Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Who's using a quilt?

Looking at an Enlightened Equipment down quilt. Getting kinda sold on the idea over waking up feeling like a Tootsie roll. Pretty much a side sleeper.

I started using a quilt in a hammock a decade ago. I've tried using a quilt on the ground over the past couple of years. IMO, they work well down to freezing without a lot of fuss. Below 40F, you need something thick and puffy on your head, a wool cap ain't enough. Jacks R'Better sells a down hood that rocks. The current version has the knew dry-down. They will ship you a piece of Omni-tape to sew to the collar of a vest. Such a setup is a huge first step in making a quilt work at lower temps.

UL hikers try to make every piece of gear multifunction, IE, only carry a heavy enough quilt for average conditions, and rely on your puffy clothing for the worst case.

I've used a quilt a pretty fair amount from temps from 40 ish to single digits. Below 32 they are not for everyone and can require certain techniques. Saving weight is good, but getting a goods night sleep is more important IMO. The higher end quilts like Katabatic cost what the higher end bags do and weigh not much less than some of the super light down bags. I have not tried the newer EE design , but like any bag, if it has enough loft, and the feathers stay put decently it should keep you warm as long as it is sized right (to often people buy to small a quilt and get drafty) and you are someone who can sleep well in a quilt. Tim's stuff is well made and priced competitively. A side sleeper likely has to concern themselves more with draft mitigation / sizing than a back sleeper.

One tip for side sleepers I've heard of but not tried is to sew some Omnitape on the side opposite of what you sleep on, IE, the one your back faces. and then glue a piece of Omnitape to the edge of your evazote mat and mate the two together. That eliminates "back drafts" supposedly.

I tried an EE quilt last fall and I'll never go back to a sleeping bag. I used one down to the single digits last year with a simple fleece hood. I've got two new ones that should be here on Monday.

I was under the impression that with a quilt, the "opening" would be on the pad side. So if you sleep on your left, the left shoulder would be open to the pad. No?

No, that is entirely up to you. You just have to figure out how to stay tucked, like I described. Some guys also use flat elastic under the pad.

The BEST solution, if it ain't sub-zero, and you have plenty of available trees, is to hang a hammock. That makes using a quilt a no-brainer.

If it ain't cold enough for a stove, it is warm enough for a hammock.

I'm 6'3" and I toss and turn all night. I got a long / wide EE and manage to keep it tucked under me fairly well. It has replaced my warmer weather bag, but I still have a 5� WM for cold weather.

This!

15 degrees or above I use my Go-lite quilt. For me much more comfortable than a bag.

Found a 30 degree EE at the 'slide, so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully well because I just sold my other two bags!!

I bought a 20 degree long from Kevin I hope this works as well because I sent the Helium back. Too Tight for me.

I use a MLD mountain laurel design quilt ,it has the Event fabric to help with moisture.
Between it and a WM Mitylite bag and down jacket -they make a good combo for me.

I got to test drive my new one this weekend, no regrets!

Mine showed up today. Man, have I been behind the times. At 1.6# the thing is impressive, can't wait to get out in it...

My quilt arrived yesterday as well. I am excited to give it a try. I cannot believe how warm and lightweight it is. I hope it is as an effective system as they claim. I don't know but I am going to give it a whirl.

I use a Kifaru Doobie Express as a top quilt by itself in a hammock down to freezing. When it is colder, I use it as an added elephant foot or temp extender to a lighter sleeping bag.

Of course, it's also my puffy for camp.


It's way too warm for late spring/summer so I switch out to a 782 Smoke Kloke and that also acts as my light rain poncho. It is much lighter and packs even smaller.

I was able to put my sleeping pad, Quilt and shelter in one compression bag.
MSR twin sisters with stake and footprint (no poles)
Big Agnes Q-core SL Pad
EE Rev Long Quilt
right at 6 lbs.
should be good to go in most fall conditions. I am sure this could be lighter but this is all pretty durable gear.