Switching from sleeping bag to quilt

[Dave177]

This year I really need to dial in a better sleep system. I am looking at a much lighter sleep system and layering with clothes.

I have never used a quilt system, I know there are a lot of people that really rate them but what downsides have people found? I sleep on my side or front usually and do move around a bit when I'm sleeping.

 

[BBob]

I found no downsides for my uses. It's a little bit of an adjustment at first figuring out getting in and out of it but no biggie. Since I'm near a 100% side sleeper I went with a wide. The manufacturer didn't recommend that because it might be colder with the extra space. Nope, you can pull and tuck the excess under you in that situation but still have plenty of coverage sleeping on your side with a knee or knees pulled up.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

From purely a comfort standpoint, I sleep much better with a quilt. I hated my mummy bag. I’m primarily a side sleeper and my arms felt really compressed in the mummy bag to the point it would keep me awake.

I don’t move a lot when sleeping so I never had an issue with the quilt coming off of me. However, I think a quilt that has a strap that goes under your pad would probably be a good idea. When I invest in a nicer quilt in the future, it will likely be a requirement for me.

 

[PLhunter]

I hate my quilt but I spent too damn much on it to surrender. 5 years into using it. Lament it every year. My friends who talked me into it have since went back to bags. Everyone’s miles vary.

 

[songster]

big fan of a quilt over a sleeping bag especially in 20 degree or higher temperatures. a lot more versatility with a quilt. you can close it up like a sleeping bag or use it like a blanket.

 

[199p]

when its chilly i sleep with a lite weight puffer vest on because im a retard and roll over a bunch of times in the night and sometimes i was getting a chilled back. vest fixed this

 

[Dave177]

Thanks for the replies. @PLhunter what do you hate about your quilt?

I'm looking at getting the Enlightened Equipment Apex, it's a synthetic 40F quilt

 

[justinspicher]

I didn’t like the foot boxes. I found the EE convert and it was what I used for some time. Then I found the Sierra Designs backcountry bed. Best of both worlds.

The convert can be a bag, quilt or blanket. It all depends on how you zip it up. My only con is the zipper. You have to have patience or you will break it.

The backcountry bed is a mummy bag/quilt in one. No zippers, sleep pad sleeve and a foot hole. I ordered a bigger size and sleep very well in it.

Both of my sleep systems are 30°, I will layer as necessary.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm looking at getting the Enlightened Equipment Apex, it's a synthetic 40F quilt

I use a 0 degree down quilt from summer high country trips through September when packing in. In the high country I would freeze in a 40 degree quilt or bag, even in the summer. Make sure you have a good R-value pad under you as well.

 

[PLhunter]

Thanks for the replies. @PLhunter what do you hate about your quilt?

I'm looking at getting the Enlightened Equipment Apex, it's a synthetic 40F quilt

Overall weight efficiency and drafts. What we’ve concluded is that you can get away with a lighter fill bag and still keep comfortable because it’s more efficient especially if you move at all in your sleep. You also have to sleep in excess clothes to make up for drafts and inefficiency. So when you’re all bundled up in the quilt with it perfect you have to be hot to be prepared for when you roll over in the middle of the night and create a tiny gap. Issues are made much worse if you sleep in a floorless tent or teepee where some drafts happen. It’s all fine and dandy until you get into the mid twenties or below that’s when the 2-4 inch gap really sucks the heat out.

So in short we found bags to be more consistent so you can wear to bed what will keep you comfortable throughout the night. You can get away with lighter fill. If you move a lot less waking up to adjust in the night. I do like 5-10 times a night when it gets into the low twenties.

I have a katabatic 15 degree. Quilts do help with getting all wrapped up and tangled in the bag and are great for 40 degree nights. They will have a place for me but if I were to do it agin I’d get a cheapo quilt for warmer trips and an expensive bag for more hardcore backpack hunts. I do 15-20 nights a year with elevations from 5000-8000 feet and temps from 15-45 at night.

 

[DrBeetleKill]

I was in the same boat as you and needed a sleep system to help reduce weight. I really was leaning towards layering quilts that would provide for summer camping through late season. I kept seeing where a lot of guys ultimately switched back to at least some kind of closed bag such as the Nunatak or Feathered Friends options when temps dropped below 20. I didn't like the thought of having to slide the bag up or down to get in or out even though those bags are ultralight. I ended up getting a great deal on a 15degree Chilkoot and that is what I am going to run this year. I will probably go ahead and add a 40 or 50 degree synthetic quilt for summer camping and to layer on top of the bag during really cold nights. Plus as mentioned on the forums, you can use the quilt as an additional layer while glassing. My next option was to go with the Wester Mountaineering Terralite bag. This is a 25 degree bag that unzips all the way to act like a quilt and then you can always layer a higher degree quilt on top for really cold nights. That would have been the route I would have gone if not for the great price on the SG bag.

 

[Eldoradotim]

I have found no downsides. I hate mummy bags. I do move around a bit, mostly side sleeper if backpacking. I am a hot sleeper as well so not as worried about drafts, it is actually a benefit for a hot sleeper if not too cold out.

Mine opens up fully in the foot box so can be used as a blanket, very versatile.

I got an El Coyote 20 degree. If anything....it's too hot for a lot of conditions.

 

[Trumpkin The Dwarf]

I like my EE quilt. I toss and turn like crazy, and always have. I'd probably choke myself to death in a true mummy bag, lol. There's no reason not to get a quilt rated down to 10 or 0. You can vent the quilt in hot weather. Personally, I'd just go with down. Synthetic insulation has a half life that is pretty short. Even the best ones out there are going to lose loft from the first night you sleep in it.

 

[MTtrout]

I have an EE quilt that I loved. Between work and fun I’ve spent well over 150 nights in it over 5 years. It’s a 10 degree and have slept in it from probably close to 10 to probably 70 degree nights. Lay it out flat or next to you when hot. I will say when it got close to freezing I would certainly need a base layer and puffy to keep warm. Draft is an issue, especially if you toss and turn. I still use it for work in the summer but have switched to a wide 0 degree bag for fall and winter. Much prefer this setup for when it’s cold.

Whatever you do buy a much colder rated quilt than what you think you will need. 0-10 degrees and maybe have it over filled

 

[HMM]

The best mummy bag I have found for side and stomach sleeping is the Western Mountaineering Terralite, which is much wider than most other bags. Still a mummy bag though and does sleep slightly cooler due to the extra space. Would like to try out a quilt, not sure I spend enough nights out to justify it though.

 

[wh0cansay]

Drafty comfort VS restrictive warmth, pick your poison.

Love my quilt but when it's cold I want a sleeping bag 10/10 times.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

The zenbivy lite bed is the best of all worlds.

 

[DiabeticKripple]

I dont have much experience with other stuff, but I have a Katabatic Flex 22F quilt and its pretty sweet.

It comes with pad straps, just clip them in and the drafts go away. You can also open the foot box to make it a blanket if you wanted.

I slept in it below freezing and woke up with frost on the tent and I was still warm enough with some clothes on.

 

[bucksnbirds]

Stone Glacier chilkoot bag. The side unzips far enough and can be used like a quilt, then used as a normal bag during colder weather. I just switched from a quilt to a bag after being a quilt guy for years. Bags are just more versatile with the right design and never have to worry about drafts

 

[Dave177]

Thank you for all the replies. I live up in B.C. so we get a lot of wet weather for days on end so a synthetic quilt is for sure on the cards for me.

Main reason for the switch is to reduce weight and bulk from my pack. I have a larger thick lined bag for when sleeping in/near the truck. So this is predominantly for goat/sheep hunts