Quilt advice!

I have the Zpacks 40*, no zipper. It weighs like 13 oz and is fine down to 40 degrees with silk weight long johns, though I am a warm sleeper. The fit and construction are good, and it's crazy light and packs tiny. The foot box is a bit of an issue though (just kinda narrows down), you really need to come up with your own pad attachment strategy, the central neck drawstring position means that bungee is always laying across your face or neck, and the velcro neck closure is a little cheesy (an easy fix using a buckle or adding snaps). These are minor points and not deal breakers, but I do think Katabatic has some of those features better dialed in. The Zpacks is an excellent value though. Since you know and like Katabatic, I'd stick with them.

Thanks P! I've had a lot of hesitancy about the footbox issue, and the price difference between the two bags is not huge either. You are going to loooove the sawatch, its one of the best bags ive owned.

I’m 6’1″ 220 lbs with size 13 feet. I have a 30* Revelation and a 10* Enigma both of the most current design, both with 750 GDD. The footbox on both models works great for me, even when wearing GooseFeetGear down socks…not tight or strange or anything. There is one snap that secures the quilt around (the back of) your neck and the central drawstring tightens it to your liking…pull the string inside and it never touches your face AND you can find it easily in the night. I am predominantly a side sleeper…some back and stomach…and find absolutely no need for straps of any kind. With the quilt snapped behind my neck and the cord pulled “tight” the sides of the quilt just naturally tuck under my sides. You simply turn over UNDER the quilt…don’t try to make it roll with you. In short, I do not hesitate to recommend giving EE a try. And there is always their guarantee.

I'm sure the others are fine, but I wouldn't take any similar product over my Katabatic Palisade. It's one of very few gear purchases that I have remained enthusiastic about from day 1 to present, and the only piece of gear I own for which I don't readily recognize room for improvement. It's differential cut, pad attachment system, and overstuffed collar and footbox are features that genuinely enhance its usability and comfort, and anyone should be able to appreciate. The footbox on mine is plenty warm. I've used my Palisade with layers as low as -2F and my feet were not cold wearing midweight merino socks. Katabatic's quilts are already underrated, and while you can shake the down to spread it or get more of it on top, it doesn't just move around on its own, so I see no need for overfill. Katabatic already has more fill than a comparable Zpacks quilt, which in turn is supposedly already overfilled.

If you are a side sleeper, then the footbox on the Katabatic will not be to your liking. If you are a side sleeper, the EE quilts will be ideal. I haven't used Zpacks but hear they are great products.

EE doesn't overfill anymore due to their shiftless baffle design. I'm not sure how new this is but that's what I was told recently.

What's the issue with the footbox on the other quilts? I have both the EE Enigma and Revelation. The Enigma footbox is quite a bit larger than the Revelation, but both are more than adequate. I have size 12 feet and they fit comfortably. I can take measurements for you if this would help. I would say for the money, EE makes a great product. K

I have owned both the Katabatic 20 and 30 quilt. I love them both. The foot box isn't an issue for my size 13's. I am also a side sleeper. I have also had a Nunatak quilt and recently bought my wife and daughter quilts from them on clearance. They are also great quilts, but if forced to choose I do prefer my Katabatic 30 over my Arc Alpinist.

If you know you like that katabatic, why not just go for the palisade? I also dont think overfill is necessafy on katabatic quilts. They are already overfilled, and i think overfill actually ends up making the quilt feel narrower. I've owned a sawatch for about 5 years and still one of my fave pieces of gear. I also have an ee enigma. Not many nigbts on it so far, but I like it quite a bit as well. Although i prefer the katatatic craftsmanship, this one was lighter for the width and price esp during the black friday sale.

wow, appreciate all the advice! I have just seen so much about EE that I think im going to try their quilts if no one gets back to my wanted add. Great pieces on the overfill of certain brands.

Check out Hammock Gear and Mid Atlantic Mountain Works as well if you are looking to save a few $$ and still want great quality.

"In short, I do not hesitate to recommend giving EE a try. And there is always their guarantee." Actually, their guarantee is not as good as it *sounds*. More than half of 60 days is taken up by the production of the quilt and its shipping, as the count starts from the moment you pressed the buy button In other words you buy the quilt, it then takes EE 4 weeks to make it, another few days of shipping, which leaves you with about 20-25 days of return window. Nothing wrong with 20 days at all mind you, they don't have to offer it at all, but advertising 60 days return may be considered a bit misleading.

Allen, I have been using a Chisos wide with 2oz overfill for all my trips including shoulder seasons. I had a Sawatch but it was stolen and replaced with an Alsek that I haven't used yet. The insurance company would pay me what I paid for the Sawatch ($355 iirc), or buy me a new one so I went with a wide Alsek which was $525. I find the Chisos so versatile that unless I was looking at multiple nights in the teens, I wouldn't hesitate to take it. Combined with a down hood and the other clothing I already carry with me, I am good. If you cowboy camp or sleep a bit cold, I think the Palisade with overfill would be perfect, and if I could only own one bag, that would be it. I really like the overfill on the Palisade and Chisos as the down density isn't as much as it is on the Alsek and Sawatch, per Aaron. As a side sleeping tossing and turning flip flopper, the overfill all but eliminates shifting down and cold spots and the wide version is more comfortable for me and has eliminated the need to attach to bag to the pad. I should note that I sleep on a high R pad (xtherm) year round which adds more warmth than most think.

I've owned my Palisade three, going on four years, I think it checks all the marks for a three season bag. As you've previously owned a Katabatic you know their workmanship is nothing short of perfect. As many have already alluded, Katabatic underratres their quilts- I have spent numerous nights very comfortably in the 20s. They don't come cheap, but I think it's safe to say you're getting good bang for the buck and a long term investment.

"As many have already alluded, Katabatic underrates their quilts…" See many 30F quilts that look like this without having someone inside? :)

Sure – certainly if the quilt isn't in a completely wide stance. Looks nice, though.

The Feathered Friends Flicker is a good option with a great foot box. A good quilt alternative would be a Feathered Friends Vireo with some overfill in the top half and it has an amazing footbox.

UGQ (Underground Quilts) has three different style footboxes for their quilts. http://www.undergroundquilts.com

Hammock Gear Quilts are great too. I have a burrow and works fantastic and is quality at an affordable price. Mind you their direct market is Hammock users but the top quilts are the same as other brands. Also if you give them a call they can walk you through different options and your intended use in order to recommend the best fit for you.Also they may not have as long a wait time as others depending on the time of year. They usually have great sales close to black Friday. http://www.hammockgear.com/down-quilts/