Looking To Get A Quilt - El Coyote??

[Benjblt]

I'm looking to get a quilt and at first I was looking at the Katabatic Flex 22, maybe 15 or 30, but now I'm looking at the El Coyote. The only major downside I've seen so far is that the cinch doesn't hold well (at the foot box). Anyone else have an issue with that? Would this be a problem on the Katabatic Flex? Any other recommendations?

My other question is in regards to temp rating? What is ya'alls philosophy on temperature? I'm not super interested in doubling up quilts and wearing a huge puffy to get down to 10 degrees. I'm betting once I get to sleeping in 20 degree temps that I will not be as comfortable in a quilt. I have no real experience though. I'm thinking the weight and space savings is one of the major advantages to the quilt. I have one down 30 degree (comfort) sleeping bag and 3 synthetic mountain hardwear bags that are 23 degree comfort to 38 degree. So I'm thinking I get a either 15 degree (comfort) bag to fill the lower temp need or a quilt that is about 20 degree to 30 degree quilt that will be more packable. So with that in mind would you recommend a 20 or a 30? Is the weight difference negligible? I think there's only about a 3 oz difference between the two.

 

[buffsmoker]

I have a Flex 15 and an El Coyote 40. Both are very high quality, but overall I'd probably lean towards the Katabatic. One main reason is that it has an added snap and down filled draft closure for the footbox. It doesn't bother me much on the El Coyote because being a 40 degree bag, I'm always using it in much milder conditions. Footbox drafts become much more important to me at the lower temps. They also have different pad attachment systems, which I'd say can be personal preference as far as which you might like better. I'd say the El Coyote system is a bit simpler, but the Katabatic allows you to really lock it down if needed.

As far as temp rating.....that's a tough one. It really depends on your intended use, how hot/cold you sleep, and what pad you're using. Something in the 20 degree range seems to be a happy medium. Sometimes I wish I would have gone with the Flex 22 (or the Alsek), but other times I'm happy to have the 15.

 

[Drenalin]

I had issues with the footbox opening up through the night on an El Coyote, and that was on a winter trip. It made for a couple of really miserable nights. I did not have that issue at all with the Katabatix Flex I had. I've now moved back to Enlightened Equipment due to the available widths, and ended up with a sewn footbox. It's less flexible, but much better than drawstrings and snaps in the cold. I never use a sleeping bag, but the coldest I really get out in is the low teens. The quilt does great. I'd strongly recommend you get a temp rating for the coldest temperatures rather than counting on layering clothes/other quilts, but some do it and love it.

 

[S.Clancy]

My personal strategy is a 40F quilt and a 15F bag. This covers everything down to -10F or so, for me, with appropriate layering. Nice thing with the quilt is it works good as an over-bag. I see no reasonable need to own more than these 2.

 

[Benjblt]

Good feedback. I was leaning towards the EC but the draw string issue kind of turns me off. I might just go with a 30 degree bag. The 20-22 degree bags seem to be the popular choice.

 

[Benjblt]

So I'm about 50" in shoulder girth. I seem to fit fairly snugly, but more or less comfortably, in sleeping bags with 60" (published) shoulder circumferences (girth). Katabatic says that their regular is similar to 63" shoulder girth. I'm looking at the Flex. I'm tempted to just go with the regular width but so many people size up. Am I missing anything or am I just overthinking it? Just order a regular and just quit overthinking it? I sleep on my back about 2/3's of the time and then on my side the other third.

I might use it for an over quilt over other bags if needed to up my rating.

 

[AZ Gator]

not withstanding people’s individual variances, do companies like enlightened and katabatic list temp ratings for survivability or comfort?

 

[Drenalin]

not withstanding people’s individual variances, do companies like enlightened and katabatic list temp ratings for survivability or comfort?

Katabatic is dead on or conservatively rated for comfort. I compare fill weights of other quilts to Katabatic's as best I can (given the dimensional variation). My EE Engima 10-degree is a 15-degree for me.

 

[Drenalin]

So I'm about 50" in shoulder girth. I seem to fit fairly snugly, but more or less comfortably, in sleeping bags with 60" (published) shoulder circumferences (girth). Katabatic says that their regular is similar to 63" shoulder girth. I'm looking at the Flex. I'm tempted to just go with the regular width but so many people size up. Am I missing anything or am I just overthinking it? Just order a regular and just quit overthinking it? I sleep on my back about 2/3's of the time and then on my side the other third.

I might use it for an over quilt over other bags if needed to up my rating.

The advantage of sizing up is that you'll have enough material to reduce drafts. The disadvantage is that you'll have to heat that extra volume and your quilt won't seem true to temp. Get someone to wrap you with a tape in similar clothes to what you'd be wearing; if you're pushing the limit I'd bump to the wide. If you're a couple inches under, stick to the regular.

 

[S.Clancy]

not withstanding people’s individual variances, do companies like enlightened and katabatic list temp ratings for survivability or comfort?

My 40F EE is dead on, for me.

 

[Benjblt]

Well let me state the question another way. . if I mostly hunt and backpack in weather where its 32 to 40 degrees at night, will I be way too warm in a 22 degree bag. . or, considering the versatility of a quilt, can I make a 22 degree bag work for 90 percent of my hunts where it will technically be too warm? I see myself with it completely open and one leg out or something. I don't consider that as comfortable but it's one way to deal with having a bag that's too warm for the conditions.

 

[Benjblt]

Also, thoughts on 850 duck down vs 900 goose? I've heard that allegedly 850 last longer but goose down is a little more water repellant. You only save an ounce and it's about $50 more expensive.

 

[700MtnMan]

I have a 20 degree El Coyote quilt, been using it for 2 years or so and it’s been great. I have not experienced any issues with the foot box have used it down into the teens with a good pad and been fine.

 

[Cyril]

I had issues with the footbox opening up through the night on an El Coyote, and that was on a winter trip. It made for a couple of really miserable nights. I did not have that issue at all with the Katabatix Flex I had. I've now moved back to Enlightened Equipment due to the available widths, and ended up with a sewn footbox. It's less flexible, but much better than drawstrings and snaps in the cold. I never use a sleeping bag, but the coldest I really get out in is the low teens. The quilt does great. I'd strongly recommend you get a temp rating for the coldest temperatures rather than counting on layering clothes/other quilts, but some do it and love it.

I have the exact same two quilts and agree with everything said. The katabatic is top quality. I love my el coyote for how I use it, which is mostly a blanket situation in warm temps, but if I could only have one, it would be katabatic. Two other notes, the zipper on the katabatic is more robust and less likely to snag fabric. Secondly the the treated down seems to really work. I had mine in Alaska on a moose hunt when we had a tent failure that soaked me and my bag. Mostly pooled on the surface but also wet the down. After patching the tent with a tarp, I climbed back in the wet bag. The moisture all migrated out and evaporated off and it was dry by morning and I was never cold.

 

[Benjblt]

I have the exact same two quilts and agree with everything said. The katabatic is top quality. I love my el coyote for how I use it, which is mostly a blanket situation in warm temps, but if I could only have one, it would be katabatic. Two other notes, the zipper on the katabatic is more robust and less likely to snag fabric. Secondly the the treated down seems to really work. I had mine in Alaska on a moose hunt when we had a tent failure that soaked me and my bag. Mostly pooled on the surface but also wet the down. After patching the tent with a tarp, I climbed back in the wet bag. The moisture all migrated out and evaporated off and it was dry by morning and I was nev

The advantage of sizing up is that you'll have enough material to reduce drafts. The disadvantage is that you'll have to heat that extra volume and your quilt won't seem true to temp. Get someone to wrap you with a tape in similar clothes to what you'd be wearing; if you're pushing the limit I'd bump to the wide. If you're a couple inches under, stick to the regular.

i did and I was 48” but I rounded up to 50”. I didn’t see the Katabatic sizing that associated with my measurements. They just reference mummy bag sizing. I may have missed it.

 

[Drenalin]

They have a little more info on their FAQ page:

FAQ

Need help choosing the best ultralight backpacking gear or lightweight bikepacking equipment for your next wilderness adventure? Start here.

katabaticgear.com

 

[Benjblt]

They have a little more info on their FAQ page:

FAQ

Need help choosing the best ultralight backpacking gear or lightweight bikepacking equipment for your next wilderness adventure? Start here.

katabaticgear.com

Oh right. I think I do remember seeing this. It's helpful. . but i'm kind of right on the edge. I think I'm just going to go wide. Now I just have to decide if I'm going with a 22 or a 30 and if I want overstuff.

 

[S.Clancy]

Well let me state the question another way. . if I mostly hunt and backpack in weather where its 32 to 40 degrees at night, will I be way too warm in a 22 degree bag. . or, considering the versatility of a quilt, can I make a 22 degree bag work for 90 percent of my hunts where it will technically be too warm? I see myself with it completely open and one leg out or something. I don't consider that as comfortable but it's one way to deal with having a bag that's too warm for the conditions.

I would personally be too warm in a bag to sleep well. A quilt is better suited to adjusting when temps are well above the rated temp.

 

[Benjblt]

I would personally be too warm in a bag to sleep well. A quilt is better suited to adjusting when temps are well above the rated temp.

I get too warm in my 30 degree (comfort) all the time. Usually it's about right. I feel like I may just go with the 30 degree quilt so it will be an upgrade in weight (less weight). . . and I can use it in warmer temps when my 30 degree bag would normally be too hot.

 

[coloradoan]

I owned an El Coyote quilt. It was very well made, really lightweight, and super compressible. The quilts are a really basic design that is made from premium materials. I replaced it with a Katabatic recently. If I were buying a quilt today, I'd go with the longest and widest Katabatic Flex 15.