Quilt vs Sleeping Bag for Mid/Late September Archery Elk

[ELK49]

I’m working on improving my backcountry sleep system this year and looking for some real-world feedback.

I’m 6’4” and a side sleeper, and I’ve always struggled to get comfortable in the backcountry. I started with a cheap sleeping bag, then upgraded to a Nemo Disco because it’s wider and more side-sleeper friendly. It’s definitely better, but I still don’t feel like I have it dialed.

Yesterday, while sitting at the emergency vet because my puppy may have eaten a sock, I went down the rabbit hole on quilts. They seem to be right up there with fixed-blade vs mechanical broadheads as far as divided opinions go. A lot of people seem to love them, and a few people seem to absolutely hate them.

I’m specifically hunting archery elk in mid to late September in Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming mountain country.

For those of you who have made the switch, did you stick with quilts or go back to a bag? Any recommendations on brands, temperature ratings, or things you wish you knew before trying one?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[jgilber5]

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!

 

[5MilesBack]

I love my EE quilt. I'm 6'6", and move a lot when I sleep. My extra-long wide 0 degree quilt works great with my Xtherm pad. It's easy to use it more loose to vent if needed, or cinch it down tighter under the pad for more warmth. I use it in the summer too for those high altitude outings.

 

[kaaby]

I also have an Enlightened Equipment quilt, and I don't see myself going back. I went with the Convert so that I could still use it as a bag if I didn't like the quilt.

 

[LCguy]

I love my EE quilt. I'm 6'6", and move a lot when I sleep. My extra-long wide 0 degree quilt works great with my Xtherm pad. It's easy to use it more loose to vent if needed, or cinch it down tighter under the pad for more warmth. I use it in the summer too for those high altitude outings.

I'm the same height, which quilt did you get?

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm the same height, which quilt did you get?

The Revelation, had it several years now.

 

[vladkgb]

I use EE Enigma Long and wide and 0 degree and i'm 5'10", the main reason you'd want it larger than you need is for maximum draft protection. The 0 degree rating is also nice because if cold air gets in, you'll warm up quickly, and the versatility of quilts allows you to use it as a blanket, or stick a leg out, if it's a warm night, so you can use it for any season.

A game changer for me was to pair the quilt with the zen bivy sheet, using Z-packs stick on loops for attachment points (there's videos on how to do this). This eliminated most drafts while turning at night, and provided a nice down hood for my head. You may also want to look into getting a zen bivy system, it's cheaper than EE quilt + zen bivy sheet, but slightly heavier.

 

[noKnees]

I am a side/belly sleeper and transitioned to quilts about 25 years ago. First with homemade quilts and now I have three EE enigma quilts. I have two 30F quilts ( one sized even bigger for me and a dog) I use for 3 season use and one 20F I use further into the fall/winter. I dont really use them the way they picture it, laying there all neat like a sausuage. I had them made a size wider and longer so I can wrap up as I roll around and the 20F is tall enough I can go up and cover my head as well.

For real adk and white mountain winter I go back to my old marmot Col. but the col is big enough I can roll around in it without getting all tangled up

 

[ELK49]

The Revelation, had it several years now.

So you would recommend the 0 degree over the 10?

 

[mad_angler]

We switched to EE quilts several years ago. For most temperatures, I would not go back to a mummy.

For temperatures below 20F or so, I have been using my mummy. The quilt was just a bit to drafty when rolling over at night.

But I just got a Zenbivy sheet and the conversion stickers. That might extend the temperature range of the quilt even lower.

 

[teflonhunter]

Went with an EE quilt a dozen years or so ago and have not looked back. A bit of a learning curve but can't see ever going back to a bag.

 

[5MilesBack]

So you would recommend the 0 degree over the 10?

I don't know, those are pretty close. I'm not sure if they offered a 10 when I bought mine. But I did try out a 20 on an Xlite pad in July high country one year and froze that night. Switched to the 0 degree and Xtherm and haven't had a problem since. I woke to a few inches of snow in 2014 above timberline, August opening weekend and was pretty comfy. But I don't generate much heat unless I'm on the move, and then I'm a furnace.

 

[Mdfowlman2]

My choice would be zenbivy, I’m 6’3” and have tons of room. Best sleep I’ve ever gotten in the field

 

[Idagnome]

Side sleeper here too. Switched to a ee enigma 20 last year and loved it. For me 20 is the sweet spot of not too heavy but versatile across conditions. I’ve had it down to the teens with no issues, feel like their ratings are more comfort than limit.

Do it. If you don’t like it, you can likely sell it. EE does a lot of sales or I found one off eBay.

 

[anonymous22]

I learned a lot about what really makes a top quilt shine when ordering a custom quilt from hammock gear.

A sown in foot box is better for the cold. Get a draft collar. It helps.

Get it wide if you spin around at night. Otherwise the standard size isn’t always wide enough and can lead to drafts.

Get a good insulated sleeping pad. Definitely use the pad straps.

 

[mtnbound]

I’m working on improving my backcountry sleep system this year and looking for some real-world feedback.

I’m 6’4” and a side sleeper, and I’ve always struggled to get comfortable in the backcountry. I started with a cheap sleeping bag, then upgraded to a Nemo Disco because it’s wider and more side-sleeper friendly. It’s definitely better, but I still don’t feel like I have it dialed.

Yesterday, while sitting at the emergency vet because my puppy may have eaten a sock, I went down the rabbit hole on quilts. They seem to be right up there with fixed-blade vs mechanical broadheads as far as divided opinions go. A lot of people seem to love them, and a few people seem to absolutely hate them.

I’m specifically hunting archery elk in mid to late September in Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming mountain country.

For those of you who have made the switch, did you stick with quilts or go back to a bag? Any recommendations on brands, temperature ratings, or things you wish you knew before trying one?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

I have been using quilts long before they were popular because I struggled to find a bag that fit comfortably around my shoulders. A quilt is the best for me, but if you can find a bag that fits you, then it's a wash IMO. Both need a good pad to be effective.
I currently have an Enlighten Equipment synthetic quilt and a Katabatic down quilt, both in the 20-degree range, and if it's gonna be colder, I will swap in a higher R-value pad and sleep in my puffys, which will get me down into the teens with no issue.

 

[Drenalin]

I learned a lot about what really makes a top quilt shine when ordering a custom quilt from hammock gear.

A sown in foot box is better for the cold. Get a draft collar. It helps.

Get it wide if you spin around at night. Otherwise the standard size isn’t always wide enough and can lead to drafts.

Get a good insulated sleeping pad. Definitely use the pad straps.

All good advice. Will add on the width thing, not all manufacturers' widths are equal and a 2" difference can mean a lot.

For those of you who have made the switch, did you stick with quilts or go back to a bag? Any recommendations on brands, temperature ratings, or things you wish you knew before trying one?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Enlightened Equipment has been my favorite quilt that I've tried. I have a 10 degree with a sewn footbox for cold weather and a 50 degree with a zippered footbox for warmer temps. I have also tried Katabatic (great quilt, but even the wide was a touch narrow for me), El Coyote (also nice, but I couldn't keep the zippered footbox closed through the night), and a cheap synthetic that I can't remember who made (which was enormous, even compressed).

 

[F16pointy]

Im definitely not as tall, but I dont think that matters for a quilt. I used a quilt for sheep and moose hunting in AK for years. Its still my go to system, Im running a 20 deg EE Revelation paired with a Thermarest neoair xtherm pad. I think it like R7 ish. Im also a side sleeper and this setup is the best I have used so far. I bring a hat to help regulate body temp when it gets colder. But I have done really well with this setup. Went through about 4 sleeping bags before I got to this and I wont go back.

 

[ELK49]

Thank you everyone for the information! Really helpful. I think I am going to give it a shot. I am between the EE Enigma or the Zenbivy I think. But not sure I want to eat the cost of the Zen.

 

[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!