I just ordered my own, and can't wait to try it out! I'm up in Canada so I went with the Flex 22 w/ an ounce of overstuff. Thanks again for the thorough review, Tom. As I said before, this video is what convinced me to go Katabatic Gear over EE. I agree - I think the design features (draft collar at the neck, and foot box, strap system, quality/quantity of down, etc.) really set this quilt apart from the pack. Very excited to get out of the synthetic mummy bag world, and into the quilt world. My base weight went down significantly, and my warmth/functionality went way up. Pumped.
Was undecided about getting the flex over an elite quilt because it didn't have a sewn foot box, but your review sold me on their closure system. Fantastic, detailed review. Thanks!
I've got an Alsek (Elite) and just ordered the 40-degree (Flex) to complete my 4-season kit. I've owned numerous quilts and can happily say my search is over. Katabatic makes the finest down products money can buy. I'm a customer for life.
because you showed the engineering in motion on your vlog reviews (versus just explaining it), I bought their 22 degree Alsek, without reservations. Thanks for the well thought out demo of a well thought out bag/quilt.
You might also mention that the quilt uses through baffles so that you can easily move the down to help control where you want the warmth. The baffles running crossways and with good fill amounts also helps keep the down where you want it. This is similar to Western Mountaineering design, arguably the best sleeping bag manufacturer in the US. Nice product and good review.
Excellent review. Looks like a great product. Better than EE..I just sleep in a hammock at home; so I don't need all the warmth, but this looks exceptional!
thank you for your review. It is particularly helpful as I'm trying to lighten thing up. Gotta ask, do those clips in the back dig into the pad? I have the same pad and that would worry me. thanks.
Great review! Do you know if the 44 wide will fit a 25 inch wide sleep pad? Also I'm torn between going with the Flex 22 and the EE Revelation 20. Thank you!
Joe Grimaldi thanks for watching. I honestly couldn't give an accurate answer regarding a 44 fitting an wide pad. I use a wide quilt and it fits great with plenty of room. I would suspect the 44" would attach to the pad fine but you may not get the full range of use of the wide pad. If you're new to quilts, I would suggest the EE Revelation as they are cheaper. If you have used quilts, Katabatic Gear is in a league of its own and you won't be disappointed.
Tom, I just watched your katabatic flex 30 quilt review and was wondering your size and weight. I am 6' 2" 220 lbs. and don't have any experience with quilts. You look to be about my size or so. Does the wide version fit well enough for movement throughout the night? I constantly toss and turn, but your review of the gear especially the focus of the draft collars may have pushed me to buying from katabatic from EE. If you or anyone else can respond, I could really use some guidance as I need to make a purchase immediately for a trip coming up.
KURH 15 I’m 6’2”, 240 and use the long/wide size and it’s great. This is hands down my favorite piece of gear. I probably could’ve went with the regular length but I definitely need the wide at the shoulders. When I have the pad attachment system in use, I can side sleep and not have the quilt lift off the sleep pad. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!
Thanks so much. One more question if possible. Is smell of the down any kind of issue? I have heard people mention that every once in a while. The smell of wet dog or something similar.
I came across your review because we are searching for a quilt for my husband who is having a very hard time sleeping in a traditional mummy bag. Question about quilts in general... do the sleeping pads get gross cuz you sleep directly on them rather than having a sleeping bag between you and the mat?
S. Chacon I have owned Enlightened Equipment, Loco Libre Gear, and Hammock Gear. I only have this Katabatic Flex quilt now and plan on keeping it for another 2 seasons at least (that’ll give me 6 years total). I have heard Nunatak makes an excellent quilt and Feathered Friends has a great reputation as well. Regarding Zpacks, the big complaint I hear a lot of is their temperature ratings run cold for a lot of people.
I had a question about your experience with katabatic quilt. Im a side sleeper and im shaped like a barrel 58in around my shoulders and midsection. Never used a quilt . Worried the wide with wont be wide enough. What are your thoughts
tommy white I think you may be right on the bubble for a wide size. I’d hate to give you wrong information so I would suggest emailing Katabatic Gear and asking them. I can say, I have a 53 inch chest and a side sleeper and the wide fits me just fine. Thanks for watching!
Brooke Pudar I went back to stuffing my quilt in my pack without a stuff sack but the website states my sized quilt (long/wide) compresses to 7”x 12.5”
I just ordered my own, and can't wait to try it out! I'm up in Canada so I went with the Flex 22 w/ an ounce of overstuff. Thanks again for the thorough review, Tom. As I said before, this video is what convinced me to go Katabatic Gear over EE. I agree - I think the design features (draft collar at the neck, and foot box, strap system, quality/quantity of down, etc.) really set this quilt apart from the pack. Very excited to get out of the synthetic mummy bag world, and into the quilt world. My base weight went down significantly, and my warmth/functionality went way up. Pumped.
Thanks Tom. From one teacher to another have a great year !
Great review Tom. You always go over all the details, being a gear guy I love it. I'm a bag guy but still enjoyed the video :-)
Was undecided about getting the flex over an elite quilt because it didn't have a sewn foot box, but your review sold me on their closure system. Fantastic, detailed review. Thanks!
I'm glad my review helped. I think you will find better versatility with the Flex. I look forward to hearing how it works for you.
I've got an Alsek (Elite) and just ordered the 40-degree (Flex) to complete my 4-season kit. I've owned numerous quilts and can happily say my search is over. Katabatic makes the finest down products money can buy. I'm a customer for life.
StumpJumper couldn’t agree more! Thanks for watching!
because you showed the engineering in motion on your vlog reviews (versus just explaining it), I bought their 22 degree Alsek, without reservations. Thanks for the well thought out demo of a well thought out bag/quilt.
I have never met anyone who has had buyers remorse. I think you will enjoy the bag tremendously. It really is a wonderful product.
You might also mention that the quilt uses through baffles so that you can easily move the down to help control where you want the warmth. The baffles running crossways and with good fill amounts also helps keep the down where you want it. This is similar to Western Mountaineering design, arguably the best sleeping bag manufacturer in the US. Nice product and good review.
Excellent review. Looks like a great product. Better than EE..I just sleep in a hammock at home; so I don't need all the warmth, but this looks exceptional!
Nice, Tom! Greet insights!
thank you for your review. It is particularly helpful as I'm trying to lighten thing up. Gotta ask, do those clips in the back dig into the pad? I have the same pad and that would worry me. thanks.
Vince- no issues at with the straps and locks affecting the pad. Thanks for watching!
Vince- no issues at with the straps and locks affecting the pad. Thanks for watching!
have you tried the Feathered Friends Flicker? curious to know how you would compare that to the Flex.
Great review! Do you know if the 44 wide will fit a 25 inch wide sleep pad? Also I'm torn between going with the Flex 22 and the EE Revelation 20. Thank you!
Joe Grimaldi thanks for watching. I honestly couldn't give an accurate answer regarding a 44 fitting an wide pad. I use a wide quilt and it fits great with plenty of room. I would suspect the 44" would attach to the pad fine but you may not get the full range of use of the wide pad. If you're new to quilts, I would suggest the EE Revelation as they are cheaper. If you have used quilts, Katabatic Gear is in a league of its own and you won't be disappointed.
Your next piece of gear: tripod for the videos. This looks like a great quilt. I'm also considering a ZPacks quilt.
Tom, I just watched your katabatic flex 30 quilt review and was wondering your size and weight. I am 6' 2" 220 lbs. and don't have any experience with quilts. You look to be about my size or so. Does the wide version fit well enough for movement throughout the night? I constantly toss and turn, but your review of the gear especially the focus of the draft collars may have pushed me to buying from katabatic from EE. If you or anyone else can respond, I could really use some guidance as I need to make a purchase immediately for a trip coming up.
KURH 15 I’m 6’2”, 240 and use the long/wide size and it’s great. This is hands down my favorite piece of gear. I probably could’ve went with the regular length but I definitely need the wide at the shoulders. When I have the pad attachment system in use, I can side sleep and not have the quilt lift off the sleep pad. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!
Thanks so much. One more question if possible. Is smell of the down any kind of issue? I have heard people mention that every once in a while. The smell of wet dog or something similar.
KURH 15 I got the 900fp goose down which doesn’t have the odor issues duck down sometimes can have.
I came across your review because we are searching for a quilt for my husband who is having a very hard time sleeping in a traditional mummy bag. Question about quilts in general... do the sleeping pads get gross cuz you sleep directly on them rather than having a sleeping bag between you and the mat?
What other brand quilts did you try? I’m looking at Nunatech, Z packs, feathered friends, western mountaineering
S. Chacon I have owned Enlightened Equipment, Loco Libre Gear, and Hammock Gear. I only have this Katabatic Flex quilt now and plan on keeping it for another 2 seasons at least (that’ll give me 6 years total). I have heard Nunatak makes an excellent quilt and Feathered Friends has a great reputation as well. Regarding Zpacks, the big complaint I hear a lot of is their temperature ratings run cold for a lot of people.
Thank you for the feedback. I guess I'll have to think about this.
What is the name of your sleep pad? So good!
wheelhousecrouse Thermarest NeoAir SV
I had a question about your experience with katabatic quilt. Im a side sleeper and im shaped like a barrel 58in around my shoulders and midsection. Never used a quilt . Worried the wide with wont be wide enough. What are your thoughts
tommy white I think you may be right on the bubble for a wide size. I’d hate to give you wrong information so I would suggest emailing Katabatic Gear and asking them. I can say, I have a 53 inch chest and a side sleeper and the wide fits me just fine. Thanks for watching!
I'm trying to figure our how those cinch chords are working...are the ends stiched into the bag at the ends of the chord on each side?
MarlowWhere there are attachment points sewn into the bag. The yellow cordage snaps into the plastic attachment points.
Can you share the dimensions of the bag when compressed?
Brooke Pudar I went back to stuffing my quilt in my pack without a stuff sack but the website states my sized quilt (long/wide) compresses to 7”x 12.5”
can you get into it and try it out
$$$$ ???
$385 for my long/wide with 900fp
they make amazing bags.