Most versatile quilt?

[jg556]

Want to get a biryhday present for my wife. She likes hammock camping and want to get her a quilt she can use, but also use it with a pad for normal camping. Any suggestions are appreciated. Price isnt really an issue.

 

[Drenalin]

I've used Enlightened Equipment, Katabatic, and El Coyote.

My first EE quilt was an Enigma with Apex synthetic insulation, which I won't be doing again. Quilt got noticeably colder somewhere between 30 and 40 nights, and washing didn't help bring it back. Then I learned this is pretty normal with synthetic quilts. The only other thing I didn't like about that quilt was the bulk when packed. The pad attachment was great, the size of the quilt was great, and the material was comfortable.

After that I went to a Katabatic Flex 30, which I used as low as 16 degrees. Great quilt, and a Katabatic Flex in whatever temp rating is appropriate would probably be my recommendation. I did find it to be just a shade to small in girth if I needed to layer up for sub freezing temps. It also always had kind of strange smell, even the first time I used it. I couldn't wash that away. I ended up moving on from this for a colder rated quilt.

Next was El Coyote, which was ultimately pretty disappointing for me. The footbox cinch wouldn't wouldn't hold for me through the night - moving around in my sleep, it would start to open up and let in drafts. No other complaints with it, but that was a big one. I think the cinch cord was just a little too UL for my use.

Now I've gone to a two quilt system, kind of. I keep a Kifaru Woobie for anything above about 40 degrees. And an EE enigma with down insulation for anything colder. After the El Coyote flop, I wanted a sewn footbox for cold trips. The EE is good to about 15 degrees (rated for 10 by them). I would probably have gone with a Katabatic with a sewn footbox here, but they didn't have what I wanted when I was ready to buy.

I'd be pretty confident with any of those three manufacturers, and you may also want to check out Zen Bivy.

 

[Speaks]

I like the feathered friends one, can also zip it up to use like a bag if needed

 

[adamm88]

Outdoor vitals makes quilt that are specificly made for Hammocks, Pretty much any quilt can work with ground pads as well, I dont own their gear but its supposed to be well made.

I have a zen bivy core quilt as well, they would be my pick.

 

[Hussar]

I've been really happy with my Hammock Gear 20 degree quilt and just picked up a 40 degree version. I'd go with the wide version of ground sleeping is an option.

 

[D S 319]

I like my UGQ quilts. Have held up well.

 

[Clovis]

How about an Enlightened Equipment zero degree long/wide? I have one and it is great for the hammock, can be used with straps on a pad or cinched down into a bag, also great for napping on the couch or travel. Warm enough for cool weather and because it is a quilt, you can vent it in warmer weather.

 

[450]

VIAM Outdoors make a nice quilt. Me and my son have been using them for several years here in Alaska.

 

[Nicaburns]

I have an Outdoor Vitals 10 degree that I really like but haven’t tried it in a hammock.

 

[robertmpalmquist]

I got a katabatic 22 degree with the sewn closed foot box. It’s warm and has been fantastic in hotter or colder weather.

 

[luv2huntelk]

Quite a difference in top quilts for hammock sleeping and bottom quilts for ground pad. It gets a little tricky to combine the 2 into one.

You might consider one of each top/bottom and go with higher temp rating and combine the 2 quilts if you’re not venturing far from vehicle.

Katabatic, Hammock Gear, Zpacks are all good. EE has lots of mixed reviews in the backpacking world due to ratings consistency. But I would highly recommend checking out Gryphon Gear! Good luck.

 

[justinspicher]

I’ve been pretty happy with my EE convert quilts. I have two, one is down and one is synthetic. Both are 30° quilts. They can zip together and that’s handy for my use with a hammock. I put the synthetic on the bottom and have the down up top. I haven’t slept with it below 30° yet, but I think it’d work pretty well.

 

[foamantelope]

Another vote for the feathered friends quilt. The UL model is crazy light and so far has been plenty durable for me. Get the wide model if you want luxury.

I do like that it can zip up fully- I’ve never been one for using a pad inside of a sleep system, or having an “open back” bag/quilt.

 

[Qpski]

I like my UGQ quilts. Have held up well.

I second this.

 

[SloppyJ]

Zenbivy has the light 10 degree quilt that has the footbox that can close up like a typical bag or let loose to be a normal rectangular quilt.

Using it without the footbox crimped up allows you to easily regulate temp but you can cinch it closed for cold nights.

I went with their whole system and have been really enjoying it. Sure beats the hell out of a normal bag.

 

[HootCamo]

Zenbivy has the light 10 degree quilt that has the footbox that can close up like a typical bag or let loose to be a normal rectangular quilt.

Using it without the footbox crimped up allows you to easily regulate temp but you can cinch it closed for cold nights.

I went with their whole system and have been really enjoying it. Sure beats the hell out of a normal bag.

Agree 100% on Zenbivy. Great sleeping systems but they are pricey.

 

[BigDuckHunter]

Agree 100% on Zenbivy. Great sleeping systems but they are pricey.

I made my own last year before they released the ultralight bed. Ended up being about half the price and fit me and how I sleep a little better.

 

[HootCamo]

I made my own last year before they released the ultralight bed. Ended up being about half the price and fit me and how I sleep a little better.

What did you end up going with? I'm always up for a lil DIY

 

[BigDuckHunter]

What did you end up going with? I'm always up for a lil DIY

I got everything but the down from rsbtr. I don’t remember exactly what I used but I can find emails if you’re that interested. The down I got from allied down. 950 fill waterproof as I remember. For the quilt I just measured different sizes of a blanket at home and wrapped up in it til I found the right size for my shoulders. Then calculated the differential for the top piece of fabric to get maximum loft with minimal weight. For the amount of down, I just calculated how much I needed to get the loft I wanted in the quilt for it to be a true 20deg comfort rating. Then I added in 20% I think to make up for damp conditions, down deterioration over time, etc. The sheet covers my whole pad rather than half which is something I really wanted for comfort since I don’t like my skin on plastic. The attachment for the pad is like what big Agnes uses on their lost ranger. That gives me more flexibility to use different pads should I choose to do so. I also did the hood on the sheet differently. I sleep on my stomach so a big hood like zenbivy has wouldn’t be comfy and weighted more than it needed to. I just made a pocket in the sheet that I could slide my pillow into to keep from sliding around. I used the whole setup last spring on a week long bear hunt and loved it. I’ve never slept so well while camping before.

 

[SloppyJ]

Have any pictures? I love good DIY projects.