Bag plus Quilt?

[Whip]

I'm headed to Alaska Moose hunting this fall. I've been told that although unlikely I should be prepared for temps as low as -10, so I need to upgrade my sleep system for this trip. Rather than buy a bag suited specifically for temps that cold I'm kicking around the idea of a mid range bag and a quilt as a back up that I would use to double up. I don't care for mummy bags, so thinking something like a semi rectangular asked them cover with a quilt on cold nights if needed. I just don't think I would get much use out of a really low rated high quality bag other than this trip, and having a decent +10-15 degree bag plus a quilt would give me two (or 3) good options for future trips.

Anyone run a system liked this? Any suggestions on a good combination?

 

[Steve O]

Yes. I also have a Big Agnes Deep Creek (15°) and can combine it with my BA Buffalo Park (40°) to get to zero.

 

[efnm]

I do this for hunting in temps between 10-20 degrees and am often toasty (good!). I am using a 20 degree bag and a 10 or 20 degree quilt, so I think you could definitely go this route.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I have used a woobie over a 20* bag and been comfortable down to about 10*. Hard to say exactly what temp it will work for but the concept is solid.

Are you backpacking and/or weight conscious? USGI ECWCS sleep system is a two bag combo that goes to zero easily. They can be had new for $100 if you look around. Downside is the whole system weighs 10# with the bivy.

 

[Jbehredt]

Yep. Woobie with a 15* WM badger has kept me snug down to 5*. Didn’t get any colder, -10...... wooooo!

 

[hankharp]

I’m looking at doing a similar set up. A real popular combo seems to be having a synthetic quilt as the outer layer as it will draw any moisture out of the down bag.

Enlightened equipment has a handy chart for this kind of thing to at least help you begin to approximate what kind of temp ratings you’ll need to combine.

How to layer quilts for sub-zero camping

Anyone who enjoys cold weather camping can tell you about its many benefits: no bugs, no crowds, and an extreme peacefulness and beauty that is difficult to experience any other time. But of course...

support.enlightenedequipment.com

 

[jolemons]

Run synthetic over down for moisture management. Lots of articles on the method.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Whip]

Thanks for the replies - seems like this would be the best plan for me. We are going to have a separate super cub just for additional gear. We'll have to watch weight, but an extra pound or two should be fine and bulk not a big issue. The chart from Enlightened Equipment is really helpful. Thanks!

 

[tdot]

How to layer quilts for sub-zero camping

Anyone who enjoys cold weather camping can tell you about its many benefits: no bugs, no crowds, and an extreme peacefulness and beauty that is difficult to experience any other time. But of course...

support.enlightenedequipment.com

I love my down quilt covered by an Apex quilt. I havent pushed the absolute limits of that chart, but feel it's a touch aggressive. Unless you know you sleep hot, I'd error on th side of caution by atleast 1 or 2 temp ratings lower.

 

[tdot]

One warning on this system though. If you collapse the down with the overquilt, then you could actually see a decrease in the rating. Ie, using an Apex quilt that has a sewn in foot box that is too small for the down bag underneath.

The first time I used this system it was with a 5 degree WM bag and a 40 degree quilt. The foot box on the quilt was too small and while I was generally toasty, my feet froze.

 

[WyoBC_99]

I've run a heavy (cheap) synthetic quilt over my down bag and it worked wonders. I had trouble keeping it in position so I knew it was working when I was cozy and then would wake up cold after it slid off!

 

[mtwarden]

having a down bag plus a synthetic quilt provides a lot of flexibility at not too much of a weight hit

I have a FF Swift 20 degree down bag that I use with a 50 degree Apex quilt and it’s solid to 0

To add even more flexibility, I had a poncho hole added to the quilt and it resides in my day pack to throw on over everything in cold conditions glassing

win/win/win

 

[Kevin_t]

I've used bag / quilt a lot of times in various configs. The synthetic over makes a lot of sense as mtwarden mentions. I have also put a down quilt in a down bag and used it to -8 F in the BWCA and was toasty.

 

[Voyageur]

Used a down 10 degree UGQ over my 20 degree Kifaru slick bag last September in AK. Worked great and the combo was significantly lighter than my 0 degree synthetic bag I left at home. Some nights used both and other nights just the quilt. I realize down over synthetic is opposite of what most are saying, but my thinking was I did not want to compress the down. FWIW I had no moisture problems.

 

[JLane330]

I'm used a quilt over a down bag and the issue I had was keeping the quilt in place. If you tend to roll and turn while sleeping, you may have a similar problem. I don't like a fleece bag liner as much, but it stays in place and is effective.
What are you sleeping on? I've found that insulation under the bag is just as important...

 

[Whip]

I'll be upgrading my pad as well. Probably Neo Xtherm Max or Exoed downmat.