New quilt – 10 or 20 degree- draft collar.?

[Robert I]

EE is having their holiday sale (10% off custom gear 20% off stock), and I’m planning on purchasing a new enigma. I’ve been trying to decide of a 10 or 20 degree, and whether I really need to get custom quilt with a draft collar (the difference in the discount means the draft collar costs about $50). I do most of my trips in the Sierra and Trinity Alps between mid June and early September. Mostly July and August. In the late winter/spring we will go to the Northern California coast. I have both a  GG twin tarp and a Durston x-mid which I switch depending on conditions. I have both an xlite and an xtherm which I can switch based on conditions.  Don’t cowboy camp often, but planning to get a Borah gear bivy that I can use under the tarp or for cowboy camping. I sleep a little to the cold side of normal, but not particularly cold.  I currently have an REI magma trail quilt 30. This is my first quilt, and it’s made me a convert to quilts.  But I get cold if the temperature gets below the high 30’s unless I put on my puffy jacket. Then I’m good to around freezing. Thoughts?

[JCH]

FWIW, I have a 10* Enigma w/ no draft collar and have had it down close to that limit with no problems.  I sleep slightly cold so also wear Cap4 top and bottom, down socks and good head insulation.  If you carry a down jacket or parka I’ve had good luck draping it over my torso underneath the quilt to boost warmth…this also acts as a draft collar.

[Robert I]

Is your enigma relatively new?  I understand that they’ve added quite a bit more down in the last update.

[JCH]

Purchased in Nov 2014, it doesn’t even have the current footbox design.  Still love it.

[Robert I]

Thank you.  That is very helpful. On the coldest nights, were you sleeping in a tent?  What type of pad were you using?

[JCH]

Duplex.  NeoAir Xlite Large and now Nemo Tensor LW.

[Robert I]

Thank you very much for the help. I’ve decided the get the 20 degree enigma. I found some specs from 2017, and the 10 degree then has the same amount of down as the 20 degree now. I can pair it with a bivy for cowboy camping or under a tarp. It should work well. Have a great Thanksgiving.

[Author]

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