Moving to Katabatic from EE – model equivalence?

I’ve not used either, also curious, since, dimensionally they are so similar. I built my own and it is comparable in specs to the Palisade. I’d say if you are upgrading, the Alsek looks like the better buy and will take you on colder trips without supplemental insulation for only a couple ounces of additional fill. As a builder/designer, I am always eager to hear what doesn’t work for people. You said the footbox on the enigma doesn’t work – why doesn’t it work for you, specifically? What kind of sleeper are you? I specifically created a hex shaped footbox for style points, but also because I turn a lot in my sleep, so a short/wide footbox, I figured, would create cold spots from pressing on it with my toes. I assume this is the same for you?

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Effectively yeah – I’m generally a side sleeper and it’s fine, but if I lie on my back there isn’t space for my feet and the toes compress the down creating a cold spot.. the elephants foot design on the katabatic should fix this.. more broadly I think the differential cut, elasticated opening and collar will all be nice (collar wasn’t an option back when I got my EE)</p>

I have a Katabatic Flex and I can say that they are rated for comfort, not lower limit. I’m primarily a side-sleeper and the pad attachment and elastic edge designs work well together to close up gaps, which keeps me warmer overall.

I have had the Chisos, Palisade, Sawatch, Alsek, Flex 22, and Flex 30 and currently have the two flex bags.   I would estimate some 300 nights total with the most in the Chisos.   All have been warmer than the published temp rating for me.   The wide elite versions have a very roomy foot box and the regular width Flex bag foot box is comfortable for my wide size 12 dogs.

If you have the earlier 20f EE, and especially the version with the Karo baffles, the 30f Katabatic would be most similar in my opinion.

EE did switch to a lot more fill a few years ago (30% overstuff) which is similar to other brands, so current EE quilts should be pretty cross comparable for warmth but it sounds like you have one that pre-dates that. I would subtract 5-10F from it’s rated if you’re trying to compare (e.g. 20F Enigma = 25-30F in another brand). You probably would be okay with a 30F Katabatic.

EE has switched the footbox style of their Enigma so it’s 3D shaped now like the Katabatic quilts, but certainly the Katabatic quilts are super nice so I can’t blame you for going with one of those.

I’m switching from EE revelation and enigma to FF Flicker. Want to stay wrapped in cold and windy Cascades.

Thanks for that info Dan – I hadn’t noticed those changes.. the foot box definitely looks improved, but the weight listed lines up pretty closely with what is handwritten on my tag from 2016 so maybe mine is already the newer fill amounts? It is the newer baffle design – I’ve also got one of the older karo revelations and that thing is certainly not good to 20f :)

I reckon the Alsek is the go – I think it will be ever so slightly warmer than my 20f, but this is my (Australian) winter and shoulder season bag so I’m ok with that outcome…

I should say to anyone coming to this later that it’s not a slant on the EE guys in general – the Accomplice is amazing and everyone who camps with a partner should own one and I’m going to own one of the rev-hole-lations some time in 40f for summer camping.