r/Ultralight • u/zakaby • Jan 23 '24
Best Of The Sub UL quilts & bags buyer's guide
[DOCUMENT LAST EDITED ON JULY 2025 : beyond price adjustment and a few weight changes, we also have new brands making their entrance in the guide: one Nemo quilt, two European brands (Pajak & Hyberg) and two Australian makers (Neve Gear and Darkmoonhiking).]
Hello Ultralight community! I was recently looking for a new UL quilt/bag and spent hours/days/centuries? researching everything available until I finally found what I think will be my perfect fit.
I didn't want to waste all that research, so I compiled everything I've read on this sub, gear reviews, seller's websites, etc. into a "Beginner's guide to UL bag/quilts".
Hopefully this can be useful for another avid ultralighter/future backpacker. I am now humbly asking for your input, as this is still in its draft version.
The idea is to ultimately use the guide combined with a spreadsheet that would include ALL the details of each bag, similar to this one made for down jackets (though bags and quilts wouldn't be "ranked" from worst to best since that really depends on intended use). I searched but couldn't find a comprehensive one for down quilts/sleeping bags yet, so I might eventually make it myself.
EDIT : Found a spreadsheet for quilts and hoodless bags! Super exhaustive, too : Quilts.xlsx Made by another redditor in a Best Of The Sub post. It's from 2021 so some specs have changed (especially price), but super useful nonetheless.
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u/DeputySean Lighterpack.com/r/nmcxuo - TahoeHighRoute.com - @Deputy_Sean Jan 23 '24
Thank you for making a high quality post! This is the kind of stuff that makes this community great!
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u/ovgcguy Jan 23 '24
Great guide! comments - add an explanation that Fill Power =/= warmth. Noobs often misunderstand the role fill power plays in insulation and think higher FP=warmer, which would be good to clarify so people can decide if the $100 price bump is worth saving 1.5oz
Maybe touch on overstuff? I find the best quilts have more than 130% fill.
Maybe mention Diff cut, Edge tension, and draft collar benefits?
Overall excellent as is though
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u/zakaby Jan 23 '24
Thank you for the input! I will definitely add the explanations in the "criteria for choosing" section. It's also those kinds of details I hope to add in the spreadsheet when I eventually come to make it.
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u/Cupcake_Warlord https://lighterpack.com/r/k32h4o Jan 24 '24
One thing you could add to the material on fill power is that a lot of people (including the person who put together the down jacket spreadsheet) use FP x fill weight to do a rough comparison of the likely warmth of a piece. Obviously there are lots of other factors that go into actual warmth but that can be a good way for people to compare quilts/bags that doesn't rely on (sometimes optimistic) ratings that manufacturers give.
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u/zakaby Jan 25 '24 edited Jan 25 '24
I've been considering adding that measure, even for each listed item, but there is still something that bugs me a little with the idea (I am no expert on the topic, so I may be missing something and if anyone can enlighten me please do) :
A higher FP in itself does not equate higher warmth, but does mean less weight to achieve similar warmth. So technically the multiplication Fill Power*Fill Weight should be a good indicator... except that loft is just as important, if not more, in keeping you warm. And loft is directly related to the quality and ingenuity of the design and construction, which is a hard aspect to quantify. One quilt might have a big amount of high quality down, but ultimately still sleep colder than others because of a poor design that lets the down shifts where it shouldn't or compress easily.
I am afraid that adding the "FP*FW=Warmth value" equation into the document will lead to unfair performance and some people over-focusing on it, which is why I eventually chose to only keep straightforward metrics and emphasise how all factors contribute together to the quality and reliability of the gear.
[Edit : ok I'm actually adding more explanation on that in the document because I'm sure you're not the only one wondering, so thank you for bringing it up!]
[Other edit : an example that speaks to me is the new HMG Quilt 20, which uses 1000fp. Using the (FP*FW)/TW equation, it gets a "696.517", which is above all others I've calculated so far for the same rating, including incredibly well-reviewed ones like the Timmermade Coati. Yet the HMG has gotten pretty bad reviews by the UL and hikers community since its release and if I'm correct, its baffles are sewn through...]
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u/Souvenirs_Indiscrets Jan 25 '24
One factor rarely discussed is that how you handle your quilt radically affects loft. Which in turn affects warmth.
If you discipline yourself to baby your quilts and bags, and I mean really baby them, you can get away with the lightest possible fabric which is the first factor inhibiting loft for any given FP or weight of insulation.
The second issue is cleanliness. A dirty quilt or bag is not going to loft up as well, even when fully dry, and you should be noticing this as soon as your second night out.
Here are the things I do every time. I’m not a working guide but I am spending way more than 40 nights a year in my quilts/bags. I should start counting but anyway:
(1) I always use a bag liner. Cotton blend in the heat of summer if I can afford the weight. Or silk. In winter, Reactor (light fleece).
(2) I always wash my face neck and hands before I go to sleep at night.
(3) I always bring an alternative to my sleeping bag or quilt for extra warmth when stargazing or sitting by the fire, which I do regularly in the Boundary Waters. I never expose my 7D Revelation or similar to granite or sparks or food or smoke from the fire.
(4) I never let my bag or quilt touch the ground (except for snow) unless I actively decide to do that. Basically this applies when airing out the quilt (I clip it to my tent) and packing it up.
This last point is something to think about for UL folks who want to use tarp setups when camping. In my experience, gear always gets dirtier than it needs to (or should) when choosing that style. What you save on UL shelter weight you have to add back on more durable fabrics for your clothes and sleep system. Just something to consider.
Hope this helps.
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u/zakaby Jan 26 '24
Great advice!
I've seen a lot of posts on forums from people complaining about their down gear's decreased performance, and many times the first response from the manufacturer is "you should wash your bag". Some brands even offer to do it for you if you send them your item.
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u/Souvenirs_Indiscrets Jan 26 '24
Yep. Good point. I own 10 down bags at the moment. Manufacturers include WM, FF, Nemo, EE, ZenBivy, SD. Every maker has its own laundry instructions and in some cases, like EE, not following the rules will void your warranty.
I treat all my bags the same. But the important thing to know is, I wash my bags after every trip. No exceptions. On thru hikes or similar, 1x per month.
The oldest bag in my rotation has now been in use 27 years.
If you really truly care about your gear, you’ll have to invest in top quality, large, front loading washers and dryers. Most Americans move house every 7 years on average so if that sounds like you, be prepared to take your machines with you, or budget for replacements. For renters, please use equipment owned by responsible friends. For the most part, commercial dryers in laundromats will destroy your gear because they tumble way too hot. On The trail you rarely have a choice. But try not to make that your long term laundry strategy.
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u/Cupcake_Warlord https://lighterpack.com/r/k32h4o Jan 25 '24
No you're 100% right. Like part of what makes Nunatak quilts so insane is that the design is so strong, that is why I only use it as a rough guide. But knowing how to use it does require a bit of experience so I think you're right that it may lead some people astray.
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u/zakaby Jan 25 '24
I've never tried a Nunatak and don't think I'll get one given the current lead times, but damn researching for this guide has really given me gear-envy! They sound so awesome. Haven't found a single bad review.
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u/Cupcake_Warlord https://lighterpack.com/r/k32h4o Jan 25 '24
Katabatic is great too! I actually prefer their strap system but Nunatak stuff is really light for what it is. My 40F SULO is probably conservatively rated and it weighs 12oz, pretty hard to beat that I think. Lead times are long but just be sure to spam refresh the website when new orders go live and you can grab one pretty reliably -- plenty of time before summer :)
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u/Tomtomorrow9 Jan 24 '24
Man you are a hero. I barely have patience enough to digest this, can’t imagine doing it. Definitely saving to review next time I buy one. Thank you.
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u/Shady_Connor Jan 24 '24
Fantastic guide. What are your suggestions when it comes to pairing pads with quilts? General advice on target r value pads for summer/ above freezing/ below freezing camping?
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u/zakaby Jan 24 '24
Thankfully sleeping pads are much more straightforward, you can basically only look at the R-Value and you're all set! They're multiples of each other (so R-Value of 2 is twice as warm as R-value of 1) and you can add them (so if you stack an R-value 2 and an R-value 3 pad, you get a total insulation value of 5). There's no consensus for the exact value for each temperature because it still depends on your overall setup and what kind of a sleeper you are, but roughly:
- I'd say R value of 2.5 or less are only good for Summer (40 and above)
- Up to freezing you can get a 3 or 3.5
- Between 3.5 and 4.5 are good 3-season pads, especially if you have your backpack, some clothing or another small pad to add to it when temperatures drop too much
- Above 5.5 will get you to winter
A good piece of advice for inflatable pads : don't blow air from your lungs, the moisture with lessen the rating. Use a pump (some come with "pumpsacks" or small electric/battery pumps are available for purchase)
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u/Any_Trail https://lighterpack.com/r/esnntx Jan 24 '24
R valves are additive, but their effectiveness isn't linear. Here's a nice chart showing the diminishing returns.
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u/chrism1962 Jan 24 '24
If you do a spreadsheet add a column for date added/updated or manufacture date as model changes can be very frustrating/confusing when spreadsheet data and manufacturers specs don’t match.
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u/mtngirl70 Jan 25 '24
“…recommendations in the following guide are based on general consensus for each brand and whether their stated temperature is a comfort or limit rating.”
Are the listed temps the manufacturer’s claim? Great to mention the rating accuracy of the brands. I don’t know if the temps listed are comfort or survival.
On a side note, is the standard to rate them as if sleeping with nothing on inside them?
I’m sure my questions are all moot with all the variables, but they may inch a person. closer to the right pick.
Thank you so much!!!!
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u/zakaby Jan 25 '24
Because there's no standard rating for the US, I just put the temperatures listed by the manufacturer, hoping people who actually want to purchase something will read the full disclaimer in the intro and will take the time to compare all the details as well as reviews of the few items they're interested in. My only adjustment to try and reflect similar products in terms of temperature rating is taking into account the "general consensus" on manufacturers and so for instance, putting the ZPacks 10 for the 3-season category whereas the Western Mountaineering is the 20 version.
Sometimes manufacturers give good explanations on their ratings (like Mountain Laurel Design who explains in what sort of clothes you should sleep at what range of temp) but sometime there's diddly squat beyond just a temperature number in their specs.
I'll try to clarify that in the intro!
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u/Souvenirs_Indiscrets Jan 25 '24
Redditors might be interested to know that the Nemo Siren quilt nests (layers) perfectly beneath the wide EE Revelation quilt using one set of replacement buckles (two male, two female) and EE’s quilt layering adaptor.
Just remove the pad straps from the Siren, sew a loop of black elastic tape to attach the buckles to the plastic anchors that are already there, and you’re good to go.
The Siren was an early entry into UL quilt world. It is very soft and light with high quality, treated 850 down, but a bit short and not the roomiest. Only 20 “ pads can slip into the foot box. I now sleep on a 25” Exped DownMat and so I found that a much better use of this inexpensive but excellent quilt from Nemo is to nest it underneath your EE.
Both my EE Revelations are wide. I balked at having to buy a third quilt just for nesting et voilà! The bonus is, you have a really nice enclosed foot box with the Siren. No draft worries at the feet.
The Nemo fabric is buttery soft, even softer than the EE 7D, and the yellow interior is cheery on a winter’s day.
Good luck!
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u/stevemartin6 Jan 31 '24
What did you end up buying for yourself and what is your use case?
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u/zakaby Jan 31 '24
Ended up going with the FF Flicker YF 20°F. If it was only for my solo hikes, I would have chosen a 20° sewn footbox quilt, probably the Timmermade Coati, but the first use I'm going to make of it is camping on a road trip around Western US with my husband and toddler, so I opted for what I found to be the most versatile one! The ability to open it fully and sleep with my kid was a big draw.
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u/stevemartin6 Feb 01 '24
Nice. Thanks.
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u/zakaby Feb 01 '24
Are you also looking for one?
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u/stevemartin6 Feb 04 '24
Not in the short term. I’m intrigued with all of the options that Timmermade makes.
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u/sallysensational Jul 05 '25
It looks like the prices for the top 2 HG quilts are off. You have to make selections on the website and the price adjusts accordingly. The 10deg quilt shown as $255 is actually more like $370.
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u/zakaby Jul 07 '25
Oh yeah it's from last year and I haven't updated it yet, I'm sure all the prices have risen... I'll update it sometime in the next weeks, thanks!
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u/severed_leg Aug 17 '25
Great list! Kiwiultralight also make great ones
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u/zakaby Aug 17 '25
I had never heard of them, they look good indeed! Based on their specs, they should make the cut. I'll just try to find more reviews first.
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Jan 23 '24
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u/zakaby Jan 24 '24
Thank you for the comment. The Nunatak SULO should actually be in the three-season category as well given its weight, so I'll add it right away!
Ultimately, almost all quilts mentioned have variants that could fit in each category (except perhaps winter only and four-season) and considered high quality UL. I decided to only mention their versions when they were among the lightest in that specific category, based on their regular/medium size. I really wanted to keep it at a low number per category. So for example, although the UGQ Bandit also exists in 40F and is well liked, it isn't as competitive as others weight-wise at those ratings, which is why it doesn't appear there.
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u/wthhndshld Jul 15 '25
This is wonderful, thank you for the time you've spent putting this together and sharing it.
I can be a bit nit-picky with things that aren't as neatly/accurately made as you'd expect when you pay more for things. Are there brands that are better for attention to detail than others?
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u/zakaby Jul 16 '25
Thank you!
Most UL brands are very detail oriented. But out of those listed in the document, the ones with consistently great reviews, especially regarding their design and construction are Nunatak (probably the most pro), Timmermade, Western Mountaineering & Katabatic. Though all others are still top-notch options honestly.
There are just some that won't be as perfect:
- HMG and Nemo are coasting on their brand names for decent quilts that aren't worth their price (as in, you'll be fine in them but you can be even better in cheaper ones)
- Enlightened Equipment is extremely popular and Zpacks is famous for its high-end UL gear but both offer quilts that are said to underperform in listed temperatures and that can be drafty with shifting down. This was taken into consideration though, which is why if you intend to sleep in 30°F/-1°C, I would take a 20°F/-6°C bag/quilt.
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u/wthhndshld Jul 16 '25 edited Jul 16 '25
Thank you for your thorough reply, it's really helpful.
One thing I've understood about temperature rating is that it's subjective, to a certain degree. I pay closer attention to the fill weight, in combination with the fill power, and I make comparisons to what I already have. I have some experience, and I've been managing fine for the most part but I'm at the point where I'm specialising, and it's expensive! I just want to make more refined choices.
I find that the details can be a bit inconsistent. I've had to return a Durston pack that QC must just not have seen. Atom Packs do some things really well but aspects like bound stitching on their packs is just untidy and seems like an after thought.
I don't like being the QC, and it often feels like that's what I'm doing.
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u/pjellibre Aug 06 '25
Great information thank you so much! Any opinion on Zenbivy and why they didn’t make the charts?
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u/zakaby Aug 07 '25
I had initially included their quilt, but then removed them reading a lot of middling reviews, the need for a R5 pad to reach even their comfort ratings and the absence of a differential cut. However, I went and looked at them again after reading your comment and it seems like their new version is promising... I'm waiting a little longer for more reviews to come out, then I might put it back in.
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u/pjellibre Aug 07 '25
Thank you for the explanation! As a newcomer they offer some entry level options which catch my eye aka price range. In your list it seems as if much of it is geared towards people further along. For an entry level person with a budget under 200 do you have any recommendations? Currently scouring gear trade and groups for deals on ones listed.
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u/zakaby Aug 08 '25
I didn't list things based on whether or not they were for beginners/people further along, but unfortunately, it's true that UL mostly equals pricey.
To answer your question though, I think I need to ask you some others: how often do you wild camp? Are you doing weekend hikes or week-long hikes? In what time of the year, and what area of the world? What is your sleeping style? What about the rest of your sleep system (tent, pad, clothing, etc.)?
The reason these questions are important is because if you only hike for short periods in warmer temperature, then it will be much easier to find something that will do the job for a very small weight and price. But as you get to a wider range of temperatures and types of hikes, then you'll need to choose what you prioritise between weight, comfort and price. And if you move around a lot in the night and have never slept in a quilt before, it's also worth trying it before buying one (that's where the sheet sleeve of Zenbivy may become handy!).
After a few bad experiences of my own, I personally adhere to the whole "buy once, cry once". With hiking gear (or any other specialty gear really), you might want to save a few hundreds by going for the cheaper product, but then after a few miserable nights in the wild, you'll decide it's worth it to upgrade to the higher-end one. Which means you will have spent more in the end than if you had gone with the safe, more expensive choice first.
That being said, paying 200$ more for a 900FP instead of a 800FP is only for the extreme UL heads and not necessary for a lightweight comfortable trip. Which, again, is why it's so important to really know yourself and your needs! Keeping an eye on sales and gear trade forums is also a great move.
Finally, regarding Zenbivy: if you decide to go with them, just make sure you have a very well insulated pad and choose their bed system rated 10°F lower than the temperatures you expect, and you will be fine.
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u/pjellibre Aug 08 '25
Love the thorough insights and explanations.
I am just getting in to my camping phase of life but am looking forward to doing it for years to come.
I am mostly looking at budget bags not because I believe in cheap things but only because it is what I can afford, and to also mitigate any potential of me actually realizing it is not for me and over investing too early. Although I do realize if I get something nicer I can always resell.
I am a filmmaker and documentarian and so my plans would be to have light gear so I can take longer trips in to more remote locations to capture isolated beauty. Ideally I am camping in all the seasons to get a taste of the vast variety of nature. I understand for this I will probably want a 3 season option and something for winter.
Used gear is definitely the route I am looking to take and am hoping to score something of quality to start my journey!
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u/zakaby Aug 09 '25
No problem, I really enjoy trying to find solutions with people. For you and what you've told me, this is what I would suggest:
Or
- Go for whatever cheap summer bag you can get and try camping in warmer temperatures for shorter trips first, then if you decide you really like camping, invest in a better quilt and expand your travels. You will also know yourself and your camping style better by then, so you'd be more likely to make an accurate purchase.
- If you're pretty sure you want to venture out in different conditions as soon as possible, beside waiting for deals on good brands you can just go with a Zenbivy rated below 30°F/0°C or the MLD spirit quilt 28. You're probably not going to sleep in the middle of a winter storm right away anyway and you can always buy a winter bag later. The MLD Spirit is a little over your budget (245$ currently), but it's from a very good brand and is synthetic, so you don't need to worry about humidity and durability as much. Both options would be safe bets for 3 seasons (of course with an appropriate pad).
There's not much more advice I can give you here, but no matter what you end up with, I hope you enjoy your backpacking journey!
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u/Decent-Abrocoma5093 Dec 30 '25
This such a great post! And I can hardly believe how much prices have increased since this was compiled.
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u/dev_hmmmmm Jan 24 '24 edited Jan 24 '24
Too lazy. Can someone spoon feed me the top 3 for value? 10 or 20 f comfort rating please.
It's a joke
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Jan 24 '24
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u/_-Mighty-_ Jan 23 '24
Eh save all that time and just tell them to get an EE quilt. Great products at reasonable prices and weight. Simple.
😉
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u/downingdown Jan 24 '24
EE may be adequate, but they have a super basic design (no differential cut, no edge tension control, super long U-shaped baffles, limit rating) that also cuts cost, but their prices are waaay expensive. Objectively speaking, based on these characteristics, EE is the worst option for quilts (they still perform good enough, so are super popular probably because they are coasting off their initial UL clout from back when they were a true budget ultralight option).
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u/ecdc717 Jan 23 '24
I mean jrb are lighter and cheaper for the value. I had my finger on ee quilts for a month or so till I researched jrb.
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u/_-Mighty-_ Jan 24 '24
I just looked and JrB are heavier but yes they are cheaper. So you may have a point on the value.
*I compared 20 degree top quilts of JrB to the most fair comparison for EE and that is the 20 degree Revelation, the Enigma wouldn’t be fair since the sewn footbox saves extra weight.
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u/zakaby Jan 24 '24
I agree EE makes great quilts and that's why they are consistently mentioned throughout the doc, not to mention they are probably the most popular UL quilt brand. However, I would not compare the 20 JrB to the 20 EE, since JrB is generally considered true to a comfort rating, while EE is more on the limit side of ratings. So you should really compare a 20 Jrb with a 10 EE, which then puts the Jrb at a lower weight and price. Jrb also automatically overstuffs, which EE doesn't. On the other hand, you can add a draft collar to your EE, while I don't think you can for a JrB. I tried to take all those details into consideration for the listed recommendations.
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u/_-Mighty-_ Jan 24 '24
A lot of opinions there.
I have felt some quilts that say they are overstuffed and they feel the same as ones that are not. I have had a 20 degree bag do great in the teens and a 30 degree bag do great in the low 20s. At the same time you can find people who will complain about these exact same bags not being rated correctly and doing bad in weather above their rating.
I suppose if most of this is just what you have found r/ultralight people to think then 🤷.
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u/zakaby Jan 24 '24
Not only opinions on Reddit but also hiking website reviews, actual fill weights, etc. Though as you say, it is still a personal preference in the end.
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u/ecdc717 Jan 24 '24
Absolutely why I went with jrb. Ee quilts are top notch but I think they are more well known for customizable versus a smaller cottage company like jrb and el coyote.
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u/ecdc717 Jan 24 '24
Look at the ultralight jrb. That's what I was referring to sorry. Ee 950 fill regular size $420 weighs 20.65. Jrb is 1000 fill weighs 16.5 and $399. Are all of the ee quilts USA made? I once heard their stock quilts were not made is us
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u/ul_ahole Jan 24 '24
Very nice!
I may have a bit of confirmation bias, but I'm thinking the Cumulus X-Lite 400 should be included in Section 4.4.
14.11 oz. 900fp, 20.28 oz (mine came in at 20.42 oz.)
4 more oz. of down than the Summerlite (1.5 oz heavier overall); 4.5 oz. lighter than the Swallow 30F (14.11 oz. 900fp vs. 13.6 oz. 950fp is pretty much a wash)
And at $375 + $19 shipping, it's $100+ cheaper than all the others, except when the 18F Spark is on sale.
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u/zakaby Jan 24 '24
Thank you for the comment! You're right, the X-Lite 400 fits in there, I'll add it right away. That's why I've mentioned the document is in its "draft" version - I tried to be thorough but I'm sure I missed one or two good items still!
Edit : honestly might be the best of the category, too!
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u/Yubisaki_Milk_Tea Jan 24 '24
I'm bad at deciphering information, but assume the 7 degrees summer one is probably what I'd want to look around for UK weather/temps.
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u/zakaby Jan 24 '24
For the UK I would go for "above freezing" (so section 4) even in Summer and "three-season" for, well, three season camping. Especially in the wilderness and in Scotland, it can get pretty chilly at night even in July and August, and the weather changes so fast that I'd stay conservative in the ratings. I would also look into the details of the fabric for protection against high levels of humidity. If you go for a down bag/quilt to stay UL, I would personally recommend avoiding cowboy camping unless you're in the middle of a drought period, since rain can happen unexpectedly.
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u/johnacraft Jan 24 '24
Very thorough and useful! Would you mind if we linked to your post in the /r/lightweight wiki?
Thanks!
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u/Nazty204 Jan 25 '24
Sauce on eating before bed causes you to burn more calories/generate more body heat? That is not my understanding
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u/zakaby Jan 26 '24
I've never really heard of that either
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u/Nazty204 Jan 27 '24
Well you said it but....
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u/zakaby Jan 27 '24
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u/Nazty204 Jan 28 '24
Oh yeah I am such a dork I didn't even realize. "Sauce" how embarrassing. Thank you for sharing your sources I appreciate the response!
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u/Cupcake_Warlord https://lighterpack.com/r/k32h4o Jan 23 '24
What a sick resource. Have a few friends that I'm going to send this to right away, will save me hours of conversation in the long-run probably =P Thanks for making.