REI Magma Trail Quilt 30 Review

[Ryan Jordan]

Companion forum thread to: REI Magma Trail Quilt 30 Review

This REI Magma Trail Quilt 30 review features a high quality, well-insulated quilt that uses water-resistant down and includes an insulated draft collar.

[Rex Sanders]

Thanks Ryan for both a great review and many tips on using quilts. I’m really liking your combination of written review and video review – both have strengths, and they don’t completely overlap in content.

Questions:

– Hard to believe that a sewn-thru quilt works well at 30 F, compared to baffles. Why do you think that works in this design?

– You discovered the insulated draft collar is essential for comfort, if not extra warmth. That’s a common feature on sleeping bags, wonder why quilt makers haven’t used that before?

– In the video you show the adjustable pad attachment slider right in the middle of the pad. I would certainly end up hating that after lying on it for maybe 10 seconds. Can that chunk-of-plastic-plus-knot go underneath the pad, or on the side?

– If the standard REI pad attachment “shoelace” picks up too much water, would that be easy to swap out with something less water absorbent?

— Rex

[Ryan Jordan]

Rex – Because the baffles are pretty wide, and filled well. Reminds me of the Feathered Friends Helios jacket – sewn-thru baffles, but wide and stuffed pretty good.

Collars aren’t common (yet) on “ultralight” quilts because so many of these guys play the tenths of an ounce game in order to look like they have better products (“The lightest 30F quilt!”). Most consumers probably don’t look too far beyond the temp rating and weight when it comes to looking closely at the specs.

Yes, the toggle/slider in the very middle can be put underneath the pad. I left it on top for illustration. Also, I have to admit, I left it on top throughout the night, and never noticed it. I can see the potential for jamming a hip into it, though, especially when lightly clothed and sleeping on a foam pad.

The shoelace would be easy to swap out. I’ve tried a few different cords now, it does affect the tension on the toggles. I’ll probably leave the shoelace there for now, I like the tension.

[Ryan Jordan]

Rex – Because the baffles are pretty wide, and filled well. Reminds me of the Feathered Friends Helios jacket – sewn-thru baffles, but wide and stuffed pretty good.

Collars aren’t common (yet) on “ultralight” quilts because so many of these guys play the tenths of an ounce game in order to look like they have better products (“The lightest 30F quilt!”). Most consumers probably don’t look too far beyond the temp rating and weight when it comes to looking closely at the specs.

Yes, the toggle/slider in the very middle can be put underneath the pad. I left it on top for illustration. Also, I have to admit, I left it on top throughout the night, and never noticed it. I can see the potential for jamming a hip into it, though, especially when lightly clothed and sleeping on a foam pad.

The shoelace would be easy to swap out. I’ve tried a few different cords now, it does affect the tension on the toggles. I’ll probably leave the shoelace there for now, I like the tension.

[Jenny A]

Ryan:  What a great review, thanks!  I have spent a few nights in mine in a hammock in the back yard in temperatures down to 36 degrees with a 20-degree under quilt.   It was quite comfortable.  And thank you for explaining the toggle system and cords – I did not understand or was too impatient to figure it out, now I will try it when sleeping on the ground.

I would ask your thoughts on a couple of things:  how common is the sewn-through stitching design in the quilt world, and do you think one might feel some chilliness under a tarp or in a hammock as opposed to being in a tent if there were a breeze?  Clearly your test in the WY blizzard was a good one, but you had the tent to block wind.  Logic tells me that yes, you would feel some draftiness without the extra protection of the tent, but I was curious if you noticed anything.  Thanks again for that good review.

[Dena Kelley]

REI Magma quilt is on a pretty nice sale from REI right now $181.29

[Zachary T]

One of the answered questions on the REI site states that it does not have sewn through baffles. Seems like you can feel a baffle in there and the baffle stitch color on top (black) does not show through on the inside (orange)?

 

Am i missing something?

[Jenny A]

Zachary, you appear to be correct.  As I look at my quilt more carefully, the baffles are not thick but they do appear to be there, i.e. NOT sewn-through.  I think I jumped to conclusions when I saw light through them and then didn’t bother to check, but there were definitely no drafts.  Thanks for that clarification.  Really do like the quilt!

Would be curious to know what Ryan was seeing that led him to state that they were sewn-through.

[Rod Wolfy]

Ryan, great review!

However, REI is really lame when it comes to actually getting one of these to the consumer!

I ordered 2 of them during the REI sale (May 17th), which showed they were on Backorder. I went through with the purchase, anticipating a month or so to get more out of their production line.

A month later, I get notified that my order was still on Backorder and had since been cancelled. A few days later, I got another email that said that my order was not cancelled, just awaiting Backorder.

Another week goes by with no response. I called them up and asked about my order. They said that they had them in stock. I asked if I could purchase another two . They told me sure & shipped out the new order the next Monday.

I called Wednesday and asked about my old order. They said that they were out of stock. I asked them when they would be available. They said that they did not have any more quilts and would not have them until next winter and they were cancelling my initial order. I was furious.

They filled an order that was called in on the spot, but never filled the initial order (at the sale price) made over a month before, instead choosing to cancel it.

The product was very nice (especially compared to my 3 GoLite 40* quilts); however, REI can’t follow through on getting any of this product out to consumers.

[Dena Kelley]

Rod, that’s odd. I, too, ordered the quilt during the Anniversary sale and it was on backorder. I got an email from REI informing me that they would try to ship by 6/18 but that if they didn’t they would automatically cancel my order UNLESS I contacted them. I did contact them, via the chat feature, and requested that my backorder be kept until the order was filled, no matter how late it was. It shipped 6/20. I’m happy I chose to wait, I really like the quilt and am looking forward to trying it out with my (also new) NeoAir XTherm to see how the two pair up for an Alaskan summer night.

I would actually file a complaint with REI on that one, because it almost looks like a bait-and-switch on you. You might get something cool for the complaint- perhaps a refund of the difference.

 

[H W]

In Seattle last weekend and visited the flagship REI store to check out the Magma quilt. No can do. Not even a display item. Sales rep said they can’t keep them in stock. They come in and they’re gone. Bummer.

[Ryan Jordan]

The REI Magma Trail Quilt 30 has been updated for 2024. Some different size options, and a zipper/drawcord footbox that allows it to splay flat, vent, or close up.

[Jeff McWilliams]

The author of “Freezer Bag Cooking” wrote a blog about the new unisex Magma bags from REI.  She is not a fan.  She feels the unisex bag doesn’t really cater to women’s proportions.

https://trailcooking.com/2024/04/30/inclusive-sleeping-bags-does-it-really-work-for-women/

 

[Ryan Jordan]

Broad-shouldered/broad-chested folks have fewer options available to them, for sure. Most of our clients in this category find quilts a good option; however, there’s a learning curve associated with using a quilt effectively.

One of the challenges with bags designed for larger people is that there aren’t many options in the “state of the art / ultralight materials” genre. One of the better options IMO is a custom EE Convert. For example, a short/extra-wide with 7d fabrics and 950 fp down should be less than 24 oz for a 30 °F bag, but will probably set you back $500.

[baja bob]

Jeff, there are a few issues with that review. She complains about the $100 difference in price but fails to point out the Nemo bag is 650 down and weighs over a pound more. The REI bags are 850 down and are more of a high end bag. My son has 2 Magmas and I have the quilt. All prior versions. The bags are good quality.

The new wide bags are wider than most any bag I’ve seen on the market if the numbers are true. The medium wide actually has a 70 inch shoulder girth not 62.5 and 62.5 inch hip girth. More than 6 inches wider than the Nemo in both respects. Either REI has its numbers way off (based on experience unlikely) or the reviewer is mistaken.

The regular medium definitely is narrower than the Nemo in the hips by 2 inches.

The reviewer might want to check their facts

 

[Brad W]

Just wanted to point out the original gray and orange quilt-2019 to late 2023 do not have sewn through baffles. I own 4 of them. The baffle walls are small-1/2″ or less, but they are there.

As for the new 2024 with open footbox, I can’t say as I have not handled one of these.

 

[Jeff McWilliams]

Bob,

You make some good points.

My personal take is that once she decided she didn’t like the bags because they are Inclusive, aka Unisex, the rest of her review of the bags was more subjective and less objective.

Jeff

[David Hartley]

I am having trouble interpreting the measurements listed in the REI specs for the new Magma quilt. What they call girth measurements don’t track the dimensions listed further down. For example – a medium is listed as having a shoulder girth of 58.5 inches but under “dimensions” a width of 50 inches.

[Charlie Brenneman]

I think the shoulder girth is the sleeping bag equivalent, whereas the width is what it is measured layed out flat. That’s what it looks like on other sites. Check out the specs for the Flex: https://katabaticgear.com/collections/flex-quilts/products/flex-30-ultralight-quilt

[baja bob]

go with the girth and ignore the dimensions. Prior Magma has a 56 inch shoulder girth and is accurate.  Looks like they made the new version

Thre old magma is wider than the wide Katabatic that claims 58”

[Bill in Roswell]

A new review of the Magma 30 was done by SectionHiker last week. He liked it quite a bit and said it has several improvements over the original. Reddit/u Lightweight ppl say it’s back ordered. Apparently sold out the first day or two of the REI sale. Ironically, Philip of Sectionhiker posted his review May 17, first day of the sale. He tests gear in the mountains of New Hampshire year round.

[baja bob]

Thought I would bump this thread about the new sizing of the REI Magma sleeping bags being unisex or gender neutral. The author in the blog Jeff noted claimed the medium wide was not sufficiently roomy for a woman and was biased toward men. She also listed the shoulder girth for the regular width Magma claiming it was the wide width.  The medium wide is 70” and the long wide is 71” shoulder girth.  I was at REI the other day and decided to try a long wide. I am not small statured about 240 lbs.

The long wide is every bit 71” in girth. I have an EE convert quilt that is listed as 70” girth and it measures 70” across when laid flat. My arms have about the same amount of room to rest at my side comfortably off my body. The bag is somewhat narrow below the waist. There is more than sufficient room to accommodate someone larger than me, including in the torso.

[Brad W]

Just reiterating for anyone looking at this quilt-the 1st generation and current generation have boxed baffles. REI confirming this.  Ryan if you could update the information that would be helpful to others.

[Arapiles .]

Sadly, not currently available. Does this mean that it’s gone for good or will come back into stock?

[Brad W]

I think the sale wiped them out. I am sure they will be re-stocked at some point.

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