Need winter bag or quilt advice

If you wanted to go the layered route you could get a 40 or 50 degree EE Convert (full zip) in long wide and use it over your UGQ. More ounces than a dedicated winter bag, but less money! I think the Convert is low $300s, less whatever sales they may be having. You could use it on warm weather or really wet weather trips as well.

I’ve heard of layering, so I appreciate the suggestion. I’m assuming you were referring to the synthetic Convert? Those ones are low $300 range. The only concern is the ounces/weight would be more than the 0 degree bags I was looking at. Packability with two long wide quilts would be a pain. So would I layer the 40 degree synthetic Convert over the 20 degree quilt or vice versa?

Many backpackers like quilts for cold winter temps and I get it, but I’m not one of them. I prefer a bag with hood and draft collar. Don’t have to worry about body heat escaping by simply zipping the bag up.

https://www.thermarest.com/sleeping-bags-and-quilts/fast-and-light/parsec-0f-18c-sleeping-bag/parsec-0.html

Thermarest Parsec 0 is marked down 30%. Great deal at $399. Philip at sectionhiker did a nice review of the Parsec 0 about a month ago https://sectionhiker.com/therm-a-rest-parsec-0-sleeping-bag-review/ It’s a wide cut bag with 20D shell and 800 fill down.

I have been very happy snow camping in the Sierra Nevada in the Mtn Hardware Phantom 0 degree F bag which can be found many places now at 30% off. https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/phantom-0f%2F-18c-1829201.html?dwvar_1829201_color=675

I have also used the much roomier Marmot Lithium when I wanted to wear more clothes inside the bag as part of my sleeping system.https://www.rei.com/product/217771/marmot-lithium-0-sleeping-bag?sku=2177710001&store=104&CAWELAID=120217890016147949&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=&CATCI=&cm_mmc=PLA_Google_P-Max&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItuLzj97IggMV2dHCBB1vkghgEAQYASABEgJje_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I do use a quilt in the other 3 seasons but agree with Monte that I find a bag in winter is more comfortable.  I do sleep in a MLD pyramid and usually put the bag inside a water resistant breathable bivy sack. Sometimes we do have warmish 20 degree nights in winter and I might start the night with the Phantom totally unzipped.

Synthetic Convert. It would go over the down. But yeah, pack volume and weight are the downsides. In my view it’s workable if you get some use out of the synthetic for part of the year. And you need to be OK with a hoodless system…

If you have a little time to hunt around, you may see something come up for sale on Mountainproject.com. There’s a gear swap page in their forums. This is a climbing site but winter bags come up for sale somewhat regularly. For example, here is the exact bag you asked about, the Nemo, for a good price, well within your budget:

https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/125193953/fs-nemo-sleeping-bags-sonic-20deg-sonic-0deg-and-kayu-15#ForumMessage-125272276

I have been laying 40F and 20F quilts and sleeping bag combos in NE for winter camping for several years. All down insulation does not seem much of a problem unless you are going more than two nights. In the hammock both are quilts or bivies. For other shelters, I may layer a 40F quilt over a 15F bag instead of a quilt to avoid drafts and better retain heat.

You could also wear a puffy parka and down pants inside your quilt.