Topic

Lightest Wide Summer Quilt?

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
Luke R BPL Member
PostedSep 30, 2024 at 12:27 pm

It seems to me the lightest wide down quilt for summer (I love packability so no APEX) is the EE Enigma 50 at 10.88oz @ $285 ish in the 7d fabrics. What alternatives are there to this? I am curious to see what people use, such as down blankets or other simpler, cheaper things that are not MYOG or APEX. A blanket does have to be big enough though. I am 6′ and 175lbs. I don’t want to sleep in a coffin. I do often have summer backpacking trips with 50-60 nights and no, I don’t want to just sleep in my clothes with no quilt/blanket. I can’t sleep without some kind of covering. Too weird. Currently using my 30 palisade but it’s too warm and probably double the weight of a good-enough alternative for a night in the 50s.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions!

James R BPL Member
PostedSep 30, 2024 at 12:56 pm

IMO, EE fills an important niche as far as providing products of good value at reasonable price points. I own some of their stuff and have bought some for my family.   However, if I wanted the “best” of something – especially in the sphere of down quilts –  I normally would look at more niche players.  Apex (which you are not looking for) tends to be more generic in terms of specs (if the manufacture will tell you the spec) and IMO that is an area where EE offers excellent value and performance.  Not to say a manufacturer cannot purchase and utilize sub-par Apex (I think that can happen).

Let’s see what owners of the Enigma have to say and their level of experience with other products.

As far as a super light summer down quilt, I’d look at  Katabatic, Nunatak, etc. etc.  (Hmm, I think Katabatic may have dropped it’s least warm quilt).   I see you own the Katabatic Palisade so you likely have an opinion on that brand. I think a key benefit of the Katabatic is the cord system …  I also own a 6 ft Palisade am happy with it a a height of about 6 feet +1/2 inch and weight of 170 lbs.   Katabatic tends to be conservative on its comfort ratings.

Among other things, I own or have purchased EE products (Apex quilt and outerwear) Katabatic quilts (2 models, both down)  Nunatak products (Apex), MLD products (Apex and other stuff) WM products, FF products etc., so I have some exposure to some of those manufacturers’ items.

 

 

Also, historically EE was widely perceived to advertise temperature comfort ratings that many people felt were much more optimistic than competing manufacturers – not sure current status on that because it has also been reported that at some point they modified their ratings in response to market concerns.  I usually use Katabatic and WM as my benchmarks when look at comfort ratings and if a competitor is suggesting something that seems to good to be true, I compare construction, shape, down quality and most important after that – fill weight.  If I remember correctly, historically EE was an outlier in that it tended to show “comfort ratings” that were warmer than competitors despite not comparing favorably on the key metrics that contribute to warmth.

Not bashing EE – they do have good products.  But IMO, I would not choose an EE DOWN quilt based on the advertised weight and advertised comfort rating in comparison to another respected brand. I might choose the EE (and have) but only after my personal assessment of actual warmth.

PostedSep 30, 2024 at 1:39 pm

If cost isn’t a concern the ZPacks Summer Quilt is going to be pretty much unbeatable. The Broad/Long weighs 10.7 oz with 6.3 oz of 900 fill goose down. Shell is 7D Ventum. The 40* rating is a bit optimistic however. Ships in 1 to 3 days.

https://zpacks.com/products/summer-quilt-winter-liner

You could also just buy 3 linear yards of Alpha Direct 4004 and cut off however much you want. It’s 59″ wide so an 84″ long section will weigh about 9.7 oz. Packs down far smaller than Apex. $25 per yard.

https://ripstopbytheroll.com/collections/synthetic-insulation/products/polartec-alpha-direct-4004

Atif Khan BPL Member
PostedSep 30, 2024 at 9:34 pm

Hi Luke,

We’re the same height and weight and I also prefer a wider cover at night. I also can’t do the clothes-only thing. After much experimentation, and too many warm nights trying to extend my EE Enigma into summer duty in the hope that I would have something to cover me at night, this is what I settled on for summer nights that dip down to 50F (10C):

I pair the down vest that I am already bringing at these temperatures for sitting around in the evening with a cheap, synthetic liner that weighs little, packs tiny, adds 5 to 10 degrees of warmth, and gives a sense of being covered at night.

Hope this helps.

PostedOct 7, 2024 at 8:15 pm

If you need it for next summer, good time to order Timmermade with their 12 week lead time. https://timmermade.com/product/coati-quilt-50f/

I’ve moved from a Katabatic Palisade long/reg to a 40F Coati and it’s heavenly. I’m 6’6″ 186lb and Dan customized everything. How you want your legs to be able to move, at what points you can handle snug vs. where you want space. No drafts at all. 80″ length for me which is a game changer. Absolutely love it. And you can get 1000FP fill if you want it. Similar to lower weight than Zpacks but customized fit.

JCH BPL Member
PostedOct 8, 2024 at 5:42 am

Timmermade also offers an AD 4004/Argon 67 overbag that comes in around 12oz.  He doesn’t give a temperature rating, but I bet it would work well when combined with your insulated clothing.  Since all of his work is custom, I’m sure he would make it with 4008 if requested.

I have his AD 4004 hoody and love it.  With just it next to skin and under a Tachyon windshell it’s warm to 50F.

Terran BPL Member
PostedOct 9, 2024 at 5:37 am

All things being equal, fill power etc., the lightest quilt will be the one with the fewest features and the least amount of down. No baffles. Possibly the HMG40.

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