Some help with quilts/New Enlightened Equipment Enigma!

[Jay03]

Check out the stats on the new Enigma quilt! 16.5oz for a 20* regular lengh and width. Sounds to good to be true!

I have been researching quilts alot lately trying to decide on one for next years scouting trips and early season hunts. I have been looking at the

zpacks 20* or 30*(more of a headless sleeping bag)
Katabatic Alsek 22* or Palisade 30*
Enlightened Revelation 20* or 30*

The revelation is alot less money but weighs a few ounces more. But now they toss the Enigma into the mix and its less money than the first two mentioned and alot lighter. To many choices now... haha. The only thing is though I usually will not buy a new product thats just released until it has had some time on the market to be tested out first.

Anybody have experience with one or more of the 3 mentioned above and dont mind sharing your opinions? I have a hard time deciding when I cant go put my hands one them and see them in person. Im sure they are all first rate but I wouldnt mind seeing them in person before spending that kind of money... Also the fit and comfort will also be a suprise, sure they list dimensions but actually lying down in one for a minute would be a huge help. I'm 5'11" tall and about 175. So I am thinking the regular lengh and width from all 3 is about right for me(zpacks long). The Katabatic is the narrowest at 52" girth but Im assuming that in a quilt that can be adusted on or around your pad that this wont be as big an issue. Correct me if I am wrong, because I have never owned a quilt before. And still back and forth between 20 or 30 degree ratings. I was also looking at the lightest western mountaineering bags... they are heavier than the quilts but not by much. Spendy but Im sure they are very nice!

 

[Stresd]

I have the Zpacks 20* wide and love it. Purchased this year and used for two weeks on a Dall pack in hunt Yukon/Northern BC Found it to be an Excellent addition/upgrade to my Gear. I am not over weight in the least, but got The wide as it allows me much more knee and turning room. Can even pull knees up to chest to put socks on. Had freezing temps rain/snow and in conjunction with my Stratospire 2 was toasty warm and dry. Purchasing the Down Hoody that Zpack sells is the way to go if using a quilt. I found it too hot to wear unless it down around freezing. But in cold temps the hood performed excellent and I wouldn't be without, as part of my sleeping gear. Kept my head/neck really warm with no condensation from breathing on my bag, as used to occur in my mummy with the head piece attached.
Bonus is that even though it looks funny as heck. It was nice to wear while making breaky and wrapping up camp on these cold mornings.
http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/gooosehood.shtml

 

[colonel00]

I have a Rev X *30 quilt and really like it. Granted, I haven't had a ton of time in the field yet but so far I have yet to find anything I did not like about it.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I have the SO Draft Dodger 20* quilt (made by EE). Like it a lot, have had it down to 20.8* and stayed warm but down shift was an issue for me after about 10 nights. I talked to the owner and it's easy to redistribute the down with a few sweeps of your hand if you get some shifting.

Mike

 

[luke moffat]

I really like my Rev X 20 degree quilt...in fact so much so that I bought a regulard lenght wide one in 10 degree for Becca and i to share during the summer and on bevies. With the sale he had on them last week I picked it up for $170 shipped. Not bad for a quilt that'll keep us warm down to the teens for 15 oz per person

 

[gobbler1662]

Ditto what luke said. I have the regular length revelation x 20 degree and have been in it 35 nights so far and love it.

 

[gobbler1662]

I actually hated quilts at first. But after a few nights it seem like you have so much more freedom as far as movement. Quilts can be regulated for a wider variety of temp ratings. Now i just added a z-pac down hood for when the temps get real cold. I am 5-7 and ordered a regular length quilt. This gave me some room to pull it up over my head like a blanquet and tuck it around my head and neck. I would highly recommend if you havent had a quilt before to order one thats longer than your height for this reason. The revelation x series is great, i dont know if its worth the extra bucks with the new quilt just for 7 ounces or so.

 

[beachbunny]

is it me or is a hi priced quilt just a down or synthetic blanket?

 

[gobbler1662]

I can only speak to the enlightened equipment quilts. They are not a glorified blanquet.The foot box zips closed then cinches all the way closed with a draw cord. The mid body of the quilt also snaps closed and the head has a draw led to cinch down also. Nice thing is you can use it as just a blanquet in warm weather and quickly adjust in up as needed when the temp changes

 

[Justin Crossley]

I have the 30* zpacks quilt and I love it. I ordered mine with the clips to keep it closed on the bottom but I have never clipped it. I have around 20 nights in mine so far. The EE quilt is also really nice and comes with more features for a great price.

I have slept in it down to the low 20's with a light base layer and I was warm all night. I sleep pretty warm compared to some people.

 

[Mtnboy]

I've never really looked into quilts much until I stumbled on this thread. Seems like the way to go! 1lb lighter than a top of the line bag for $100-150 less...yes please!

Do they work well with the folding thermarest foam pads?

 

[colonel00]

Depending on the temps you are camping in, I would suggest an inflatable. Those foam pads are handy as a backup or something to stand on while climbing in but their R-value is pretty low and I doubt they will keep you very warm in really cold weather.

I have a Neoair Xlite to use with my EE quilt and the TiGoat Omni Raven bivy that just arrived yesterday.

 

[Mtnboy]

Makes sense. Right now I have a Klymit Static V (1.9 R Value I believe) how much "real world" warmth am I giving up to the Neoair that has a 3 something R value I believe?

 

[Justin Crossley]

Just go with the Xtherm and you'll have one of the warmest pads available. That is what I'm using in the above pic along with the Tigoat Raven Omni bivy.

 

[bighouse31]

Take a look at these quilts as well. I used the 20 degree on my sheep hunt in BC this year and was very happy with it.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I went with the Q core SL over the Xtherm only because I got a pro deal on it... either pad has a great R rating and both very light!

 

[bighouse31]

Forgot the link http://www.undergroundquilts.com/tq/default.html

 

[Clarktar]

There may be an obvious answer to this question, but Justin, why use a Bivy if you are already inside a tent?

 

[luke moffat]

There may be an obvious answer to this question, but Justin, why use a Bivy if you are already inside a tent?

If I was sleeping on snow in a floorless shelter I'd opt for the bivy as well...just keeps your sleep system dry from melting snow you are laying on.

 

[HellsCanyon]

There may be an obvious answer to this question, but Justin, why use a Bivy if you are already inside a tent?

Justin runs a Zpacks hexamid tarp so he's floorless.

Mike