Should I convert my current sleeping bag into a quilt?

[Tim Halberg]

Looking at buying my first quilt – but, it hit me that maybe I should convert one of my current bags into a quilt. Some google searching says I’m not the first to think of this, and it seems some have done this successfully and been happy with it.

I have two bags I could do this with (though, they are probably valuable enough to sell used and use that money to just buy a quilt?) – Western Mountaineering UltraLite 20 degree, and HighLite 35 degree.

The 20 sleeps too warm for me unless it’s below freezing. The 35 degree bag is typically not quite enough.

Is it a really bad idea? Just sell and buy.

Or is this brilliant and you’ve done it and think I should? (if so… tell me more!)

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

Maybe a stupid question but have you tried to sleep with your bag like a quilt?  Zipper sides down if that makes sense?

[Adam Salinger]

I sewed clips onto my Feathered Friends Hummingbird and I can use it as a quilt on some nights/trips and as a sleeping bag in others.
Just finished the Colorado Trail and used it as a quilt for about 15 nights and a sleeping bag on about 3.

[JCH]

When using my WM Megalight as a quilt prior to make the switch full time to quilts, I found that it was too wide, and thus, the insulation was a bit wasted.  On the plus side, there were never any drafts!  The EE quilts in Reg/Wide work perfectly for me as a side sleeper.

[Tim Halberg]

thanks! curious if you have an opinion on the EE reg/reg vs. reg/wide – measuring my shoulders I’m about 55″ – is a reg wide enough? –

[Dan]

If you turn often from side to side, I think a wide quilt could be advantageous.

[Matthew / BPL]

⬆️ That

Do you sleep on your back and stay  put? If not then I’d vote for wider.

[Tim Halberg]

side sleeper and will roll side to side through the night

[DWR D]

I’m a side sleeper and roll around a lot… which sucks in cold air…

When it’s warm, I sleep with my bag unzipped… but when it’s cold, I like the ability to zip it up…

[JCH]

For reference, I am 6’1” tall and 220 lbs.  I sleep primarily on the side but also back and occasionally stomach (yes that is possible with a quilt) with some movement during the night but not a great deal.  I find the EE reg/wide to be perfectly sized.

Also agree with previous recommendation for the sewn foot box rather than drawstring for quilts rated at 20F and below…I have opened the footbox (just for a little ventilation) of my 30F Revelation only once when the low temp was 55F.  I have never opened it fully as a blanket.

[Sam Farrington]

Compare a quilt with a Mont Bell spiral stitch down bag that zips from both chest and foot so it can be opened but secured to suit you.  It also weighs just 20 oz.  Bought it after reading a BPL review years ago and have never had any reason to change.  Most of my hiking is at high altitudes, like the fourteeners in Colorado and the peaks around Mt. Washington in NH. So I can zip up tight and stay warm in most conditions, adding a set of top and bottom puffies and slippers if the temp. falls to well below zero F.  The puffies do dual use when outside the tent.  Can also stay cool when occasionally well above zero F.

Sent all my synthetic filled bags to Ukraine.  None of them approach the warmth for weight of the Mont Bell; but at least they are getting some use.  Note that a quality down bag must be kept dry, and keeping them in a tight stuff sack when not being used will eventually destroy the loft.  They can handle being in a stuff sack in a pack while trekking just fine, though.

I did make a bag using Thinsulate Lite Loft, but even that was heavier than the Mont Bell down, so it went to Ukraine.

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