I have never used a quilt. I am shopping for something new for June-August trips and would consider a quilt. Does anyone have any suggestions?

quote Lotw: "I have never used a quilt. I am shopping for something new for June-August trips and would consider a quilt. Does anyone have any suggestions? "

The wife and I just bought a couple of these . They were on sale for 20 bucks each, we will be going the first weekend of August, so I'm predicting warmer weather, so a mummy bag doesn't sound appealing. Haven't used them yet, so we'll see if it was the right call. I liked their ability to get rolled into a small cinch sack.

I switched to a quilt last year and it was one of the best equipment updates that I've done. I'm primarily a side and belly sleeper, along with tossing and turning a lot. I also didn't like being confined in a mummy bag, so I always took along a rectangular bag. I've never sleep as good as I did last year. The quilt is much more roomy sleeping wise. It also packs smaller and is lighter in the pack. I went with a Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 degree quilt, long and x-wide. I'm a bigger guy so went with bigger size. I went with EE because I could customize(different lengths, widths, fabric colors, fill choices). I liked using it so much that I bought my son a Revelation out of their bargain cave(blem section, although I can't find the blem)this past winter. I also chose EE because of how the quilt attaches to the sleeping pad. Their straps are adjustable to allow pulling quilt under your sides more when it's colder/breezy or leaving it more open when warmer. And when it's really warm I can just open up completely flat and lay under. You will need an insulated pad under a quilt. We love the quilts so much that they never get packed away, they're always close at hand for the cold nights around the house. I've found their temperature rating very accurate when paired with a winter hat on those colds nights, which I already did with my sleeping bags. I at first was worried that a quilt would be drafty not being totally enclosed, but I've not found that to be true. I haven't felt a draft any night and I've slept under the stars a couple nights in it. I wouldn't hesitate to switch to a quilt if I were you.

The EE looks pretty nice. Its a little different than most ive seen. They are on my radar.

A coworker of mine got an EE quilt and loves it for backpacking. He got the 20 degree one. His only regret was getting the extra wide and really not needing the extra width to it. Other than that he loves it.
If you do decide to get one realize that it takes a while to get one from them unless you get one that is already made. His took 6 weeks from order to delivery at this door. Last I had heard was that the wait now was up around 10-12 weeks.

5-7 weeks on their website , they do have some in stock.

I switched to a quilt this year and used it on my May 6 solo and Memorial Day weekend daddy/daughter trip. I love it!!!

I have an EE Revelation 10 degree. The kids have outgrown their jr size sleeping bags and I will be getting them EE quilts.

What size EE Revelation would you recommend for a 5'11" / 175lb guy?

I changed my whole sleep system. After using a quilt in the hammock for years I thought, why not? I got the EE Enigma fearing that the Revelation would allow a draft at the feet. Now I wonder if I should have gotten the other. Regardless of which one, I would like a full width foot box. They are so light and pack so small that one wouldn't even notice the difference in weight. I went with wide and long because I want to just throw it over me if it's that warm.
I went with the thermarest neoair xlite pad and do not regret that at all. I like it better than my down filled pads. Got that long and wide as well.
I bought a Fillow to top it off. A little heavier and bulkier but so far the best pillow I have found.

I can see the ee lead time increasing!

In warmer weather I use an old wool blanket my dad bought with marlboro points 25 years ago!

quote Lotw: "I can see the ee lead time increasing!"

If you are concerned about delivery time I would call and talk to EE. They can at times rush an order it depends on their work load. Best to you they make great quilts. I own one and love it.

Enlightened Equipment is good; I have their 20 degree Revelation top quilt. Before you buy, also look at Underground Quilts and Hammock Gear . Both cottage vendors make excellent top and bottom quilts. For summer I would go with a 30 degree and stick with a quilt that has a snap or zip foot box as opposed to a sewn foot box. This will allow you to open the foot area up if it's warm out.
Be sure to stick with down instead of synthetic!

Consider a military surplus poncho liner, currently known as a woobie. They are inexpensive, light weight and warm costing $20-30.00 online. A favorite of anyone in the military who has used one.

Quilt all the way if you're a hammock sleeper. For ground dwelling I tend to opt for a regular bag especially for colder temps, but since you say your tripping will be summer/fall a 20° quilt may just be the ticket.

quote walleyevision: "What size EE Revelation would you recommend for a 5'11" / 175lb guy? "

I'm 5'8" 170lb and have a regular/regular. If I was 5'11" I would want the long because I like the ability to pull it all the way over my head if it's cold.

quote Lotw: "I can see the ee lead time increasing!"

Check out the gear swaps on Backpackinglight and Whiteblaze. Quilts frequently change hands there.

I have a 20 degree Revelation that I got in 2014, in regular/wide. It's incredible.

I'm a ground sleeper, so I pair it with an Exped Synmat 9LW for year round adventures. In the winter time I may add a 50 degree quilt I hacked together from a Costco down throw as an extra layer to extend range. If its really cold out I'll layer the quilt inside an unzipped 20 degree mummy bag. I've slept warm all the way down to -15! =)

Went to quilts several years ago, never looked back. Enlightened Equipment 30 degree.

Ok, I'm sold, I have the revelation in my cart trying to work up the nerve to checkout!

Did you pull the trigger? If so, which one did you order,,,, degrees, size?

bwcasolo
here's what i got, love it, packs small and warm, and very reasonable.

quote ducks: "Did you pull the trigger? If so, which one did you order,,,, degrees, size?"

Nope, it says the warehouse is updated Monday at 1, I'm waiting until then ....just to see, you never know! I looked for a coupon code too but no luck ??

I went to a 20 degree EE Revelation quilt about 6 years ago and I'll never use a regular sleeping bag again. Now I have two of them. One is a regular size that I use as for 3 seasons and the other is a long & wide that I use over the other for winter camping. That system coupled with a neo air xlite for 3 season and an xtherm for winter camping has been a nearly ideal.

nice!

Oooooooohhhhh! Nice colors. Did you buy from warehouse stock or custom quilts?

From the warehouse, saved a few bucks(not a lot) but I'll have it this week. I was kind of digging on the camo but I really didn't care. This is more than I was planning on spending but with all the great reviews I couldn't resist. I'll let you know what I think after a bit....I might have to get another trip going!

you can unzip a sleeping bag and use it as a quilt. You cannot zip up a quilt. I see one as more versatile than the other. That said, I rarely fully zip up my sleeping bags.

Lotw-
Can't wait to hear how you like the quilt. I slept out in back yard under the stars the first week I got mine just to use it.

so far I love this thing! Its so light compared to my 20 degree down bag. It just feels good! I have slept with it on my bed for a week but no trips yet. Ill let you know after I actually use it in the tent.

quote Scout64: "you can unzip a sleeping bag and use it as a quilt. You cannot zip up a quilt. I see one as more versatile than the other. "

This is my thinking also. I would probably like a quilt if I had one. But I've never bought one because a sleeping bag zipper and the extra material it takes to make a full sleeping bag don't add much to the weight but do add a lot of added protection and convenience. When i comes to very low temperatures, I think a sleeping bag is more reliable at closing up gaps, which may only be a concern for winter backpackers, not paddle campers. I know that quilters will reply that they find ways to stay warm at low temperatures, but I still feel a full sleeping bag is simpler and more reliable---zip it up and you're done.

My 35-degree semi-rectangular (=roomy) hooded down sleeping bag (LL Bean) weighs 2 lbs. As a paddle camper I don't feel a need to seek anything lighter to shave off 1 lb. It's comfortable from 35 to 70 degrees and in a pinch I've used it several times at 25 degrees with extra clothing. That's versatility.

quote Scout64: "you can unzip a sleeping bag and use it as a quilt. You cannot zip up a quilt. I see one as more versatile than the other. That said, I rarely fully zip up my sleeping bags. "

Yes, I'm not seeing much difference. I switched over to a rectangular bag (maybe a 40 degree) with a full zip and I lay it out like a quilt unless it's really cold. I have more trouble with overheating than being cold, myself.

quote arm2008: "

quote Scout64: "you can unzip a sleeping bag and use it as a quilt. You cannot zip up a quilt. I see one as more versatile than the other. That said, I rarely fully zip up my sleeping bags. "

Yes, I'm not seeing much difference. I switched over to a rectangular bag (maybe a 40 degree) with a full zip and I lay it out like a quilt unless it's really cold. I have more trouble with overheating than being cold, myself. "

Weight and space in your pack will be the big difference. I plan on getting a quilt in the future. It sure will be nice to cut almost 2lbs by replacing my 15 degree down bag.

Another huge EE fan here. I have had one of their quilts for 5 years and have never used a bag since during the summer months. Packs down to nothing, top notch customer service.

The real benefit of a top quilt over a sleeping bag occurs when you are hammock camping, which is what the top quilt was originally intended for. It can be very difficult to get yourself into and out of a sleeping back when you are in a hammock. The top quilt is shaped differently than a sleeping bag. It has a sewn/snapped/zippered foot box and is otherwise open, which eliminates this issue. If you are hanging, you need to have insulation under you that doesn't get compressed by the hammock itself, which is why the top quilt is combined with an underquilt. A sleeping bag alone would not provide adequate insulation under you while in a hammock.

Weight and space in your pack will be the big difference. I plan on getting a quilt in the future. It sure will be nice to cut almost 2lbs by replacing my 15 degree down bag."

I don't think the difference is large when comparing similar things. To make a meaningful comparison between a quilt and a sleeping bag you would need to compare similar down qualities and temperature ratings.

I found a quilt that's similar to my sleeping bag: the Thermarest Corus. I have a discontinued version of the LL Bean semi-rectangular down sleeping bag. Both are 650 down and they cost about the same. The differences:

WEIGHT: sleeping bag 2 lbs, quilt 1 lb 6 oz.
PACKED SIZE: sleeping bag 7x15, quilt 7 x 10

TEMPERATURE RATING: sleeping bag 35, quilt 35 men/45 women

HOOD: sleeping bag yes, quilt no

What these specs show is that the quilt is 10 oz lighter and packs 5" shorter. ***What you lose in order to save 10 oz and packed space the size of a medium cantaloupe is the hood, the convenience of a zipper, and less width throughout for coverage.*** I don't think that's a good trade-off.

You can absolutely find smaller, lighter quilts than this Thermarest in a higher-quality down. That's not the question. The question is whether a quilt generally offers strong benefits over what you give up compared to a sleeping bag. I think no, especially if you can only afford one or the other. If money is no obstacle, then I can see the appeal of a light summer quilt, but not for cold spring and fall camping. And for hot summer camping there are things that cost under $25 that will do the job. I use a small $15 cotton quilt from Walmart.

Yes, every pound counts for portaging. But again, I would rather cut 10 oz. somewhere else and have the added benefits of a sleeping bag that I know will surround me on all sides and my head if need be. I seriously doubt that the Thermarest Corus will keep you warm at 25 degrees, as I've done with the LL Bean 35 sleeping bag. The difference isn't in the down quality, it's in the versatile functionality of a zipped, hooded sleeping bag, which I think can add as much as 15 degrees of warmth, which is significant when you get around freezing.

quote unshavenman: "... The top quilt is shaped differently than a sleeping bag. It has a sewn/snapped/zippered foot box and is otherwise open."

This is how I use my sleeping bag when it's a little cold out. I unzip it part way leaving a foot box and sleep under it instead of in it. The difference may be that my sleeping bag might be wider than the quilt in this config, not sure.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. To me cutting 2+ pounds and saving space in my pack would be huge. (Comparing a 15degree marmot down bag to an EE 20 degree quilt btw). I use my bag as a quilt now anyway, so I'm essentially just hauling in a bunch of extra fabric I don't need.

If one sleeps on the ground then by all means stick with the sleeping bag. I have a wonderful Big Agnes Heart Mountain 30 degree sleeping bag that I use when I am in a tent, combined with an Exped Synmat 7UL air mattress. Great combination. When I hang however, I would never bring a sleeping bag. I use a down top quilt and underquilt for the reasons stated previously. To each their own.

quote walleyevision: "Different strokes for different folks I guess. To me cutting 2+ pounds and saving space in my pack would be huge. (Comparing a 15degree marmot down bag to an EE 20 degree quilt btw). I use my bag as a quilt now anyway, so I'm essentially just hauling in a bunch of extra fabric I don't need. "

Sounds like you have an unnecessarily heavy sleeping bag rated to a temperature well below what we need for paddling camping? What temperature do you actually paddle camp at? What would the specs be for a sleeping bag and a quilt rated to that temperature?

Someone explain to me the value of a zipper in the months of June to September in the BWCAW/Quetico, especially since the matted bag under you provides NO insulation. That's why Big Agnes and Nemo offer bags with no under insulation; it is an abject waste of weight/space.

quote unshavenman: "If one sleeps on the ground then by all means stick with the sleeping bag. I have a wonderful Big Agnes Heart Mountain 30 degree sleeping bag that I use when I am in a tent, combined with an Exped Synmat 7UL air mattress. Great combination. When I hang however, I would never bring a sleeping bag. I use a down top quilt and underquilt for the reasons stated previously. To each their own."

Why would sleeping on the ground be any different? I have a Nemo Cosmo 30 pad and and Enlightened Quilt rated to 30 that is more than enough on the ground during the spring-early fall months. 25+ trips and never cold. What benefit would a zippered bag provide? The loft you lie on provides no insulation whatsoever.

quote LilyPond: "

quote walleyevision: "Different strokes for different folks I guess. To me cutting 2+ pounds and saving space in my pack would be huge. (Comparing a 15degree marmot down bag to an EE 20 degree quilt btw). I use my bag as a quilt now anyway, so I'm essentially just hauling in a bunch of extra fabric I don't need. "

Sounds like you have an unnecessarily heavy sleeping bag rated to a temperature well below what we need for paddling camping? What temperature do you actually paddle camp at? What would the specs be for a sleeping bag and a quilt rated to that temperature?


"

No it is not an unnecessaryily heavy bag. 3.5lbs for a down 15 degree bag is pretty standard (unless you're spending bucu bucks). I trip in the fall. Maybe it's rated well below what you need, but it works well for me. I've already stated my bag / quilt specs that I am comparing, just look at my post that you quoted.

quote Frenchy19: "

quote unshavenman: "If one sleeps on the ground then by all means stick with the sleeping bag. I have a wonderful Big Agnes Heart Mountain 30 degree sleeping bag that I use when I am in a tent, combined with an Exped Synmat 7UL air mattress. Great combination. When I hang however, I would never bring a sleeping bag. I use a down top quilt and underquilt for the reasons stated previously. To each their own."

Why would sleeping on the ground be any different? I have a Nemo Cosmo 30 pad and and Enlightened Quilt rated to 30 that is more than enough on the ground during the spring-early fall months. 25+ trips and never cold. What benefit would a zippered bag provide? The loft you lie on provides no insulation whatsoever. "

Frenchy, I'm not advocating a sleeping bag over a top quilt for ground dwelling, I'm just saying if a sleeping bag is what you use, more power to you and you don't gain as much switching to a top quilt, as opposed to hammock dwellers (which I am) that benefit greatly from a quilt vs. a sleeping bag. I think quilts are wonderful, whether on the ground or in the air. Heck, embarrassingly I own three down top quilts (20,30,40 rated). We use them at home watching TV as well as when I'm hanging. However, If I find myself in a tent I will have my BA Heart Mountain 30 degree sleeping bag with an Exped SynMat 7UL pad stuffed in the sleeve, simply because I like the integrated bag/pad combo that prevents sliding off the pad.

The EE quilt can be buttoned up essentially turning it into a bag, mine is regular width and if you thought you were going to be doing that often I would get a wider quilt. It is extremely tight buttoned up!
This baby stuffs to almost nothing. Probably half the size of down bag it will essentially be replacing during the summer months.

quote Frenchy19: "Someone explain to me the value of a zipper in the months of June to September in the BWCAW/Quetico, especially since the matted bag under you provides NO insulation. That's why Big Agnes and Nemo offer bags with no under insulation; it is an abject waste of weight/space. "

June through September is a pretty wide temperature range. Could be anywhere from 30 to 70 at night. I find the zipper quite useful below 55 degrees.

Your statement about Big Agnes and Nemo is a bit radical. Are you saying that all other manufacturers are committing an abject waste of weight and space, and that only BA and Nemo understand how sleeping bags work? If the BA system were that great, wouldn't all those other companies have switched to it by now?

No it is not an unnecessaryily heavy bag. 3.5lbs for a down 15 degree bag is pretty standard (unless you're spending bucu bucks). I trip in the fall. Maybe it's rated well below what you need, but it works well for me.

If you're concerned about weight, I would say a 15-degree bag is overkill for anyone for paddle camping.

quote LilyPond: "

No it is not an unnecessaryily heavy bag. 3.5lbs for a down 15 degree bag is pretty standard (unless you're spending bucu bucks). I trip in the fall. Maybe it's rated well below what you need, but it works well for me.

If you're concerned about weight, I would say a 15-degree bag is overkill for anyone for paddle camping. "

Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion, man. ;)

quote walleyevision: "

quote arm2008: "

quote Scout64: "you can unzip a sleeping bag and use it as a quilt. You cannot zip up a quilt. I see one as more versatile than the other. That said, I rarely fully zip up my sleeping bags. "

Yes, I'm not seeing much difference. I switched over to a rectangular bag (maybe a 40 degree) with a full zip and I lay it out like a quilt unless it's really cold. I have more trouble with overheating than being cold, myself. "

Weight and space in your pack will be the big difference. I plan on getting a quilt in the future. It sure will be nice to cut almost 2lbs by replacing my 15 degree down bag."

Weight and space are not an issue. The sleeping bag I use most is my Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32. It weighs just under a pound and a half and is about the size of a Nalgene bottle when stuffed.

quote walleyevision: "

quote LilyPond: "

No it is not an unnecessaryily heavy bag. 3.5lbs for a down 15 degree bag is pretty standard (unless you're spending bucu bucks). I trip in the fall. Maybe it's rated well below what you need, but it works well for me.

If you're concerned about weight, I would say a 15-degree bag is overkill for anyone for paddle camping. "

Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion, man. ;)"

Yeah, well, 'splain why anyone needs a 15-degree bag for paddle camping. I mean, water does this funny thing at 15 degrees that might slow down your paddling a bit. When it does that funny thing I figure the paddle camping season is just about over.

quote LilyPond: "

quote walleyevision: "

quote LilyPond: "

No it is not an unnecessaryily heavy bag. 3.5lbs for a down 15 degree bag is pretty standard (unless you're spending bucu bucks). I trip in the fall. Maybe it's rated well below what you need, but it works well for me.

If you're concerned about weight, I would say a 15-degree bag is overkill for anyone for paddle camping. "

Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion, man. ;)"

Yeah, well, 'splain why anyone needs a 15-degree bag for paddle camping. I mean, water does this funny thing at 15 degrees that might slow down your paddling a bit. When it does that funny thing I figure the paddle camping season is just about over."

Good god, give it a rest. You do realize that water and air temp don't directly correlate right? Did you know that the water can be 50 degrees, yet the air temp can be 20! Shocking!

And I, yes I, NOT YOU, prefer a warmer bag when I camp in the fall and night time temps can dip into the 20s and 30s.

Who would have thunk this thread would have generated so much heat?

For the record I love this thing! It seems to be perfect for what I wanted it for, nope not going to replace the 15 degree bag totally but when it's warm the quilt will Be in my pack!

Yeah, well, 'splain why anyone needs a 15-degree bag for paddle camping. I mean, water does this funny thing at 15 degrees that might slow down your paddling a bit. When it does that funny thing I figure the paddle camping season is just about over."


Good god, give it a rest. You do realize that water and air temp don't directly correlate right? Did you know that the water can be 50 degrees, yet the air temp can be 20! Shocking!


And I, yes I, NOT YOU, prefer a warmer bag when I camp in the fall and night time temps can dip into the 20s and 30s. "

Keep yer shorts on man, just trying to have an intelligent discussion about why anyone would lug a heavy 15-degree sleeping bag that's overkill for the conditions and then use the weight of that heavy bag to claim that quilts are lighter. Yup, I know "the water can be 50 degrees, yet the air temp can be 20." But still you're carrying a WINTER sleeping bag and paddle camping is not usually thought of as a winter sport. Maybe the problem is an inaccurate rating on your sleeping bag. I used to carry a 15-degree Big Agnes bag for fall backpacking . . . until I figured out that it was actually a heavy 35-degree bag. Switched to an accurately rated 35-degree bag and saved 1 lb.

Overkill for you maybe, not me. There is your answer.....again

quote walleyevision: "Overkill for you maybe, not me. There is your answer.....again

"

No problem. Hopefully you get my point about comparing a heavy winter bag to a light summer quilt. Apples and oranges. You can't make a meaningful comparison. Looks like both are useful for you. That doesn't make the quilt better. One of my main points is that if a person can only afford ONE of those, the sleeping bag might be a better choice.

quote LilyPond: "

quote walleyevision: "Overkill for you maybe, not me. There is your answer.....again


"

No problem. Hopefully you get my point about comparing a heavy winter bag to a light summer quilt. Apples and oranges. You can't make a meaningful comparison. Looks like both are useful for you. That doesn't make the quilt better. One of my main points is that if a person can only afford ONE of those, the sleeping bag might be a better choice."

I was never comparing my 15 degree bag to a light summer quilt. I was comparing it to a 20 degree quilt.

quote walleyevision: "

I was never comparing my 15 degree bag to a light summer quilt. I was comparing it to a 20 degree quilt."

Good point. I stand corrected. My apologies.

quote LilyPond: "

quote walleyevision: "

I was never comparing my 15 degree bag to a light summer quilt. I was comparing it to a 20 degree quilt."

Good point. I stand corrected. My apologies."

No apologies necessary :)

Used a quilt with a wool blanket as a second blanket in case it got cold. Love it much better then a sleeping bag. Don't like how a sleeping bag confines me and if it's hot I can only unzip it to cool off.
I had a poly sleeping bag and I gave that away I just didn't like it, seemed like it was always too hot or too cold. I purchased a down sleeping a few years ago and that's what I use now. I think down has a wider comfort level temperature wise then poly and it takes a lot less space then two blankets. But I still prefer the two blanket method.

Killed the ongoing quote so WalleyeVision & LilyPond can keep playing internet tennis.

Loved my quilt last week while out canoe camping with the family!

Also, different strokes for different folks. Who cares if one guy's heavier bag is their go-to piece of kit?

Sorry for the extra posts. Still trying to dig out this tick of an embedded quote.