New to Quilts, need advice

[squeekieslayer]

Hey guys after all the rave reviews I am going to jump into the world of quilts. I am a bigger guy that is a side sleeper. I have always gone with Big Agnes for this reason. I have a down 15* and a synthetic 35* BA (which in BA temp ratings actually equates to about 30* and 50* respectively.)

The vast majority of my backpacking is summer and september, with some later into October. I have a tipi with a stove. I run insulated ba pads. My though is that I want to get something to go in my bivy for most early season and summer camping. I am trying to decide what temp rating to get.

My though is that 30 degree bag would do most everything. I will use base layers if I get cold... I can use my BA bags in the 20's, and if I really decide to go when it is in the single digits or so, I can put it inside or over my BA. I will still be lighter than a BA 0* bag and probably mUCH MUCH warmer.

If I like it, I would then get a 0* one and be set.

Thoughts???

 

[muleman]

I would suggest you get a wide or extra wide quilt, given your size and being a side sleeper. I received great sizing advice from Adam at Hammock Gear. As for temperature, sounds like you know what works for you. I currently use a 20 degree with snap foot for summer-fall. The beauty of a quilt is that you can easily vent if hot. I have had enough unseasonably cold July nights in the high country, thus why I use a 20 degree in the summer.

I'm currently shopping to replacing my 0 degree mummy bag with a 0 degree quilt with over stuff and down balaclava for my cold camping. On my last below freezing camp out a few weeks ago, I was once again reminded of how much I hate a claustrophobic mummy bags. Happens every time I use a mummy bag, since switching to quilts a few years ago.

 

[squeekieslayer]

Thanks... the one I was looking at is the EE Revalation Pro in Long/Wide. I am 6'2'' and about 220.

Joe

 

[muleman]

Thanks... the one I was looking at is the EE Revalation Pro in Long/Wide. I am 6'2'' and about 220.

Joe

We are similar in size and if I remember correctly the wide EE is 58". That is the minimum width I feel comfortable with as I'm a side sleeping flip flopper.

 

[5MilesBack]

I used my EE 0 degree long wide last year from August through September and was fine for me with my Xtherm pad. And I always wear my merino while sleeping when I'm out hunting.......and a fleece hat. However, I did pick up a 20 degree EE for some lighter weight and to see just how low I could go with that one.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Thanks... the one I was looking at is the EE Revalation Pro in Long/Wide. I am 6'2'' and about 220.

Joe

I have the long/wide in 0*. 10* & 20* and they are great. Downside is if you use an inflatable pad and it deflates, you're screwed. I use a 3.5" long/wide Exped 9 but am rethinking the wisdom of this. Murphy's Law can be a biach.

 

[squeekieslayer]

I have the long/wide in 0*. 10* & 20* and they are great. Downside is if you use an inflatable pad and it deflates, you're screwed. I use a 3.5" long/wide Exped 9 but am rethinking the wisdom of this. Murphy's Law can be a biach.

I understand that... but I would be just as screwed in my big agnes unfortunately.

 

[murf45]

The 20* has worked great for me from warm temps to about 30 degrees with wool base layers. I just picked up a 0 degree for below freezing. Love the quilts though!

 

[7mag.]

Thanks... the one I was looking at is the EE Revalation Pro in Long/Wide. I am 6'2'' and about 220.

Joe

I'm 6'2, 215, and I use a 10° EE Revelation in regular length, wide. I'm a side sleeper, and I toss and turn. My quilt is comfortable for me.

 

[keepitwiredtight]

I'm 6'2, 215, and I use a 10° EE Revelation in regular length, wide. I'm a side sleeper, and I toss and turn. My quilt is comfortable for me.

How far up does the EE long quilt go? Up to your chin? forehead? over your head?

That's the biggest question I have left before I get one. How long to get it. thanks.

 

[Poser]

I'm 6'1 and got the long one so I can pull it over my head.

 

[Browtinemt]

I'm 6'1 and got the long one so I can pull it over my head.

^this, and with a wide you can tuck the excess and manage drafts. I have an EE 10* LW, pm me if you head south sometime and want to check it out.

 

[Take-a-knee]

I would consider the new "quilt-bags", like Z-Packs and the Feathered Friends Flicker

http://featheredfriends.com/feathered-friends-flicker-20-ul-quilt-sleeping-bag.html

I strongly urge you to consider a jacket with a pretty thick hood for any quilt use below 30-40F.

I've been told by one person who bought a FF Flicker that she was highly unimpressed with its loft, IE, she said it was understuffed. You can order them with an ounce or two of extra down. Also, Z-Packs offers hydrophobic down, FF does not, at least yet.

 

[tipsntails7]

I would consider the new "quilt-bags", like Z-Packs and the Feathered Friends Flicker

http://featheredfriends.com/feathered-friends-flicker-20-ul-quilt-sleeping-bag.html

I strongly urge you to consider a jacket with a pretty thick hood for any quilt use below 30-40F.

I've been told by one person who bought a FF Flicker that she was highly unimpressed with its loft, IE, she said it was understuffed. You can order them with an ounce or two of extra down. Also, Z-Packs offers hydrophobic down, FF does not, at least yet.

When I was sleeping bag shopping this year I really considered a quilt. I was up in Seattle and went to FF and looked at the flicker. To me it was a bag that excelled at nothing and lacked pretty much everywhere. It's expensive for a quilt, heavy for the same warmth. The zipper does not have a full length baffle, and they are terribly small for a sleeping bag. Feathered friends makes great stuff, but in my eyes that's not one of them.

I have no experience with the Zpacks

 

[luke moffat]

I would consider the new "quilt-bags", like Z-Packs and the Feathered Friends Flicker

http://featheredfriends.com/feathered-friends-flicker-20-ul-quilt-sleeping-bag.html

I strongly urge you to consider a jacket with a pretty thick hood for any quilt use below 30-40F.

I've been told by one person who bought a FF Flicker that she was highly unimpressed with its loft, IE, she said it was understuffed. You can order them with an ounce or two of extra down. Also, Z-Packs offers hydrophobic down, FF does not, at least yet.

Which model quilt are you using that would lead you to strongly consider a jacket with a pretty thick hood for sleeping in a quilt below 40 degrees? Sounds like the one you have may not be a very good model or a misprint on bag rating?

I have found that even into the upper teens with my 20 degree EE quilt that all that was required was a beanie. Just curious which make/model you got there TAK.

 

[Frosty82]

Which model quilt are you using that would lead you to strongly consider a jacket with a pretty thick hood for sleeping in a quilt below 40 degrees? Sounds like the one you have may not be a very good model or a misprint on bag rating?

I have found that even into the upper teens with my 20 degree EE quilt that all that was required was a beanie. Just curious which make/model you got there TAK.

Same here, I took my 20 degree quilt down to 10F a couple nights last fall and I only added a beanie and vest.

 

[Take-a-knee]

Which model quilt are you using that would lead you to strongly consider a jacket with a pretty thick hood for sleeping in a quilt below 40 degrees? Sounds like the one you have may not be a very good model or a misprint on bag rating?

I have found that even into the upper teens with my 20 degree EE quilt that all that was required was a beanie. Just curious which make/model you got there TAK.

I've been using quilts, mostly in hammocks, for eight or so years. First was made from a Jardine kit. The Jack's R'Better Sierra Sniveler I own now is my fifth from JRB. I've played with beanies and balaclavas and then I bought a Down Hood from JRB and sewed omni tape (JRB sends it for free if you ask) to a Golite down vest. There is no comparison in warmth. The JRB guys say from their testing the down vest/hood combo is worth 12- 15F. That is based on their experience and that of their customers. I'd say that is pretty accurate.

Natick labs did a "brass-man" study of sleeping bag heat loss and concluded that an arctic weight bag (four plus inches thick) with an uncovered head would result in death in 3hrs at minus 40F. The lower the temp, the faster this can happen obviously. I won't buy any sort of garment for warmth that doesn't have a hood.

Have you ever slept, in the open, all night below minus 20F? No fire, no shelter.

 

[tipsntails7]

I've been using quilts, mostly in hammocks, for eight or so years. First was made from a Jardine kit. The Jack's R'Better Sierra Sniveler I own now is my fifth from JRB. I've played with beanies and balaclavas and then I bought a Down Hood from JRB and sewed omni tape (JRB sends it for free if you ask) to a Golite down vest. There is no comparison in warmth. The JRB guys say from their testing the down vest/hood combo is worth 12- 15F. That is based on their experience and that of their customers. I'd say that is pretty accurate.

Natick labs did a "brass-man" study of sleeping bag heat loss and concluded that an arctic weight bag (four plus inches thick) with an uncovered head would result in death in 3hrs at minus 40F. The lower the temp, the faster this can happen obviously. I won't buy any sort of garment for warmth that doesn't have a hood.

Have you ever slept, in the open, all night below minus 20F? No fire, no shelter.

I have not that cold, but not sure what that has to do with using a hat and a quilt? Also I don't know why you would choose to do it

Correct me if I'm wrong but your bottom bag is just as important as your top layer in a quilt as well is it not? I would also imagine a pad with a high r value could provide more warmth then a hammocks bottom insulation. I have zero experience with hammocks.

 

[Take-a-knee]

I have but not sure what that has to do with using a hat and a quilt? Also I don't know why you would choose to do it.

Correct me if I'm wrong but your bottom bag is just as important as your top layer in a quilt as well is it not? I would also imagine a pad with a high r value could provide more warmth then a hammocks bottom insulation. I have zero experience with hammocks.

My point is the lower the temp, the more of your body heat will "leak" out of the smallest gap in your insulation. You are correct that, in a hammock, your bottom insulation is even more critical than a pad for a ground sleeper. I've done a bunch of backyard hammock "testing" and recorded the temps. I'm not guessing about this stuff and neither are the JRB guys.

Ray Jardine pioneered a lot of the UL gear, quilts in particular. He made, and used a little "bomber hat" made from climashield.

 

[SHTF]

Hey SS Im your size and use a 20 degree Rev Quilt Long Wide. Fits me great and I have no complaints at all. There was a guy selling a 0 Degree on here for 300.