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Affordable backpacking quilt

Old 08-31-23, 10:35 AM
  #26  
timdow
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What is the reasoning for wanting a quilt instead of a sleeping bag? Quilts are for the most part a cottage industry catering to backpackers who want ultralight gear. Most would purchase a quilt over a sleeping bag to save weight. But... Unless you spend a good bit more than $200, you will not save weight. Due to mass-marketing and therefore better availability, one can get a sleeping bag that is better quality and lighter than a bargain quilt.

Do you find a quilt more comfortable?
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Old 08-31-23, 06:15 PM
  #27  
djb
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I surprisingly found my new quilt more comfortable than my old mummy bag, due to being able to toss and turn and the quilt pretty much staying put.
I never would have thought so, but like my quilt.
The two under the mattress cord thingees seem to do the job, but I'm slight so this probably helps.
mine is a MEC model rated to 0c, got it on sale for a bit under 200 cad


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Old 09-01-23, 06:56 AM
  #28  
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An unexpected advantage I found with the quilt is cleanliness. Since there's minimal, very low pressure skin contact with the insulation, it stays very clean, and therefore does not degrade. It's easy to sanitize with a few minutes of sunlight on breaks. On a long tour, it's a plus having one less funky thing in the pack.
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Old 09-01-23, 03:12 PM
  #29  
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Unless the temps are very cold, say lower than 30F the sleeping bag is too confining, especially a mummy style bag. Quilts are better adapted to heat regulation. In addition to this I move around a lot when I sleep, be it at home or on the floor of a tent, and a bag is, once again, too confining by restricting movement.
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Old 09-01-23, 03:34 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Paul_P
I find odd the idea of sleeping directly on the mattress. Seems to me a regular bag with full length zipper can be used just as well as a quilt when open, but you can also have the draft-free warmth when you need it and the comfort of sleeping on something other that rubber.

There are wide or rectangular bags that are much less confining than a mummy.

I've always used a liner in a sleeping bag which can be used by itself and is easy to wash (make them myself and they stay in place with velcro).
My Klymit pad has a "Klymit V Sheet" cover that acts as a bottom sheet (and pillow trapper) so I don't lie directly on the mattress. It is awesome.
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Old 12-06-23, 03:24 PM
  #31  
arctos
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Originally Posted by TiHabanero
Last night my go to quilt got chilly at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I am now looking for a quilt that will go down to 30 degrees, yet is not in the uber price range. Under 200 bills is the goal. Any hope of finding one that is over 80" in length?
I had the same problem so I designed one to solve them twelve years ago. Online I bought ripstop and Climashield Apex insulation rated for 30F. Cost was $90. Climashield only needs to be sewn around the perimeter which simplifies the sewing greatly.
A friend with better sewing skills offered to sew my quilt. Finished size 60"W by 90"L. Wt. 28oz.
I can create a footpocket with snap buttons along the bottom area. This I find useful for retaining heat below the rated low limit.
Hundreds of nights of usage without problems.
Give your seamstress friend a try. You will like the results.
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Old 12-07-23, 01:25 PM
  #32  
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Quilt

Originally Posted by TiHabanero
Last night my go to quilt got chilly at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. I am now looking for a quilt that will go down to 30 degrees, yet is not in the uber price range. Under 200 bills is the goal. Any hope of finding one that is over 80" in length?

While their down quilts are over your spending limit, the synthetic is close. Couple hundred grams more in weight, long compresses down to 9.4L, and is 84" long. I was going to suggest just upping the R value of your sleeping pad, but no wonderkid sleeping pad is going to close the gap on a 50 degree quilt, unless you go with a serious sleeping pad liner, lol.

Enlightened Equipment
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