UGQ vs EE

[Jxferg7]

I don't have experience with the EE, but after researching quilts went with the UGQ Bandit XL last season. ....very impressed. Quality & Comfort are top notch. I recommend getting longer and wider than you need for when it gets colder ...you can easily tuck inside and wrap it around you when pushing low temps. I also recommend the zippered foot box and getting the dynamic tension control.... zippered foot box helps when temps get warm and you want to use as a blanket more than a bag. tension control reduces draft when you run as a traditional style quilt.

I went with 850 fill, 0 deg F, Bandit XL, 65wide x 84long, as much overstuff as i could get in both the footbox & body, draft collar, no taper (awesome for guys that don't like mummys), and lite straps. The only option i didn't do was the extra spend for the 900 fill. ....not enough added value to me for extra cost.

The only negative with using a down quilt is the extra precautions you must take to keep it in good shape.... Single wall shelters create a lot more external condensation so you need to be mindful of conditions and shelter choice. Last comment... with any quilt, run a good pad!

One last thought.... I have ran the quilt close to 50 days +/- (in field + in house) in temps ranging from -8F to 72F.... the only thing I change, is the pad I am using and the layers I wear. Also, when running in a SO shelter where condensation was a problem, I covered it with a kifaru woobie to keep it from getting wet. ....so comfortable I would have slept through the hunt had I not set multiple alarms.

Think running a bivy inside your tarp would help with condensation? This my first year running down and hear of some nightmares out there....debating between the Hammock Gear Econ and the UGQ Bandit.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Think running a bivy inside your tarp would help with condensation? This my first year running down and hear of some nightmares out there....debating between the Hammock Gear Econ and the UGQ Bandit.

Yes i always run a bivy. Keeps everything cleaner and drier. Also in a pinch I can bivy out from camp.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Elkdreamer]

However, the bivy can cause condensation too. It seems to be cleaner but Im not out there to be clean. I got to survive.

 

[jmb1269]

Think running a bivy inside your tarp would help with condensation? This my first year running down and hear of some nightmares out there....debating between the Hammock Gear Econ and the UGQ Bandit.

Absolutely! But if running a down quilt make sure it is a breathable one like the EE recon bivy. There’s a bunch of different companies that make similar models.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

However, the bivy can cause condensation too. It seems to be cleaner but Im not out there to be clean. I got to survive.

Yes but it also bumps temp rating 5-10° and protects your pad and keeps everything drier. If the are causing much condensation you're using the wrong one

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[CougarBlue]

I have owned and currently own both an EE and UGQ quilts. They server different purposes for sure but my general observations are:

- The EE used to be understuffed. They increased it a few years back and they're about equal now.
- The build quality is on par but the UGQ quilts use more robust materials and typically last a bit longer than the EE quilts. That's not to say EE isn't robust. You just have to be little more careful stuffing and storing it than the UGQs.
- The EE quilts have a better pad attachment systems. The clips are the same but the configuration is better IMO
- The UGQ quilts provide you with FAR greater options for customization. Everything from stuff, foot box configurations, cut, dynamic tension systems, etc.
- EE stopped doing draft collars if that's important to you.

All in all, both great options. If I was going for a production quilt, I'd probably lean EE. If I wanted a custom fit (and I only do custom now) then I'd go with UGQ.

 

[AK Troutbum]

However, the bivy can cause condensation too. It seems to be cleaner but Im not out there to be clean. I got to survive.

No, not really “cause” condensation, but the can either contain it or allow it to escape, depending on the bivy you choose. A proper bivy will do much more under a tarp/shelter than just keep your sleeping system clean.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Elkdreamer]

No, not really “cause” condensation, but the can either contain it or allow it to escape, depending on the bivy you choose. A proper bivy will do much more under a tarp/shelter than just keep your sleeping system clean.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I get that and I respect you a ton. My bivy did hold in moisture one knight after a hard climb. I did not even figure it out until later. If I live in your climate i would probably perish.

 

[turley]

Although this article is roughly ten years old (and fabrics have improved in how they can wick moisture) it’s still a good read regarding moisture management when using a bivy.

The Bivy Condensation Conundrum

I love sleeping outside under the stars and when I first started backpacking, a lot, it was mostly in the desert and drier West. We would just roll the bags out on a ground sheet and all was good.…

40yearsofwalking.wordpress.com

 

[Mike Islander]

I have owned and currently own both an EE and UGQ quilts. They server different purposes for sure but my general observations are:

- The EE used to be understuffed. They increased it a few years back and they're about equal now.
- The build quality is on par but the UGQ quilts use more robust materials and typically last a bit longer than the EE quilts. That's not to say EE isn't robust. You just have to be little more careful stuffing and storing it than the UGQs.
- The EE quilts have a better pad attachment systems. The clips are the same but the configuration is better IMO
- The UGQ quilts provide you with FAR greater options for customization. Everything from stuff, foot box configurations, cut, dynamic tension systems, etc.
- EE stopped doing draft collars if that's important to you.

All in all, both great options. If I was going for a production quilt, I'd probably lean EE. If I wanted a custom fit (and I only do custom now) then I'd go with UGQ.

I have an EE Revelation 20 degree. Makes my 38 MLD Apex look like a toy. About as much loft as my Western Mountaineering Sycamore (25 degree bag).

BTW, EE still makes draft collars, just not on their pre-made quilts.

 

[Brittowner69]

I found UGQ to be the a better choice for both price and there temp rating is comfort rating vs EE is not. Meaning 10 degree should be “comfortable” with adequate pad. Honestly I have not tested my bandit to that yet. I believe UGQ is the better choice of the two. They had a new customer code that will save you like 10% if you ask, I can’t remember it exactly. Pretty certain they offer veterans discount too may be better?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NEW10

 

[2rsquared]

I own a UGQ. No experience with EE, but no complaints with the quality of the UGQ.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[D S 319]

Big fan of UGQ so far. 10 degree bag used it in the SO 8 man with stove in -40 windchill and stayed plenty warm.

 

[Brittowner69]

The system I am building:
Mountainsmith mountain shelter Tarp 2p
Borah bivy
Reg/wide Thermarest Neoair Xtherm Max pad
Quilt
I am struggling with a few things as I am building my quilt. First time using a quilt. I am leaning towards UGC or EE w UGC in front. I would like to go with the 800 fill from UGC based on price (850 is roughly $100 more) weight is not my main concern but compression. I use an Exo3500 pack. I do not see me doing more than 3or4 days in the bush at a time. Also unsure if I should go with a 0,10 or 20degree quilt. I sleep on the cold side. I am from PA so this system will probably only get used once or twice a year for 10 days Sept-midNov at 8k-11k feet. Would like to have a quilt that handles temps from 40F down to 0F.

 

[thegrouse]

If you are a cold sleeper and want to be comfortable at 0 degrees you may need to rethink the quilt. I consider myself a cold sleeper so I got a quilt 15 degrees colder than my planned temps. The other option would be to layer the quilts. EE has an article on it, you can add a synthetic over the top and get sub zero.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I ended up going with UGQ and it seems superior quality in every way over EE. I wasn't unhappy with my EE but by my first impressions UFQ is better.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Aginor]

Anyone have experience with both? What's your thoughts?

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I have owned 3 EE quilts and 3 top and 3 under quilts from UGQ. At this point, I only own the UGQ quilts. Superior fill weight for the price and I love the full customizability of UGQ. In the strongest terms, I recommend getting the UGQ. Better quality, cheaper price.

 

[Aginor]

Think running a bivy inside your tarp would help with condensation? This my first year running down and hear of some nightmares out there....debating between the Hammock Gear Econ and the UGQ Bandit.

I was shocked I had to scroll this far to see a reference to Hammock Gear. I’ve also owned several top and under quilts from HG. The price is slightly better, but the quality slightly worse. Plus, the Econ line eliminates customizability - which is where it gains its price advantage - but that customizability is my top priority after build quality and down fill. I have one under quilt left from HG at this point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Aginor]

If you are a cold sleeper and want to be comfortable at 0 degrees you may need to rethink the quilt. I consider myself a cold sleeper so I got a quilt 15 degrees colder than my planned temps. The other option would be to layer the quilts. EE has an article on it, you can add a synthetic over the top and get sub zero.

I agree - if you’re trying to get much below 15 degrees (even as a hot sleeper) you’re going to be better served by a sleeping bag. It’s just too easy to get drafts in the middle of the night when you roll over on a narrow air mattress. Now, if you’re using a hammock, there’s not really any issue. I have taken my hammock down below 0 with a 20 degree top and under quilt in a mountain pass (super windy) and slept through the night. It’s really about sealing the quilt to your mattress if you’re sleeping on the ground like a heathen, and I find that difficult to do

 

[AK Troutbum]

I agree - if you’re trying to get much below 15 degrees (even as a hot sleeper) you’re going to be better served by a sleeping bag. It’s just too easy to get drafts in the middle of the night when you roll over on a narrow air mattress. Now, if you’re using a hammock, there’s not really any issue. I have taken my hammock down below 0 with a 20 degree top and under quilt in a mountain pass (super windy) and slept through the night. It’s really about sealing the quilt to your mattress if you’re sleeping on the ground like a heathen, and I find that difficult to do

Great photo! Unfortunately, here in AK we are usually forced to be ground dwelling heathens, because finding a tree, much less two trees close enough together to hang a hammock, is next to impossible anywhere above 2,000’. In many cases, trees aren’t even found much above 1,000’, and often times not even at sea level.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk