Quilts - Whose Using One Instead of a Sleeping Bag?

My sleep system is in need of replacement. My sleeping bag and pad have been with me many seasons and received numerous repairs through fair wear and tear but they are practically Frankenstein's —just waiting for a thunderstorm to come to life.

I'm considering a quilt over a sleeping bag, and gone down a rabbit hole - AGAIN!

So, whose using a quilt?
What environment are you using it?
What are your thoughts on it?
What make / model are you using?
Where did you get it?

I'm a side or stomach sleeper, typically bush hunt the lower North Island year round, and backpack hunt, I don't tend to use huts.

Thanks in advance.

Not sure how relevant this is as I'm more of a tramper than hunter so spend my night in the comfort of huts.
I run hot so during the summer I use a single fitted sheet rather than a sleeping bag, It makes for a compact pack and when I'm sleeping the elastic pulls it closed over me. I think a quilt would be more comfortable but bulky and more prone to absorbing moisture.

Hey Mate

I have a quilt that i use most of the time tenting and run a bag in huts. (Quilt and hut is a cold sleep without the xthurm)

Mine is from enlightened equipment in the usa, I am a side / stomach sleeper and find I get too twisted in a bag.

In winter i use a summer bag with the quilt over top and so far found that too hot for North Island winter hunting and the quilt gets thrown off during the night. would think its a great combo in south island tho and together they pack smaller then my Macpac caccoon winter bag is is war warmer.

Hey mate I run the same as shane got a enlightened equipment one, I hate sleeping bags, the quilts way better for me, packs down a lot a smaller and is ridiculously light its less than 300 grams
I can't see myself using any of my bags again
Cheers

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk

Cheers for the responses guys. I end up twisted up like a bra in the dryer in my sleeping bag.

I've potentially got an opportunity to get some gear back from the USA with a colleague in a couple of weeks.

I have an enlightened equipment quilt too. It’s great, small, light and warm. You need a good quality high R value sleeping pad if you use a quilt though.

Attachment 250963

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Originally Posted by steadwah

Cheers for the responses guys. I end up twisted up like a bra in the dryer in my sleeping bag.

I've potentially got an opportunity to get some gear back from the USA with a colleague in a couple of weeks.

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I know what you mean I use my bag opened like a quilt but I add my thermal blanket would not go without it light and rolls up real small warm as

What does this weigh in at? I've lost faith in manufacturer stated numbers.

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Originally Posted by Bush Basher

Attachment 250963

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What does this weigh in at? I've lost faith in manufacturer stated numbers.

Ive got a Hammock Gear quilt that Ive done hundreds of nights in, weighs about 400gm and was very warm when new, a bit sad now 7 or 8 years on. Very compact compared to a bag. I've kind of gone back to bags for colder weather because the open nature of a quilt means that if you're a restless sleeper you end up partially uncovered a lot.

I have 4 from Enlightened Equipment including a zero degree one for summer and sub for winter. I use the Revelation - zip up foot box, and only use the straps in winter.

You need a quality sleeping pad with appropriate R value for the system to work well. If you are a side sleeper and don't like being bundled up in a sleeping bag they are excellent. Quilts allow you to regulate heat easily. At 650g they are super light.

I just returned from a sub zero trip ti Kaimanawa tops. I'd just washed and treated (waterproofed) my winter quilt using Nikwax products. The quilt kept warm and dry despite condensation on the tipi tent walls over 36 hours inside

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Originally Posted by gimp

Ive got a Hammock Gear quilt that Ive done hundreds of nights in, weighs about 400gm and was very warm when new, a bit sad now 7 or 8 years on. Very compact compared to a bag. I've kind of gone back to bags for colder weather because the open nature of a quilt means that if you're a restless sleeper you end up partially uncovered a lot.

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I wonder if the old chuck it in the cloths dryer with heap of tennis balls and set it going to beat it up and redistribute the down trick will rejuvenate it???????certainly works for down bags....

I have an Alton (Aussie brand) -5 quilt from the Gearshop...yet to use it but expecting good results on 4WD camping trips where I will be using a monsta mat plus stretcher (its an age thing you understand..lol)
Will be interesting to compare with my Domex Ultralite which can be restricting, hence the quilt.
If I could get Zenbivvy out of the US without paying exhorbitant FedEx charges, I would have gone for one of their quilt/sheet combos. Amazed that there is noone that I know of retailing them here....

There is also these guys. https://www.kiwiultralight.co.nz/

Never used their gear though.

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Originally Posted by steadwah

What does this weigh in at? I've lost faith in manufacturer stated numbers.

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I’m in Aussie at the moment so can’t weigh it. From memory though it was between 700-800 grams

What environment are you using it?

I use it everytime I go out - tops camping, huts, bush camping etc

What are your thoughts on it?

Light, packs down very small. Very warm. Some learning curve - need to have it dialed in to not get drafts and can be a little bit fiddly.

What make / model are you using?

Katabatic Alsek 22f (-5.5C) - I've had it to colder than that and its been fine (I wear thermals to bed + beanie). It's 660g, I weighed it when it arrived.

Where did you get it?

Ordered directly from their website.

Real World Weights:

-6c Quilt:

Enlightened Equipment, Revelation Quilt 850 Downtek Treated, Temperature 20°F (-6°C), Length- regular 6', width 54" Outside Fabric 20d, Inside 10d
Down Type (DownTek Treated):

Weight 670 grams, no straps

Attachment 251008


-1 Degree Quilt

Enlightened Equipment, Revelation Quilt 850 Downtek Treated, Temperature 30°F (-1°C), Length- regular 6', width 54" Outside Fabric 20d, Inside 10d
Down Type (DownTek Treated):

Weight 530grams, no straps

Attachment 251010


Straps

Each quilt takes 2 x 13g straps. I only use one in winter as the dog wants part of the action up top.

Attachment 251011

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I wonder if the old chuck it in the cloths dryer with heap of tennis balls and set it going to beat it up and redistribute the down trick will rejuvenate it???????certainly works for down bags....

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If you want to correctly wash your down, watch this video. Use Nikwax. The process and the products work. The only cavaet is all tennis balls must be locked away during the process (to avoid dog claim/theft)

https://youtu.be/C7uMGIQJ0OE?si=wF4uGl4r1VokxlOX

I've noticed a lot of US hunters in YT vids using quilts in 10,000 feet-ish altitudes in deep snow hunting elk and mule deer. They were hunting in some pretty extreme conditions and weather

Thanks for all the responses guys.

Got a colleague heading to Canada for two weeks this weekend so guess I'm going to be hunting around online.

Another thumbs up for Hammock Gear quilts, they're very reasonably priced and good quality. I've been using mine for full-time bush work for around 5 years. Like others have stated, you need to pair it with a good quality high R-Value sleeping mat to make the best use of a quilt. Hammock Gear run sales often now, best I've seen is 30% off once or twice a year but you can usually get a discount by just adding a product to your cart, filling out your details but not completing the purchase. Half a day later you've got a discount in your emails.

Just curious how these quilts are in NZ cold conditions, USA and Canada is a drier cold than here as a rule. Last weekend we were tenting in about minus 16 Celsius. I sleep pretty warm as a rule but can’t see myself ditching my sleeping bag any time soon. Interested in the quilt concept though.

I have a bunch of sleeping bags and ... a quilt which I really like. a 30f (-1c) long wide Enlightened Equipment Enigma. Much more comfy for a side sleeper, and plenty warm for shoulder season trips. Considering a 40f one for summer!

Kiwi ultralight quilt from Nelson. Primo.

I use my sleeping bags like a quilt; I generally have the zip open most of the time. What I prefer about the bag, is I can zip it up if it gets real cold.
How do you quilt users sleep when it’s real cold?

I have a Western Mountaineering Astralite (weighs 562g) packs into a XS/S Sea to Summit EVAC Compression Sack- rated to -3C and would say once you learn to use one it can get a touch lower, need to have a good quality sleeping pad underneath you though- XTherm or EXPED DURA 6R are my recommendations. Rate it over a sleeping bag for the seasons I use it- means you can take a smaller pack which is always nice.

As for craigc- I usually always take other puffy gear- ALWAYS take a jacket and 8/10 times I'm taking down pants just to take the chill off and I got them on a killer deal- so push comes to shove I chuck those on and I'm happy as Larry. If I know weather is gonna be dicey the full bag gets chucked in the wagon and becomes a game time decision.

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Originally Posted by craigc

I use my sleeping bags like a quilt; I generally have the zip open most of the time. What I prefer about the bag, is I can zip it up if it gets real cold.
How do you quilt users sleep when it’s real cold?

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Clip them up.
Most of the time just at the collar then use draw cord to snug it up.
Some quilts can be done up like a bag.
You can use the straps to clip quilt onto pad so you don't get drafts.
I normally only clip one side makes it easy to get out of.
And to be honest I don't use them much.
They do not have a hood which is good for those of us that toss and turn.
But if cold you need a beanie, down balaclava or similar but the beanie is normally all you need.
Most manufacturer's have a video showing you how to use them they are all pretty much the same have a look at Enlightened Equipment, all on youtube.
A bonus is if you suffer from cramp real easy to get out of.