camping Quilts
Hiking quilts aren't your regular old blankets. These babies are purpose-built, giving you the freedom and versatility to sleep like a king out in the wild.
They are a no-nonsense alternative to traditional sleeping bags. They're lighter, more flexible, and provide ample warmth while cutting down on weight and bulk. You want to travel light, right? Well, these quilts are your ticket to shedding unnecessary gear.
Now, when you're eyeing up these bad boys, there are a few key features to keep in mind:
... Insulation: Look for top-notch insulation like down or high-quality synthetic fills. You want something that'll keep you cozy when the night gets frosty.
... Temperature Rating: Make sure it matches up with the conditions you're likely to face. Nobody wants to shiver through the night because their quilt can't handle the chill.
... Weight and Packability: You're an outdoorsman, not a pack mule. Go for something lightweight and compressible. You need it to fit snugly into your pack without hogging all the space.
... Durability: You're roughing it out there, so you need gear that can handle the beating. Look for tough fabrics and solid construction that won't tear apart after a few nights in the wild.
... Versatility: Your quilt should be adaptable, letting you adjust to changing conditions. Some can open up flat for warmer nights or cinch down tight when the mercury drops.
... Attachment System: A good attachment system keeps your quilt secured to your sleeping pad, preventing drafts and ensuring a cozy night's sleep.
Listen, these quilts are like your wingman in the backcountry. They provide warmth, freedom, and comfort without weighing you down. They're the secret weapon in your camping arsenal, allowing you to sleep like a champ so you can hit the trails with gusto come morning.
Camping Quilt reviews
This ultralight mummy-style quilt packs down to a small size, comes in 0°F, 15°F and 30°F (-18°C, -9°C and -1°C) and two sizes: Regular and Long/Wide. It can be used sleeping on the ground or in a hammock, has hybrid baffles to minimize seam weight and a box baffled draft collar to prevent cold air sneaking in around your neck. You'll still want clothing layers and sleeping pads.
Made from 10D ripstop nylon with a DWR coated shell, this quilt keeps dew, fog and condensation on the outside while you're cozy warm inside. Drafts are prevented with a draft collar and cinch cord, curved taper seals and a fully baffled footbox. The narrow footbox extends far up the legs so if you stick out your foot to cool down while sleeping, your foot and leg are trapped. The quilt is decent for side sleepers who curl up. The trimmed upper corners leave you nothing to wrap around yourself when laying on your stomach so start with a Long/Wide.
HyperDry down fill keeps you toasty and the quilt lightweight. It ranges from 11.8 ounces (335 grams) in the 30°F (-1°C) Regular model to 23.2 ounces (660 grams) in the 0°F (-18°C) Long/Wide model. Remember to hang up the quilt for 2 or 3 weeks after getting it. If you're impatient like me, you'll give the quilt a few good shakes to loft the down too. It will expand, not perfectly, but enough to work with because the baffles are channels. When you get to camp, pull it out and fluff it up. Even store the quilt spread out, not compressed.
Dimensions of the Regular models are 71L x 56W inches (180L x 142W cm) with a 40-inch (102 cm) neck. Pack weights are:
0°F (-18°C) / 15°F (-9°C) / 30°F (-1°C)
1 lb 12 oz. 1 lb 7 oz. 1 lb 2 oz.
(790 g) (652 g) (511 g)
Dimensions of the Long/Wide models are 76L x 56W inches (193L x 142W cm) with a 40-inch (102 cm) neck. Pack weights are:
0°F (-18°C) / 15°F (-9°C) / 30°F (-1°C)
1 lb 15 oz. 1 lb 10 oz. 1 lb 4 oz.
(879 g) (737 g) (567 g)
The cinch-cord toggle for the neck baffle is right in your face if you sleep on your back or pokes your ear if you sleep on your side. It's under your cheek if you sleep on your stomach. The storage bag is exactly that - not a compression sack. It's adequate.
Outdoor Vitals Down TopQuilt for Ultralight Backpacking is lightweight, compact, warm and perfect for back and side sleepers who don't stick out a leg to cool down. It's versatile: good for warm weather and as a layer in cold weather, using on the ground and in a hammock.
Big Agnes Fussell Ultralight
This ultralight summer quilt has corner pockets to tuck yourself in and a snap system for creating a mummy-style bag or attaching it to any make or model sleeping pad. It comes in one size and one color so those taller than 6 feet (183 cm) may experience drafts. Designed for temperatures 43-59°F (6-15°C), this quilt adds flexibility to a 3-season sleeping bag. You can camp in late spring, summer and early fall.
A polyester ripstop shell with a water-repellent finish and a lightweight polyester taffeta lining that has a wick finish spread moisture out for quicker drying. A draft collar cinches with a one-handed cord. The minimalist footbox can also be cinched.
Filled with 850 DownTek™ stuffing, you'll be comfortable on chilly summer nights. The fill weighs 9 ounces (255 grams) of the total 1 pound 1 ounce (482 grams) weight. The Fussell squishes down to 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm). Don't forget to hang up your quilt about a week or two before your trip to loft the down. If you are using it with a 3-season sleeping bag, maybe try spreading it over top of the bag so that the fill isn't compressed.
Integrated snaps create a mummy-style bag. They sometimes dig in when you lie on them and they do pop undone now and then if you flop around a lot, creating a draft. Ten 3M snap patches attach the quilt to your existing sleeping pad. Snap the Fussell to your pad and slip in your 3-season sleeping bag. There's plenty of room to climb in and out. Or snap the Fussell to your pad, slip in another 3/4 pad and your 3-season bag for winter camping. They won't slide off.
The Big Agnes Fussell Ultralight packs small, is versatile as a blanket, sleeping bag and insulating layer, comfortable and warm. It's proving to be one of our favorite pieces of gear.
Therm-a-Rest Corus Backpacking
This high-quality, roomy, spring-season quilt comes in 20°F and 32°F (-6°C and 0°C), Regular or Long sizes. It’s good for sleeping on the ground and in a hammock, has horizontal down-filled baffles and full perimeter side baffles to help keep out drafts. Designed for all sleeping positions, the temperature ratings are slightly optimistic. You’ll want a sleeping pad and layers.
Made from 20D polyester with DWR coated shell and a 20D polyester taffeta lining, this quilt keeps out dew and dries quickly. Mesh walls maximize down loft and prevent drafts along with full perimeter side baffles and a baffled pocket inside the footbox. Designed for all sleeping positions, the Corus Backpacking Quilt is more drafty than a sleeping bag. But you gain massive freedom of movement.
Synthetic 650-fill Nikwax hydrophobic down reduces the weight without sacrificing warmth. The down compartments are large and horizontal. The down slips down, especially if you toss and turn, so there’s no insulation on top of you. I had to redistribute the fill 3-4 times a night and wear extra clothes.
The Regular quilt fits people 5 foot 7 inches – 6 feet (170 – 183 cm). The Long quilt fits people 6 foot 1 inch – 6 foot 6 inches (185 – 198 cm).
The 20°F (-6°C) quilts, both Regular and Long sizes, compress into a pack size of 7.5 x 11.5 inches (19 x 29 cm). The Regular weighs 1 pound 10 ounces (737 grams). Long weighs 1 pound 13 ounces (823 grams).
The 32°F (0°C) quilts, both Regular and Long sizes, compress into a pack size of 10 x 6.5 inches (25 x 16.5 cm). The Regular weighs 1 pound 4 ounces (567 grams). Long weighs 1 pound 6 ounces (624 grams).
The footbox is roomy enough to fit over a sleeping pad. Snap loops let you integrate the quilt with your mattress and a sleeping bag, or fit quilts together for couples. No fighting zippers for the nocturnal pee!
The Therm-a-Rest Corus Backpacking Quilt is a lightweight, comfortable, roomy quilt for natural sleeping positions in warmer temperatures.
More deets on Amazon.com:
Therm-a-Rest Corus Backpacking Quilt 20°F (-6°C)
Therm-a-Rest Corus Backpacking Quilt 32°F (0°C)
GOT FEEDBACK?
If you've used one of the sleeping quilts I reviewed and you have something to add, I'd love to hear it.
Same, if you have a quilt you love (or hate) that's not reviewed here, tell me about it and I'll check it out.
