Quilt vs Sleeping Bag for Mid/Late September Archery Elk

[ELK49]

I went to a quilt about 8 years ago and have not looked back. I prefer to hunt first rifle and have had no issues. I am a warm sleeper through. I have a hammock gear 20° quilt. I think your sleeping pad matters more with a quilt. Get a good R-value pad and don't look back!

Planning on getting the Therma-Rest Xtherm!

 

[The_Yetti]

Planning on getting the Therma-Rest Xtherm!

I use that one and really like it, but I can't leave well enough alone so I'm trying out the sea-summit Ether Light XR insulated. Really like it so far. Might be more comfortable than the X therm.

 

[Whip]

6'3" side sleeper here and live my EE quilt. I have a 10° Revelation, long, xwide. I like the ability to open up the footbox on warmer nights.

 

[GunsAreFun]

Echoing this.

I’ve hunted CO and NM for archery and backpack in Missouri in late fall and early spring. I have a 20° quilt from a company that doesn’t exist anymore. I probably should have got a 30°. I switched from a sleeping bag 6 years ago and have not looked back. The space and weight savings are excellent.

Learning how to use the pad straps to cinch down the material around you is a big deal when you’re near your bag’s limit. A Thermarest Xtherm is plenty warm enough. I do have an Xtherm Max as well that I used for a while but is overkill.

Love my quilt hunting those same seasons and regions. I have an EE enigma 30 degree. With a quilt especially make sure you pair it with a decent R rating pad. Also learned that how you cinch it down plays a massive role in warmth, and also don't forget your warm hat!

 

[idahoarcher]

Wow, I must have been under a rock my whole life, I've never heard of these quilts before. Thank you for this topic. I will be looking into these alot more, im blown away by how light they are.

 

[The_Yetti]

I went to a quilt about 8 years ago and have not looked back. I prefer to hunt first rifle and have had no issues. I am a warm sleeper through. I have a hammock gear 20° quilt. I think your sleeping pad matters more with a quilt. Get a good R-value pad and don't look back!

I just looked, it's a 10° not a 20° It's a little warm, but with a quilt it's easy to open it or kick a leg out to do down.

 

[bjack6755]

For archery season I use a 30 degree ee enigma. For late season I hav a 20 degree enigma that I added a zen bivy fast sheet to with tenacious tape and p cord.
As a side sleeper I love quilts. I think I saw a good deal on a used one in the classifieds yesterday.

 

[BigSpikes]

Katabatic makes the best quilts for the price IMO.

As a bigger guy, go custom. I have a goosefeet gear quilt Ben made custom for me. 25 degree bag that weights in at 17oz. I'm 6'3" 260lbs.

 

[Scoot]

I'm a side, other side, back, and stomach sleeper. Tried a quilt one night and couldn't have hated it any more than I did. Went back to a bag and am much happier. I wishful I liked the quilts- I definitely like the idea.

 

[Split toe]

I'm a side, other side, back, and stomach sleeper. Tried a quilt one night and couldn't have hated it any more than I did. Went back to a bag and am much happier. I wishful I liked the quilts- I definitely like the idea.

What did you not like about it?

 

[Boone-In-Wall]

I’ve got a Therma Rest Vesper 20 and I love it. I occasionally get cold in it but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to deal with. It provides a lot more freedom on sleeping positions which allows me to sleep better. I can always put on a puffy jacket when it gets closer to that 20F. When I get cold it’s usually bc a part of the sleeping bag is opened up to the outside. If I fix that then it seals up pretty good. I’d rather be a little cold than uncomfortable in a mummy bag.

 

[Seeknelk]

I had a EE quilt and now have a 10 degree zen bivy and never slept better in the mountains. I want to add a warmer weather one cuz the 10 degree is a furnace! Just a sample of one but I feel that the zb quality is a step better than ee although both are great. The comfort rating of the zb is more conservative and accurate. Using x therm pad

 

[mad_angler]

I had a EE quilt and now have a 10 degree zen bivy and never slept better in the mountains. I want to add a warmer weather one cuz the 10 degree is a furnace! Just a sample of one but I feel that the zb quality is a step better than ee although both are great. The comfort rating of the zb is more conservative and accurate. Using x therm pad

I don't understand the comment about being too hot. To me, that is the big advantage of a quilt. If you get warm, stick out a leg or two. You have complete freedom to adjust the heat.

Also, I don't use my zenbivy when it is warm (above ~35F).

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm a side, other side, back, and stomach sleeper. Tried a quilt one night and couldn't have hated it any more than I did. Went back to a bag and am much happier.

I'm a "side, other side, back, and stomach sleeper" too. That's the biggest reason why I like a quilt.......lots of room to move around freely without restrictions. For me, a mummy bag isn't even an option. At 6'6" I can't even bend a knee in those, and I sleep with bent knees in most every position. In my wall tent base camp, I use a very large rectangular bag on a 40" wide cot. The bag is as wide as the cot, and even then it's still a little restrictive.

 

[Seeknelk]

I don't understand the comment about being too hot. To me, that is the big advantage of a quilt. If you get warm, stick out a leg or two. You have complete freedom to adjust the heat.

Also, I don't use my zenbivy when it is warm (above ~35F).

Well, yes I certainly throw the quilt back and vent it and it certainly works but for backpacking I want a lighter, thinner one! Also, during August scouting trips we've had bad mosquitoes when just under a tarp and throwing a leg out leads to bad things!

 

[Scoot]

What did you not like about it?

No matter my position I couldn't get the quilt to "seal in an airtight way" on the sides and at the feet. It felt like cold air creeped in everywhere.

 

[5MilesBack]

No matter my position I couldn't get the quilt to "seal in an airtight way" on the sides and at the feet. It felt like cold air creeped in everywhere.

The sides of my quilt are tucked under my pad with enough spare room for me to stretch out if need be. That's my seal. Maybe that's why I use a 0 degree quilt. It might draft some, but it's still warm.

 

[Scoot]

The sides of my quilt are tucked under my pad with enough spare room for me to stretch out if need be. That's my seal. Maybe that's why I use a 0 degree quilt. It might draft some, but it's still warm.

Interesting! No way the one I used would have reached on both sides.

 

[BigSpikes]

^^ Sounds like the quilt was too small, or didn't have a good pad retention system. Katabatic has one of the best imo, or do like 5miles back and get one of the 6'6" wide quilts where the footbox can open.

 

[Pilsner]

No matter my position I couldn't get the quilt to "seal in an airtight way" on the sides and at the feet. It felt like cold air creeped in everywhere.

This is exactly why the Zen Bivy system was designed.