Why a quilt instead of a sleeping bag?
The insulation under you in a sleeping bag gets flattened by your body weight and hardly keeps you warm. Your sleeping mat does that job. A quilt leaves that part out, so you carry less weight for the same warmth. It also packs smaller and you can move and turn around freely, which side sleepers like a lot.
Enlightened Equipment Revelation or Enigma?
Enlightened Equipment is one of the best known quilt makers among thru-hikers. Their two main models differ in one detail: the footbox.
- Revelation: the footbox closes with a zipper and a drawcord. Open it and you use the quilt as a blanket on warm nights.
- Enigma: a sewn footbox, a little lighter and warmer at the feet, but it does not open flat.
The APEX versions use Climashield APEX synthetic insulation instead of 850 fill power down. Synthetic insulation keeps more of its warmth when it gets damp, but it is heavier and bulkier for the same temperature rating. The Accomplice is a quilt for two people.
Other quilts
The Thermarest Vesper is a down quilt in two ratings, 0°C and -6°C. The Sea to Summit Cinder I is a summer quilt rated for 10°C.
Pad straps against drafts
Pad straps connect the quilt to your sleeping mat, so no cold air comes in along the sides when you turn. For wide mats of more than 64 cm there are the Enlightened Equipment X-Wide Pad Straps.
Frequently asked questions
Which temperature rating do I need?
Look at the coldest night you expect on your trip. If you sleep cold, choose one step warmer. A warm hat and a dry set of sleep clothes add a few degrees too.
Is a quilt warm enough when it is cold?
Yes, as long as your mat insulates well enough from below. A quilt only keeps you warm from above, so pick a mat with the right R-value. Have a look at our sleeping mats.
Down or synthetic?
Down is lighter and packs smaller for the same warmth. Synthetic keeps more of its warmth when it gets damp, which helps on long wet trips or when you sleep under a tarp.