In recent BW Journal, an article mentioned using down blankets rather than sleeping bags in the warm/summer months. I found one that is very expensive, and a few that are quite reasonable. They are light wt., and much cheaper than buying a new summer/warm temp sleeping bag. Do other folks use these? Any recommendations? If you do use the down blanket, do you bring something else along for on top of your pad/mattress? Size recommendations?

A down bag is clearly an option for you. In my hammock I use an underquilt and a down sleeping bag. The sleeping bag is left open and my feet go into the foot box and I use it like a quilt. It works great and I stay warm. Be sure you have it put away in a waterproof bag when traveling.

"It depends." A sleep system should cover the extremes of temperatures you camp in. Here's my system:

Over 70 at night: sheet. Risky, but I've done this successfully in a heat wave.
50-70: I'm planning on getting a cheap down quilt for this, something like the Get Out Gear down blanket, $70. I've been using a light cotton throw to date.
35-60: 35F down sleeping bag
20-45: 20F down sleeping bag


So yes, I think a down blanket is useful in the summer down to about 50 degrees. You're exactly right, it can save you from having to buy a separate sleeping bag. A 35f sleeping bag could work also and have more versatility, but there would be summer nights when you're too hot with the sleeping bag over you and too cold when you take it off, and then you'll be wishing for the light down blanket.

Many of the down blankets I've seen are too small to wrap under you and under your feet. The Gear Out Gear blanket is 50 x 77. Read the reviews to find out the REAL dimensions.

I have a 30 degree rated down quilt with footbox snaps, a bit $, but packs so small and light for the heat it retains. I also have a $20 COSTCO down throw and a few Army surplus poncho liners. Summers a couple poncho liners are enough, add layers accordingly.
There has been some discussion about the quality of the type of down and down over synthetics you may want to look into.
If it were a choice of a bag or quilt I would go for the quilt.

For the price I really like this Kelty Galactic 30. It packs small and you can get the long version on sale for ~$100. On colder nights I can wrap it around me while on warmer nights I can just use the foot box or lay on top.
Kelty Galactic 30

chessie: "If you do use the down blanket, do you bring something else along for on top of your pad/mattress? "

Do you mean to protect the mattress, or for comfort? For comfort, no. For protection, I'm too lazy to carry a sheet or liner. The idea of a down blanket is to simplify things, and to me, a sheet would defeat that purpose. Mattresses are washable, but I only do that every couple of years or less.

What are the down blankets you're considering?

Jasonf: "For the price I really like this Kelty Galactic 30. It packs small and you can get the long version on sale for ~$100. On colder nights I can wrap it around me while on warmer nights I can just use the foot box or lay on top.
Kelty Galactic 30
"

That looks like a good choice for a summer sleeping bag, since reviews say it's comfortable around 45 degrees and up. It is heavier than a down blanket, but it would cover a wider range of temperatures.

LilyPond: "

chessie: "If you do use the down blanket, do you bring something else along for on top of your pad/mattress? "

Do you mean to protect the mattress, or for comfort? For comfort, no. For protection, I'm too lazy to carry a sheet or liner. The idea of a down blanket is to simplify things, and to me, a sheet would defeat that purpose. Mattresses are washable, but I only do that every couple of years or less.


What are the down blankets you're considering?"

Something along this line: https://www.hikerhunger.com/products/down-insulated-camping-blanket
And this would be to bring in lieu of a bag, not in addition (as someone noted elsewhere).

chessie: "Something along this line: https://www.hikerhunger.com/products/down-insulated-camping-blanket. And this would be to bring in lieu of a bag, not in addition (as someone noted elsewhere).
"

The Hiker Hunger blanket looks good to me. I had decided on a very similar one (may be identical, in fact) by Get Out Gear. Same price, size, and color. 1000 reviews 4.5 stars.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VZLB1HL/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A3NEPAB7S40D7&psc=1

LilyPond: "

chessie: "Something along this line: https://www.hikerhunger.com/products/down-insulated-camping-blanket. And this would be to bring in lieu of a bag, not in addition (as someone noted elsewhere).
"

The Hiker Hunger blanket looks good to me. I had decided on a very similar one (may be identical, in fact) by Get Out Gear. Same price, size, and color. 1000 reviews 4.5 stars.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VZLB1HL/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A3NEPAB7S40D7&psc=1"

They look comparable. I had hoped to find one made in USA. Got a vague answer from Hiker Hunger about that.

I have not used a sleeping bag for years. The bottom of the bag compresses and offers no insulation. I have a couple of quilts from Enlightened, and I like them a lot.
I will say there are some nasty Google reviews pertaining to this company, so perhaps beware.

Enlightened

Frenchy19: "I have not used a sleeping bag for years. The bottom of the bag compresses and offers no insulation. > "

The bottom of the bag offers insulation when you roll over on your side. It covers you on all sides in all positions. Warmth can only escape around your neck and that is easily sealed with a draw cord.

+1 on Enlightened Equipment. I own 2 down quilts from them...never going back to a sleeping bag.

I have this bag and it fully unzips to become a quilt. That's what I do in the summer months, unzip it and use it as a quilt. Zipped up it offers a bit more warmth in the "bag" mode of operation.

https://www.westernmountaineering.com/sleeping-bags/extremelite-series/mitylite/

sns: "+1 on Enlightened Equipment. I own 2 down quilts from them...never going back to a sleeping bag."

Just ordered an Enigma from them. Looking forward to it

LilyPond: "

Frenchy19: "I have not used a sleeping bag for years. The bottom of the bag compresses and offers no insulation. > "

The bottom of the bag offers insulation when you roll over on your side. It covers you on all sides in all positions. Warmth can only escape around your neck and that is easily sealed with a draw cord."

This is true. I often use a quilt that zips, although some debate exists as to whether that still qualifies as a quilt or hoodless sleeping bag. I only zip it if the temps near freezing, so most time I use it like a quilt. By having a wide quilt, I can roll around under it like a blanket without noticeable drafts, unless it gets near freezing.

For quilts that zip, Enlightened Equipment has the convert and Zpacks has the classic sleeping bag.

As far as the original post, this blanket is fine for what it is as long as you know the limitations. I would not use it if there was a chance for temps to drop below 50, and I sleep pretty warm.

A down bag is more versatile - you can zip it up if it gets cold or use it as a blanket if it is warm. You cannot do that with a down blanket. I also have a bag liner that I use when it is really warm. very light.

I recently bought a Horizon Hound down blanket for upcoming camping. Researched all of the a lot and was sold on the Get Out Gear blanket but then found the Horizon Hound which had considerably more down fill. 1.1 lb vs. 1.6 lb, same size blanket. That's a lot of extra down fill. So I bought that. I have not tried it yet in the field but i can tell you from usage around the house that it does what it is supposed to do - it is warm. I am bringing it on a trout fishing trip in 10 days when I suspect the night temps could be in the 20s or 30s so I will let you know how it works. I did not buy it as a standalone solution but rather for extra warmth on shoulder season trips, in conjunction with a lightweight down bag. Also for comfort around the campfire on any spring or fall trips. The quality is very good. So far I am very pleased.

For some reason the 1.6 lb version has disappeared from their website and now only the 1.1 lb version is available. I can tell you that it lofts up pretty well and I feel like it is going to be a good addition to my shoulder season trips. It may well work for mid summer trips on its own but I don't think I would risk that. Don't like sleeping cold.

Down blanket

Went to a blanket several years ago as my summer sleep insulation or when ultra lite is needed. Sea to Summit Ember 1 (40F) large- link.
19ozs and large size - and is not constricting at all as that is what I dislike about a bag.
Someone mentioned pushing past temp ratings. I'am ok to about 32F in it- last year at end of Kruger Challenge at Fort Charlotte the temp dropped into the low-mid 20's. That was too much and a very cold night, and that night I wished I had a bag , but weight savings and bulk (stuffs to size of softball, no joke) it's worth it for me.

I would use a down blanket in situations where extreme light weight and very small packed size are needed (portaging). In other situations, especially in the backcountry and over a period of several days when the weather could vary, I think a sleeping bag is safer and more versatile. I'm tempted to get a down blanket for hot summer nights.