Any quilt users?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Although fairly common for the hammock brigade to use quilts, do any ground dwellers use one?

I've been using one for quite a while now. I've tried both synthetic and down ... the synthetic one is rated to -5 and packs to about half the size of a 'normal' synthetic bag with the same rating and tips the scales at 1kg. My down quilt is a Go-lite Ultra 20 which is rated to -7(although I'm slightly sceptical), weighs just over 550g and packs to the size of an average decent down jacket.

Besides the obvious weight/bulk benefits there's also the fact that they really suit 'side sleepers'. I find it's quite easy to get tangled up in a normal bag and often wake with the hood above me ... must be all the tossing and turning Some of the stuff produced by the 'cottage' industry in the US looks superb. Using 10d/15d fabrics and 900 fill power down they're producing stuff that we'd possibly consider to be winter bags with weights of less than 500g!

If anyone from AlpKits's listening, can we have a PD600 quilt please, ta.

[pedalhead]

I've been thinking about going with a quilt though haven't been brave enough to stump up the cash yet, particularly as I already have a couple of really nice sleeping bags. I'm also a side sleeper though, which is what's got me thinking about quilts. Do you think the comfort benefits are worth it even if you don't save much weight in the process?

[didnothingfatal]

Quilts are better I think, but then I went and got a 900 fill Marmot bag which kinda became the go to bag over my GoLite quilt. The worst thing about a quilt is getting a sleeping mat that feels good, the Neo XLite is horrible IMO

[pedalhead]

hmm good point about the mat. I reckon my Neoair (older one) would be a bit sticky against bare skin.

[Bearbonesnorm]

hmm good point about the mat. I reckon my Neoair (older one) would be a bit sticky against bare skin.

Some people pay good money for that feeling

My present mat of choice is an Exped Synmat UL, feels fine against my soft, delicate skin and being a PORG means that the short length is more full length on me

The feeling of not being trussed up is great ... although again, people pay good money for that!

[Taylor]

hmm good point about the mat. I reckon my Neoair (older one) would be a bit sticky against bare skin.

http://cascadedesigns.com/en/therm-a-re ... et/product

[pedalhead]

Crikey, Thermarest really do make everything don't they! The ultralight geek in me couldn't possibly bring a 180g sheet on a bikepacking trip though

[Bearbonesnorm]

Just for anyone who might be considering dipping a toe, you could do worse than look here - http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/revelationx.html

I'm liking the look of the Revelation X ... Reg length (6') in wide (plenty to tuck in) rated down to -17 comes in at around £135 and 850g.

Cuben quilts are also available for those with deep pockets

[pedalhead]

you had to go & post that link didn't you...

[pedalhead]

Dummy quilt question...If you're using a quilt in winter temperatures, I guess the sleeping mat becomes the weak (cold) link..?

Obviously the bottom of a normal sleeping bag is squashed when in use but I guess there's still some insulation going on there, whereas with the quilt you're totally reliant on your mat. Not sure I'd trust the Neoair to keep me warm much below zero so I could end up having to get a new mat if I went for a quilt for winter camping. Any thoughts, quilt geeks?

[Taylor]

The original Neoair's weren't designed for winter camping. They've now got an ALL SEASON NEOAIR.

[Bearbonesnorm]

There's meant to be a UL Downmat coming out ... seventy quid (ish)

[pedalhead]

Hmm I can see this getting expensive!

[Taylor]

Or there's the Exped down mat UL,
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf

[didnothingfatal]

I have a down mat, great bit of gear, but if the temp is warranting a down mat I'll be using a suitable bag, used the quilt in autumn, but think a sleeping bag is better in winter, I like pulling the hood over.

Cuben quilt, well if someone can point me in the direction of a down source I can knock one up.

[Cheeky Monkey]

I bet Matt at UKhammocks would knock you up a quilt.

The material he used for my UQ is fantastic, incredibly lightweight and feels very nice.

I had an animated discussion with someone about quilts last time. Being a hot (and sweaty sleeper) the idea of sleeping directly on top of most mats is unappealing. Although I guess there'll usually be some amount of clothing which should reduce the unpleasantness. Not that there is any way in the world I'm buying anything more (unless my mad idea for a TQ using Matt's stock of lovely green stuff comes off - Down jacket compatible TQ - it's the future ;-).

[pedalhead]

Well I'm giving it a go. I've ordered a 10 deg 30% overstuffed wide quilt from enLIGHTened. The owner (Tim) was super quick to answer my emails & very helpful. The hardest bit was choosing the colours. I was really tempted by the orange but went for boring old olive green outside with grey inside for stealth.

[Taylor]

Is that 10 degree as in C or F?

[Bearbonesnorm]

olive green outside with grey inside for stealth.

If it were black it'd dry quicker.

[pedalhead]

Yeah thought about that but I'm a tart & want it to look at least a little pretty

[pedalhead]

10 degree F, -12c. The overfill brings it down to almost zero F, -17c

[didnothingfatal]

You going somewhere cold or do you know something about our forthcoming winter

[pedalhead]

haha well I've got nice +5 and 0c bags already so I figured this one might as well cover the proper cold stuff :D

[didnothingfatal]

You now need the matching fat bike :)

[pedalhead]

hmm I like your style :D