Katabatic quilt width

You could look into the Flex 30 if you’re curious about sticking with Katabatic.  It’s 2 inches wider in both the regular and wide versions than the elite series quilts.  My long/wide is the perfect length for me at 6’2″, and a bit too wide for me, as I only weigh 165 lb.

Owen, on their site it says they are both 58″ in the shoulder.

You’re right, it’s only for the regular size that the flex runs wider.  My mistake.

I do think there is a market for very wide quilts, RSBTR sold out of the 72inch wide very very quickly

For use as a winter overquilt [ I am 184cm tall and 115 kilos 117cm chest] even the extra wide are no where near wide enough for my needs

I moved to a wide quilt and a wide pad to get it to work for me.  I don’t use any quilt to pad connections, just some shockcord across the back to hold things together.  I recently picked up a Flex 22 regular width which is two inches wider at the shoulder and foot, but five inches wider at the hip, compared to the Elite regular width.  I am a side sleeper that hangs my rear off the pad and the extra hip width is about perfect for me and the 54″ shoulder width has been ok.  If you aren’t on a wide pad already you may want to give that a try first.

I should have mentioned that I do sleep on a S2S Comfort+ XL in winter

Could something else be going on like that the Palisade is tapered too much or yours is cut wrong and too narrow? Maybe measure it to see. Are you getting the straps tight enough around your pad? If they are tight and able to slide they really can’t pull off the pad especially if they are fit toward the outside of the pad. I’m 6’1 190 and built like a one of those crossfit people and I’d have to be massively bigger than I am to get my 58″ shouldered Flex 30 Long/Wide to pull off the pad as you describe so there must be some other contributing factor. Well, unless you have freakishly wide shoulders that dwarf even the largest of men!

Colin, per your suggestion I just measured the shoulder. Pulled tight it measures at 52″. This is the exact dimension that Katabatic lists as their “regular”. Since I ordered a Long/Wide this would explain why mine felt narrow. I sent them an email explaining what happened but they are out till the 15th of this month. I’m sure they will make my order right and send me the wide one. Im really hoping that this will be the ticket.

Colin, do you use the shock cord setup?

Justin,

The tag on the quilt should state the model and size along with fill type and weight.  In spite of what the tag says, if you are measuring 52″ at the widest point, that is a standard width bag.

I didnt look at the tag. But yes regardless it measured 52″ at its widest point.

Justin, get the new Nunatak vertical baffle quilt. I think it’s the new standard in quilts imho. Here’s a first impressions video I did. I took it to New Mexico last week and it performed awesomely. Like I say in the vid, it’s all the best of EE, Katabatic, plus a few more features.

Justin- Well that makes a lot more sense! Katabatic is totally legit, I have no concerns at all they will take care of you at no expense.

I use the yellow cords to sleep on rather than the flat cords, not sure if that’s the shock cord or yours came with something else. I tie a loop in the cord and move it to on one side and attach one side’s clips to those loops so it’s got some room to open up if needed to ventilate and attach directly to the cord (that’s tight against the mat) when it’s colder. Can’t remember where I got that idea but it works really well.

Matthew, wow that Nunatak looks killer. Which one did you get? The Pro or the UL?

I’m 6′ / 180lbs and have a Katabatic Alsek Long/Wide. I also have wide shoulders and find mine to be plenty wide enough. I don’t lock mine down either. When I change positions I grab the inside of the quilt around my shoulders to keep it locked down. There’s some technique involved.

Per your point about getting something wider… Once upon a time, I ordered a XXXL Hammock Gear Burrow in 64″ and spent all night trying to continually tuck it in under me. Wider wasn’t the answer. The quilt cut and underside band on the katabatic solved that problem. Honestly, I don’t think you’ll find a better quilt that ‘snugs’ up around you.

I unapologetically love my Katabatic quilt…. it might be my favorite piece of gear. :)

Justin, I got the UL version.

Katabatic wouldnt return it so I now have it up for sale. See my other post.

Justin – I’m curious…given your last post, and assuming that Katabatic did indeed send you something other than what was ordered, how are they making this right?  Is it just “sorry, you are on your own”?

Wow, I read your FS post and IMO their policy is manifestly unfair if you discovered only upon first using it that it was not to spec.

I would definitely be doing business with somebody else in the future.

Bob,

Katabatic said that they do not measure their quilts at the top but rather around the first baffle. The top measurement they say does indeed measure 52 inches. See below for their info in quotes.

“Yes, the wide size does measure 52” pulled tight at the top.  The 58” is around the shoulders, which is wider… Also,if you have a <i>flexible</i> measuring tape/string, you can measure the shoulder circumference the way we do.  Since the inside of the bag has such a curved shape, it cannot be accurately measured simply by pulling it straight across.  We take the measurement at the bottom of the first baffle (second seam line from the top), where most folks’ shoulders will be.  We let the bag lay naturally, and run the measuring tape around the inner circumference of the bag, which reflects the shoulder circumference.  This is where you should get the 58”.”

Since I used it once they won’t return it. I understand they have their rules but I still feel a bit let down. My EE is a Long/Wide and measures 61″ I believe at the shoulder. It feels much wider and less drafty.

I’m not a huge guy. I stand 6’3, 195#.

Justin- sorry to hear about your experience. I’m also tall (6’2″) with broad shoulders. I have the Flex 30 long/wide and haven’t the issues you had with regards to the quilt riding up even in lock down mode.

Well at least there is some rationale for their policy, harsh as it might be.

Great way to lose a new customer, though. I know I will keep that in mind.

Back in 1984 (yikes!) I was charged something like $25 as a late fee by American Express. My payment was 2 days late because I was on a road trip for work, and back in the Dark Ages we were still mailing checks to pay bills. In this case the total bill was barely more than the late fee, maybe $29 or so. I called and spoke with a young fellow who told me that was their policy and he couldn’t change it. I said my policy is to cancel the account, which I did on the spot. Over the years I have gotten literally several thousand fancy mailings from Amex, probably costing hundreds of dollars in postage alone, and I still smile every time I shred them.

Bob, yep I totally agree. I was really surprised that they would not take the bag back. Oh well my business is going elsewhere. The quality of their bags is nice but I dont think 2 size offerings is enough these days with so many of their competitors giving so many options and customizations.