EE Revelation X 20* quilt – 30% overfill necessary?

I ordered the 30 degree quilt with 20% overfill. Just took it out this week-end, temps were not extreme so I haven't really tested it out, but it's common for me to sleep in a puffy and down booties, and I definitely did not need those. Temps were 51 F at 5:30 am, so didn't get down really low, but I was pleasantly surprised with not needing to really pile on clothes–previously I was using a Montbell SS #3, and I sleep on a Neo-Air. I did have a hoodie on, and reached for a hat, but I had gloves, down jacket and down booties ready to go and did not need them.

Partially I'm doing a better job with my hydration and nutrition, but I think the quilt helped too–it's the puffiest thing I've ever seen!

Not sure how that helps you, as our situations are different, but hope it give you some idea of scope.

Well, my revelation x is a 0 degree quilt. Construction is top notch. I opted for overfill as it would be used in winter. I'd definitely recommend the 20 degree version for you and would have one if I didn't already have a similar quilt. I use my 20 degree quilt regularly in the Sierras in the summer and find it works great. If I was buying for my wife (or another woman) I'd recommend the overfill. It seems like she always sleeps cold and its not much of a weight penalty.

Eileen,

I just bought a Revelation quilt a few hours ago, haha. This is my first quilt. I have previously owned a WM ultralite and summerlite. I also do most of my backpacking in the Sierra's above 10k. I went with the 20* with overfill. Obviously I dont have the quilt yet, so cant give you any firsthand experience, but I'll tell you why I chose overfill. For an extra ~2 ounces i get a 24 ounce (wide version) quilt that should be able to handle May and October in the Sierra's. I have been out in those months when it was in the teens, and I don't want to have a second sleeping bag just for those months. I love extending my backpacking season into October when there are less people, no bugs, and beautiful scenery. In the end I'll probably save weight since those 2 ounces will give me the confidence to leave unneeded layers at home.

Tim's quilts are very high quality and he rates them very conservatively, but you need to look at more than just your quilt to determine what temps you will be comfortable in.
You said you were cold in the low 30's in your 15* Marmot bag, which should be EN rated for Women to about 27*. I am curious what pad + type of shelter you are using, as that may determine the answer to your question.

Generally, when I was cold in my Marmot bag I was in my Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 & probably on a Thermarest ProLite (short length w/clothing under lower legs and feet). For my upcoming trip (with the quilt) I'll be in a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 on an Exped SynMat.

I have this very quilt and wholeheartedly recommend the overfill.

A Thermarest ProLite has an R value of only 2.2 while the Exped SynMat has a rating of 4.9; I would assume a 20* rated quilt from Tim would get you down to 30* combined with that pad without the overstuff, however the overstuff is a very small weight penalty for a bit of xtra warmth to push your sleep system a bit further.

Thanks all, for your input.

I went with the 30% overfill. Even though I'm 5'5" and size sm, I also went for the wide, 6' long version. All these "extras" will certainly make this a comfy set up from head to toe and allow me to stretch it to lower temps if need be. I appreciate your comments (and am *VERY* excited to get my quilt!).

Soooooooo, the important question. What color did you get?

Eileen, I actually ended up buying two quilts. I changed the first to a 6'6" wide Revelation 20* w/overstuff for the shoulder seasons. And for the second I got a 6' wide 40* Revelation X w/overstuff in red for the summer. I am stoked. And Tim waived the extra ten bucks to switch my first quilt order from 6' to 6'6" since I bought 2. Awesome.

Eileen,
I'm about to order the Revelation X and wondered if you could update me about your choice. Did you go with 30* w/ 30% overfill? Are you happy with it? Are you warm enough?

I am a 5'6, 125 lb woman who tosses and turns and am thinking about getting the 6', wide, 30* with 30% overfill version.

Oh gosh, Susanrobb, I wish I'd seen this last year…

Truth be told, I was not warm in my EE RevelationX 20*, 6', wide quilt with overfill. I sleep cold. Our coldest night was about 28* (early Aug., JMT, 11,300'). I was VERY cold and didn't sleep well on this night (wearing long johns top/bottom, montbell UL down jacket, hat and gloves, sleeping on an Exped UL 7 air pad) and woke up from the cold in the chilly early AM on a couple of other nights that were in the very low 30s.

I'm planning on hiking the JMT again this summer, so I'm back on the forum looking into gear/lightening my load. Once again, I'm reconsidering my sleeping options.

Still fantasizing about sleeping warm and cozy.

Eileen

If you seriously want to stay warm and cozy, a Neo Air Xtherm (Rvalue 5.7) topped off with a Western Mountaineering Versalite (10 F.) should do it. Combined weight according to company specs is just shy of 3 lbs. I have a wide EE Rev 20 with overfill and can see how it would not keep a cold sleeping female on a synmat 7 (R 3.1) warm at 20-25 degrees.

Eileen, I am like you – I sleep awfully cold at night. This past fall/winter I realized I was losing my heat through the pad…I could feel the cold coming up from underneath me, despite having a pretty nice attachment system to minimize drafts. I have a 20* revelation.

I switched to the exped downmat UL 7 short (I'm 5'7") and holy cow did that make a difference! I am soooo much happier now. The cheapest swap for you would be the mat…give a warmer one a try and see if that helps. Also highly highly recommend the down booties from GooseFeet. They have also done wonders for my sleeping comfort.

I notice on these forums that everyone who tries an Exped downmat becomes hooked. They do add so much comfort and warmth for the weight.

Re the quilt. I have the 20F Revelation and did not get it overfilled but wish I had. Tim has very kindly offered to do so for me if I send it back. Mine has the old baffle design (shorter) and the down moves around. My primary reason to overfill would be to stabilize down movement, more so than a pursuit of more warmth.

I have a WM Ultralite (rated 20F) and it is 32 oz. Adding 3oz to my quilt will bring it to 25, which gets it too close to the WM bag's weight. I prefer to keep a bigger gap between my sleeping gear for versatility. So I just shake the down toward the center each night before I sleep and I am happy!

Derrick

I added 1oz to my Rev40. Allows me to sleep down to the mid 30's with no extra layers. Where I am, that covers my needs 95% of the time.

Your rev x quilt has a generous amount of down, especially when compared to most bags. my suspicion is that you need a warmer pad or more likely a bivy to help manage drafts. I also wonder if your tent is vented well, i've seen some folks close vents to try to stay warm. Also, you seem to bundle up a ton for bed.

My son was having a similar problem with a wm vesalite, in addressing his concerns about being too cold he dressed warmly and went to bed. every morning the outside of his bag would literally be wet from sweat, if you are going too far to keep warm you maybe sweating, in which case the draft from a quilt would really keep you awake.

I know it sounds counter intuitive, but try sleeping a little cooler.

If you look at the measurments and fill of your quilt and compare it against wm specs you will be suprised.

Thank you all for your advice.

Although I have never felt any coolness from below while sleeping on the Exped synmat UL7, I guess I (wrongly) thought all was well w/my sleeping pad choice. Truth be told, I've made decisions about sleeping pads based solely on weight and general description (e.g. 3-season or 4, presence of insulating material, etc.). I now realize the significance of Rvalve and the fact that even though I wasn't aware of any coolness under me I have likely been losing heat through the base/pad of my sleeping system.

I agree, my quilt should be adequate in the high 20s-low 30s (oh, and I forgot to mention I used a silk liner too, which should add a couple of degrees!). Replacing the pad will be cheaper and lighter than replacing the bag/quilt. The NeoAir Xtherm is lighter than the Xped downmat, so I think I'll go with that (even though I've slept on a regular NeoAir pad a few times and disliked horizontal design) and see how it improves things.

Oh… I do sleep in a tent (Big Agnes seedhouse SL1) and when the fly is on, I stake it out/vent it. Also, I realize sweating in all my layers is entirely possible… but I only started layering up like that in the quilt because I was so cold early on in the trip (started out with only thin top/bottom long johns, socks, and hat). I was sleeping so poorly, I hiked off the trail at Red's Meadow and went into Mammoth to buy heavier long johns. Ugh. (Oh, and I nearly always take a quick sponge/splash bath to get the day's sweat off & avoid nighttime chills).

I'm feeling hopeful… Xtherm, here I come!

Another option is to try a foam pad under your snymat or get a downmat ul.

Eileen

A Nalgene hot water bottle does wonders for my wife, and eating a chocolate or energy bar shortly before bedtime will help fire up your metabolism and generate more warmth from within. Good luck with your Xtherm, it should make a significant difference.

Ross –

This has been recommended to me before, and the idea of holding a hot water bottle to my core is heavenly! My hesitation, however, is that heating water before bed (or extra water earlier in the evening) would require carrying additional fuel. Something I'd like to avoid on a thru hike but maybe worth it. Similarly, eating a snack before bed would require carrying an additional daily bit of food or saving something until bed that I would have otherwise consumed during the day. I know, however, I tend to have uneaten food at the end of the trip though… so I can probably afford to nibble some at night (will just avoid the choc. covered espresso beans ;) !

Thanks for these reminders.

Eileen

EE Revelation quilts are already overstuffed by 20% standard. 30% overfill on top of that? How much extra ounces needed for 30% overfill for 6′REG (original fill weight 13.9)?

The Rev 20% overfill standard is new for 2013. Previously it was 10% standard overfill if my memory serves me correctly. Check with Tim from EE but I would think 1.5 ounces extra down would get you to 30% overstuff.