Why I Stopped Using Quilts For Backpacking

Western Mountaineering bags, only way to go.

You just had the wrong quilt maybe even wrong size. I never bought a quilt, i have only every made my own. But i have elasticated edges i can tension it as i need around my sides. I camp in the uk tough conditions down to -10c in my quilts no problem no drafts.
Sleeping bags are fine i have one but dont use it much. The main thing for me is weight and more important pack size. A bag with a comfort rating of -10c is very expensive, heavy and massive pack size.

Totally agree! The whole "the insulation beneath you is crushed so it's useless!" argument is a flawed oversimplification. That concept is partially correct, but humans aren't built like bricks where weight is distributed evenly across the entire surface of the body. Our body is generally rounded (torso, legs, arms, head, etc.) and certain areas apply far more pressure than others (hips, butt, upper back, etc.). This means the down along the edges of your body still does have some loft, even if it isn't 100% lofted like the down on top of you, it's still helping to seal in heat just as you mentioned. I think, in reality, the material under you is not as necessary as that on top of you, but it is still a step warmer than sleeping directly on the pad. Quilts can still be very useful for some people, but I don't think it's as simple as "sleeping bags are dumb because the down underneath you is useless!"

Good stuff man!

I agree with this I took my Revelation APEX into admittedly sub zero temps and I froze. An equivalent sleeping bag would have been far better. Quilts were developed for hammock camping and to be used with an under-quilt. The entire concept of straps and bungees are a patch to allow the market to open up to ground sleepers but clearly remain "off label" use. Some may find that they work on the ground, I certainly don't.
Additionally your point about being married to gear and certain dogmas is very relevant.

The problem with zippers is They ALWAYS break regardless the cost of the bag, i got tired of returning them . Zippers Suck!

It you want more space the Nemo Disco is designed for that. 15 degree works well for most occasions. I flip flop sides with no issues and im 6’2 / 215lbs. If you do one of those complicated Zenbivy “sleep systems” it weighs about the same so I don’t get the hype. I think the only reason to do a quilt is if you’re trying to fit it all in a Jansport book bag 😂. Glad to hear your review as I’ve always thought about the heat loss when moving around.

You miss the point. Not everyone sleeps the same. I could never sleep in a mummy bag and I'm too tall for regular ones. Quilts are the best thing for me

Every one to there own, but there's absolutely no flaws with a quilt. If your cold using a quilt then your either using the quilt outside of its specification, accompanying it with a pad that's not warm enough, or just using it incorrectly.

Полностью согласен с вами! 👍Спасибо за видео)

You need a high R value sleeping pad. Get a large quilt and use the straps to keep it on the warmer pad. My problem is the pillow sliding off. I’ve been looking into the ZenBivy sleep system. Its the same weight as my current set up. But check it out, I’m curious to hear your opinion on the ZenBivy

I just hate the feeling of being confined in a sleeping bag so much that a quilt is the only way to go for me. Putting the straps around the sleeping mat it's in no way comparable to the restrained feeling of a sleeping bag, and I stopped listening to your video the moment you compared it to a sleeping bag. Quilts just clearly aren't for you.

I have had the same sleeping bag my entire life, and it was a hand me down. 0 degree down bag, and it's still amazing. But I never liked how restrictive it was and how heavy it was. I'm kicking myself now for not realizing I could just unzip it and use it as a quilt/blanket. Since I've started doing that I've been sleeping so much better in the backcountry. But it's still to heavy, so that's why I'm shopping for a quilt. I've, kinda, tried quilts, and for me, they're a lot better.

I’m new to backpacking. In fact, I just bought a bunch of gear and I’m still waiting to take my first trip. The last thing I have to purchase is either a sleeping bag or a quilt. I’ve never cared much for sleeping bags when I’ve gone camping, and in bed I’m constantly taking cover on and off to regulate heat. And my feet get really hot. So I’ve been leaning towards the quilt. But during the cold months I would want a sleeping bag. So I may just go with a bag to save money and not buy two systems.

I've just watched two videos. One by a backpacker who always uses a quilt and this video.

The other video said that quilts aren't for everyone and explained both the pros and cons of them. He explained why they work for him and why they may not work for others.

Your video seems to only give one side of the argument. You say that it's not as good as a sleeping bag and give a list of reasons why. The only time you highlight others comments of the benefits of quilts is to refute them. I believe you're overlooking that you sleep comfortably in a sleeping bag anyway. For someone who struggles to sleep comfortably in a sleeping bag a quilt can definitely be a better option. The negatives of possible drafts can be less of an issue than the uncomfortableness some people suffer in a sleeping bag.

I do agree that people just jumping on the band wagon to save a few grams when they can sleep fine in a sleeping bag are making a bad decision though.

Similar experience here. When I'm on the ground (and not in a hammock), I use a FF Vireo. 16oz, 25 deg with a jacket (which I already bring), and most important, no attached hood. Hat or balaclava instead. No drafts, no pad cords, no straps, and lighter than a quilt. Also check out the FF Tanager, which doesn't require as large a jacket as the Vireo.

I'm thinking about trying out a quilt but the price tag is making me question that thought. I just don't know what I'm going to get with a quilt and that unknown factor is what us keeping me from buying one.

removes quilt system from cart 😮

Sleeping bag for me. I have been camping in below freezing conditions. Nothing is better than zipping yourself up in your mummy bag and not having a draft. A quilt might be good in higher temperatures. But for cold temps. A bag is way better. But thats my opinion.

Your points are well made. Quilts over sleeping bags have almost become an orthodoxy amongst serious hikers. I’ve always disliked the restrictive feeling of sleeping bags, particularly mummy bags. I’m a side sleeper and tend to run hot at night so would open up sleeping bags like a quilt. I eventually moved over to quilts. For two or three season weather in northern latitudes quilts are a better choice for me. However, for winter trekking or hiking, I don’t think I’d risk a quilt - better a down mummy bag with guaranteed warmth no matter how restrictive. Besides, I dislike the fiddle nature of the quilt straps and cords - maybe it’s just me and I need to practice the setup more. And on the subject of equipment orthodoxy, merino first layers have people raving and indeed they are warm but the itch drives me crazy (that includes Smart Wool and Icebreaker products) and I have gone back to synthetics.

Cobble together what you can within your budget, but never compromise your health, your life. If you need to carry a few more pounds then do it. Better to get warm cozy sleep than tossing from the cold.

I've always feeled cramped and unable to find a comfortable sleeping position in a sleeping bag. Switching to an extra wide sleeping pad and a quilt did wonders for my sleep. My son who is 4 is the same. Hates being confined. We tried 2 nights of screming until we figured out that he hated the sleeping bag. As soon as we opened it up and used it as a quilt he slept but kept waking from being cold (it was raining and roughly 12 degrees out). Switched to a quilt that I strapped in properly and suddenly tent nights with kids is a piece of cake.

I love that there now is a choice. It used to be only sleeping bags!

Well, i hope not be the last comment. So, i always hike with a sleeping bag, i just love it, i don't have the claustrophobic sensation that other people have, in fact when it's chilly i like to fully close the strap of the hoodie and stay in there. I never had the chance to use a quilt (at least in Buenos Aires we don't have that gear) but i saw a video of a men making a synthetic quilt from Apex Climashield and i want to do it cauz i love MYOG. My concern is that i'm going to a mid mountain (2.700 mts) in winter and i'm not able to buy a 20/25 degree sleeping bag and the synthetic quilt is easy to make, so i may have a wrong decision? i don't know...

I understand the idea of fastening the quilt to the sleeping pad though. I move around a lot in my bag and always wake up either laying on the zipper, or having flipped the bag entirely. Having the sides of a quilt stuck to the sides of the pad would minimize that problem. You'd rotate underneath the quilt, and not with it. Would love to try one out. But $$$...

how about sleeping bag quilts? Its a quilt that can be zipped up like a sleeping bag.. I have one and its great.

So why manufactures make sleeping bags with just fabric only on bottom?

I'd be interested to know what proportion of viewers use a liner in their sleep system. If you believe that washing gradually destroys a bag/quilt you'd be a fool not to. Obviously this would totally change the 'comfort' advantages of a quilt Vs bag...

Love using my 20 degree quilt for long hikes (60-200 miles) in summer with thermarest xlite. Mummy bag for short winter hikes 3-20 miles with xtherm pad. I have use my quilt in winter once and it was fine but it was at max 30 degrees. So a bit warmer! This year I took the quilt out and it was like 24 and it was cold af. Haha!

I find it interesting that a lot of people look at quilts as an "evolution" of the sleeping bag. But what did sleeping bags "evolve" from, I wonder?

What does everything for me is my ksb 0° oversized sleeping bag it has stretch baffles to make room I think it's the best bag I've ever had and will never go back to a quilt that was a great video I totally agree with you keep up the good work

Quilts for me are all about weight, freedom of movement is second thought but I really appreciate it. I have used it 200 nights plus over a couple winter trips and mountaineering at 20000ft in the Andes and it has kept me warm even when fully damp.

I credit my use of a bivy bag (OR Interstellar) to this performance because it is an enclosed tiny space with minimal draft potential. So the combo of a UL quilt + UL shelter is what makes it work for me.

I made my own 0F quilt. It weights 1kg and it cost me about 230$, anything comparable in terms of weight and warmth is about 800$+

The fabric under you in a sleeping bag is not useless, it keeps drafts from coming in. You can partially solve that by using a sleeping bag liner. Or like me, just use a proper quilt setup, like the Quechua sleep-in :)
Edit: 100€ for the pad and quilt combo

As a person who has watched WAAAAY too many backpacking gear videos during the pandemic I just want to say: Thank you! I, for one, frankly admit to being too easily influenced by gear nuts and not letting my own common sense prevail. It has cost me, both financially and physically. So now I am constantly asking myself: why is this product that cost $100 better than what I already own and cost me $20 at (OMG!) Walmart?

I am a winter camper and canoe camper, so weight and volume are not a big consideration for me. i am either paddling, or pulling a sled, so the extra few ounces are inconsequential to me. like you, i am interested in trying new sleep system out of curiosity. i have read that the quilts are less restrictive for side sleepers like me. on a cold night, i would probably not rely solely on a quilt but for later summer/early fall, it can be a good choice. thanks for the video and for your candour. everything that you said made sense to me.

Great video on why someone may want the bag over quilt.

I’ll throw in my own two cents.
As a heftier individual who tosses and turns and side sleeps, the typical mummy felt so constraining and claustrophobic. I got my quilt for rim-to-rim Grand Canyon backpacking and it worked very well.

I’ll agree the idea of switching just to switch is silly, and the weight benefits of the quilt might not be that meaningful, particularly as you get into colder temps. Even with pad straps, the quilt just feels better, less claustrophobic. I think that’s probably a better reason (imho) than saving some ounces.

That said, bags probably work fine for most.

i dont get the quilt thing. Flattened insulation is still insulation. I've never seen a lofted goose or duck, and wool is pretty compact too.Youre still insulated from the floor by your pad. Bags seal in the warmth and i still move around in a bad and I'm a front sleeper. Even when im using a quilt in bed I still wrap it around me like a bag so the colder air doesnt get in.

Cuz people that go ultra lighter snobs it is they're clicky and weird Just bring a sleeping bag like a normal human being
sleep tight

I have three quilts. I really want a western mountaineering -10. The quilt I pair up with a bivy bag and a light weight synthetic blanket. Have been winter camping with it and it helps me with the claustrophobia of a bag and I still stay very warm. Granted I’m carrying more than a standard bag, I never got into quilts to save weight just comfort ability to move around. The bivy keeps out the drafts and the synthetic blanket helps manage moisture.

Like everything else, hiking gear is bought in "the fog of consumerism". See George Carlin's bit on "STUFF". I bought an expensive down bag years ago and don't want to invest in any more junk. It is too claustrophobic for me because I bought the tight girth in order to save weight. So I am going to use it as quilt and see how that works out...

Yeah the crushed insulation argument never made sense. To start out with I don't sleep on the ground. Hammock or on a pile of pine boughs. Even then there was always a pallet or pad of some sort. I can't remember the name of the bag i had but the best ones have like triple the insulation on the bottom side if they are meant to not use a pallet under them.

I didn't know how much sleeping bags sucked until ultralighters began to point it out (sarcasm). I think quilts make sense for warmer conditions, but anything sub-freezing (sub-32 degrees) and the last thing I'm thinking about is saving a few ounces. I'm thinking about sleeping comfortably and not waking up at 2:00 in the morning freezing.

I've LITERALLY been sleeping in my -10 MSS Arctic sleeping bag "in" my bed every night for over a decade. Guess what? I've been sleeping with it upside down (zipper side down, fully open) before quilts became a thing. I've done -15 in just this bag and have slept like a baby.

Fads are "fads" for a reason. I'm not against new & improved stuff, but for me, quilts are ideal for 40 & up.

I also run the Kuiu 30 degree bag. I tend to sleep hot and often sleep with it unzipped (quilt style) but it’s nice to have the insurance of containing body heat.

Over-rated? Yes.For years-when I am too warm i unzip my down bag until i have a “foot bag” and move it up like a quilt/blanket. But am i going to give up my zizzou dri down bag? Ha! No need and no desire. Thanks for the video n sharing.

The alpinists who go to the himalayas, say Mount Everest, would NEVER use a quilt ! There is a very good reason for that ! Thank you !

When it's really cold ..over stuffed 32.5 oz. Western mountaineering Tera Lite (non mummy bag) awesome bag.. when it's not cold.. Alpine Ridge 15 oz down blanket.. and always a wool base layer..( Pacific Northwest).. but never a mummy bag.. tried thermarest Hyperion 20..very much sucked.. I need to move

I was angry at first, but now after hearing this and reading a couple comments, I reluctantly concede that you may be right. I'm going to look into sleeping bags and quilts now to see what will work best for me.

If you have big shoulders and you're a side sleeping, bags are pretty much unusable. Quilts even with straps have wayyy more vertical space.

Great video! I am buying my first backpacking purpose bag/quilt and have been shopping between the two for a couple of months, trying to decide which to go for. You've raised some hugely valid points that just didn't occur to me on the face of it. Thanks for saving me from investing my money in a quilt, which I don't feel is right for me at all anymore.

i've never felt a draft of any kind in my bag. why would i introduce that risk to save a couple ounces?

The one thing I haven't heard a single person mention is the fact that the bottom of a sleeping bag not only adds insulation but also padding. To me the extra cushion I get from my sleeping bag makes my sleeping pad twice as comfortable.