From quilt to sleeping bag

Interested to hear some reaction to this as one that has a quilt on order, because I also am an active side sleeper. I intend to upgrade my pad (Uberlite) to a Nemo that is I think R of about 4 to compensate. I’ve seen reviews suggesting the EE may not be true to the rating. Do you concur?

Were you using pad straps to keep the sides of your quilt tucked in?

I go to a bag when it’s going to be in the low 20s or below. Above that, I’m in a quilt. I’m a very active sleeper and I don’t use straps and such.

Instead, I’ve got my own system to keep drafts at bay while sleeping developed over a short bit of time. Basically, I always turn toward the mat instead of away from it. Before turning, I reach over to the side of the quilt I’m turning away from and hold it while turning. This prevents that side of the quilt from creating a draft gap while I turn. Hope that makes sense.

I’ve tried it with and without the pad straps. From my own personal experience, I’d say the EE temp ratings are a little generous for me.  I know some find them accurate. Doug, that’s basically what I’ve had the best results with.  I have a 15 degree Marmot Helium my wife uses.  I may have to try it on my next trip and see how I like it compared to my quilt.  Its probably been at least 10 years since I’ve used a bag.

I know this opens up a can of worms, but I’ve never been entirely convinced by the weight argument for quilts as compared to a no-frills bag like the FF Tanager (see below).

Rating for rating, the EE  Revelation is actually a touch heavier, and FF are known for their conservative ratings.

When you think about it, the only saving with the quilt is a small gap at the bottom by the time you’ve got it tucked under you.

You could argue that a quilt will be better in the heat, but then again, the Tanager should be significantly more efficient in the cold.

I used a zipless bag (made for me by Rab Carrington on his kitchen table when he was just starting up his business!) for many years, from bivvies on high alpine ledges to campsites in Florence in August heat. I was always comfortable – you just slide it down to your hips when it’s hot. I have a zip on my current bag but find it a pain and rarely use it.

Or you could do what SectionHiker and many others are doing and go for a quilt/bag hybrid like the FF Flickr – but there’s a significant weight penalty and all the faff of a zip to put up with.

Personally, I’m thinking of going back to a simple, fail-safe zipless bag. I’d much rather risk being too warm than too cold!

A zipless bag?  What Erica Jong would sleep in, I suppose.  I like the simplicity and weight savings, but fret that I wouldn’t have enough temperature control, at bedtime before things have cooled off as much as they will by morning.

To the OP: I haven’t gone back to a sleeping bag except in really cold temps for which I have warmer bags than quilts.  I turn through the night, although not a lot, and found there was a subconscious learning curve to doing it without fully waking up, but that only took 2 nights of use.

David

Sleeping is so personal, there is clearly no single solution that would be best for everyone. I think we all have to find our own best compromise (because every lightweight solution is going to be a compromise, I think).

For me, temperature control with the zipless bag is far less of an issue than you’d expect. I realised the other day that it had been years since I actually used the zip on my current bag. As I say, I simply move it down to my waist when it’s hot. I’m thinking of making my own, and might put a drawstring at the bottom so I could stick my feet out. But that might just over-complicate things…

I went back to a FF Flicker about 3 years ago and will never part with it.  I have a ton of temperature control and yet can button up when things get too chilly.  Yes, I could have saved 3-4 oz but a good nights sleep is vastly more important to me.

No-one seems to have a bad word to say about the Flickr…

I use a 20° EE Revelation on an XTherm, usually on a Thinlight. Very comfortable down to freezing. I’m a very active side sleeper, and sleep so much better under a quilt than in a bag, which I find really restrictive and frequently gets twisted up. Love how it just stays on top of me, like a… quilt.

“No-one seems to have a bad word to say about the Flickr…”

Indeed. It kind of morphs into whatever you would like – quilt, blanket, hoodless sleeping bag.  It’s versatility is fantastic.  Also, mine is the wide version which does let me layer in if required without much issue.

Do you have one?

No – I don’t have one. Bit beyond my budget right now, but I might have a go at making one.

I’m just not convinced that I personally need that big zip and the weight and faff that go with it. But clearly it works well for a lot of people – the interwebs are awash with rave reviews.

I can’t help feeling that a simple zipless bag with a drawstring foot would give a very similar level of flexibility with less weight and complexity. And a lot easier to make – FF say they went through dozens of iterations before they settled on the current design which I can believe. The zip baffle looks particularly clever…

While I prefer a short centre zip I don’t have any problems with a zip less wriggle in bag.

I also have no trouble regulating my temperature in such a bag by simple manipulation of the hood and neck drawcords or wriggling some way out and airing my torso

It’s a bit of a dinosaur now but was state of the art UL when I bought it, half ounce shell fabric and 900FP goose down. A bit warmer after a recent top-up.

1500g and 900 grams of 800/850 down Rated about -18C.

The thing about zipperless bags is that they work so much better with an overquilt

I use a quilt down to around freezing. 30°F  after that it’s back to an enclosed bag for me.

I’ve used quilts near 12 years, and love them for warmer times, but if it looks like consistently freezing, I usually take a bag.

We are all different. I have a couple of friends who swear by zipless bags.  But for me I’m not convinced. I get cold feet and cold shoulders/chest, but my stomach and groin area are often much much warmer so need venting.  A quilt, or zipped bag works better.

I’d like to try a zipless bag for sub zero .

Back into a WM Mitylite once cold enough. Quilts come into their own in hammocks.

I get cold feet and cold shoulders/chest, but my stomach and groin area are often much much warmer so need venting.

How interesting – I’m pretty much the opposite. I get cold hips and thighs, but my feet and chest are never a problem. If I can vent my chest in the heat I stay comfortable, but don’t mind at all if my hips and feet are toasty.

People really are different – I guess that’s why we develop strong attachments to different solutions! The only problem is when people get evangelical and try and “convert” non-believers.

One thing I did notice – Cam Honan did one of his occasional gear surveys of well known thru-hikers a year or two back, and I was quite surprised at how many of them were using bags. It seems there really is a significant subset of people who just don’t get on with quilts.

https://www.thehikinglife.com/2018/04/the-thru-hikers-gear-list-vol-2/

I appreciate all the responses.  I think my next trip I’ll just have to give my Marmot Helium a shot and see how I like it.

Love my Marmot Helium. Accurate rating, imo.