Down quilts vs. Sleeping bags need opinion?

[edwardowen26]

Hi,

Just new here but seemed like a good forum to ask around. I am trekking quite often and usually only 1-2 day hikes in Germany spring and summer. Temperature at night ranges between -5-10 degrees centigrades.

Usually I just find a tree, shelter or rock overhang to camp quickly under as I try to keep light without a tent. I have a good sleeping mat but feel restrictive and when it comes to the sleeping bag, as sometimes I want to be quick at foot rather wiggling in and out of a bag. So thinking a quilt would be a good alternative to throw over either with or without clothing.

So need opinions on quilts, is warmth affected alot when not wrapped so much around you, even with a good pad? any other drawbacks? Can one go for cheaper options, and what is the difference in good quality blankets and what fills are good for the above temperature.

Looked at the below on amazon but need help to find differences and recommendation.

https://www.facebook.com/ZPacks/ expensive but seems professional
https://www.facebook.com/EnlightenedEquipment/ same as above, but has strings and attchements
https://www.facebook.com/arcticwavesdowngear/ good price for the down fill, but looks like a new unknown brand but is on amazon though
https://www.facebook.com/gorumpl/ seems thin and synthetic fill, maybe just for home and caravans

Grateful for help and ideas on what to choose?

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

you need a swag...that's Australian for "bedroll". in the US, a bedroll would be a canvas wrap, for your blanket and you. basically, it is a tarp, folded around a blanket, and/or pad, and rolled up and tied to your saddle, pack, or bike. less of a cocoon than a sleeping bag. Many times used with wool blankets, or perhaps even down...

 

[Dissent]

I have a water resistant down rated to 20* quilt that I use for my 2 man tent I setup on my roof rack and when I use my Hennessey Hammock. I dont recall the brand but it was about $250-300 and is made for use in hammocks. It has a good size foot box, like a wide mummy bag about 18" deep. It has corner pockets to put your hands in to pull it up and under you. It also has a face cutout so you can pull it over you head and still breathe like a mummy bag. You can even use it sitting in a chair. I love it and its very comfortable down to freezing temps. Its such a joy not having to deal with fighting a bag, especially in a hammock which is exhausting and frustrating.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

sounds almost too good to be true...got pics?

 

[Dissent]

I know, its amazing!

I found the link: Backcountry Quilt 700 / 15 Degree

 

[edwardowen26]

Thank you, the swag seems a bit excessive but like the backcountry style quilt.

 

[ITRJ]

A zip up sleeping bag will be warmer than a quilt. It's important to use it properly though. You will be warmer wearing less clothes in your bag. I normally just wear base layers or underwear to bed. As for the bag, a down sleeping bag will be warmer, and compress more than synthetic, but loses all insulation ability if it gets wet. Synthetic will still keep you warm when wet so keep your climate in mind. As for a ground pad, I use a therm-a-rest air mattress. They pack up small and keep you off the cold ground.

 

[ITRJ]

A hammock might be a good option as well.

 

[JohnVee]

My wife has one of these and loves it. I'm going to get something similar from another brand very soon.

Revelation

 

[Dissent]

I typically sleep in underwear or gym shorts with only my quilt and the Big Agnes pad or in my Hennessey Hammock with the Reflectex pad and have been toasty to nearly freezing. Ill throw on a swearshirt and pants if it gets at or below freezing OR throw on a top fleece bag I picked up at Walmart.
That down makes all the difference.

 

[Kofoed]

I would hesitate using down-insulated products without weather protection (ie a tent in this case). That said, I'm not sure I think that the quilt is much of an improvement over a mummy bag. If it gets windy, the bag can be zipped. The old-style rectangular bags give more room.

Check these bivy sacks out. A friend swears by them, and has spent hours in a downpour and not gotten wet (claustrophobic is another issue lol)

Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy

 

[GeoRoss]

I hate sleeping bags. The only time I use one zipped up or even take one is if I know I'll be sleeping in really cold, <-20˚ temps. I used to just unzip my down bag and use it as a quilt and slept on a fleece blanket/liner. I now just mostly use a fleece blanket on the bottom and a fleece comforter from IKEA. A bit more bulky, but I sleep so much better. I've used this set up at 16,000 ft in the summer without trouble in a four season tent in well below zero conditions. I also use a good mat and sometimes two.

For making it weather resistant when not in a tent, just order up some gore-tex or like material and sew up a comforter cover. Add a tarp and you are set. When I backpack (not winter) I just take a sil-tarp, plastic groundcloth and either a bivy sack or a quilt with a weather proof cover.

 

[JohnVee]

Thanks to @snobdds, in a different thread from last year, I'll probably get a 20*F rectangular bag (with full wrap/2-side zipper) or a center zip bag from Wiggy's and use it as a blanket. I like to be warm but I usually don't have to deal with temps much lower than 32*F. The buddy heater can take care of any difference if the weather screws me.

 

[snobdds]

Thanks to @snobdds, in a different thread from last year, I'll probably get a 20*F rectangular bag (with full wrap/2-side zipper) or a center zip bag from Wiggy's and use it as a blanket. I like to be warm but I usually don't have to deal with temps much lower than 32*F. The buddy heater can take care of any difference if the weather screws me.

Very good choice. Buy once, cry once. It will serve you well.

 

[BMThiker]

Very good choice. Buy once, cry once. It will serve you well.

In the grand scheme of things, those prices are not that absurd.

We've gotten pretty good mileage out of two Alps Mountaineering 0 deg that I got on Steep and Cheap for less than $100 apiece. They are synthetic and extremely bulky, but they are rectangular and zip together to make a double wide that's nearly the area of a full size mattress. Perfect for car camping, err...overlanding.

For backpacking, I've got a 10 deg down bag from REI (it was on sale for ~$100, 20 years ago). I only use it when I'm soloing and concerned about pack weight.

 

[snobdds]

In the grand scheme of things, those prices are not that absurd.

We've gotten pretty good mileage out of two Alps Mountaineering 0 deg that I got on Steep and Cheap for less than $100 apiece. They are synthetic and extremely bulky, but they are rectangular and zip together to make a double wide that's nearly the area of a full size mattress. Perfect for car camping, err...overlanding.

For backpacking, I've got a 10 deg down bag from REI (it was on sale for ~$100, 20 years ago). I only use it when I'm soloing and concerned about pack weight.

Yes, now that I looked, the prices have really come down from when I ordered. I hope that means the quality has not gone down either, but looking at them I doubt it.

I have the bag system that is an inner bag and outer bag that can be combined to have a very low temperature rating. I only use that when i winter camp...it can be -20 out and you would never know it.

 

[half k cruiser]

I have the Cablea's 0* bag and its a big hit at my house. When not on trips it usually ends up unzipped and on the bed as a giant soft comforter. It is too big to carry around hiking if that's the plan. The higher temp bags should however be quite a bit lighter due to less filler material.

Pro's
-has a canvas exterior that won't abrade easily
-quilted interior is very soft and comfortable
- square cut and large, I personally don't like having my feet trapped down in the bottom of a mummy bag. This bag is large enough that at 6'2'' I can be fully in it, turn on my side, have my leg up, whatever.

Con's
-don't leave them too close to the exhaust on your 120 series. It will eventually burn a hole through the bag and you will be sad.

Sleeping Bags | Men's, Women's & Kids' Sleeping Bags

 

[80t0ylc]

Hi,

Just new here but seemed like a good forum to ask around. I am trekking quite often and usually only 1-2 day hikes in Germany spring and summer. Temperature at night ranges between -5-10 degrees centigrades.

Usually I just find a tree, shelter or rock overhang to camp quickly under as I try to keep light without a tent. I have a good sleeping mat but feel restrictive and when it comes to the sleeping bag, as sometimes I want to be quick at foot rather wiggling in and out of a bag. So thinking a quilt would be a good alternative to throw over either with or without clothing.

So need opinions on quilts, is warmth affected alot when not wrapped so much around you, even with a good pad? any other drawbacks? Can one go for cheaper options, and what is the difference in good quality blankets and what fills are good for the above temperature.......Grateful for help and ideas on what to choose?

It's best to keep the basics in mind. For comfortable sleeping, in cold weather, keep the "layer" of warmth next to your body. The less clothes on - the better. This will allow your body heat to be trapped around your body, not between other layers of clothing or blankets surrounding you. Because it's your body heat that is keeping you warm - not the insulation or multi-layers of whatever. If you can't retain the heat - it doesn't matter how many layers you're wrapped up in - your body heat will just be absorbed and dissipated into your sleeping clothes and bedding. So, it's that 1st layer that surrounds you that is most important. Yes, the insulation that you need from whatever temps in your immediate environment is also important. If you remember the "Space Blankets" that were the survival rage. That was how they worked - a thin, but effective barrier that reflected your body heat back to you. Only used for emergencies - not real comfortable - but that is the concept - efficient use of your own body heat for comfortable sleeping in cold weather. A quality sleeping bag, while confining, works well if you don't jump into it with a bunch of clothes on. Although, the initial shock of a cold bag on your bare skin will be eye opening, it will warm up quickly, be comfortable and stay that way. Of course, outdoor conditions like rain & wind that affect the condition of your bag must be considered. Synthetic vs down has already been mentioned. As far as quick mobility is concerned, you might need to sacrifice that for comfort.