Two Quilts at Once?

Should work fine as long as you size the EE to fit over the katabatic. I have a wide size 30 degree enigma that fits perfectly over my size reg katabatic sawatch with no noticeable compression. I think having the lighter weight quilt on the outside makes more sense, in theory, since the moisture will get caught in the outer quilt, protecting the bulk of your insulation in the inner quilt. Withought having extensive experience with the EE quilt yet, I think that the very breathable fabric Tim uses will make for quicker drying times as well. Depending on where you do most of your backpacking, you might want a warmer combo though then a 30 & a 50.

Works well. although given the temperatures you are considerng, I would use a lightweight synthetic quilt as the outer barrier. It will draw moisture out and works much better than down. Yes, even water resistant down.

From experience, I don't believe the 50F Prodigy will add enough warmth to be worth the additional weight. I owned one and found myself chilled below 60F when using it on its own. Added to another bag, it offered less additional warmth than adding overfill to the bag. But it did provide another layer for condensation to form on away from my down. A 40F Prodigy seems to be the sweet spot – sufficient extra warmth without adding too much weight or bulk. It can be used on its own to lower temperatures, and should add about 15F to the rating of the inner bag.

#ERROR!

I appreciate the insight.

Layering quilts definitely works. While not aimed at the same temp ratings, for myself I have two quilts (20 and 40) that work on their own, but then get layered for winter trips. As mentioned you'll want to be sure it's large enough to layer over without compressing it, but unless you're at the limit for sizing of the bottom quilt you may not need to get something much, if at all larger (both my quilts are Regular width for example, since even layered I'm not really pushing against them on the width). To keep everything in place I just use a strap to keep my outer quilt in place (usually just clipped on my left side) and the inner quilt I just adjust as needed inside that without trying to strap it down or anything.

I think layering quilts is a great option for those who can't afford/don't want to afford a quilt for each condition they face. I have a 20f Revelation and a 50f Prodigy. These two quilts cover 100% of the conditions I'll face in the southeast when clothing layers I'd bring are taken into account as well. This winter I'll be layering the two for trips with lows <25 (I sleep cold and like having the added protection of the synthetic over quilt). The over quilt is a slim but it still layers over the regular width under quilt. (I got the slim since summer nights can be HOT down here and I don't need to worry about draft control and such) Once i get the under quilt nice and tucked under me, the over quilt drapes over with just enough room to tuck if need be. BUT, I leave the footbox of the over quilt buttoned and cinched, but not zippered. Seems to work really well. A 40f over quilt may work better for adding warmth, but it seems it would overlap with your 30f quilt. Though I've read the Palisade is more like a 25f rating. If you have times of the year that a 50f quilt would work for you, I think it may be the better option. And once you get into that temp range you may as well go synthetic. Anyway, IMO, YMMV, HYOH, and all that. Let us know what you decide on.

I think a 50F quilt perfectly compliments the Palisade. About the time my 50F isn't warm enough any more, I don't get hot in the Palisade, so it works out really well. Used them together wearing heavy baselayers and a Goosefeet down hood at 4F last winter, and they worked great. I'd normally just use my down parka and maybe an extra bottom layer with the Palisade, so the 50F was mostly dead weight, but I wanted to try them out. There's a number of reasons the 50F works better under instead of over, IMO. The Palisade's great pad attachment system is one of the main ones, since you can adjust the lighter quilt without any trouble(my Palisade is a Wide, too). A 50F quilt is really nice to have, regardless. Mine sees a lot of use late spring through early fall, I sleep under it on my bed at home sometimes, and take it whenever I'm staying anywhere overnight, whether someone's house or a hotel.

I too am getting an MLD Spirit 48 to complement my 20f quilt, and ordering it with a head slot to wear as poncho in camp. That way I won't need to bring a puffy, so weight saving with multi-use.

We (wife & I) have layered a wide double-width down quilt over our single summer down quilts in the snow. Worked well. Cheers

Sam, Do you think the synthetic is helpful? I am also in the Southeast. I would prefer a lighter down, but don't want to create an issue when they are layered.

Hey Ryan, I have only used the combo once so far in temps around 38 just to test it out. So not much experience. I got the sun quilt in the warm season. But, on that one occasion, my synthetic outer quilt was noticeably moist while my inner down bag felt dry as a bone. So I do wholeheartedly believe it helps to have a thin syn quilt over a down bag in our humid winters. A light down over quilt would definitely work as well though. Roger Caffin uses a down over quilt in winter. But it's just my personal opinion that a syn quilt works better for buffering all the moisture. Especially condensed breath which always soaked my down quilt when used alone. Plus, a 50f quilt is GREAT for our summers. At that temp range, it just makes sense to get a syn quilt since most 50f quilts have so little down in them them that they create cold spots while the syn quilt is one even layer of insulation. My 50f syn quilt (slim width/reg length which is perfect for down here) weighs just 12.8oz, so a down quilt wouldn't really be any lighter. BUT, a down quilt would def last longer. So, just weigh your variables and pick the solution you feel most appropriate for YOU. Happy hiking from the SC foothills.

My only hesitation on the syn quilt is the size. I am a big guy by hiker standards 6'1 240 and my Katabatibc is a long/wide. The size of the EE Wide is the same as the Katabatibc. Do you see and issue with not having a bit larger quilt on the outside?

I have no problem layering a slim width over a reg width. The key is in how you implement the over quilt. Snap together the foot end a cinch the cord. That's it. Don't do up the zipper. Then just hook it over the under quilts footbox. You can see how much extra there is on the sides. The inner quilt would actually be tighter than that of I were in it. I'm a narrow guy. The extra for tucking.

Thanks for the visual.