temp rating accuracy for quilts

It's kind of impossible to objectively judge any quilt or bag as being "accurate" for everybody, there are cold and warm sleepers, etc. The best way to look at it IMO is whether a given quilt or bag at a given temp rating keeps the same person warm to the same temp as other bags and quilts of the same temp rating. On that measure I've found that EE measures up well, particularly with the "shiftless" baffle design they've switched to a year or two ago.

To add to JR's comments of accurate temp ratings: a lot of this is dependent of having the correct size bag for yourself, not to big or small. And especially for quilts such as EE quilts, the warmth you get is also dependent on your sleeping pad insulation and ground temperature. You also need to consider what you're using to keep your head warm for use with the quilt. It's all about putting your sleep system together to make it all work for you.

I've been testing a STS quilt which is rated to 40 degrees. I have been comfortable at 32 (frost on the ground). I love it as a summer bag. I wear some clothes when sleeping with it, but I've never needed to throw my down coat over it. Id say the 40 degree rating is conservative.

*Disclosure: I work for EE* As mentioned already, temp ratings are always going to be somewhat subjective, though we do try to make sure they compare reasonably to other quilts or bags of the same rating. That said, with something that gives you more freedom or flexibility like a quilt, some of the individual pieces matter more, like head insulation. Personally I just use a beanie down to about 40°, and switch to a Hoodlum below that. I've also known some folks who said they felt like they were a bit cold near the rated temperature, then added some booties and could then push 10° below the rating no problem, so how you personally sleep will determine a lot about how it works for you. For whatever it's worth, I use a 40° quilt for my "summer" quilt (which usually is later spring and early fall for me, since summer temps around here are pretty consistently 70° and up even at night), and use a 20° for further into shoulder seasons.

"the warmth you get is also dependent on your sleeping pad insulation and ground temperature" I wonder how "accurate" sleeping systems become if I were to sleep on this: As others have said in different ways, there are a TON of variables which will impact one's personal perception of the "accuracy" of a sleeping bag, or the company which manufacturers it. Even different sleeping bag designs by the same manufacturer may end up with varying perceptions of "accuracy". Furthermore, above and beyond the clothing I am wearing when I go to bed, other factors include: – do I "sleep cold" or am I a "heatsink"? – what did I recently eat? – how much did I just drink? – the temperature and humidity (yes – the temperature deviation from what we consider "comfort range" affects the R-value of a material) – the barometric pressure – wind chill – am I a side sleeper, do I toss & turn at night, do I have a risk of opening up my quilt at night? – so on and so forth Putting aside all the variables, I've come to believe that even though sleeping bag temp ratings have become more "standardized" over the years, it is truly a fruitless endeavor to determine relative "accuracy" until the sleeping pad manufacturers agree on a standard for themselves as well. I can assure you that not all "R" rated pads are the same, as absurd as it sounds.

Thanks, one and all. Yes, lots of variables. I appreciate the responses and thus the help in the consideration.

I'm a cold sleeper and have been really impressed with the EE ratings. I use a 30 deg EE Revelation quilt for my "warmer" weather bag. The last few nights I've used it in 42 deg lows and was warm with very lightweight base layers. I have full confidence that I could easily go down to 30 deg and be comfortable. I'm a mostly side sleeper too and have no problems with drafts. I have fairly broad shoulders and got a reg width. I don't know what they're smoking over at EE but they're conservative in every way in a positive way. :-) No better value in the bag/quilt arena in my opinion. Plus, if you get one and don't like it you could sell it in a few hours on Gear Swap.