Sleeping Bag versus Quilt

[merchant]

I am doing research on camping gear in prep for the CO gathering. I plan to camp off the bike for the first time ??? and need pretty much everything. I've bought the tent (REI half dome 2) and settled on the stove (jetboil), but am up in the air on what to sleep in.

In looking at sleeping bags, I keep coming across "quilts". I didn't even know the difference until I check out some youtube vids. After watching a few of these pro-quilt vids, I am seriously considering going with a quilt instead of a traditional sleeping bag.

Anyone have experience with both? What are your thoughts?

 

[spklbuk]

I have a modicum of experience with both. I usually end up using my sleeping bag as a quilt nowadays. But to qualify, I usually camp in moderate weather. A good pad and a quilt are hard to beat for versatility if the quilt is actually sized to fit you, i.e. wide enough.

 

[markjenn]

In moderate weather, quilits are nice, but they're never going to be as efficient in retaining warmth as a bag so for the same degree of warmth, you're going to have to carry more quilt than bag. And at some point, a bag is required to stay warm. I would consider a quilt only if your camping is going to be at 50-deg weather and higher. If you're new to camping, I can tell you from hard experience that a night with insufficient sleeping warmth can be a VERY long and miserable one.

I go rectangular bag and unzip it as use it as a quilt when it is warm. But rectangular bags aren't as efficient in retaining warmth for any given weight as mummies and semi-mummies. For backpacking, the extra weight is a deal-breaker, but for motorcycle touring, whether a bag weighs 2.5 lbs or 3.25 lbs isn't typically significant.

Standard weight/bulk vs. warmth/comfort tradeoffs. There's no free lunch.

- Mark

 

[NittanyXT]

I use a 40 degee mummy with a separate liner which brings the comfort level down another 10 degrees. If it's hot I just use the liner. Colder than 30 I hotel! Check out www.cobraheat,com, I've gotten a few items from them, quality stuff.

 

[erenet]

I'm getting a 0c 30 degree synthetic mummy or rectangular for the same trip. Synthetic because it's supposed to be easier to dry if it gets wet.

 

[TreeMuncher]

I'm getting a 0c 30 degree synthetic mummy or rectangular for the same trip. Synthetic because it's supposed to be easier to dry if it gets wet.

That's what I've used for years. Eureka Silver City is good for 30F and it packs down tight in its own compression sack. Add a thin polarfleece bag/liner and you will be good for temps into the 20's, or use the PF alone for nights above 60F. Minimal space and maximum versatility.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I'm getting a 0c 30 degree synthetic mummy or rectangular for the same trip. Synthetic because it's supposed to be easier to dry if it gets wet.

When buying our sleeping bags (my wife and I) she does a TON of home work.. Your right, the synthetic is way more "maintenance free" and if it gets wet its really not that big of a deal... The down has some better heating aspects but there is kinda a golden rule, dont get it wet.... LOL

We did end up with some nice down mummy bags, because we had a short list of a few synthetic and down we where looking at... And then REI had some crazy sale and we had another 20% off coupon... So we scored some really nice bags for a killer price... Mine is a 30 and I have camped many nights below 30... Ive been toasty worm, no issues.... The coldest nights where probably 22-25*.....

 

[markjenn]

Since the thread has morphed into basically a sleeping bag review, I'll mention that I recently gave up on my Big Agnes summer bag (not nearly enough warmth for anything but the very warmest nights) and based on previous good experiences with North Face, bought one of their 20-deg rectangular synthetic bags:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___42178

I think I found it on sale for $80 or so.

I used to be able to tolerate mummies (and 1/2", 3/4 length pads), but these days are long gone. I need some room and comfort now to get a good night's sleep. I'm even thinking about getting a cot for car camping.

- Mark

 

[WRW9751]

Not to morph the post, but I would think if you were sleep with just a quilt type cover which sounds like a good idea, especially in the summer. I would think you would want to be off the ground, on a cot, like the Tech Cot Aerostich sells.
http://www.aerostich.com/camping/campsite/sleeping-bags-pads/high-tech-cot.html

I have one and use it with a Big Agnes 15 bag and pad seems to work well together. The cot is a bit of a pain to assemble and disassemble but the sleep part is worth it!

 

[merchant]

Thanks to all for the input. Keep posting. You're giving me lots to think about. I only hope my wallet doesn't get in the way of making the right decision. ::025::

 

[joneil]

I use a down filled Marmot mummy bag. Packs up very small. Very light. Very warm. Just what a happy camper needs.

 

[jaderider]

Couple more things. I use a sleeping bag liner. About $10 from my local camping store. Adds an extra element of warmth, and in hot weather you use that like a sheet. It also keeps the sleeping bag cleaner.
I also travel with a Big Agnes insulated air matt. Its very comfortable and it keeps cold from the ground from getting to you. The latter can be worse than cold air.


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[howie ronic]

A bag is the only way to go. Better to be too hot than too cold. Nights are long when you're freezing your ass off. Best sleeping bags on the planet are made by featheredfriends.com. If money is no object of course. As always in life..you definitely get what you pay for. I have two and happy to pay it to buy a quality product made in the good ol USA.

 

[211john]

I converted to quilt a while back. I'm 5'8" and a bit past stocky. Mummy bags are built for taller thinner types. I made a ray-way quilt kit so I could finally have something that would be light and compact to carry but would keep me warm and be comfortable. Since I made it myself I got the width I needed without all the extra length of a 'big guy' bag. I'm a stomach sleeper and with a self inflating pad the quilt is perfect.

I did the ray way kit with the alpine upgrade. Packs a little larger than the down mummy I had before but it's much warmer. The down mummy was rated to 32 degrees.

 

[hANNAbONE]

Big Agnes synth bag // Big Agnes blowup doll pads //

...it's all ya need...

 

[Maxified]

I used to be able to tolerate mummies (and 1/2", 3/4 length pads), but these days are long gone. I need some room and comfort now to get a good night's sleep.

I concur wholeheartedly. I've had a lot of different sleeping bags, natural & synthetic fibers, cheap & pricey, and like Wiggy's bags. They've made products for my rich uncle. Well, he ain't so rich any more.

http://wiggys.com/category.cfm?category=6

 

[EricV]

I always carry a couple of contractor grade black garbage bags on the bike. Just handy for lots of things, but it's also a cheap and easy trick to keep warm if you have too thin a bag for the conditions, slip your bag into the trash bag and it helps retain your body heat better. If the temp difference is great enough, you can end up with a moist bag from the condensation, but it beats being cold at night.

Some of the minimalists like sleeping rolls too. With those you sleep with your clothes on though, which is not for everyone.

 

[jacktimo]

I'm getting a 0c 30 degree synthetic mummy or rectangular for the same trip



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[Caddoview]

There is not easy answer to this question with more information about what conditions you will be camping in. Growing up in Scouting, I have camped from Texas to Canada and with out question a summer bag suitable to Canada will cook you in Texas. I learned a long time ago to go with the bag quilt that will fill 90% of your need and then augment that when needed with solar blankets, bag liners, extra blanket or even flannel PJ's. Just my thoughts on the subject.

 

[Hanson]

I have a custom Nunatak down quilt that weighs only 19.25 oz. It is an extraordinarily flexible bit of kit and easily outperforms any down bag with respect to it's weight to warmth ratio as quilts do not waste material or fill underneath your body where it gets compressed by your own body wight. I have well north of 200 comfortable nights in this quilt from temperatures that have ranged from low 20s to high 60s, but any bag or quilt is just part of a well designed sleep system. Another critically important consideration is what is between you and the ground. Any quilt will be cold if you are not properly insulated from the ground and when the temperature drops below freezing I use a down filled air mattress (a DAM) from ExPed. For anything above freezing I use an ExPed Ultra SynMat 7 short. All of this goes into a custom made bivy sack from Mountain Laurel Designs and I have not slept inside a tent in many years. If it is going to rain or snow I do put up a tarp, but I love sleeping outside on a crisp evening with nothing overhead but God's beautiful blanket of stars.

What is comfortable is very subjective. I am an older man and an active side sleeper, meaning that I role over quite a bit, and if I do not have a good mat I do not get good rest and I wake up in the morning with sore hip joints. As an example, I have a NeoAir short pad that is only about 8 oz but it is just below the edge of what I can use and still receive good rest. Both of my sons use this pad without any difficulty except when sleeping on snow or ice in which case the R value and the length of the pad become problematic. It takes time under the stars and experimentation to find out what is going to work for you.

Most of this is from a backpacking perspective where weight and volume are both significantly more critical than when motorcycle camping, but I simply use the same equipment for both activities with the exception of adding a more comfortable camp chair that I would never carry on my back. There is nothing lighter or more compact than knowledge and knowing what what you can leave at home will lighten your load more dramatically than any bit of kit you can purchase.