Most people head straight for the tent and sleeping bag when planning a camping trip. For most of my life I camped with a sleeping bag without much thought.
It wasn’t until I stumbled upon this Eagle Nest Outfitters Quilt at a garage sale that I realized just how wrong I was. Apparently the guy thought it was a sleeping bag. At a fraction of the price of a new quilt I figured I’d take a chance.
So Why Use a Backpacking Quilt?
If you’ve just recently learned about backpacking quilts you’re not alone. They’re mostly popular among the ultralight minimalist backpackers. So obviously quilts are much lighter than your traditional sleeping bag.
But you’re a cold sleeper, do you have to sacrifice warmth with a quilt? Since your body fully compresses the bottom of a sleeping bag it doesn’t really provide much warmth. So instead of carrying around all that extra fabric(that barely helps) pair it with a nice comfy sleeping pad.
Even the cheapest Therm-a-Rest Sleeping Pad will add more warmth and comfort than the bottom of a sleeping bag. Plus at only 14oz it’s far lighter than even the lightest sleeping bag.
Backpacking Quilt vs Sleeping Bag
Some people are always going to prefer a sleeping bag, but for the rest of us camping quilts are the perfect substitute. Unfortunately most of my life I could never quite get comfortable in a sleeping bag. It’s like trying to sleep with hospital corners at a hotel, I always felt restrained. Quilts offer the perfect substitute with very few drawbacks. So Why choose a quilt over a sleeping bag?
1. Lightweight
There’s a reason quilts are extremely popular in the ultralight community. They weigh about 3/4 of the weight of a traditional sleeping bag.
Why are quilts so much lighter? Quilts don’t have hoods and only have insulation on the top of the sleeping bag where it matters. You don’t really lose any insulation if you use a sleeping pad.
My quilt (Eagle Nest Outfitters) only weighs 27 oz which is much lighter than even the lightest sleeping bags. Granted it’s only rated to 40 degrees, but there are other options for cold weather. This Paria Outdoors Quilt is reasonably priced and perfect for cold weather.
Most of the time I pair my quilt with a Therm-a-Rest Sleeping Pad which adds a little weight. Even when paired with a pad it weighs in at less than 2lbs. With the added comfort I think it’s well worth the additional weight.
2. Quilts are Cheaper
Your average quilt is going to be a lot cheaper than a comparable sleeping bag. Without a zipper and less material they can significantly reduce the weight.
That being said top of the line quilts are still going to be expensive. With less options on the market and very few you’re probably going to spend minimum $100. As the temperature rating and weight drop the price is going to go up.
Most people that choose a quilt are doing it primarily to shed weight. Shedding a few pounds over a long hike is well worth the price in my opinion. If you’re serious about backpacking you’re probably willing to shell out a decent amount of cash on a good quilt. Spending a few extra bucks is well worth the additional years of service these quilts offer.
How Can You Save a Few Bucks?
You can save some cash by opting for synthetic over a down quilt. Synthetic quilts are a lot easier to take care of and handle moisture well. Just toss your synthetic quilt in the washing machine and you’ll be good to go. Follow my guide to washing your sleeping bag. That being said there’s definitely some advantages to a down quilt.
Down quilts are going to be a little bit warmer for the weight. The additional cost gets you a lighter bag that compresses down into a smaller package. Down will also keep its loft longer than comparable synthetics. Just make sure it doesn’t get water logged.
3. Quilts Take Up Less Space
Since a quilt is smaller than a traditional sleeping bag it will obviously take up less space. It won’t take as long to loft up after a long day. You’ll be able to get into your bag faster and get on with your evening.
Just like with a sleeping bag you shouldn’t leave your bag compressed for too long. Leaving a bag compressed will negatively impact the longevity of your quilt.
4. Quilts are Just as Warm as Sleeping Bags
Quilts are going to offer the same temperature ratings as a traditional sleeping bag. Throughout the past couple years companies have been creating lighter alternatives without sacrificing on warmth. High end quilts are going to offer excellent design and durability. They should be able to take years of abuse before needing to be replaced.
Modern camping quilts are designed to minimize drafts around its edges. You’ll still be able to move around without the worry of your sides getting exposed. The only downside is you don’t get the traditional hood found in most sleeping bags. So how do you keep your head warm at night? Just wear a winter hat or beanie overnight, it’s that simple.
On especially cold nights you might want to layer up to avoid additional heat loss. You shouldn’t have to bring an extra jacket. Just throw on an extra insulating layer that you already have packed.
5. Move Around a Bit
Do mummy style sleeping bags feel restrictive? Then you’re a good candidate for a camping quilt.
For some reason I can never stay in one spot when I sleep. Every night I’m tossing and turning throwing my blankets all over the place. So it’s no wonder traditional sleeping bags were never quite comfortable.
With a quilt your feet aren’t strapped in and you shouldn’t feel like your tied up in a straight jacket. I’m a side sleeper and the added flexibility really makes a huge difference in my nights sleep.
Can’t you just open up your sleeping bag and use it like a quilt? You can do this, but you won’t have the straps and attachment system that holds the quilt in place. Throughout the night you’ll end up feeling a chill as the bag works its way up over you.
6. Dog Friendly
This probably won’t apply to everybody, but the main reason I’ve been using a quilt is that they’re dog friendly. Everybody wants to keep their pup warm on those especially cold nights. There’s no way my 100+ lb boxer is going to squeeze his way inside my standard sleeping bag.
With a quilt just lift the side and there’s enough room for the both of you. Just remember to clip his nails so he doesn’t tear up the bottom of your tent.
Further Customize Your Backpacking Quilt For Added Warmth
- Use your quilt in combination with a high quality sleeping pad. I’ve had a lot of success with Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads over the years. A sleeping pad will both increase your comfort and make you a lot warmer throughout the night.
- Quilts don’t have a hood like a traditional sleeping bag. Protect your head and minimize heat loss by wearing a beanie overnight. On really cold nights you might want to go one step further and put on a balaclava.
- If you camp under a tarp or minimalist shelter take precautions to avoid drafts. Use a quilt with straps to secure your sleeping pad and quilt below you.
- Make sure you pay attention to the temperature rating of your quilt. You aren’t going to want a quilt rated to 10 degrees in the middle of the summer. Instead opt for a light weight 40 degree rated quilt.
- On especially cold nights use the straps for added warmth. Most quilts have straps so that they can be used like a traditional sleeping bag. The straps should also be used to minimize drafts throughout the night.