Quilt vs Sleeping Bag for Mid/Late September Archery Elk

[ResearchinStuff]

Do yourself a favor and try out a zen bivy

 

[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.