevent heat from leaving the bag, a backpacking quilt has no need for one.
You’re own natural draft protection will come from how well you tuck the quilt underneath you.
This is just another trade-off from sleeping bag to quilts that has its advantages and disadvantages.
7.) Baffles
Simply put, you don’t need materials to be sewn through bewilders, you need boxed or 3D puzzles.
Sewn-through astounds sew both the inward and external shells of the quilt together to control down.
This leaves cold spots without protection, where cold air can undoubtedly make it inside your quilt, and warm can get away.
Boxed creates control around utilizing vertical bits of material to join the inward and external shells of the quilt, making no “squeeze zones” or places for loss of protection.
Here and there sewn through puzzles are worthy in a lightweight summer quilt. However, I decide on boxed perplexes when I can get them.
8.) Materials
Materials shouldn’t be an enormous worry for you.
Most producers now are utilizing the lightest and most fitting materials accessible.
You need a firmly woven, down-verification material that won’t permit down stuffing to infiltrate it and break out.
Lightweight materials are best, periodically a 10 or 15 Denier ripstop nylon can be the most ideally equipped contender for the activity.
A water-safe DWR coating is once in a while essential in a quilt.
If you are utilizing a moderate canvas and regularly find that rain sprinkles onto the foot of your bag/quilt, a few brands offer a piece of climate confirmation texture at the foot of the quilt for simply this reason.
Conclusion
In the end, you’re experience level and personal comfort will help you decide on the best backpacking quilt to go with.
There is a lot of variety to choose from, and some companies tend to have better reputations for quality than others.
Really the secret is to not overthink this purchase.
No matter what style quilt you get or the nitty gritty of the details there’s a good chance it will keep you warm, along with keeping your pack light and allow you to have an awesome time outdoors.
Last update on 2021-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Erik
Erik grew up as a desert rat in Arizona. After exploring the backcountry of the west coast he came east for a job but still finds time to explore the beauty of the northeast.
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Backpacking Quilts Are More Convenient
