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Reading various blogs and watching YouTube it seems that quilts are the new must have camping equipment. But I'm struggling to see how they are better than a sleeping bag in cold conditions when you want no gaps in coverage, and in warm conditions when you can just unzip a bag. Am I missing something? I was just trying to work out how long I've had my sleeping bag (Feathered Friends Snow Bunting) and I could only pinpoint it to the nearest decade. Have I been sleeping in error all this time?
If by camping you mean unload car, pitch tent then yeah quilts are probably both cheaper, warmer and more flexible particular where a couple is concerned. A sleeping bag is inherently a compromise aligned to portability and as soon as you have to carry it, infinitely more suitable then a quilt. If you're a wealthy fence-sitter then there are these - https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/lightweight-down-quilts-comforters-doonas-duvets
The idea is the bottom of a bag does sod all as you've compressed the down to the point that it's useless. A quilt is lighter and when used with a GOOD mat can work really well. I still use a bag in the winter and have started using a quilt in the summer.
I have a Cumulus 250. Like you I was a bit of a sceptic but I was able to buy one at a discount so thought I'd try it and sell on if it didn't work for me.
The obvious advantage is that you are not carrying around down and material that offers little practical use once your are lying on it and you've compressed it. As a result, the quilt will be lighter and pack smaller.
You are correct that it can get a bit draughty in colder/windier conditions. The Cumulus has elastics that you wrap under the mat to help prevent this (though I don't use them).
It helps if you are a less mobile sleeper too. I tend to fall asleep on one side and wake up without having moved much.
FWIW I still use my quilt whenever I can, only reverting to a sleeping bag in the winter.
I have the alpkit one and it’s great. However, you NEED a decent mat to go under it, and it is only really good in the summer, tho I have got chilly feet At times
wouldn't work for me - I am a very active sleeper!
I'm a convert. The main thing is weight / bulk savings. Why carry all that down around when it's just compressed under you and adds little insulation?
Some people like 'em, some don't. No right and wrong.
I've a quilt and three sleeping bags of varying temp ratings and vintage (up to 30yrs in one case) so a foot in, err, both camps. The difference is a bit like comparing sheet and blankets with a quilt on your bed at home.
A quilt needs a decent sleeping mat to be effective since there's no "bottom" to them, it's been removed because you lie on it and squash the insulation down meaning it can't do its job of trapping air and keep you warm. They need to be a decent width because, as you note, you get draughts otherwise. Also once you get to properly cold conditions, as in well below freezing, you need a hood or cowl of some sort to keep your head warm. Even the aficionados(manufacturers) reckon you need to be careful when it's those conditions.
My quilt (Cumulus 150) is rated to 4C and is 100g lighter than my quality sleeping bag (PHD) rated to 8C. It also packs smaller. That's only really of interest to those who have to carry or bike with their kit. Zips add weight, complexity and cost. I paid £50 less for the quilt than the bag.
Having used the quilt for nearly three years now, almost a hundred nights of usage, I find sleeping bags a bit restrictive especially around the legs unless you get a wider model (which of course puts the price and weight up). I tend to sleep in the murder victim chalk outline position!
I’m a convert. The main thing is weight / bulk savings. Why carry all that down around when it’s just compressed under you and adds little insulation?
Baseless sleeping bags are a sort of compromise solution and benefit from having a hood, which quilts obviously don't. My experience, fwiw, is that sleeping direct on a self-inflating mat is kind of unlovely as are air gaps where the fill in the base of the bag would be if there were any. Where quilts do score is in being more straightforward to manufacture.
could defo use one for the warmer summer months, july/august. mibbe get some use in june/september.
Over the last couple of months it's basically how I've used my sleeping bags anyway. just pulled it over the top of me.
Colder times, would defo prefer a sleeping bag I think.
I assume you'd want some sort of a liner on the mat too?
@BadlyWiredDog - I tend to use some sort of light thermals as pyjamas for three main reasons:
1. Extra insulation
2. Reduces body oils in your sweat contaminating the down
3. Stops the clammy feeling of skin against sleeping mat.
The first two also apply to sleeping bags.
There aren't many sleeping mats with gaps/air pockets, I think most are made by Klymit and I have a couple of them. Quilts are fine with them in summer if I'm in race or superlight mode but most of the time I use a winter rated inflatable mat.
@DrJ - the Cumulus quilts are now very similar to the EE Revelation quilt in that they've a zip-up foot box. The older models had a fully sewn footbox so you couldn't open them out fully. The newer models are also about 10cm wider. I'm 1.8m tall with a 103cm chest and the old model is just wide enough for me to avoid draughts if I don't move around. A couple of years ago I almost went for an EE quilt but the cost now (plus duty and VAT) makes them quite pricey. The only thing over Cumulus is the customisation IMO.
There aren’t many sleeping mats with gaps/air pockets, I think most are made by Klymit and I have a couple of them. Quilts are fine with them in summer if I’m in race or superlight mode but most of the time I use a winter rated inflatable mat.
I was talking about the gaps that tend to develop with baseless sleeping bags rather than in mats. Compared to a conventional sleeping bag, there tends to be a lack of insulation particularly if you sleep on your side, cue convection currents, reduced comfort etc. Some of the better ones now have a sort of graduated transition into the unlined area, which is better, but air-gaps feel wrong but are also inefficient for insulation.
But to be honest, the lack of a hood means I generally opt for a sleeping bag rather than a quilt in anything other than really warm conditions. UK summer nights can get proper cold, particularly high up, but I'm sure people know that anyway.
@BadlyWiredDog – I tend to use some sort of light thermals as pyjamas for three main reasons:
I think most people do? And/or use a lightweight liner, but I've not spent much time investigating outdoor pajama trends 😉
We’ve used a PhD quilt previously together with silk bag liners (each). This gives warmth, and the silk liner reduces drafts. Currently though we’re both using elephant bags and duvet jackets. Pack size is much smaller.
I tend to use some sort of light thermals as pyjamas for three main reasons:
1. Extra insulation
2. Reduces body oils in your sweat contaminating the down
3. Stops the clammy feeling of skin against sleeping mat.
4. Going out blk-naked for a pee is a bit uncomfortable.
We (the two of us) use a quilt when car camping together. Sleeping bags for lightweight or when I'm on my own.
Going out blk-naked for a pee is a bit uncomfortable
One of the highlights of a solo bivi you mean?
5 sleeping bags and a quilt here
For most trips I use the quilt. It's comfy and adaptable. I'm a fidget when I sleep, the quilt doesn't have a hood in the way when I turn onto each side
My winter one is still a sleeping bag. I'd say my Enlightened Equipment quilt is quite similar in performance to my Western Mountaineering Summerlite, but I tend to use the quilt more
If you are going to Canada skiing and camping then you'll most likely need a good bag. I've been in Banff when the daytime temperature has been -20C. None of those on your link would be suitable for such conditions.
Would need more info: which month; where; etc.
Spam resurrection.