Folks who used quilts this year - how was it??

[stephane110]

How did you folks that swapped to quilts this season fare? Will you stay with the quilt or go back to the sleeping bag?

I’ve been considering going to a quilt instead of my mummy bag for both the weight savings and to get rid of feeling like I’m stuck in a straight jacket when I turn over during the night. One thing that worries me is that my face usually gets cold overnight so with the sleeping bag I can just pull it over my head.

 

[Drenalin]

Get a long quilt and pull it over your head. I'm never going back.

 

[justinspicher]

You could wear a light beanie. I am a fan of quilts, I even started layering them this year.

 

[jKsled]

Amazing...
For me being 6'5" I was always too tight in bags. On super cold nights I wear a hat. In warmer weather I keep 1 leg out or upper body out, just like sleeping at home.

 

[Dos Perros]

There are plenty of folks that continue to use quilts year after year. I'm one of them. Some people don't like them and move on. It's a personal preference kind of thing. I do think there is a little bit of technique required to use one as efficiently as possible, that might be a turn off if you don't figure it out.

 

[Beendare]

Idel

 

[NevadaMike]

I tried a quilt last year in a wall tent in Alaska and froze. A good part of it was my pad did not have a very high R value. Definitely user error but I slept with everything I had on and under me. It was a 20 degree quilt and the overnight lows just touched the frost temps so around 33 I guess. For me I wont be in that situation again. I went with a roomy semi rectangular Western Mountaineering bag this year. I can easily pull my knees up and roll around. The weight penalty is worth it to me. Nothing wrong with a quilt but just make sure you over think the pad you bring. I am here for the same hunt right now. Weather is keeping us from flying in but if I can stay dry at least I'll be warm if we get there.

 

[xcutter]

Love using a quilt. I'm an active sleeper. Quilt makes me feel like I'm still sleeping with a big comforter at home. I have a 10 degree quilt and it is very warm. Almost too warm sometimes for me. I will be picking up a 30 or 50 degree for my next venture.

As mentioned above. Make sure you have a quality insulated pad.

 

[stephane110]

I’ve got an xtherm MAX regular wide so I should be safe with that for any temps I’d be in!

 

[Poser]

I’ve been using one for 5+ years. I got mine in Long since I like to pull covers over my head when it’s cold.

 

[mlgc20]

I think this is my 7th year of being a quilt user. I can't imagine ever going back to a sleeping bag. Having enough R value in your pad is vital whether you're in a bag or quilt. Here is how I manage my head/face on cool nights. I almost always sleep in my Sitka Core Lightweight hoodie and a light merino neck gaiter. If it gets a little cool and my head gets chilled, I will put the hood on. If it gets colder and my face gets uncomfortably cold, I will pull up the neck gaiter over my face. And then if it's really cold I will add my fleece beanie. I used to do basically the same thing when I was a bag sleeper. I never got too much practical use out of the sleeping bag hood.

 

[UWneptune308]

I used a UGQ 10 degree on a 10 day hunt that I just returned from. What you really need is a high end sleeping pad with a high R value ( i use an Exped downmat )if you really want to take it down to cold temps. I paired this up with a USGI bivy bag. Stayed toasty the entire trip and it got down to high 20s.

I’m a cold sleeper as well. Wore a light fleece hoodie and wore my football beanie at night.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DTC]

I use a 20-degree down quilt in CO, usually 1st rifle elk, and I’m not going back to a sleeping bag. I’m a side sleeper and move around and a quilt works well for me. All of the comments on using a high r-value sleeping pad are spot on.

I got a down hood from Goosefeet Gear for cold nights and it works great and only weighs like 2 oz. Zpacks makes them too (goosefeet gear sews the Zpacks ones from what I’ve read).

If you get a quilt with pad straps, it helps to keep everything together while you sleep.

 

[CoStick]

Maiden voyage tomorrow with an EE revelation 0 degree.

 

[ramsdude47]

I just got an XTherm a month ago and it pairs phenomenally with my 35 degree Nitro 35 quilt.

Literally 2 pounds lighter and still more
comfortable than my previous setup.

 

[nettereo16]

I did the quilt thing for a couple seasons. It definitely has some advantages. That said I got frustrated with waking up with a small gap and cold air draft. I must roll in my sleep. I went back to a bag this past elk season and prefer it.

 

[doc holiday13]

why don't i ever seen anyone mentioning the good ole rectangular bags?? If you're tall then get one of the XL rectangular bags... I switched to rectangular a decade ago and haven't looked back

 

[Hoeger]

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Apex. I used this quilt in the Boundary Waters last weekend. 20 Degree quilt with synthetic insulation. Lows got down to the upper 30s. I was super comfortable and really enjoyed using the quilt.

 

[Poser]

why don't i ever seen anyone mentioning the good ole rectangular bags?? If you're tall then get one of the XL rectangular bags... I switched to rectangular a decade ago and haven't looked back

A mummy shape is more heat efficient. As a result of the extra space in a rectangular bag, you generally will want to have a warmer bag than you need and end up with a whole lot of sleeping bag to haul around.

 

[mtnwrunner]

I made the switch this year and so far, so good. Have not been in super cold weather yet but I don't foresee any issues. BTW, I went with an El Coyote quilt and it's outstanding. It's also part of my total backcountry backcountry spike out from my spike out system.
I always carry a puffy coat with me and last year, I bought a super lightweight half bag I also carry with me. So, if I'm in a location that i just want to stay the night and be there in the morning, I can be quite comfortable in the puffy and half bag.
And I can pair the half bag with my quilt if I ever had to.


Randy