Advantages to using a down quilt?

[bulldogs40]

I hear a lot of talk of people switching from mummy bags to quilts. For you guys who use them what are the advantages and disadvantages to using the quilt as opposed to the bag?

[RadSav]

You never wake up unable to reach the zipper!  I'm not overly claustrophobic...but that's one thing that really gets my adrenalin pumping!

You can wear your hunting cloths for added warmth or other clothing to adjust for temperatures.  Not much room in mummies for that.

I get a better night sleep with more freedom of movement.

If you are broad in the shoulders it's hard to find a mummy that works well.

With all that being said, if I'm headed for the high country and plan to be in a long way and remain mobile I always take the lesser weight and bulk packing the mummy.

[7mag.]

If you're a side or stomach sleeper, or you move around a lot when you sleep, quilts are for you. A good quilt and a high r-value pad, you'll probably sleep better in the backcountry then you ever have.

[fillthefreezer]

the switch to a quilt for me was a tough decision. i hate being cold and i have a VERY nice mummy bag. but, with 10oz of weight savings i was willing to give it a try. i have slept very comfortably in it. pluses being one that radsav mentioned, you never have to search for or snag the zipper. they are lighter than any bag. without a bottom, you dont slide off the pad and they are easy and comfortable to vent in warmer weather. i have been running a 10* all year.

[RadSav]

the switch to a quilt for me was a tough decision. i hate being cold and i have a VERY nice mummy bag. but, with 10oz of weight savings i was willing to give it a try. i have slept very comfortably in it. pluses being one that radsav mentioned, you never have to search for or snag the zipper. they are lighter than any bag. without a bottom, you dont slide off the pad and they are easy and comfortable to vent in warmer weather. i have been running a 10* all year.

What quilt are you running?  Mine was heavier than my 15 degree Sierra mummy.  I expect to be able to back country again next year and weight savings would be very interesting to me.  Assuming it's big enough for my fat arse!!

[MtnMuley]

I have an EE enigma quilt in as wide and as long as you can get. 20 degree rating I believe that I'd happily sell. It's been used one night and I wore merino top and bottom, so it's basically good as new. Also has the upgraded areas on the outside of the bag.

[hogslayer]

I made the switch this year to a enlightened equipment 10 degree quilt.  Pro's are that it is smaller lighter and more roomy than a mummy bag.  Con's are if you toss and turn a lot during the night you can feel drafts coming in.  Another con is there is no hood, so make sure you always pack a warm beanie.  I do like it slot better than my sleeping bag so I will use it again next year.  I am sure you know this, but they are mostly all down.  Down and loose it's R value very fast when wet.  Synthetic such as Apex holds warmth better when wet.  You can get synthetic quits but you aren't saving much weight and doesn't really make sense to me. 

[BeWitty]

Just a heads up, I have a 20* EE enigma for sale in the classifieds. It is wide and only weighs 21 ounces. It is 800 downtek so the disadvantage of down getting wet is no longer. I love it but I won't be using for the next few years and don't want it just hanging in my closet. It fits perfect in an 8L dry sack and can compress even more.

Let me know

[fillthefreezer]

What quilt are you running?  Mine was heavier than my 15 degree Sierra mummy.  I expect to be able to back country again next year and weight savings would be very interesting to me.  Assuming it's big enough for my fat arse!!

im running the EE enigma as well in 10* 22oz on my scale. in reg/reg. i go about 6' 190 for reference. i have taken down to 30 twice, 32 3x and under 40 a bunch. below 37, i prefer to just sleep in my hooded down jacket.

[dreamingbig]

I have an EE revelation 20F long/wide 800 downtek and it works great.  I have used it in mid 20s weather and been really warm.


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[RadSav]

What quilt are you running?  Mine was heavier than my 15 degree Sierra mummy.  I expect to be able to back country again next year and weight savings would be very interesting to me.  Assuming it's big enough for my fat arse!!

im running the EE enigma as well in 10* 22oz on my scale. in reg/reg. i go about 6' 190 for reference. i have taken down to 30 twice, 32 3x and under 40 a bunch. below 37, i prefer to just sleep in my hooded down jacket.

Thank you!  I thought I had made up my mind on getting a Big Agnes this year.  Guess I need to go back and juggle that idea around a little more.

[Karl Blanchard]

I used the EE 0° quilt on two Idaho trips and my Colorado trip this year.  They can be a bit drafty.  I used the straps and buckled it under my pad and that helped a lot.  Even buckled, it is still much more comfortable than a traditional mummy.  I don't think I would use this bag if temps are gonna bet below 20° though.  I sleep a bit on the cold side.  Only downfall I have found to the quilt, is if the weather gets nasty, you lack the ability to batten down the hatches, in other words, sip it up, cinch of the hood and close off all drafts and lock in every bit of body heat.

[huntingbaldguy]

For those of you who want a down quilt/sleeping bag combo that can swing either way, you should check out the Zpacks line of bags.  It's designed specifically so you can open it up for warmer nights, or cinch it up for colder ones.  It's one of the lightest on the market too.  A 10 degree comes in at under 20 oz.

http://www.zpacks.com/quilts/sleepingbag.shtml

[swanny]

Sort of like what everyone else has said, if it gets nasty out the quilt just doesn't keep you as warm because they do get drafty. They are perfect for warm weather or 3season camping, but come late fall through the winter and in to early spring, give me a mummy bag.

[7mmfan]

Where does all the weight savings come from? What I see on the EE website looks like a mummy bag that is opened up all the way and just doesn't have a zipper, but instead can be cinched down with a cord of some kind.