Quilt Temps Accurate for Women?

Many quilt users on this site (male & female) say that they only use quilts in warmer conditions (i.e., summer temperatures), because in cold weather (like 25F) quilts are too drafty.

If you're a naturally cold sleeper looking for comfort into the 20sF — I think you'll be much better off with a traditional sleeping bag.

BTW, I AM a woman, and I routinely need a bag that's over-rated 20F+, otherwise I'm too cold (even though I'm wearing a fleece hat, powerstretch long undies, and a long sleeved mid-weight merino shirt). It's horrible — how can one be UL with all that stuff???!

My latest effort at being as UL as possible has been to sell off all my sleeping bags (really good ones, too!) and buy two used Western Mountaineering bags: one rated for 30F with 2 oz of overstuff added; the other rated for 0F. Hopefully, these will be warm enough for all occasions, and I will never have to purchase another bag for the rest of my life!

I'm not a woman, but I'm a cold sleeper. My 20° EE quilt with overstuffed is only warm for me until about 35 without adding an insulating layer.

Ratings are given assuming that an insulation layer corresponding to the air temperature is in use.
REI has this on their FAQ :
"When a bag is described as a "20 degree bag," it means that most users should remain comfortable if the air temperature drops no lower than 20°F. These ratings assume that the sleeper is wearing a layer of long underwear and using a sleeping pad under the bag."

In my case 20f means wearing 190 merino top and bottom, socks and a wool hat.

With that my 20F Ultralite works for me.

The Mammut article about EN13537 http://www.mammut.ch/images/Mammut_Sleep_well_pt1_E.pdf

says that, on page 31, that for summer, men can go 3 degree C colder with the same bag, for 3 season 5 degree C, for winter 7 degree C – this is some sort of average over many men and women

I have been using an Enlightened Equipment 30 F quilt, with overstuff, for the last 2 summers while backpacking, and have found it to be plenty warm, paired with a Neoair pad. I do wear baselayers while sleeping, and a hat, but mostly I've found it either too warm, where the ventilating feature is great, or plenty warm. I don't shoulder season much, nor do I sleep particularly high–6000-7000 feet is probably about the limit. Backpacking in the Cascades and Olympics in the summer. I do get really cold once I stop for the day, and usually change into dry clothes and pile on the layers once I get to camp. I sleep warm at home, but have been too cold with mummy bags in the past. Adjusting my food intake around dinner/bedtime has helped keep fires stoked during the night.

edited for numbers–whoops, how did that extra 0 get there?

Thanks for the response! I often do camp during the shoulder seasons (though my cutoff is forecasted lows in the 20s), and the weight savings of a quilt sounded so appealing. I'm definitely thinking twice about ditching my bag now.

while there are exceptions that vary by individual …

there is simply no way that the average women (with a large sample size) will have the same quilt "rating" as the average man

women in general requires more insulation for the same temperature … this is a physiological fact

in en-ratings assume that women require a bag roughly 10F warmer than men

for more read here

http://www.mammut.ch/images/Mammut_Sleep_well_pt1_E.pdf

;)

Don't sell yourself short, Diane! Sleeping in the stratosphere is pretty impressive. ;)

Virginia, I'm a very cold sleeper and usually rate my sleeping bags at 15 F degrees above their stated limit. The only exception is Nunatak, whose ratings I've found to be accurate. One advantage of the cottage quilt makers is customization such as overfill, special design, draft tubes, etc. I've also found that a down or synthetic filled pad helps considerably.

“…and the weight savings of a quilt sounded so appealing. I'm definitely thinking twice about ditching my bag now.”

Yes, the weight savings is amazing. But it comes at a cost. Consider Zpacks:
“10 Degrees (-12* C) – Medium Length, Regular Width – 19.4 ounces (550 grams) $410”

Plus the zpack zips up like a bag (with the zipper underneath) for those freezing nights. That seals in the heat nice. When it’s freezing I add a balaclava and a synthetic hat — which I continue to wear when I get up. And when it’s freezing, I like the placement of the shoulder cinch strap.

And on those warm 50F nights— just letting the quilt drape— feels nice.

Good luck in the bag choice,
-Barry
-Praying for global warming for the last 15 years

Not a woman, but as someone mentioned earlier, don't underestimate the value of your pad. No amount of insulation on top will keep heat from being pulled out the bottom.

Also, ymmv on this, but in my experience often when I'm too cold, bundling up way more layers of clothing makes it worse rather than better. No idea why, but while a base layer helps me a lot, wearing my socks makes my feet cold. Adding a coat or warm pants often seems to leave me colder too. My guess is it has something to do with circulation (heat transfers to my feet better outside my legs than inside?) but I have no idea if that is even possible.

When they rate a bag, its rated with baselayers, and on a GOOD pad.

the bag is also zipped up snug with the dummy inside it.

Just moving around in a UL sleeping bag can cause a lot of air exchange between the warm inside and cold outside thru the facehole if the bag doesnt have a draft collar or such.

Is it any wonder many people find quilts not as warm as bags?

Its because they really arent.

Put a hood on it, cinch it up, close the bottom and get rid of drafts, and it could be with the same loft. Without it , its not. Dont expect it to quite be.

If you use a hood or good head insulation, and stay very still, it is close enough.

And most women, sleep considerably colder.

Ive witnessed a woman sleep snug in an 20F WM ultralight at 55F, while I sweated with a corner of my 30F bag pulled over my tummy.