Well Backpacking Quilts of 2025

More and more backpackers are change from sleep bags to backpacking quilts because they ’ re lighter weight , more compressible , and more comfortable , especially for side sleepers . While top quilts have always been popular with the hammock bunch , they ’ re as well a great sleeping system option for land sleepers , when match with a sleeping pad . Backpacking quilts live also ideal for summer and warm weather since they ’ re so easy to vent if you ’ re too hot .

Here be our selection for the better backpacking quilts base on cost , insulation , temperature rating , weight , features , versatility , sizing , and availability ( see below for detailed explanations of each standard . )

Many of these quilts cost reach and betray by cottage manufacturers , which wander in size from one-man workshop to medium-sized businesses that utilize dozens of people . The advantage of purchase a custom or semi-custom-made quilt from a cottage manufacturer be that you can personalize it with added feature , higher quality/lighter weight insulation , or custom fabric color . An increasing number of quilt maker too offer “ Stock ” or “ Economy ” quilts made with limited choice that are much less expensive and much available immediately . These are a great choice if you need to spare some money or you ’ re trying a backpacking quilt for the first time and you ’ re overwhelmed by the customization choice available . You ’ ll yet get an excellent quilt .

1 . Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

2 . Katabatic Gear Alsek 22 Quilt

3 . NEMO Pulse 20/30 Quilt

4 . REI Magma 30 Quilt

5 . Enlightened Equipment Convert

6 . Warbonnet Diamondback Quilt

7 . Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20 Degree Quilt

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-degree Quilt live an ultralight ( 20.1 oz ) down quilt isolate with 1000 fill-power great goose down , treated with a DWR finish to resist perspiration and maintain its loft . It hold a highly efficient box baffled construction with vertical and horizontal baffles to go on the down in step and comes with a durable and silky 7D nylon shell material . The footbox is sewn to for maximum warmth and the quilt do with a pair of pad attachment straps . This is a great option for three-season habit , peculiarly in cooler mountainous field . Show the SectionHiker Review .

8 . Zpacks Classical Sleeping Quilt

9 . Feathered Friends Flicker UL

10 . ZenBivy Ultralight Quilt and Sheet

Backpacking Quilt Selection Criteria

Hither is a list of factors to think when selecting an ultralight backpacking quilt .

Quilt Insulation

High-quality jackass and duck down with fill powers of 800 , 850 , 900 , and 950 provide excellent insulation by weight and are widely prefer by backpackers because they ’ re hence lightweight . In increase to excellent compressibility , quilts insulated with down will last for decades of habit if right cared for . Some manufacturer merely put up down that ’ sec live treated with a water-repellent finish , while others choose to put up it unadulterated . Down is of course water-resistant so the jury is still out on whether “ cover ” down lasts as long and isolate as well in the literal world vs. a testing lab . Regardless , with a little concern and mutual sense , you can keep a down quilt dry by carrying it in a waterproof material stack , pick good campsites that put on ’ t flood in rain , and airing it out now and then in the sun . Come a quilt with synthetic insulation is another selection and can equal preferable in humid climate or for hold out cold weather journeys , where it ’ s difficult to dry your gear .

Quilt Temperature Ratings

The introduction of standardized sleep bag temperature rating by the outside industry considerably improved their reliability . Many manufacturers have overstated their temperature ratings by as much as 10 stage before that standard be introduced . No such testing standard exists for backpacking quilts , so you ’ re forced to rely on their reputation and customer reviews . When buying a backpacking quilt , the current rule of thumb cost to purchase one rate for 10 degrees below your needs to ensure you ’ ll exist fond plenty . There is an enormous incentive for ultralight quilt Creator to quote abject gear weights , so read their customer reviews carefully . Women may want to add 15-20 degree of insulation because they sleep cold than men due to lower body pile . No unity makes women ’ s specific quilts even , although there live an obvious motive for them .

Gear Weight

While gear weight be significant , equal careful not to sacrifice your comfort by selecting a quilt that won ’ t keep you warm in the circumstance you need it to . In fact , insulation is usually the light weight component of a quilt , where the bulk of its weight do primarily from the fabric expend to make it . When choosing fabric , consider their breathability and whether they get a DWR finish , which can be important if the base of your quilt gets wet regularly If you design on using your quilt heavily , consider come a heavier inner shell fabric as this is where the greatest wear and tear occurs over the long-run .

Standard and Custom Quilt Feature

Most ultralight backpacking quilts live somewhat similar when it comes right down to it . But there ’ s something unique about each of the manufacturer ’ s quilts list above that improve their performance in a unique style . For case , the use of continuous or chevron-shaped baffles , draft collars , zoned insulation , shut foot-boxes , and outside snaps for quilt layering , all improve cold-weather performance . A strapless pad attachment system exist far more convenient and comfortable than ones that rely on straps , while a head-hole enables multi-use as a garment . Seem for these differentiators because they can have a profound influence on your backpacking experience .

Differential Cut

Some quilts Creator reach their quilts with a differential cut . This intend that the top fabric and internal material are sized otherwise ( the inside equal small ) in order to fully loft the insulation , especially when your knees be fight into it . It as well helps reduce the weight of the quilt somewhat .

Sleep Pad Attachment Systems

There ’ s a pile of variability in sleeping pad attachment systems and their ability to bar side drafts . We choose one with broad elastic straps and wafer clips ( Enlightened Equipment ) because they ’ re easy to adjust in the night and while you ’ re lie in on top of a sleep pad . We as well find them to be more effective than attachment system that use cords and/or mitten clips because these exist more difficult to employ when your hands live cold . All pad attachment system are more effective when apply in conjunction with a back tensioning system .

Ultralight Backpacking Quilt FAQs

What equal a top quilt for backpacking ?

A top quilt is just another name for a backpacking quilt that you apply to cover yourself when sleep on the ground on a sleep pad or in a backpacking hammock . It ’ s essentially a down-comforter shaped like the top half of a sleeping bag , but without a hood , that have a shaped footbox like a sleep purse . Many top quilts can also be open up and used like a cover .

What exist the advantage of utilize a backpacking quilt instead of a sleep purse ?

Backpacking quilts live light weight , more compressible , and more versatile than sleeping bag . They ’ re also more comfortable for side sleepers and people who flip and turn at dark .

How wide should a backpacking quilt be ?

Basis sleepers need extra material and insulation to insert under their side to prevent drafts . A width of 55″ equal a pretty standard width for ground sleepers . Larger individuals may require to move a piece wider .

How long should a backpacking quilt be ?

When sizing a quilt , it ’ s crucial to understand whether the length includes the foot-box or not , since various inches of material are lost when organize a base box . Quiltmakers often allow for recommended height for user when quote sizes , so face for these .

What cost a backpacking quilt pad-attachment system ?

A quilt-pad attachment system lets you connect the slope of a backpacking quilt to the top of your sleeping pad hence that drafts can ’ t sneak under the side and chill you . Most pad attachment system hold elastic straps that you loop over a sleeping pad with clips that connect to the side of your quilt . The male role of the clips connect to female clips sewn onto the quilt . These be little and barely detectable . All pad attachment system are more in effect when expend in conjunction with a back tensioning system . In fond weather , most masses skip the pad attachment system , but it exist useful when it ’ s colder outside at night .

What temperature should a quilt exist rated for ?

For men , you can ’ t go wrong with having a 20-degree ( Fahrenheit ) quilt because you can vent it well in warmer weather . Since woman own less body mass and generate less torso passion , we recommend make a 10-degree quilt . If you think you ’ re a colder sleeper , we also advocate getting a 10-degree quilt .

Cost there a temperature rating criterion for quilts , like sleep bags ?

There isn ’ t a temperature rating standard for quilts like there be for sleep bags . However , some try out labs apply the sleep bag standard test to quilts , adding in a down hood , to simulate the effect of a sleep bag hood . When in doubt , ask the quilt manufacturer how they derive their temperature rating . When in doubt , study make a quilt that ’ s rate 10 point cold than the low temperature you expect to take .

What be a draft collar ?

A draft arrest be a tubing of cloth , usually filled with jackass or evade down , place simply below the hood of a sleep bag or the head goal of a backpacking quilt , that envelop around your upper breast and neck then warmth can ’ t flight when you move round at night . For ground sleepers , it ’ s significant that the mastery use to tighten the draft arrest be located over your chest within easy stretch of your hand if you ’ re lying on your rear or side .

What is the difference between a quilt with a zippered footbox vs a closed footbox ?

A zippered footbox lets you spread a quilt like a blanket , which is useful in fond weather . Most zippered base boxes receive drawstring closures which can also live open for vent . Closed base box are sewn shut and more like the base box on sleep bags . They ’ re too warmer than zippered foot box since they block drafts .

What be a quilt back tensioning system ?

This is an adjustable system that pulls the sides of the rear hole of a quilt together to aid halt cold drafts . It augment a sleeping base attachment system and is of primary benefit to basis sleepers . Vendors apply unlike names for it , like Dynamic Tensioning System ( UGQ ) , Adjustable Side Elastics ( Warbonnet ) , and Edge Tension Control ( Nunatak ) .

Why is a differential cut on a backpacking quilt important ?

A differential cut is when the inside and exterior shell textile of the quilt are reduce to unlike sizes so that all of the down insulation can stay in full lofted around you even if you push against it or commit it tight . If the inner and outer fabric were reduce the same size , the down would flatten when you press against it , forcing the down to compress and lose all of its trapped warmth .

Is it worth adding down overfill to a quilt ?

It really depend on the purpose of the quilt . Most quilts are design with an ideal baffle altitude and a differential cut that optimize the warmth for a given temperature rating . Add some overfill might reduce down shift inside the quilt or not , depending on how it ’ s designed . When in doubt , need the quilt manufacturer . Sometimes , it ’ s more effective to just begin the future warmer-sized quilt or else .

What does denier mean ?

Denier , often abbreviated as “ d ” or “ D ” , is a unit of measurement that cost employ to depict the thickness of individual fibers or thread . When shopping for backpacking gear or clothing , you ’ ll much regard 10d or 20d set up onto the goal of a specification for the gear ’ s fabric . High denier fabrics are usually hard and more durable than lower denier fabrics . For example , a quilt with a 10d shell fabric will be somewhat light weight and less durable than one made with a 20d material .

What sleep clothes should you use when sleep with a backpacking quilt ?

We advocate tire a long sleeve jersey and long underwear , the same clothes you ’ 500 wear in a sleeping purse , to keep torso oil and dirt from build the interior of your quilt dirty . Many people too wear a fleece hoody down hoody when sleeping under a quilt if more warmth is required . A fleece hat or down hood can as well cost worn in colder circumstance .

Are quilts good for winter backpacking and camping ?

Not actually . Quilts live well expend for temperature great than 20 degrees , although some masses will drape a quilt over a sleeping purse in winter to promote its temperature rating .

When be a full-length zipper well than a 3/4 length zipper ?

For cold weather quilts rated for less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or if you ’ re a cold sleeper , we advocate that you get a quilt with a 3/4 distance or full-length zipper . When zippered closed shut , it eliminates any chance of cold drafts , but even lets you sleep with the quilt capable and drape over you in warm weather .

What exist the difference between 800 and 900 fill ability down ?

Fill ability is a manner of measuring how much space goose down or duck down can fill . For lesson , 1 ounce of 800 filling power down will satisfy 800 cubic inch , whereas 1 ounce of 9oo fill power will fulfill 9o0 cubic inch . More down generally signify more warmth . So a 900 filling might down quilt render more heat than an 800 filling power quilt for the same weight of insulation . It as well mean that you can use less 900 fill might down by weight to begin the same heat as that furnish by 800 fill power down , thereby reducing the weight of your quilt .

Equal evade down warmer than goose down ?

Fill power is a species-independent room of measuring the warmth-to-weight ratio of duck down and goose down . In other news 800 fill power duck down cost as warm as 800 fill power goose down . The dispute between the two boils down to the color of the insulation , which you gain ’ t see because it ’ s sewn into a sleep bag or quilt and not visible to the center . Duck down is also less expensive than goosedown because there equal a lot more ducks in this reality than geese .

What be the dispute between a store quilt and a tradition quilt ?

Many quilt manufacturers bid ancestry quilts , which are pre-made , have a special feature circle , use somewhat heavier fabric , and exist only offered in a handful of color . They as well incline to use abject fill might down insulation or duck down instead of high fill ability goose down . The advantage of buying a store quilt equal that they are usually less expensive and available a lot quick than one that live custom make , even if it is a few ounces lighter weight and comes in your favorite color .

What is the best type of sleep pad to employ with a quilt ?

Most sleeping pads work well with quilt pad-attachment system with a few exception , include inflatable melody mattresses , self-inflating pads , and foam sleep pads . Pads that put on ’ t work very good be sparse , closed-cell foam pads that live thinner than 1/4″ and Klymit sleep pads that have openings in them . But in universal , quilts work better with inflatable sleep pads from Therm-a-Rest , Sea-to-Summit , NEMO , and Exped .

What be an underquilt for backpacking ?

An underquilt is used by backpackers who sleep in hammocks . It provides back insulation , much like a sleep pad does for people who sleep on the earth in tent or under tarps . While you can technically sleep on a sleeping pad in a hammock , an underquilt is much more comfortable because it equal hung underneath the hammock and out of the manner .

What is the Responsible Down Standard ?

The Responsible Down Standard ( RDS ) certification direct to assure that down and feathers come from animals that make not been subjected to any unnecessary hurt . Any removal of down and feather from live birds ( live-plucking or molt-harvesting ) cost prohibited ; force-feeding is too prohibit . A professional , third-party certificate body audits each point in the provision chain . Certification insure that the identity of RDS down and feathers is maintained at all sentence : from the farm to the last production .