DOWN OVERQUILT as an alternative to a winter bag?

The overbag system is a very viable option. I figure a 40*F (1.5") quilt over a 20*F (2.5") quilt gives 4" of loft worth -10*F or better of warmth.

This is the system i recommend my customers use if they don't want to buy a dedicated winter bag/quilt. I will happily sell you 3 quilts but you probably only need 2:)

I personally use a 50* and a 30* for my two quilts which can take me to 0*. I do have a 0* but I made it just for testing some new fabric, i'll use it once this year:)

-Tim Marshall
Owner; Enlightened Equipment

I love a two-quilt setup, and a quilt over a sleeping bag would work the same way. I've done a 20° and 40° together down to ~-15°F (this is probably slightly lower than I'd really recommend; I tend to sleep warm). It makes a versatile combo that's more useful for the rest of the year.

Why down and not synthetic? I would guess a synthetic quilt on top could give you better moisture performance (let it get wet, keep your down bag dry). There shouldn't be much difference in weight between synthetic and down for a 40 degree quilt

Next year, I am planning on pairing a 30 degree down quilt with a synthetic quilt topper, probably 2.5oz Climashield Apex. My idea is for the synthetic quilt topper to be narrow (just enough width to cover the down quilt), with a head slit in the middle so I could wear it around camp or maybe wrap around my waist.

John,

There is no reason not to use synthetic over bags. Condensation management is n their favor but down is still lighter and packs smaller. As you say the 40* synthetic is much more tolerable in weight and bulk than the warmer ones but I think the 40* down quilt will get used more in my kit as I just prefer sleeping under down in all but the hottest weather

-Tim

Tim, I was thinking about a synthetic over quilt for the 20* Accomplice to take it down for winter camping for the GF and I. We could use it for Summer, also. Your thoughts?

Yeah, I've proposed a synthetic over quilt as a way to manage perspiration moisture in winter bags in other threads and I'm seriously considering it. Weight is the big problem.

John, I also would use Climashield for its excellent loft retention. I had a bad experience with the early Primaloft failing after just one summer on the AT and PA's Susquehannock Trail System.

I MAY ask a quilt maker to use a DWR treated down. It's a middle ground option.

My system is WM Linelite inside RAB top bag inside Golite Ultra 20 (overquilt) for winter.

I'm going with an overquilt (will be MYOG synthetic if I ever get it sewn) mostly to save money. An overquilt is a lot less expensive than a dedicated snow camping bag. Plus I like the synthetic insulation for the exterior in terms of keeping condensation and frost out of the down.