History of the quilt as we know it.

I’ve got a Caribou semi-rectangular bag that, when opened flat, pairs with a lower slip cover. No insulation on the bottom, just nylon fabric to hold two thermorests in place. I got it in 1984 or 1985. Still have it. Still works.

Goes back a lot further than that. I have a copy of Gerry’s little DIY book and he talks about a “Mountain Sleeper” And this is basically where BA got the idea from I would say.

Although being a climber and mountaineer Gerry Cunningham intended his shell to be used with a half bag and duvet. He pointed out the insulation lost by crushing as far back as 1950

My first real backpacking bag (you know, without a flannel lining printed with ducks and pheasants in flight), was from REI, circa 1975, and had down on the top where it would do the most good and fiberfill on the bottom where it would not compress as much under your body weight.

Many military historians have reported that cold weather injuries contributed substantially to “loss of combat effectiveness” in US and Allied troops in WWII and the Korean War. So it is no surprise that the Canadians were researching better sleeping systems.

Circa 1967, in Scouts I had one of those bags lined with flannel printed with ducks. The insulation was kapok if I remember right. We used Army surplus ponchos for our shelters, and matched with a canvas frameless rucksack, my pack weight including consumables was usually under 22 lbs,

<p style=”text-align: right;”>David, that was my first real bag as well.  “Downside Up” IIRC.</p>

Dang that I phone formatting….

I have a Marmot Grouse one- or two-person semi-rectangular down sleeping bag.  It came with a bottom sheet that zipped into the bag when fully opened and flat.  I bought it in the early 1980’s as a 3-season bag for my wife and me, and we used it a lot (and it was great, less than 3 lbs for two people for a 3-season bag was pretty good for those days).  Without the bottom sheet it’s a conventional 2 lb 2 oz one-person bag, albeit without a mummy hood.  Also, the internal side baffle was not completely sewn in, so by vigorous shaking you can move down from one side to the other (useful if one person sleeps wamer than the other, or for single person use to adjust the top loft.

My only complaint is they talked me into getting it with Gore-tex outer fabric, which I now regret.  Gore-tex outer fabric on a down bag is not the best idea in the world, as it keeps in too much moisture.  But we only used it for short outings, so it worked fine.