Pad and Quilt Recommendations for the JMT in September

On my JMT in September, used NeoAir Xlite and JRB Sierra Sniveller. Had a light down jacket (MHW Ghost Whisperer) for in-camp (and in-quilt use if needed).

As a rotisserie-style side sleeper I have always felt a wide quilt is a good idea. I don’t attach my quilt to my pad with straps so the extra couple of inches helps keep the drafts out. The weight difference is not significant, in my opinion.

I’ve only been in the Sierra in June and July. I’d bring a 20° quilt in September unless I was bringing down pants and a fairly warm jacket. I can endure a night or two of cold but I personally wouldn’t risk it over the course of a couple weeks. Shivering sucks.

On my JMT in September, used NeoAir Xlite and JRB Sierra Sniveller. Had a light down jacket (MHW Ghost Whisperer) for in-camp (and in-quilt use if needed).

Hey Robert,

Thanks for the reply.  Did you have any nights where you wished for a warmer bag or a warmer mat, or did you feel that was a good combination for you that time of year?  Did you ever have to sleep while wearing your Ghost Whisper in September?

I’d bring a 20° quilt in September unless I was bringing down pants and a fairly warm jacket. I can endure a night or two of cold but I personally wouldn’t risk it over the course of a couple weeks. Shivering sucks.

I agree, Matthew, the shivering sucks.  I still remember a night in Joshua Tree in March, 22 years ago.  I remember that night because it was the coldest I’ve ever felt while camping, and I vowed on that night to always bring a warm enough bag.  I did not have a warm enough bag that night. I can survive with the wrong sleeping system, but I can’t be comfortable with the wrong system.

I’d recommend the 20 degree EE.  I have had one with the open foot and one with the closed foot.  I like them equally.  Closed is a little lighter.  Go wide.

On the pad, I really find the Xlite comfortable.  It will likely be fine for September.  I would also bring a 1/8 inch foam pad.  It’s really light and also works as a ground sheet and sit pad in camp.  It will provide alittle extra insulation in case you need it too.

Besides the quilt’s temp rating, you’ll be a little warmer in a regular width vs. wide width because with the wide you’ll have extra air space inside that your body needs to keep warm. Regular width will be slightly lighter as well. I am a toss-and-turn sleeper like you and used to have a wide quilt but went to a regular (EE Enigma) and have never felt constrained in it. I too originally thought I would need the wide for rolling around, but for me the extra width was too much. If my sleep style was arms and legs splayed out then I could see the wide, but I haven’t needed the wide just for switching positions.

My vote is for a wide width and closed footbox 20* quilt.  I have a Javan Dempsey but had a Katabatic before they came out with the wide models, and though it was too narrow for me, it was a work of art.

If money is no object, Katabatic is the WM of the quilt world, though I am sure EE is just as functional and a lot less expensive.

It seems that Nunatak is more competitive price wise with the new owners as well if you are looking for another option.

Can anyone who has owned both a Katabatic and Enlightened Equipment quilt speak to the practical differences and real-wold experience?  Do you feel the Katabatic was worth the extra cost and the extra weight?  I am generally comparing 20 degree Katabatic bags with 10 degree EE bags, because that seems to be more of an “apples to apples” comparison, based on what I have read and published fill weights.  Even when comparing those weights, the Katabatic seems to be a little heavier.  Do the extra few ounces come with added sleep quality?

Have you ever slept in a quilt?  The reason I ask is you will need to get used to not having the ability to “mummy up” like in a mummy sleeping bag.  My personal opinion is that I would spend extra “weight” on a down head/neck covering before I spent it on 10 degrees of quilt rating.  You loose most of your heat out of your head/neck, and these areas are not covered my the quilt.  My experience in getting used to quilt sleeping is that keeping my face, head and neck covered greatly increases the quality of my sleep.  My solution was suggested by someone on here which was to cover my head with a lightweight fleece jacket.  But this is definitely not as weight efficient (unless you are bringing one anyway) as the down hood approach.

As far as width goes, I am slightly smaller than you (5’11” and 165#)and have a EE tevelation 30 degree reg length reg width.  For me, the width is plenty wide, and I am a side sleeper who turns all night.  I use the straps to keep the sides down and drafts minimized.  I slept in the snow in the mid 20s with a neoair pad (r-5+) and stayed warm in my EE quilt, but I did supplement it with a costco down blanket.  I also don’t mind sleeping in all my clothes, if you don’t want to go there then as people have recommended you should probably go with the 20 degree or lower bag.  Be ready to pitch your hexamid down to the the ground if there is wind, as you won’t have much wind protection if it is pitched normally.  Fortunately you have the solo plus so you have some flexibility there.

As far as which of the quilts will be better for you, no one here can answer that, in fact you can’t even answer that unless you try both on several trips.

to matts point above, if you decide on a quilt you should really think about additional head insulation … some folks get away with their jacket hood, but for some others thats not enough

there is a bit of a learning curve with quilts…heres a BPL thread this year which shows this quite well …

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/qulit-questions-temp-and-size-katabatic-gear-flex/

;)

Matt said: Have you ever slept in a quilt?  The reason I ask is you will need to get used to not having the ability to “mummy up” like in a mummy sleeping bag.  My personal opinion is that I would spend extra “weight” on a down head/neck covering before I spent it on 10 degrees of quilt rating.

Eric said: to matts point above, if you decide on a quilt you should really think about additional head insulation … some folks get away with their jacket hood, but for some others thats not enough

Matt and Eric,  Yes, this will be my first quilt.  I’m buying the quilt now so that I have plenty of time to use it on shorter trips before my longer September trip to get used to the new system.  I hear you about the separate hood.  I will be bringing a hooded down jacket and a fleece cap, but will also consider whether I need to add a down hood to the mix.

I have a Katabatic 40F and an EE 10F. The katabatic has a permanent fixed foot box, while the EE has a zip up foot box with a cinch draw cord at the end. The EE can be opened out as a blanket , and you can put you feet out the end if too hot. If you get cold, it is very easy to zip up again. The katabatic can not be opened, and you would have to pull your feet out if too warm , then get back in later in the night as it cooled down. I find the EE much nicer to use in this regard, and more flexible over a wider temperature range

I always use the side tie downs.  The katabatic has cord attachments which come undone too easily, whereas EE has elastic and clips which works perfectly.

My EE is made from lighter fabrics.

I find the xtherm worth the 3 oz for the substantially more durable bottom as well as the ability to use it on snow and frozen ground. For that time of year I like to use my 32 degree wm bag with a down jacket and down pants. You get warm nights and can get very cold nights and I like to be able to adjust.

I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to an EE Revelation or Katabatic Flex. Because of the wide range of possible temperatures in September, I think an open foot box on those quilts will serve me better than a sewn foot box.  In addition, the open foot box will allow me to still use those quilts on trips in the warmer summer months (I hope).  On the EE Revelation, I’m still on the fence as to whether I should go with the 20 degree or the 10 degree quilt.  If I go with the Katabatic Flex, I would go with the 22 degree quilt.