Are quilts the biggest load of crap ever? Emperor's new clothes?

[Kevin_t]

I use both the WM quilt and the WM Terralite .. the weight difference is 12 ounces and the temp rating is within a couple degrees . Both work , one is a little more fiddly . I often take the Terra and use it as a quilt so my dog has room under it . If it’s going to be below 30 often though I’ll take the terra and possibly add clothes .


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[Justin_the_EDG]

I'm open to anything that works and saves weight...and cost.

That's perhaps an underrated difference with the quilts. It would have been father down on my list of upgrades/purchases to try out if I had to save $450-500 for a similar quality SG, WM, FF bag. With a minor black Friday discount, the quilt came in at around $300. In a sense, that's not much difference, but for my family, that was the difference between something I can drop into the monthly bills without too much worry and something I have to intentionally save up and plan for.

I will say, I was very afraid I was going to dislike the quilt concept, and felt very pleased to find it worked for me. So I don't believe I'm working under the cloud of a positive confirmation bias. I also could push the quilt a little farther, I believe, with a hooded fleece pulled over my head (in addition to the beanie) and putting a puffy on my feet or core as needed.

 

[never.truly.lost]

Haven’t used the style of quilts being discussed but I have used a more standard cut blanket - the Kifaru Doobie - for several years.
Wife got me one for Christmas back in 2012 and I honestly use that item for all of my later spring to early fall camps. Used it for army biv-field kit as well (took up way less space and weight than a sleeping bag/plus you don’t get to sleep that much depending on the task). I could easily say 200-250 nights in that thing and really like it over a sleeping bag in the warm months.
No feeling of being constricted or tossing and turning in a bag to get twisted. That being said I go to a bag for mountain hunts or from about Sept20 ish until May.

 

[mlgc20]

I switched to a quilt several years ago and wish I had done it sooner. As an active sleeper, the quilt is significantly more comfortable than a mummy bag. I tried unzipping the mummy bag and using it like a quilt. And that helped a little. But, it was much better to use a quilt that was designed specifically to be a quilt. I bring my quilt even when I'm truck camping. Because it's not about saving weight (although that is a bonus). Maybe quilts are for you like water bladders are for me. I know a lot of guys seem to like them. But, I just don't get it. Whatever works for you.

 

[dutch_henry]

For me bags are warmer, and I like the simplicity of having a 2-way zipper and an attached hood. I toss and turn at night and the bag and me roll around as one unit, like a fat larva.

 

[Mike Islander]

Anyone switch from a rectangular, semi-rectangular, big mummy (like a badger) to a quilt? So far I believe it's only been mummy users making the switch.

 

[5MilesBack]

Anyone switch from a rectangular, semi-rectangular, big mummy (like a badger) to a quilt? So far I believe it's only been mummy users making the switch.

I didn't necessarily switch, but for base camp I use a big heavy thick rectangular bag that weighs about 10 pounds and can fill up a duffel bag easily. It's comfortable as heck in most all conditions that I've used it in, but for carrying camp on my back all I'll use is my 2lb 0 degree down quilt.

 

[ljalberta]

So far nobody who runs a semi rectangular or roomy mummy like a badger has chimed in.

I have used and owned and rectangular bags, including two I still have. No experience with the Badger though. Roomy bags to me are more comfortable than narrow mummy bags. But I definitely still get a more comfortable sleep in a quilt. I'll only take a bag when I'm expecting the weather to regularly be below freezing overnight.

 

[BigCountry344]

All of you guys that are using quilts are you attaching it to your pad I’d like to make the switch but I don’t think it would work because I use the klymit static V Lux and it is too wide at 30 inches

 

[Poser]

All of you guys that are using quilts are you attaching it to your pad I’d like to make the switch but I don’t think it would work because I use the klymit static V Lux and it is too wide at 30 inches

I attach it to the lad if it’s cold. If it’s “cool” I often just run the straps under my body.

 

[ljalberta]

30" is not too wide depending on the particular pad attachment system. I think it may work with Katabatic quilts for instance. As a matter of fact, I prefer a wider pad with a quilt, as I tend to sprawl more. In a bag, a 20" wide pad is fine though.

 

[FLAK]

Love me some quilt.

 

[CApighunter]

I switched to a quilt this year and I don’t think I could go back to a bag. 20 degree quilt with an ounce of extra fill and an xtherm pad, I’ve never slept better on the ground. I do typically sleep very warm but I’ve had this combo down to the high teens and stayed perfectly warm.

 

[CiK01]

I froze my ass with a quilt, sold em to bruce

Same...except selling them to Bruce. Spent a bad few nights in a 20F quilt that didn't keep me warm in September @ 10500ft. Have a sleeping bag that can open up as a quilt now.

 

[Challis]

I have almost caved into the quilt idea a couple of times but just can't seem to spend the money without trying one first. Less weight is tempting.

 

[Newtosavage]

Hmmm...I must been way ahead of my time, but I’ve been just leaving my mummy bag unzipped when I sleep for about 20+ years...feet go in the foot box, the rest lays over me like a...quilt... and it’s Zzzz...

This

 

[gfreidy]

I attach it to the lad if it’s cold. If it’s “cool” I often just run the straps under my body.

In cold weather, the best system I have found is to use two straps. The middle strap goes round the pad and then clips to the quilt. I then do not go around the pad with the upper strap - Just around your body and OVER the pad. I have a 20F EE enigma and have used this system to 10F with warmer mid layers and a beanie. Works great from me!

 

[Paulyester]

Like others have said, each have their own purpose. I won't use a quilt if it's predicted to get into the mid to low 20's. The sweet spot for quilts is when it's 30-60 degrees. I can regulate my temperature much better, have freedom to move and flop around and it packs much smaller.

 

[Paulyester]

Here's my feeling/answers to each of your issues as they were presented.

No hood. I've been carrying/using some sort of beanie on all my hunts now for probably close to 35 years and I've been sleeping with a beanie on my head now (as conditions dictate), for that same length of time. I use a warm hat a LOT when hunting and using it to sleep in is just another reason to have one on hand.

I keep all my stuff (pad, pillow, and quilt), inside a 4 oz. bivy so no need for any straps, etc. I would use the bivy even if I used a traditional bag because I use floorless shelters and like to keep my stuff clean and contained. The bivy also seems to keep things together so as I rarely have an issue with drafts.

My biggest issue with a traditional mummy bag is how confining they are. Regardless of how warm I am, I absolutely hate the feeling of being restricted and the quilt inside a bivy gives me much more wiggle room without binding up when I move around.

What bivy are you using?

 

[AK Troutbum]

What bivy are you using?

I’m currently using a DCF Borah Gear that I customized a little.


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