Every time someone complains about quilting drafts they don’t want to hear that they have the tong size and/or they’re using it wrong. Thanks for making it hearable for people.
So, the strength of the quilt is that it doesn't have material at the back, so it weighs less. The weakness is that because it doesn't have that material, you get drafts. The solution is to get a bigger quilt with more material that can cocoon around you, like a bag.
The solution is Nunatak's Arc UL quilts with the Edge Tension Control system. It is about as spacious (in the standard version) as their Alpinist sleeping bags. I'll try to post of a review of my CDT thru experience with it on the Ultralight subreddit when I find some time for it. I am a cold side sleeper who rotates from side to side, btw.
With the right quilt, the quality of your sleep is just so much higher in almost every situation. When I’m doing a winter mountaineering route, I still take a sleeping bag. Everything else these days, it’s one or two very high quality lightweight down quilts. The comfort is unmatched, which means I sleep better and awake fully recovered from the previous day.
Hey thanks! Can totally relate to your journey. I toss and turn at night and sleep like a baby all year long on an Exped Downmat 25 inch pad in my large ZB LightBed 25 with the UL 10 sheet. In colder weather I just add an UL EE 30 degree wide quilt. The advantage is, I’m also adding a wearable insulator to enjoy in camp. You’re right, the key to quilting is really to size up. Function first is absolutely the right approach.
I maxed out my UGQ when i bought it. Dynamic tension, square cut, zipper bottom, longer and wider, etc. the square cut and the zipper bottom allows me to use it as an actual quilt while car camping. Its the most expensive single piece of gear i own and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Maxed mine out as well and got it in a beautiful ‘Silver Mist’ pattern. So warm and comfy that I use it in my home too. Paired it with a the Big Agnus Rapide insulated 4 season pad and sometimes use a UL sleeping bag liner with it.
One thing I don’t think gets brought up enough is bigger hikers. There are few options for those of us that are bigger around than the average Patagonia model. But many quilts are available in much wider widths. I use a wide 20 degree UGQ quilt and I’ve had it in the teens and slept very comfortably on either the Tensor Insulated or Ether Lite XT. I normally only use the pad straps once it’s sub freezing since the quilt drapes enough to minimize drafts. For Summer I have a couple of 40/50 degree quilts that are basically blankets with a footbox so super roomy.
I've always been interested in quilts but was afraid to go to them. After learning more about them I find myself very happy with my Big Agnes Anvil Horn. It's like a hybrid of quilt and sleeping bag. It has worked very well for me.
Thank you! I keep hearing complaints about quilts for cold weather. I got a UGQ bandit, extra long and extra wide, several years ago, and as a restless sleeper, it was the best cold weather sleep I had ever experienced.
I’m a side sleeper and the reason a mummy sleeping bag doesn’t work on cold nights is that when you roll to a side your upper shoulder and hip press up against the down compressing the loft and creating a cold spot. I have a properly sized UGQ 20° wide quilt that I use with a silk liner. I love the liner because it adds some warmth, keeps the quilt free from body oils and dirt, and prevents my body from pressing against the quilt thus compressing the loft. It also dramatically reduces the draft factor that some complain about when using a quilt. With my custom UGQ I added 1oz of down to the closed footbox and a draft collar. I also carry a Thermarest Z Lite Sol closed Foam Pad (cut in 1/2) to use under my Thermarest NeoAir Xlite 25” wide inflatable pad. The closed foam pad gives additional R value to the already decent warmth of the Xlite. I have had this system down to 0° and stayed warm wearing just a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. No need for wool socks either. The closed foam pad also acts as my sit pad, gear dump pad for when I unload my pack at camp, yoga pad, vestibule door mat, star gazing pad, etc. This system has worked beautifully for me in the shoulder seasons when temps at night can typically dip into the teens. Warm and cozy… 😴 💤
I have a similar set-up. Do you mind sharing which silk liner you use? And is it designed for quilts or sleeping bags? Bc I see a lot for sleeping bags but have yet to find one for quilts. I have a liner for my Bandit but it’s not silk. Silk sounds nice lol
@@asweat2483 it’s the Cacoon silk liner. It’s made for a mummy bag but it’s got a boxed footbed. It’s long but normally I just pull it up to my chest or if it’s cold I’ll pull it up over my shoulders. Even though it’s a mummy shape it’s still roomy for me. I’m 6’ 185lbs. I love it. When it’s warm out I’ll sleep on my quilt in just the liner. Works great! 👍
I’m a side sleeper… and a properly sized and shaped mummy bag is the EXACT reason I prefer a mummy bag over a quilt (unless it’s warm weather then I can use either that or a quilt). I think what he says right in the first minute of this video hits the nail on the head for a good experience in ALL sleep systems - not just a quilt. At the end of the day… you do you. I still prefer a bag (my bag anyway) and you can prefer a quilt. Lets use whatever gets us outside!!!! See you on the trails
As a side sleeper I am 100% in the sleeping bag camp. I have wide sleeping bags from WM and cumulus, and they work very nicely for people who moves a lot
My first quilt was a UGQ Bandit 40* and I got the Dynamic Tension Control. I’ve never had to strap that quilt down and I’ve never had a problem with drafts. Just love it.
Good stuff Devin! I recently got a UGQ Bandit and have used it 3 or 4 times so far and I love it! I got it longer and wider due to other reviews I read and I am glad I did. I also have been using a silk bag liner, mostly because I wanted to keep the quilt cleaner but it is also super comfy and gives me just a bit of material between me and my pad. Also, I toss and turn a lot in my sleep and I feel like the quilt is much better for me than a mummy bag.
Hi... Really appreciate the perspective and info. I'm currently looking at buying my first quilt as I struggle to sleep well in a bag no matter how much I spend. One thing I would have found helpful would have been an explanation of the differences between the quilt you now use and the Zenbivy along with why you prefer it.
I've found I like quilts for weather over 40F, and full bags for colder. I haven't found a lightweight pad that kept my ground-side warm enough by itself at those colder temps (haven't tried the xtherm yet) and that extra material between me and the ground helps me not have to bring an additional foam pad (Z lite or BA 3rd degree), even if is still compressed. Ditto having the hood; I like to cinch it down around my mouth in that frost zone. I really really like the idea of the zenbivy integrated style but can't justify the cost in changing things around just yet when I already own multiple options that work well enough. Though I'm more a fan of the 2023 full length design.
The crew over at UGQ really know how to make quilts. They are BY FAR the most customizable options for quilts out there (that I've seen). I'm glad Chad helped you to come back to the quit side.
850 fill 20 degree wide UGQ Bandit with all the add ons with overstuffed sealed foot box, an Xtherm pad and a liner. I also take a cheap down summer sleeping bag that fully unzips into a blanket, it compresses so small and weighs so little. I’ve never had a cold night with my set up but I’ll tell you what, I love my cheap down summer bag more than anything and it’s not even branded, I’ve battered that thing and it’s still going strong, I just love it. It’s been through the washing machine countless times and comes up lovely every time. I don’t even remember where I got it!
The biggest difference between the two is going to be the sheet vs pad straps. To be completely honest, it’s a hard tie for me on them. I LOVE my bandit. It’s incredibly warm, lightweight and quality. Zenbivy just gives a true bed like sleep, I love them equally. I know that’s probably not the answer you were looking for, but it’s the truth.
@@BackcountryExposure thats a great answer. I just see different YT channels hyping up the Zenbivy but never really comparing it to a good quality quilt. I love my UGQ, wouldt trade it for anything.
My first quilt was a 20 deg HG quilt in Wide with 2 oz overfill. Paired with a Tensor and a down hood, it keeps me toasty in the Winter. I just picked up a 40 deg and using it for 3 seasons now. I don't get drafts with the pad straps.
Isn't a quilt just a sleeping bag that's opened and turned the other way around (opened zipper towards the ground)? It seems like the only part that makes quilt lighter is the missing hood.
My last trip on my 2nd night I started doing just this with my phantom 32. Unzipped it and then pulled it over me and stuffed my toes in the end.. one of the big differences from my past trips is I had a new REI Helix pad that is worlds better than any other pad I've ever had.
Thank you Devin for trying out so many different quilts/bags to find the best one for an all around good night's sleep! I admire your determination to keep testing until you hit upon the best way to go. I believe that there is a solution to the sleeping bag vs. quilt dilemma and what Feathered Friends came up with in a hybrid could be the best of both worlds. I bought the FF Flicker UL sleeping bag/quilt hybrid in wide width. It has 950 down fill with a lot of loft for the weight. It unzips completely with a drawstring footbox. I've used it in freezing temps in the Eastern Cascades with great results. I'm a side sleeper which seems to have ample room to move without getting claustrophobia. I'm also able to open the footbox and wear it in camp to keep me warn while sitting.
Devin could you do an experiment for us viewers. Could you add four plastic snaps to a down jacket with four corresponding snaps to a quilt. Two on each side. Maybe the jacket married to quilt can add the hood and keep drafts out. If it works then I would do the same thing. I think it would be a good video and I haven’t heard or seen anyone else doing it. As a side note I have an Enlightened equipment, a UGQ and a katabatic gear quilt. You’re right go with taller and wider.
If the jacket hood was attached to the quilt, then as you turned left/right, your face would be buried inside the hood which would be problematic for many users. Products like the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Hood address this issue: you wear a hood that comes down over your shoulders, and combine that with a quilt that has a draft collar around the neck. It keeps your head and neck warm but also lets you toss and turn without getting your face buried in the hood (which is a common complaint among sleeping bag users.)
Thanks for this info. I’m currently trying to decide between the Zen bevy flex pad and the Nemo All season pad. Which has been more comfortable in your experience?
You scared me with the start, I just purchased my first quilt. Then I kept watching and I think I will be good because I ordered a wider and longer quilt and my pad is rated at r4.2. I'll see how I do this year.
Hey there, Devin. This is excellent. It can be a really tricky concept to grasp about pad vs bag/quilt insulation. So easy to blame one or the other for sleep issues. I almost think it just has to be learned vs. taught? I agree about the quilt size in general. But to get super tech-y for a second, I believe the draft reduction design elements play an even more significant role. For example, my first quilt was from a company that used a fairly simple baffling, edge cut and pad strap design. Even as an overstuffed wide quilt, it was very easy to drafts and cold spots. After a couple more attempts with similar designs, I finally got ahold of a used Katabatic quilt, but it was standard (narrow) width and 6’ length (I’m 6’ tall). There are four features that made this the most comfortable and versatile quilt I’ve used. 1) Catenary cut elastic edges (similar to the Bandit), 2) Differential cut baffles 3) Trapezoidal footbox 4) pad attachment system with hooks on the sides of the quilt in addition to clips on the edge. These all worked together to keep the edges of the quilt against the pad and the down from being compressed by my shoulders and hips. With all of that working, the reduced interior volume makes it more efficient to warm up than a larger quilt. It sounds like UGQ is employing a lot of the same “tricks”, if maybe a little differently. But this is a huge mouthful of technical nerdery and all has to be executed well by the designer and manufacturing. So the short answer is, like you said, buy a bigger quilt. 😂
Thanks man! I think that's the process for a lot of backpacking gear. Learned in the field. I really need to look hard at a Katabatic quilt. Many have shared similar comments about them. Thanks for sharing all of that! Love the nerdery, ha ha!
I’m still on a Paria thermo down 15 quilt. It works well I pair it with an added down blanket to cover me to help eliminate drafts and to add warmth. I’ve also found the klymit v sheet fits over a recharge XL pad so I’ve kinda made it into a wanna be zen bivy system. I would love to get into a zen bivy system next it looks like it fits my style perfectly.
Great video! Now we just have to get you back in a hammock!!😊😊 I definitely agree with getting longer and wider quilts. Good function is always more important than price or weight! Hope all is well with your family!!❤️❤️
Ever since I got a sidewinder 20 sl I've been more than comfortable with it and just a nemo tensor down to around freezing and into the 20s with a liner. At the end of a long hike it just seems to finicky for me to use quilt systems in a tent vs the sidewinder I just get in and zip up. I do like a quilt when its warmer and use it like a blanket with no straps or anything, also in a day hammock if is a little chilly.
ugq 20f is hard to beat. its not perfect for everyone, but really worked for me. quality workmanship is A1, as is service. Combined with a nemo disco 15 it was comfy at -22 celsius. just saying...under stars no tent. crisp!
Good that you have solved your quilt vs bag. I've always (55 years) been a sleeping bag guy. My hammock camper buddies convinced me to try s quilt. I bought the REI Magma 30 on sale. 850 FP down. Better than my DIY bags - 700 FP. So I dropped about 6 ounces. I use a Nemo Tensor R4.2 rated pad. On a recent hike, I used a Nemo Tensor R4.2 rated pad. And I put an extra insulating pad under the Tensor. I was cold at 40F. I was wearing a wool base layer, T-shirt, sun hoodie, and wool socks. Had to put on my Decathlon hooded puffer. Temp got to 34F. I wasn't cold. I've slept in 34F with less clothes and been warmer in my DIY bag. Maybe I need to spend $350 on a custom quilt to get a comfortable night in a quilt. But I'm not going to. I'll just keep using my bag. Tom Loves DIY.
I love my sleep system. I have a great thermarest pad and bandit quilt. I have the open foot box so I can use it 3 seasons. Cinching up the toe box when it’s gonna be a cold night. Open it up when it’s warmer. It’s great quilt. You are right. Make sure it’s big enough. I have a zero degree mummy sleeping bag but it was too warm most of the time for me. If I opened it up to cool off I’d end up getting too cold then have to turn on the light to figure out how to zip up the sleeping bag again. I also got a light weight sleep sheet. That also helps me with controlling my body temp and avoid drafts.
well said. Expensive lessons though. I went from a 6C Montbell bag to a -6C OutdoorVitals quilt last year. I got the Long quilt. It is not long enough! It's maybe a bit narrow but I can work with that. I have not been in sub zero temps yet though I almost think I can do better in the Montbell under freezing, which I have done. I am mostly a warm sleeper though that is shifting as I get close to age 60. My quasar pad has not felt cold to me yet despite 1.7R, but oh man is it comfy. I would need a Nemo Tensor below freezing - again an expensive lesson.
It's worth noting that if you're a larger or broader person, you might not find a quilt as comfortable as you expect. I'm also an active sleeper, but being broader, I've found quilts to be more of a hassle than a benefit. Summer nights are manageable with a few drafts, but for fall and winter trips, getting a good night's sleep takes more effort. Thanks for the video!
Hammock Gear and UGQ top quilts are primarily designed for hammock sleeping. They don't need to be wide because they're used in combination with an underquilt, which goes on the outside of the hammock and insulates your back and wraps around your sides, so no cold drafts. If they're offering wider top quilts now is to service the ground-sleeping market.
I am not a quilt user but keep thinking about it. Watching the video, and the evolution of side protection to reduce drafts, makes me think quilts are maturing full circle back to what a sleeping bag provides. A wider sleeping bag seems to provide what those last 2 quilts provide. Not 100% but darn close. Right now I still feel like a wider sleeping bag will give me what I need for cooler weather. But am still wondering about a quilt or even blanket solution for warmer weather. I'd love to see a video about warm weather options, something for when those warm/hot spring/summer/fall days still have a cooler night where you would like something to spread over you but the ability to kick your legs out or lay half-under something.
I tried a mummy bag a few times in my youth- hated my sleep, woke up claustrophobic, just miserable experience. I saw my 1st quilt on a RUclips video.. & I knew I found my people. I now have …4, maybe 5 quilts? 40* UGQ, 25*EE, and a zenbivy light. I also keep a few apex options ( I live PNW, rain & wet gear is a concern, & winter layering works better w/ 1 being apex). I LOVE my zen ivy style, & I swap out options regularly.
We have had our UGQs custom Bandits for 5 years now. We have had many expensive down standard sleeping bags. We will NEVER go back to a sleeping bag. WE both say the UGQs are the best bags we have ever had. We love the flexibility to put a leg, legs,, body etc out as needed to self regulate temperature. The quilts have allowed us to use our quilts in all but the warmest weather.
@@_Chris390you can get wuts in different temperature ratings. As long as you have an appropriately insulated sleeping pad and properly sized quilt. If it is cold you can also add a clothing layer like wool leggings & top. UGQ also let's you add extra down to the foot box area if cold feet is an issue for you. Laying on compressed down in a full enclosed sleeping bag doesn't provide insulation either.
I still want a good heavy quilt tor my hammock set up. We be don’t be have good options in Scotland. If I can ever afford a Canadian holiday I’m going over with an empty suitcase. Canadian and American outdoor gear is next level quality.
Hey I got a question, if a sleeping bag is used, people opt for a mummy bag. With quilts people maybe dont use mummy bags and sleep directly on the airpad. Can the airpad be washed or can we use sheets made to snuggly fit the pads?
I think the main point in this video is in the positioning of the pad attachment points and not the size of the quilt. I've owned a very light quilt, the Thermarest Vesper 20 for over a year now and i am very happy with it even though TAR's equivalent sleeping bag, the Parsec weighs almost 1.5 times as much as the Quilt. I absolutely love the freedom of movement it provides over a sleeping bag. Even with it being a normal size (I am 178 tall, so 5cm/2 inches from the max for this quilt, but i also would advice people over 180/5,11 to take the larger one). And it provides comfortable warmth right to the advertised point for me. I think that is due to the extra baffle tugging inside from the pad attachment points that apparently block out all prossible drafts. Now i am just one person and other peoples experiences might vary but i think its logical. I've seen a lot of people complaining about drafts with quilts that attach on the end and i can totally see it. This would be my main condern in buying a quilt. Of course a bigger quilt will not be less comfortable but it will be heavier and less warm and i my experience comfort was great with a fitting quilt already.
Careful with that Vesper, mine ripped at the V leading into the foot box and I woke up in an expensive down wonderland and it wasn’t even 6 months old. UGQ’s are much more durable for not much more money.
@@InimitaPaul that doesn't sound good. I've been wondering why no one seems to use them in the US. But since i'm from europe the options are more slim. I also think they have a good warranty but i am not quite sure. Do you know if this is a coomon occurance? The fabric is crazy thin, i am definitley very careful with it. But of course a rip can happen no matter what. I think some other quilts actually feature 7D materials so i figured the 10D would be ok 😂
@@jonathankobbe6073 I’m in Europe too (UK), getting the UGQ Bandit through customs cost a small fortune. What happened with mine was side sleeping in the fetal position and then stretching out my legs as I switched position and catching a foot in the V while anchoring the upper part of the quilt to the pad with my body, but being half asleep I pushed into it not realising what I was doing and that’s what did it. Completely my fault and it’s not something I’ve heard anyone else mention but that V is very fragile, it really didn’t take much force at all to rip it. They are lovely and warm though, I used black Gorilla duct tape to seal it (huge rip) and it’s now my couch quilt, works great on the La-z-boy. The duct tape looks terrible but it’s on the bottom so not really visible most of the time.
@@InimitaPaul i think/hope that i don't move that much when sleeping, i'll have to look at that spot. Maybe it's even possible to preamptively strengthen it somehow, idk. Thanks for the heads up anyway. What how much do you have to pay on top for imports? At least for tents it's 33% on top to germany 😵💫
@@jonathankobbe6073 Damn! 33% is crazy! I thought 20% was bad, no wonder you don’t import from the US. Good luck with the quilt, for the price Thermarest charge for a new one it would be well worth running a few more stitches through the V with some more substantial thread. Best of luck bro.
I've never had an issue with my quilts just because I always got bigger than what I was supposed to get anyways. I am 6ft3in 210lbs and move alot while being a side sleeper. For comparison. My EE 0 degree quilt 950fill is Long/Xwide and custom made for $605 and weighs 34oz. A zen bivy setup for my size and their lowest temp setup option (10 degree limit temp) comes in at $928 and weighs 41oz. The EE also packs down smaller than the zenbivy quilt and sheet combined. I've never had a cold draft in my quilt in the single digits and I was plenty warm. You can use their pad straps in any way you want to prevent drafts and hug your body so I get all that and 20 extra degrees of warmth for a better deal. I am sure something like the zen bivy is comfortable but I don't have issues with my current setup.
Quite a survey. Thank-you. I don't know if you mentioned if you were a cold or hot sleeper? I'm a HOT sleeper and constantly sticking my feet out of the bottom of my sleeping bag and/or venting, be it a light Penguin summer or my COOP Swan Mummy. I just bought a MEC Talon 0ºC Quilt to go with my short TR Neo XLite. Whereas my wife was a very COLD sleeper and required two sleeping bags if it was a late summer early fall.
Here is an old saying that people should remember "A blanket underneath is worth two on top" If you forget the insulation underneath yourself, you will get extremely cold.
I've never been interested in quilts/hammock sleep systems. Hammocks in the backyard are the only ones I've ever stretched out on in hot weather when shaded. The tent in the background is a look-a-like, wanna be Hilleberg Enan, but it ain't - The Enan pole is inside a sleeve. Warm Regards from nearby Reno, Nevada
Great video. My comfort quilt is a UGQ 20 with all the bells and whistles that you mention. It was my first quilt and so was a great entry into the world of quilts. It's comfortable all the way down to its 20 degree rating. I'm not as much of an active sleeper, so I'm able to size smaller and not feel constricted. I am a side sleeper and switch sides 3-4 times over the night, but it's not a constant toss and turn. For this reason, I'm also able to use the 20" pads to save weight. For me, aged 56, and really trying to push miles, weight is very important to a functional and enjoyable experience. So I've recently been using the Zpacks 30-degree quilt when the conditions allow. I have to dual-purpose my layering system to get comfortably to 30 degrees, and the Zpacks definitely has its share of trade-offs compared with the UGQ, but it does come at an 11oz weight savings which is significant. Additionally, I've completed my quilt selection with a 50 degree Enlightened Revelation Apex synthetic. This way I have all four seasons well covered. The EE+UGQ make an effective winter combo that gets me down to the low teens, with the synthetic EE on the outside that protects the UGQ down from condensation. The UGQ is my comfortable deep 3-season option. The Zpacks is a more moderate 3-season option when I'm trying to really dial in weight. And the EE by itself is perfect for casual Appalachian summer trips. Ultimately, backpacking is about making tradeoffs to optimize your load-out to help you achieve what you want out of your experience. On trips where I want more comfort, I use the UGQ. On trips where I am pushing my limits, I use the Zpacks as part of.a more dialed in kit.
That Apache bag behind you blows quilts away and it weighs 2lbs of safety.....and you can leave its zipper open and use it like a quilt when warm enough..... I've never understood the quilt craze.
This completely goes against all the principles of selecting a proper sleeping bag. I’d have to spend $1,037 to get a Zenbivy that’s the exact same weight as what I have. 🤦♂️
@@BackcountryExposure Also, do you think the weight of the quilt will be the same as the sleeping bag now? Because this weight will be distributed on the sides instead of the back.
Ha, the main complaint from the quilt users is that sleeping bags are constricting, well not for everyone, I love the coziness of sleeping bags and actually sometimes sleep in them at home on my bed and if I'm too hot I open the zipper. Just the zipping up my bag gives me feeling of warmth and comfort, while sleeping in the quilt(which I have done many times) is either constant struggle with drafts or restlessness from fear of getting one, so we are all different 😂
Why don’t they just make a big/wide bag with a false bottom…meaning just like a 15D bottom with no down or anything so there are no drafts? Simplifying the whole thing while keeping it light. I’ve seen a few false bottom bags but the still looked a little to narrow. I’m leaning towards the WM Terralite because it’s a big wide bag and only weighs 2lbs. I currently have the Nemo Disco 15 which I love but it’s just over 3 lbs. I’m a side sleeper.
There is a reason they put zippers on sleeping bags. A quilt is a sleeping bag without a zipper. I don't get it. Seems like a marketing ploy to get people with a perfectly good sleeping bag to buy more shit.
realistically, I don't think quilts will work out that well for active sleepers. Even with a wide quilt and pad straps, active sleepers will be exposed to drafts
So… basically fit and function are essential… isn’t that pure logic? As a side sleeper that tosses and turns, it’s the whole reason I use l sleeping bags. Not a narrow style mummy, but one with extra space. Result is that I can toss and turn, no drafts, less weight than any comparable sized quilt and usable at a wider temperature range by using it as a blanket or a bag.
It is logic, however, within the backpacking world, the weight of gear has become such a hyper focus for people that they forget to prioritize function first.
I completely disagree with you, it's a shame that it didn't work for you, I love my Quilt 850 from UGQ 0 degrees and I used the measurement chart for the length and width to cover my head, I also ordered the straps, I'm always toasty even though I'm moving all night and I use the thermarest 6.9 mattress, I would die in a sleeping bag 1 because of the weight 2 claustrophobia and not being able to move.
Totally respect that, and appreciate you sharing that perspective. Sleep is subjective and different for everyone. These are the changes that have made the difference for me.
I love how these products are marketed. "Dynamic tension control system" -> a rubber strap.
It’s so they can charge $500 for it
waterproof membrane= vinyl
buzzwords are all over the place, its wild when you break it down to just ridiculous marketing lol
Every time someone complains about quilting drafts they don’t want to hear that they have the tong size and/or they’re using it wrong. Thanks for making it hearable for people.
Thank you!
That’s why I made my own.
So, the strength of the quilt is that it doesn't have material at the back, so it weighs less. The weakness is that because it doesn't have that material, you get drafts. The solution is to get a bigger quilt with more material that can cocoon around you, like a bag.
And then it doesn't save weight but nothing is compressed?
I prefer the drafts, personally. I use them to my advantage.
The solution is Nunatak's Arc UL quilts with the Edge Tension Control system. It is about as spacious (in the standard version) as their Alpinist sleeping bags. I'll try to post of a review of my CDT thru experience with it on the Ultralight subreddit when I find some time for it. I am a cold side sleeper who rotates from side to side, btw.
Solution is the quilt is tucked under the pad, and secured by elastics. If you preferer a sleeping bag then that is your preference.
With the right quilt, the quality of your sleep is just so much higher in almost every situation. When I’m doing a winter mountaineering route, I still take a sleeping bag. Everything else these days, it’s one or two very high quality lightweight down quilts. The comfort is unmatched, which means I sleep better and awake fully recovered from the previous day.
Hey thanks! Can totally relate to your journey. I toss and turn at night and sleep like a baby all year long on an Exped Downmat 25 inch pad in my large ZB LightBed 25 with the UL 10 sheet. In colder weather I just add an UL EE 30 degree wide quilt. The advantage is, I’m also adding a wearable insulator to enjoy in camp. You’re right, the key to quilting is really to size up. Function first is absolutely the right approach.
I maxed out my UGQ when i bought it. Dynamic tension, square cut, zipper bottom, longer and wider, etc. the square cut and the zipper bottom allows me to use it as an actual quilt while car camping. Its the most expensive single piece of gear i own and wouldn't trade it for anything.
I like it!
I DID THE SAME, WHAT COLOURS DID YOU GO FOR?
@@kacy_12 blue hexcam outside with navy blue inside 🤘
Maxed mine out as well and got it in a beautiful ‘Silver Mist’ pattern. So warm and comfy that I use it in my home too. Paired it with a the Big Agnus Rapide insulated 4 season pad and sometimes use a UL sleeping bag liner with it.
One thing I don’t think gets brought up enough is bigger hikers. There are few options for those of us that are bigger around than the average Patagonia model. But many quilts are available in much wider widths. I use a wide 20 degree UGQ quilt and I’ve had it in the teens and slept very comfortably on either the Tensor Insulated or Ether Lite XT. I normally only use the pad straps once it’s sub freezing since the quilt drapes enough to minimize drafts. For Summer I have a couple of 40/50 degree quilts that are basically blankets with a footbox so super roomy.
Thank you for sharing your experience. You save me time and money.
#1 is often the only reason I hear to use a quilt, good advice on the pitfalls!
👍🏻
I've always been interested in quilts but was afraid to go to them. After learning more about them I find myself very happy with my Big Agnes Anvil Horn. It's like a hybrid of quilt and sleeping bag. It has worked very well for me.
Thank you! I keep hearing complaints about quilts for cold weather. I got a UGQ bandit, extra long and extra wide, several years ago, and as a restless sleeper, it was the best cold weather sleep I had ever experienced.
Yep! I love my UGQ 0 degree bandit in long / wide with dynamic tension control. Absolutely my favorite piece of gear.
I’m a side sleeper and the reason a mummy sleeping bag doesn’t work on cold nights is that when you roll to a side your upper shoulder and hip press up against the down compressing the loft and creating a cold spot. I have a properly sized UGQ 20° wide quilt that I use with a silk liner. I love the liner because it adds some warmth, keeps the quilt free from body oils and dirt, and prevents my body from pressing against the quilt thus compressing the loft. It also dramatically reduces the draft factor that some complain about when using a quilt. With my custom UGQ I added 1oz of down to the closed footbox and a draft collar. I also carry a Thermarest Z Lite Sol closed Foam Pad (cut in 1/2) to use under my Thermarest NeoAir Xlite 25” wide inflatable pad. The closed foam pad gives additional R value to the already decent warmth of the Xlite. I have had this system down to 0° and stayed warm wearing just a pair of shorts and a tee shirt. No need for wool socks either. The closed foam pad also acts as my sit pad, gear dump pad for when I unload my pack at camp, yoga pad, vestibule door mat, star gazing pad, etc. This system has worked beautifully for me in the shoulder seasons when temps at night can typically dip into the teens. Warm and cozy… 😴 💤
I have a similar set-up. Do you mind sharing which silk liner you use? And is it designed for quilts or sleeping bags? Bc I see a lot for sleeping bags but have yet to find one for quilts. I have a liner for my Bandit but it’s not silk. Silk sounds nice lol
@@asweat2483 it’s the Cacoon silk liner. It’s made for a mummy bag but it’s got a boxed footbed. It’s long but normally I just pull it up to my chest or if it’s cold I’ll pull it up over my shoulders. Even though it’s a mummy shape it’s still roomy for me. I’m 6’ 185lbs. I love it. When it’s warm out I’ll sleep on my quilt in just the liner. Works great! 👍
I’m a side sleeper… and a properly sized and shaped mummy bag is the EXACT reason I prefer a mummy bag over a quilt (unless it’s warm weather then I can use either that or a quilt).
I think what he says right in the first minute of this video hits the nail on the head for a good experience in ALL sleep systems - not just a quilt.
At the end of the day… you do you. I still prefer a bag (my bag anyway) and you can prefer a quilt. Lets use whatever gets us outside!!!! See you on the trails
As a side sleeper I am 100% in the sleeping bag camp. I have wide sleeping bags from WM and cumulus, and they work very nicely for people who moves a lot
@@SummitSeeker546 Awesome! I will check it out. Thanks so much.
The Zenbivy has changed the way I sleep in the backcountry. I can’t imagine anything better.
It's amazing!
My first quilt was a UGQ Bandit 40* and I got the Dynamic Tension Control. I’ve never had to strap that quilt down and I’ve never had a problem with drafts. Just love it.
That is awesome!
My EE quilt is the best decision I've ever made! Wider & longer than needed is a must
Love it!
Good stuff Devin! I recently got a UGQ Bandit and have used it 3 or 4 times so far and I love it! I got it longer and wider due to other reviews I read and I am glad I did. I also have been using a silk bag liner, mostly because I wanted to keep the quilt cleaner but it is also super comfy and gives me just a bit of material between me and my pad. Also, I toss and turn a lot in my sleep and I feel like the quilt is much better for me than a mummy bag.
@@teledunc nice dude! Put a smile on my face to see your face pop up! Hope life is rad man!
@@BackcountryExposure Thanks man! Just living the dream. I really enjoy all of your content, keep it up!
Hi... Really appreciate the perspective and info. I'm currently looking at buying my first quilt as I struggle to sleep well in a bag no matter how much I spend. One thing I would have found helpful would have been an explanation of the differences between the quilt you now use and the Zenbivy along with why you prefer it.
I've found I like quilts for weather over 40F, and full bags for colder. I haven't found a lightweight pad that kept my ground-side warm enough by itself at those colder temps (haven't tried the xtherm yet) and that extra material between me and the ground helps me not have to bring an additional foam pad (Z lite or BA 3rd degree), even if is still compressed. Ditto having the hood; I like to cinch it down around my mouth in that frost zone. I really really like the idea of the zenbivy integrated style but can't justify the cost in changing things around just yet when I already own multiple options that work well enough. Though I'm more a fan of the 2023 full length design.
The crew over at UGQ really know how to make quilts. They are BY FAR the most customizable options for quilts out there (that I've seen). I'm glad Chad helped you to come back to the quit side.
One of us one of us!
850 fill 20 degree wide UGQ Bandit with all the add ons with overstuffed sealed foot box, an Xtherm pad and a liner. I also take a cheap down summer sleeping bag that fully unzips into a blanket, it compresses so small and weighs so little. I’ve never had a cold night with my set up but I’ll tell you what, I love my cheap down summer bag more than anything and it’s not even branded, I’ve battered that thing and it’s still going strong, I just love it. It’s been through the washing machine countless times and comes up lovely every time. I don’t even remember where I got it!
I have a fully decked out UGQ 10F quilt but I am curious how it compares to the Zenbivy? Which one do you prefer over the other and why?
The biggest difference between the two is going to be the sheet vs pad straps. To be completely honest, it’s a hard tie for me on them. I LOVE my bandit. It’s incredibly warm, lightweight and quality. Zenbivy just gives a true bed like sleep, I love them equally. I know that’s probably not the answer you were looking for, but it’s the truth.
@@BackcountryExposure thats a great answer. I just see different YT channels hyping up the Zenbivy but never really comparing it to a good quality quilt. I love my UGQ, wouldt trade it for anything.
My first quilt was a 20 deg HG quilt in Wide with 2 oz overfill. Paired with a Tensor and a down hood, it keeps me toasty in the Winter. I just picked up a 40 deg and using it for 3 seasons now. I don't get drafts with the pad straps.
Welcome back to quilts! I tried to use a sleeping bag again and it was too confined to me. Don't think I'll ever go back.
Isn't a quilt just a sleeping bag that's opened and turned the other way around (opened zipper towards the ground)?
It seems like the only part that makes quilt lighter is the missing hood.
I actually use my sleeping bag like that 90% of the time lol
My last trip on my 2nd night I started doing just this with my phantom 32. Unzipped it and then pulled it over me and stuffed my toes in the end.. one of the big differences from my past trips is I had a new REI Helix pad that is worlds better than any other pad I've ever had.
@@jamesrohner3792 I have the Helix as well. It's been a great pad
More to it than that . Way more comfortable than a sleeping bag for many of us
I have a zenbivy 10 degree and I love it! I look forward to nights in if
Thank you Devin for trying out so many different quilts/bags to find the best one for an all around good night's sleep! I admire your determination to keep testing until you hit upon the best way to go. I believe that there is a solution to the sleeping bag vs. quilt dilemma and what Feathered Friends came up with in a hybrid could be the best of both worlds. I bought the FF Flicker UL sleeping bag/quilt hybrid in wide width. It has 950 down fill with a lot of loft for the weight. It unzips completely with a drawstring footbox. I've used it in freezing temps in the Eastern Cascades with great results. I'm a side sleeper which seems to have ample room to move without getting claustrophobia. I'm also able to open the footbox and wear it in camp to keep me warn while sitting.
Devin could you do an experiment for us viewers. Could you add four plastic snaps to a down jacket with four corresponding snaps to a quilt. Two on each side. Maybe the jacket married to quilt can add the hood and keep drafts out.
If it works then I would do the same thing. I think it would be a good video and I haven’t heard or seen anyone else doing it.
As a side note I have an Enlightened equipment, a UGQ and a katabatic gear quilt.
You’re right go with taller and wider.
If the jacket hood was attached to the quilt, then as you turned left/right, your face would be buried inside the hood which would be problematic for many users. Products like the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Hood address this issue: you wear a hood that comes down over your shoulders, and combine that with a quilt that has a draft collar around the neck. It keeps your head and neck warm but also lets you toss and turn without getting your face buried in the hood (which is a common complaint among sleeping bag users.)
What is that ground cloth/tub floor you’re using in this video?
@@andrewgallant7899 that’s a DIY project I sewed myself.
Thanks for this info. I’m currently trying to decide between the Zen bevy flex pad and the Nemo All season pad. Which has been more comfortable in your experience?
Both are excellent options. For me, the Zenbivy pad is more comfortable though.
You scared me with the start, I just purchased my first quilt. Then I kept watching and I think I will be good because I ordered a wider and longer quilt and my pad is rated at r4.2. I'll see how I do this year.
Hey there, Devin. This is excellent. It can be a really tricky concept to grasp about pad vs bag/quilt insulation. So easy to blame one or the other for sleep issues. I almost think it just has to be learned vs. taught?
I agree about the quilt size in general. But to get super tech-y for a second, I believe the draft reduction design elements play an even more significant role. For example, my first quilt was from a company that used a fairly simple baffling, edge cut and pad strap design. Even as an overstuffed wide quilt, it was very easy to drafts and cold spots. After a couple more attempts with similar designs, I finally got ahold of a used Katabatic quilt, but it was standard (narrow) width and 6’ length (I’m 6’ tall). There are four features that made this the most comfortable and versatile quilt I’ve used. 1) Catenary cut elastic edges (similar to the Bandit), 2) Differential cut baffles 3) Trapezoidal footbox 4) pad attachment system with hooks on the sides of the quilt in addition to clips on the edge. These all worked together to keep the edges of the quilt against the pad and the down from being compressed by my shoulders and hips. With all of that working, the reduced interior volume makes it more efficient to warm up than a larger quilt. It sounds like UGQ is employing a lot of the same “tricks”, if maybe a little differently.
But this is a huge mouthful of technical nerdery and all has to be executed well by the designer and manufacturing. So the short answer is, like you said, buy a bigger quilt. 😂
Thanks man! I think that's the process for a lot of backpacking gear. Learned in the field. I really need to look hard at a Katabatic quilt. Many have shared similar comments about them. Thanks for sharing all of that! Love the nerdery, ha ha!
I’m still on a Paria thermo down 15 quilt. It works well I pair it with an added down blanket to cover me to help eliminate drafts and to add warmth. I’ve also found the klymit v sheet fits over a recharge XL pad so I’ve kinda made it into a wanna be zen bivy system. I would love to get into a zen bivy system next it looks like it fits my style perfectly.
The pariah strap system is pretty bad and has a lot of drafts compared to other quilts. Price is great though
Great video! Now we just have to get you back in a hammock!!😊😊
I definitely agree with getting longer and wider quilts. Good function is always more important than price or weight! Hope all is well with your family!!❤️❤️
Ever since I got a sidewinder 20 sl I've been more than comfortable with it and just a nemo tensor down to around freezing and into the 20s with a liner. At the end of a long hike it just seems to finicky for me to use quilt systems in a tent vs the sidewinder I just get in and zip up. I do like a quilt when its warmer and use it like a blanket with no straps or anything, also in a day hammock if is a little chilly.
Oui, entièrement ok avec vous ! Contrairement à ce qui est "conseillé" le quilt dont être spacieux pour pouvoir bien recouvrit le corps !
ugq 20f is hard to beat. its not perfect for everyone, but really worked for me. quality workmanship is A1, as is service. Combined with a nemo disco 15 it was comfy at -22 celsius. just saying...under stars no tent. crisp!
Chad and Britani are amazing! Love how good the UGQ product is. :)
Good that you have solved your quilt vs bag. I've always (55 years) been a sleeping bag guy. My hammock camper buddies convinced me to try s quilt. I bought the REI Magma 30 on sale. 850 FP down. Better than my DIY bags - 700 FP. So I dropped about 6 ounces. I use a Nemo Tensor R4.2 rated pad. On a recent hike, I used a Nemo Tensor R4.2 rated pad. And I put an extra insulating pad under the Tensor. I was cold at 40F. I was wearing a wool base layer, T-shirt, sun hoodie, and wool socks. Had to put on my Decathlon hooded puffer. Temp got to 34F. I wasn't cold. I've slept in 34F with less clothes and been warmer in my DIY bag. Maybe I need to spend $350 on a custom quilt to get a comfortable night in a quilt. But I'm not going to. I'll just keep using my bag. Tom Loves DIY.
I love my sleep system. I have a great thermarest pad and bandit quilt. I have the open foot box so I can use it 3 seasons. Cinching up the toe box when it’s gonna be a cold night. Open it up when it’s warmer. It’s great quilt. You are right. Make sure it’s big enough. I have a zero degree mummy sleeping bag but it was too warm most of the time for me. If I opened it up to cool off I’d end up getting too cold then have to turn on the light to figure out how to zip up the sleeping bag again. I also got a light weight sleep sheet. That also helps me with controlling my body temp and avoid drafts.
well said. Expensive lessons though. I went from a 6C Montbell bag to a -6C OutdoorVitals quilt last year. I got the Long quilt. It is not long enough! It's maybe a bit narrow but I can work with that. I have not been in sub zero temps yet though I almost think I can do better in the Montbell under freezing, which I have done. I am mostly a warm sleeper though that is shifting as I get close to age 60. My quasar pad has not felt cold to me yet despite 1.7R, but oh man is it comfy. I would need a Nemo Tensor below freezing - again an expensive lesson.
It's worth noting that if you're a larger or broader person, you might not find a quilt as comfortable as you expect. I'm also an active sleeper, but being broader, I've found quilts to be more of a hassle than a benefit. Summer nights are manageable with a few drafts, but for fall and winter trips, getting a good night's sleep takes more effort. Thanks for the video!
I'm a big guy too. It sounds to me like an Extra Wide/Extra Long quilt may work better for you.
@@jjmcwill2007 it does not, but thanks for posting.
Love your videos bro!
Thank you!!
Hammock Gear and UGQ top quilts are primarily designed for hammock sleeping. They don't need to be wide because they're used in combination with an underquilt, which goes on the outside of the hammock and insulates your back and wraps around your sides, so no cold drafts. If they're offering wider top quilts now is to service the ground-sleeping market.
I have 2 UGQ quilts, a 0° and a 20°. Never going back!
Rad!
1:55 incidentally, I can get away with a narrower top quilt in a hammock because the underquilt curves up on the sides.
I am not a quilt user but keep thinking about it. Watching the video, and the evolution of side protection to reduce drafts, makes me think quilts are maturing full circle back to what a sleeping bag provides. A wider sleeping bag seems to provide what those last 2 quilts provide. Not 100% but darn close. Right now I still feel like a wider sleeping bag will give me what I need for cooler weather. But am still wondering about a quilt or even blanket solution for warmer weather. I'd love to see a video about warm weather options, something for when those warm/hot spring/summer/fall days still have a cooler night where you would like something to spread over you but the ability to kick your legs out or lay half-under something.
❤😂🎉🎉🎉 That was really helpful, because I still cannot pull the trigger on a quilt......yet
I tried a mummy bag a few times in my youth- hated my sleep, woke up claustrophobic, just miserable experience. I saw my 1st quilt on a RUclips video.. & I knew I found my people. I now have …4, maybe 5 quilts? 40* UGQ, 25*EE, and a zenbivy light. I also keep a few apex options ( I live PNW, rain & wet gear is a concern, & winter layering works better w/ 1 being apex). I LOVE my zen ivy style, & I swap out options regularly.
We have had our UGQs custom Bandits for 5 years now. We have had many expensive down standard sleeping bags. We will NEVER go back to a sleeping bag. WE both say the UGQs are the best bags we have ever had. We love the flexibility to put a leg, legs,, body etc out as needed to self regulate temperature. The quilts have allowed us to use our quilts in all but the warmest weather.
How about for very cold weather?
@@_Chris390you can get wuts in different temperature ratings. As long as you have an appropriately insulated sleeping pad and properly sized quilt. If it is cold you can also add a clothing layer like wool leggings & top. UGQ also let's you add extra down to the foot box area if cold feet is an issue for you. Laying on compressed down in a full enclosed sleeping bag doesn't provide insulation either.
I still want a good heavy quilt tor my hammock set up. We be don’t be have good options in Scotland. If I can ever afford a Canadian holiday I’m going over with an empty suitcase. Canadian and American outdoor gear is next level quality.
You’ve got some rad retailers over there though that are adding more US brands! Valley and Peak?
Hey I got a question, if a sleeping bag is used, people opt for a mummy bag. With quilts people maybe dont use mummy bags and sleep directly on the airpad. Can the airpad be washed or can we use sheets made to snuggly fit the pads?
@@hooptroopers you can easily clean them. I typically just use Clorox wipes for a good disinfection
I think the main point in this video is in the positioning of the pad attachment points and not the size of the quilt.
I've owned a very light quilt, the Thermarest Vesper 20 for over a year now and i am very happy with it even though TAR's equivalent sleeping bag, the Parsec weighs almost 1.5 times as much as the Quilt.
I absolutely love the freedom of movement it provides over a sleeping bag. Even with it being a normal size (I am 178 tall, so 5cm/2 inches from the max for this quilt, but i also would advice people over 180/5,11 to take the larger one). And it provides comfortable warmth right to the advertised point for me. I think that is due to the extra baffle tugging inside from the pad attachment points that apparently block out all prossible drafts.
Now i am just one person and other peoples experiences might vary but i think its logical. I've seen a lot of people complaining about drafts with quilts that attach on the end and i can totally see it. This would be my main condern in buying a quilt.
Of course a bigger quilt will not be less comfortable but it will be heavier and less warm and i my experience comfort was great with a fitting quilt already.
Careful with that Vesper, mine ripped at the V leading into the foot box and I woke up in an expensive down wonderland and it wasn’t even 6 months old. UGQ’s are much more durable for not much more money.
@@InimitaPaul that doesn't sound good. I've been wondering why no one seems to use them in the US. But since i'm from europe the options are more slim. I also think they have a good warranty but i am not quite sure.
Do you know if this is a coomon occurance? The fabric is crazy thin, i am definitley very careful with it. But of course a rip can happen no matter what. I think some other quilts actually feature 7D materials so i figured the 10D would be ok 😂
@@jonathankobbe6073 I’m in Europe too (UK), getting the UGQ Bandit through customs cost a small fortune. What happened with mine was side sleeping in the fetal position and then stretching out my legs as I switched position and catching a foot in the V while anchoring the upper part of the quilt to the pad with my body, but being half asleep I pushed into it not realising what I was doing and that’s what did it. Completely my fault and it’s not something I’ve heard anyone else mention but that V is very fragile, it really didn’t take much force at all to rip it. They are lovely and warm though, I used black Gorilla duct tape to seal it (huge rip) and it’s now my couch quilt, works great on the La-z-boy. The duct tape looks terrible but it’s on the bottom so not really visible most of the time.
@@InimitaPaul i think/hope that i don't move that much when sleeping, i'll have to look at that spot. Maybe it's even possible to preamptively strengthen it somehow, idk. Thanks for the heads up anyway.
What how much do you have to pay on top for imports? At least for tents it's 33% on top to germany 😵💫
@@jonathankobbe6073 Damn! 33% is crazy! I thought 20% was bad, no wonder you don’t import from the US. Good luck with the quilt, for the price Thermarest charge for a new one it would be well worth running a few more stitches through the V with some more substantial thread. Best of luck bro.
Did you get the wide or extra wide on their website?
For the UGQ I got the Wide, the 60” width.
Great video! Awesome advice on quilts. Crow
I've never had an issue with my quilts just because I always got bigger than what I was supposed to get anyways. I am 6ft3in 210lbs and move alot while being a side sleeper. For comparison. My EE 0 degree quilt 950fill is Long/Xwide and custom made for $605 and weighs 34oz. A zen bivy setup for my size and their lowest temp setup option (10 degree limit temp) comes in at $928 and weighs 41oz. The EE also packs down smaller than the zenbivy quilt and sheet combined. I've never had a cold draft in my quilt in the single digits and I was plenty warm. You can use their pad straps in any way you want to prevent drafts and hug your body so I get all that and 20 extra degrees of warmth for a better deal. I am sure something like the zen bivy is comfortable but I don't have issues with my current setup.
Quite a survey. Thank-you. I don't know if you mentioned if you were a cold or hot sleeper? I'm a HOT sleeper and constantly sticking my feet out of the bottom of my sleeping bag and/or venting, be it a light Penguin summer or my COOP Swan Mummy. I just bought a MEC Talon 0ºC Quilt to go with my short TR Neo XLite. Whereas my wife was a very COLD sleeper and required two sleeping bags if it was a late summer early fall.
Does that pad fit in the TarpTent that I see behind you?😊
That’s the Moment DW. It does, but it’s tight.
Have you looked into false-bottom sleeping bags like the Cumulus Aerial?
I have. Love the Cumulus products.
Still can’t beat HG for price vs quality. If you sleep on the ground go for the wide quilt.
Here is an old saying that people should remember
"A blanket underneath is worth two on top"
If you forget the insulation underneath yourself, you will get extremely cold.
I've never been interested in quilts/hammock sleep systems. Hammocks in the backyard are the only ones I've ever stretched out on in hot weather when shaded.
The tent in the background is a look-a-like, wanna be Hilleberg Enan, but it ain't - The Enan pole is inside a sleeve.
Warm Regards from nearby Reno, Nevada
If you don't have a bottom quilt hanging under your hammock to match the top quilt, you don't have a top quilt, you just have a quilt.
Semantics… the quilt goes on top of me, therefore, top quilt.
@@BackcountryExposure kek
We forgive you Devin Indoors!
Quilts Blow !
Let's reinvent the wheel shal we.
In quilts we trust!!!😅
Looking forward the 2024/25 sleeping bag review
Western Mountaineering Megalite works great and I sleep in my stomach. Weight about the same as this so why change
Great ViD, Peace!
Great video. My comfort quilt is a UGQ 20 with all the bells and whistles that you mention. It was my first quilt and so was a great entry into the world of quilts. It's comfortable all the way down to its 20 degree rating. I'm not as much of an active sleeper, so I'm able to size smaller and not feel constricted. I am a side sleeper and switch sides 3-4 times over the night, but it's not a constant toss and turn. For this reason, I'm also able to use the 20" pads to save weight.
For me, aged 56, and really trying to push miles, weight is very important to a functional and enjoyable experience. So I've recently been using the Zpacks 30-degree quilt when the conditions allow. I have to dual-purpose my layering system to get comfortably to 30 degrees, and the Zpacks definitely has its share of trade-offs compared with the UGQ, but it does come at an 11oz weight savings which is significant.
Additionally, I've completed my quilt selection with a 50 degree Enlightened Revelation Apex synthetic. This way I have all four seasons well covered. The EE+UGQ make an effective winter combo that gets me down to the low teens, with the synthetic EE on the outside that protects the UGQ down from condensation. The UGQ is my comfortable deep 3-season option. The Zpacks is a more moderate 3-season option when I'm trying to really dial in weight. And the EE by itself is perfect for casual Appalachian summer trips.
Ultimately, backpacking is about making tradeoffs to optimize your load-out to help you achieve what you want out of your experience. On trips where I want more comfort, I use the UGQ. On trips where I am pushing my limits, I use the Zpacks as part of.a more dialed in kit.
That Apache bag behind you blows quilts away and it weighs 2lbs of safety.....and you can leave its zipper open and use it like a quilt when warm enough..... I've never understood the quilt craze.
This completely goes against all the principles of selecting a proper sleeping bag. I’d have to spend $1,037 to get a Zenbivy that’s the exact same weight as what I have. 🤦♂️
GramXpert eLite. Also don’t get any quilts with an sewn closed footbox. Should open up totally flat if you want to use it that way.
I love having a sewn footbox. I don't tend to be in temps though that warrant opening up my bag/quilt completely like a blanket.
Lots of these quilts are made for hammocks, not tents. The quilt i use in my hammock is different than my ground quilt.
doesn't it looks like for you that this system is now just a wide sleeping bag?
You could argue that’s the case. Ha ha.
@@BackcountryExposure Also, do you think the weight of the quilt will be the same as the sleeping bag now? Because this weight will be distributed on the sides instead of the back.
@@BackcountryExposure One more question: Do you know if any RUclipsrs are selling some of their equipment after they have done reviews on it?
I was thinking my grandma’s red white and blue knitted quilt. 😂
Ha, the main complaint from the quilt users is that sleeping bags are constricting, well not for everyone, I love the coziness of sleeping bags and actually sometimes sleep in them at home on my bed and if I'm too hot I open the zipper. Just the zipping up my bag gives me feeling of warmth and comfort, while sleeping in the quilt(which I have done many times) is either constant struggle with drafts or restlessness from fear of getting one, so we are all different 😂
Why don’t they just make a big/wide bag with a false bottom…meaning just like a 15D bottom with no down or anything so there are no drafts? Simplifying the whole thing while keeping it light. I’ve seen a few false bottom bags but the still looked a little to narrow. I’m leaning towards the WM Terralite because it’s a big wide bag and only weighs 2lbs. I currently have the Nemo Disco 15 which I love but it’s just over 3 lbs. I’m a side sleeper.
I think the Big Agnes Diamond Park is within that realm, and also the Sierra Designs backcountry bed and cloud.
There is a reason they put zippers on sleeping bags. A quilt is a sleeping bag without a zipper. I don't get it. Seems like a marketing ploy to get people with a perfectly good sleeping bag to buy more shit.
The zenbivy system just looks like a hassle even if it works
Great advice. Prioritize function over weight savings.
👊🏻
I just sleep in a burlap sack. It’s good enough for potatoes, it’s good enough for me.
realistically, I don't think quilts will work out that well for active sleepers. Even with a wide quilt and pad straps, active sleepers will be exposed to drafts
Guess that’s where zenbivy shines with the sheet system.
@@BackcountryExposure 100%.
So… basically fit and function are essential… isn’t that pure logic?
As a side sleeper that tosses and turns, it’s the whole reason I use l sleeping bags. Not a narrow style mummy, but one with extra space. Result is that I can toss and turn, no drafts, less weight than any comparable sized quilt and usable at a wider temperature range by using it as a blanket or a bag.
It is logic, however, within the backpacking world, the weight of gear has become such a hyper focus for people that they forget to prioritize function first.
I feel quilts are for hammocks. When I'm forced to ground camp I want a full bag.
yeah we all have different preferences based on how we sleep and where we live too. :)
People immediately blame the bag/quilt if they get a cold sleep. I did and it was my pad!
👍🏻👍🏻
Big Agnes catching blows.
Just telling it like it is.
So, basically a loose fitting sleeping bag and not truly a quilt
🤷🏻♂️ if someone 6’ tall and 250 pounds gets into it, does it then become a quilt?
Sleeping bags are way too confining for me. Will never go back.
Tha quilt is heavier than an Alpinlite and is still missing the hood!
It’s a good thing weight isn’t my primary concern. 😁
The Quilt and al the adjustments (wider/longer) are looking more and more like a sleeping bag.
I completely disagree with you, it's a shame that it didn't work for you, I love my Quilt 850 from UGQ 0 degrees and I used the measurement chart for the length and width to cover my head, I also ordered the straps, I'm always toasty even though I'm moving all night and I use the thermarest 6.9 mattress, I would die in a sleeping bag 1 because of the weight 2 claustrophobia and not being able to move.
Totally respect that, and appreciate you sharing that perspective. Sleep is subjective and different for everyone. These are the changes that have made the difference for me.
I got a Wiggy bag made for a fat lady. Can roll around easily in the mummy shape.
Sounds like you didnt do your research for years
Davis John Jones Richard Allen Angela
It's that time of year again. When all the camping influencers come out of hibernation and tell you how to sleep.
Quilts are so lame. Just pony up the money and get a solid sleeping bag and call it a day.
Jackson Carol Johnson Kimberly Miller Elizabeth
Katabatic is the silent king of Quilts 💪
I'd love to try one of their quilts at some point.
It must be nice to have thousands of dollars to burn on high end quilts that you just toss aside. What's that like?
+1 on UGQ. The Cadillac of quilts.
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