Hammock Gear Economy Burrow Quilt Review

Introduction

The Hammock Gear Economy Burrow Ultralight Top Quilt is an affordable, semi-customizable down quilt that is offered in a variety of colors, fill weights (i.e., temperature ratings), foot box types, lengths, and widths. The quilt featured in this review is rated for 30 F (-1 C), has a “wide” width (55 in / 140 cm), standard length (5 ft 7 in to 6 ft 2 in / 170 cm to 187 cm), and a sewn footbox. This model retails for $179.95, has a claimed weight of 22 oz (624 g), and a claimed loft (single layer) of 2 in (5 cm).

Features and Specifications

Features

• three sleeping pad attachment points with an (optional) shock-cord-based pad attachment system
• horizontal baffles in the foot box, vertical baffles in the body (see Ryan’s comments on vertical vs. horizontal baffles in our Ultralight Quilts Q&A video)
• draft collar with drawstring and snap closure
• storage bag and stuff sack included
• tapered footbox (option for zippered/drawcord or sewn)
• DWR-coated fabric
• DWR-treated RDS certified duck down (overfill available)

Specifications

Unless otherwise noted, all features and commentary refer to the 30 F (-1 C), wide (55 in / 140 cm), standard length quilt with a sewn footbox.

• weight:
  • 21.8 oz (619 g) claimed
  • 19.7 oz (557 g) actual
• fill weight: 11.7 oz (331 g)
• fill type: 800 fill power DWR duck down
• width: 55 in (140 cm) at chest
• loft:
  • 2 in (5 cm) claimed
  • 1.7 in (4.3 cm) actual (average loft of each baffle in the upper half of quilt)
• length: 74 in (188 cm)
• baffle width: 4.5 in (11 cm)
• shell material: 20d calendared nylon taffeta (1.1 oz/sq. yd.)
• pad attachment kit (sold as an optional accessory):
  • three shock cord loops
  • S-hooks attach to D-rings on the quilt
  • 0.95 oz (27 g)
  • additional $2.99

Description of Field Testing

Throughout September of 2019, I was able to take the Hammock Gear Economy Burrow on several excursions in Idaho, including the Sawtooth Range, the desert badlands near Craters of the Moon National Monument, and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near Grand Teton National Park.

I hiked roughly 80 miles (129 km) with the Hammock Gear Economy Burrow and used it on overnighters, two-and-three-night treks, and multiple backyard campouts. I’ve gained a decent understanding of how the Economy Burrow performs in varying circumstances, as I experienced clear nights, windswept evenings, fall downpours, and even some light snow.

In addition, Ryan Jordan has used the same quilt in a number of different scenarios, including underneath a flat tarp in his windy home state of Wyoming, in a fully-enclosed shelter (the Locus Gear Djedi tent), inside bivy sacks, and while cowboy camping (no shelter). His experiences are also noted in the review.

For shelters, I mostly used a SlingFin SplitWing, a tarp-and-groundsheet, or groundsheet only. I also used the Economy Burrow in the ENO Double Nest and REI Flash Air hammocks.

The variety of shelters we used gave us plenty of data to judge the Burrow’s performance both as a top quilt in a hammock system and as a standard ground quilt.

I was able to test the quilt in some pretty sketchy storms, light snow, and clear and calm mountain nights. Ryan’s testing focused primarily on camping in exposed areas without a shelter, in wind with a tarp, and while using a bivy sack. Ryan’s experience included wind and falling dew, while my experience included overhead precipitation.

For my sleep system, I used a Therma-a-Rest Ridgeline, NeoAir XLite, and a tapered, self-inflating pad. On warmer nights, I slept in my skivvies. Depending on how cold the night was, I would add light socks or heavy wool socks, a beanie, balaclava, or leave on my base layer of 150 merino wool leggings and a long-sleeve shirt. Ryan used the Economy Burrow with a NeoAir XTherm, and on warmer nights slept in lightweight polyester base layers (top and bottom) and a merino wool beanie hat, and on colder nights added a lightweight high-loft synthetic hooded jacket.

I’ve been shopping around for a quilt for a while. I’ve been lucky enough that some friends have let me sleep in some of their quilts – allowing me to gain first-hand experience with a variety of models and designs. That said, I’m a relative newcomer to the quilt scene which allows me to look at the Economy Burrow with the fresh eyes of someone looking to transition to quilts. Ryan brings in more than two decades of experience sleeping in a quilt for this review’s more critical evaluations of the Burrow’s design and materials.

The performance criteria that I was most interested in included minimal draftiness (both around my torso and feet), low weight, a high performance-to-cost ratio, how comfortable the bag was against my skin, and its ease of use.

Performance Assessment

My performance assessment of the Hammock Gear Economy Burrow covers the following:

• warmth
• performance-to-cost ratio
• use: hammock vs. ground sleeping
• pad attachment system
• draft collar
• foot box
• fill weight

Warmth