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10 Best Backpacking Quilts of 2024

10 Best Backpacking Quilts of 2024

More and more backpackers are switching from sleeping bags to backpacking quilts because they’re lighter weight, more compressible, and more comfortable, especially for side sleepers. While top quilts have always been popular with the hammock crowd, they’re also a great sleeping system option for ground sleepers, when coupled with a sleeping pad. Backpacking quilts are also ideal for summer and warm weather since they’re so easy to vent if you’re too hot.

Here are our choices for the top 10 best backpacking quilts based on price, insulation, temperature rating, weight, features, versatility, sizing, and availability (see below for detailed explanations of each criterion.)

Make / ModelFeaturesType
Enlightened Equipment Revelation QuiltDown or Synthetic Insulation, Drawstring Footbox, UL Fabrics, Draft Collar Option,
Many Colors Available.
Stock, Custom
Katabtic Gear Alsek 22 QuiltDifferential Cut, Draft Collar, Overfill Available.Stock
Hammock Gear Burrow QuiltZipper or Sewn Footbox, Overfill Available, Many Colors Available.Stock, Custom
REI Magma 30 QuiltDraft Collar, Drawstring Footbox, Multiple Widths and LengthsStock
Enlightened Equipment Convert Sleeping QuiltDown or Synthetic Insulation, Drawstring Footbox, Full Length Zipper, Dual Draft Tubes, Many Colors Available.Stock, Custom
Warbonnet Diamondback QuiltZipper or Sewn Footbox, Draft Collar Option,Side Elastics Option, Overfill Available, Many Colors Available.Stock, Custom
Hyperlite Mtn Gear 20-Degree QuiltBox Baffled Construction, Body-mapped Insulation, Sewn FootboxStock
Zpacks Classic Sleeping QuiltBox Baffled Construction, Overstuffed, 3/4 Zipper, UL Fabric.Stock
Feathered Friends Flicker UL BagDrawstring Footbox, Full Length Zipper, Dual Draft Tubes.Stock
Nunatak Arc UL QuiltDifferential Cut, Draft Collar, Edge Tension Control, UL Fabrics, Quilt Layering Snaps, Overfill AvailableCustom

Many of these quilts are made and sold by cottage manufacturers, which range in size from one-man shops to medium-sized businesses that employ dozens of people. The advantage of buying a custom or semi-custom-made quilt from a cottage manufacturer is that you can personalize it with added features, higher quality/lighter weight insulation, or custom fabric colors. An increasing number of quilt makers also offer “Stock” or “Economy” quilts made with a limited set of options that are much less expensive and often available immediately. These are a great option if you want to save some money or you’re trying a backpacking quilt for the first time and you’re overwhelmed by the customization choices available. You’ll still get an excellent quilt.

1. Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Revelation Custom Quilt
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation is a quilt that can be used for sleeping on the ground or in a hammock. It’s available as a Custom or Stock Economy model in a wide range of different lengths, widths, colors, temperature ratings, and fabric weights. The Revelation comes with an excellent pad attachment system, a zippered/ drawstring footbox, half taper, and an optional draft collar. You can also choose from two different grades of down: 850 or 950 fill power down. A Custom Revelation 20F with all the bells and whistles weighs 21.7 oz. Synthetic insulation is also available. Read our Revelation Quilt review.

Shop at Enlightened Equip.

2. Katabatic Gear Alsek 22 Quilt

Katabatic Alsek 22
While some quilts feel like they aren’t wide enough to wrap around, the angled “wings” and elastic binding around the bottom opening on the Katabatic Alsek 22 help keep the quilt secure around the hiker without a major weight penalty. The Alsek 22 weighs just 1 pound, 6.2 ounces with 900-fill-power down and a durable Pertex Quantum Ripstop shell. It also has a longer sewn footbox than many other quilts, which helps trap more heat. We also like the Katabatic Palisade 30, but generally recommend something a bit warmer for shoulder season use, especially with the low weight of these quilts. A quilt is easy to vent if you’re too warm.

Shop at Katabatic Gear

3. Hammock Gear Burrow Top Quilt

Burrow
The Hammock Gear Burrow is a quality top quilt good for hammock or ground use. It’s available in a premium Custom form as well as a stock Economy Model. Hammock Gear was the first cottage manufacturer company to introduce less expensive, limited-function “Econ” quilts and deserves a lot of credit for helping to expand the quilt user base. The Burrow is available in a wide range of sizes, colors, lengths, widths, multiple fill powers, overfills, and footbox styles, but lacks a draft collar option. A Custom 20F Burrow with all the bells and whistles weighs 21 oz while a comparable 20F Econ model weighs 26 oz. Read our Burrow Econ review.

Shop at Hammock Gear

4. REI Magma 30 Quilt

REI Magma 30 Quilt

The REI Magma 30 is a fully featured 20.3 oz quilt that provides tremendous bang for the buck. Given REI’s generous return policy, it’s a great way to try using a premium quilt that’s less risky than getting stuck with a custom model you hate. The Magma 30 is insulated with 850 fill-power water-resistant goose down and has a zippered footbox so you can open it up like a blanket. It’s available in multiple widths and lengths for the same price and includes a draft collar to seal in warm over your chest and around your neck. It has vertical and horizontal body-mapped baffles, 2 pad attachment straps, and compresses down to 5 Liters when packed.
Shop at REI

5. Enlightened Equipment Convert

Enlightened Equipment Convert Quilt Sleeping Bag

The Enlightened Equipment Convert is a sleeping quilt with a full-length zipper and a fully adjustable footbox that allows it to be completely closed (like a sleeping bag), completely open (like a blanket), and somewhere in between. This allows you to dial it in for a comfortable night’s sleep, and it makes the Convert a highly versatile piece of gear perfect for tent or hammock camping. A stock 20F Convert weighs 26.45 oz. Stock and customized models are available with an optional draft collar and higher fill power down. Synthetic insulation is also available.  Read the SectionHiker review.

Shop at Enlightened Equip.

6. Warbonnet Diamondback Quilt

Warbonnet Diamondback Quilt
The Warbonnet Diamondback is a down quilt made using Warbonnet’s constriction-point baffle pattern that uses a series of constrictions in the baffle pattern to isolate both halves of the quilt, reducing downshift, and letting you position overfill where you want it the most. The Diamondback is available as a Custom-made quilt or an Economy model. Available customizations include a wide range of widths and lengths, color choices, insulation types, foot box styles, a draft collar, a back tensioning system, and a pad attachment system.  A regular-sized Custom Diamondback 20F with all the bells and whistles weighs in at 19.5 oz. Read the SectionHiker review

Shop at Warbonnet

7. Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20 Degree Quilt

 

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-degree Quilt is an ultralight (20.1 oz) down quilt insulated with 1000 fill-power great goose down, treated with a DWR coating to resist perspiration and maintain its loft. It has a highly efficient box baffled construction with vertical and horizontal baffles to keep the down in pace and comes with a durable and silky 7D nylon shell fabric. The footbox is sewn to for maximum warmth and the quilt comes with a pair of pad attachment straps. This is a great option for three-season use, particularly in cooler mountainous areas.

Shop at Hyperlite

8. Zpacks Classic Sleeping Quilt

Zpacks Classic Quilt
The Zpacks Classic Sleeping Quilt has a 3/4 length zipper so you can open it up on warm nights and use it as a quilt or zip it up for a draft-free sleep without the need to fuss with pad attachment straps. The Classic is insulated with 950 fill power water-resistant down and available in multiple lengths, widths, and temperature ratings. An elastic cord is used to tighten the bag around your neck to prevent drafts. A regular-sized Zpacks Classic 20F weighs 17.6 oz. Read the SectionHiker Review.

Shop at Zpacks

9. Feathered Friends Flicker UL

Feathered Friends Flicker UL Quilt Sleeping Bag

The Feathered Friends Flicker UL has a full-length zipper that lets it be used as an open-backed quilt or a wraparound sleeping bag. It has a draft collar, zipper draft tube and is insulated with 950 fill power goose down. The Flicker is available in 20, 30, and 40-degree models, in regular and long lengths, and regular and wide widths. We love its versatility and simplicity, especially in colder weather when you want to completely block out all drafts without having to fuss with sleeping bag straps. A 20F Flicker UL weighs 25.2 oz. Read our Flicker UL Review.

Shop at Feathered Friends

10. Nunatak Arc UL Quilt

Nunatak arc-ul

The Nunatak Arc UL is a quilt primarily designed for ground use although it can serve double duty in a hammock. It is only available on a Custom-made basis, with a wide range of temperature ratings, lengths, and widths, with or without a draft collar, back tensioning system, with or without a pad attachment system, and several different outer shells and liner fabrics that emphasize breathability or water repellency. One of the unique options available on the Arc UL is the installation of external snaps that allow you to layer a synthetic quilt with it for cold weather use. The Arc UL is also available with 900 fill power goose down, treated or untreated. A Custom Arc UL 20F with all the bells and whistles weighs 21 oz. Read the SectionHiker Review.

Shop at Nunatak

Backpacking Quilt Selection Criteria

Here is a list of factors to consider when selecting an ultralight backpacking quilt.

Quilt Insulation

High-quality goose and duck down with fill powers of 800, 850, 900, and 950 provide excellent insulation by weight and are widely preferred by backpackers because they’re so lightweight. In addition to excellent compressibility, quilts insulated with down will last for decades of use if properly cared for. Some manufacturers only offer down that’s been treated with a water-repellent coating, while others prefer to offer it unadulterated. Down is naturally water-resistant so the jury is still out on whether “treated” down lasts as long and insulates as well in the real world vs. a testing lab. Regardless, with a little care and common sense, you can keep a down quilt dry by carrying it in a waterproof stuff stack, picking good campsites that don’t flood in rain, and airing it out occasionally in the sun. Getting a quilt with synthetic insulation is another option and can be preferable in humid climates or for extended cold weather journeys, where it’s difficult to dry your gear.

Quilt Temperature Ratings

The introduction of standardized sleeping bag temperature ratings by the outdoor industry substantially improved their reliability. Many manufacturers had overstated their temperature ratings by as much as 10 degrees before that standard was introduced. No such testing standard exists for backpacking quilts, so you’re forced to rely on their reputation and customer reviews. When buying a backpacking quilt, the current rule of thumb is to purchase one rated for 10 degrees below your needs to ensure you’ll be warm enough. There is an enormous incentive for ultralight quilt makers to quote low gear weights, so read their customer reviews carefully.  Women may want to add 15-20 degrees of insulation because they sleep colder than men due to lower body mass. No one makes women’s specific quilts yet, although there is an obvious need for them.

Since there is no standardized test for rating the warm of a quilt, it is important to understand how manufacturers test and self-rate their quilts. Many assume that you will be wearing an insulated hat, long underwear, and socks, in addition to a sleeping pad with an R-value of 5 or higher. Contact them and ask before you purchase a quilt or you’ll likely sleep colder than expected.

Gear Weight

While gear weight is important, be careful not to sacrifice your comfort by selecting a quilt that won’t keep you warm in the conditions you need it to. In fact, insulation is usually the lightest weight component of a quilt, where the bulk of its weight comes primarily from the fabric used to make it. When choosing fabrics, consider their breathability and whether they have a DWR coating, which can be important if the foot of your quilt gets wet regularly  If you plan on using your quilt heavily, consider getting a heavier inner shell fabric as this is where the greatest wear and tear occurs over the long-term.

Standard and Custom Quilt Features

Most ultralight backpacking quilts are pretty similar when it comes right down to it. But there’s something unique about each of the manufacturer’s quilts listed above that improves their performance in a unique way. For example, the use of continuous or chevron-shaped baffles, draft collars, zoned insulation, closed foot-boxes, and external snaps for quilt layering, all improve cold-weather performance. A strapless pad attachment system is far more convenient and comfortable than ones that rely on straps, while a head-hole enables multi-use as a garment. Look for these differentiators because they can have a profound influence on your backpacking experience.

Differential Cut

Some quilts makers make their quilts with a differential cut. This means that the top fabric and internal fabric are sized differently (the inside is smaller) in order to fully loft the insulation, especially when your knees are pressing into it. It also helps reduce the weight of the quilt slightly.

Sleeping Pad Attachment Systems

There’s a lot of variability in sleeping pad attachment systems and their ability to block side drafts. We prefer ones with wide elastic straps and wafer clips (Enlightened Equipment, UGQ) because they’re easier to adjust in the dark and while you’re lying on top of a sleeping pad. We also find them to be more effective than attachment systems that use cords and/or mitten clips because these are more difficult to use when your hands are cold. All pad attachment systems are more effective when used in conjunction with a back tensioning system.

Ultralight Backpacking Quilt FAQs

What is a top quilt for backpacking?

A top quilt is just another name for a backpacking quilt that you use to cover yourself when sleeping on the ground on a sleeping pad or in a backpacking hammock. It’s basically a down-comforter shaped like the top half of a sleeping bag, but without a hood, that has a shaped footbox like a sleeping bag. Many top quilts can also be opened up and used like a blanket.

What is the advantage of using a backpacking quilt instead of a sleeping bag?

Backpacking quilts are lighter weight, more compressible, and more versatile than sleeping bags. They’re also more comfortable for side sleepers and people who toss and turn at night.

How wide should a backpacking quilt be?

Ground sleepers need extra fabric and insulation to tuck under their sides to prevent drafts. A width of 55″ is a pretty standard width for ground sleepers. Larger individuals may want to go a bit wider.

How long should a backpacking quilt be?

When sizing a quilt, it’s important to understand whether the length includes the foot-box or not, since several inches of fabric are lost when forming a foot box. Quiltmakers often provide recommended heights for users when quoting sizes, so look for these.

What is a backpacking quilt pad-attachment system?

A quilt-pad attachment system lets you connect the sides of a backpacking quilt to the top of your sleeping pad so that drafts can’t sneak under the sides and chill you. Most pad attachment systems have elastic straps that you loop over a sleeping pad with clips that connect to the sides of your quilt. The male parts of the clips connect to female clips sewn onto the quilt. These are small and barely noticeable. All pad attachment systems are more effective when used in conjunction with a back tensioning system. In warm weather, most people skip the pad attachment system, but it is useful when it’s colder outside at night.

What temperature should a quilt be rated for?

For men, you can’t go wrong with having a 20-degree (Fahrenheit) quilt because you can vent it easily in warmer weather. Since women have less body mass and generate less body heat, we recommend getting a 10-degree quilt. If you think you’re a colder sleeper, we also recommend getting a 10-degree quilt.

Is there a temperature rating standard for quilts, like sleeping bags?

There isn’t a temperature rating standard for quilts like there is for sleeping bags. However, some testing labs apply the sleeping bag standard test to quilts, adding in a down hood, to simulate the effect of a sleeping bag hood. When in doubt, ask the quilt manufacturer how they derived their temperature rating. When in doubt, consider getting a quilt that’s rated 10 degrees colder than the lowest temperature you expect to need.

What is a draft collar?

A draft collar is a tube of fabric, usually filled with goose or duck down, located just below the hood of a sleeping bag or the head end of a backpacking quilt, that wraps around your upper chest and neck so heat can’t escape when you move around at night. For ground sleepers, it’s important that the controls used to tighten the draft collar be located over your chest within easy reach of your hands if you’re lying on your back or side.

What is the difference between a quilt with a zippered footbox vs a closed footbox?

A zippered footbox lets you open a quilt like a blanket, which is useful in warm weather. Most zippered foot boxes have drawstring closures which can also be opened for venting. Closed foot boxes are sewn shut and more like the foot boxes on sleeping bags. They’re also warmer than zippered foot boxes since they block drafts.

What is a quilt back tensioning system?

This is an adjustable system that pulls the sides of the rear hole of a quilt together to help block cold drafts. It augments a sleeping bag attachment system and is of primary benefit to ground sleepers. Vendors use different names for it, like Dynamic Tensioning System (UGQ), Adjustable Side Elastics (Warbonnet), and Edge Tension Control (Nunatak).

Why is a differential cut on a backpacking quilt important?

A differential cut is when the interior and exterior shell fabric of the quilt are cut to different sizes so that all of the down insulation can stay fully lofted around you even if you push against it or pull it tight. If the inner and outer fabrics were cut the same size, the down would flatten when you press against it, forcing the down to compress and lose all of its trapped heat.

Is it worth adding down overfill to a quilt?

It really depends on the design of the quilt. Most quilts are designed with an ideal baffle height and a differential cut that optimize the warmth for a given temperature rating. Adding some overfill might reduce down shift inside the quilt or not, depending on how it’s designed. When in doubt, ask the quilt manufacturer. Sometimes, it’s more effective to just get the next warmer-sized quilt instead.

What does denier mean?

Denier, often abbreviated as “d” or “D”, is a unit of measurement that is used to describe the thickness of individual fibers or threads. When shopping for backpacking gear or clothing, you’ll often see 10d or 20d tacked onto the end of a specification for the gear’s fabric. Higher denier fabrics are usually heavier and more durable than lower denier fabrics. For example, a quilt with a 10d shell fabric will be slightly lighter weight and less durable than one made with a 20d fabric.

What sleeping clothes should you use when sleeping with a backpacking quilt?

We recommend wearing a long sleeve jersey and long underwear, the same clothes you’d wear in a sleeping bag, to keep body oils and dirt from making the inside of your quilt dirty. Many people also wear a fleece hoody down hoody when sleeping under a quilt if more warmth is required. A fleece hat or down hood can also be worn in colder conditions.

Are quilts good for winter backpacking and camping?

Not really. Quilts are best used for temperatures greater than 20 degrees, although some people will drape a quilt over a sleeping bag in winter to boost its temperature rating.

When is a full-length zipper better than a 3/4 length zipper?

For cold weather quilts rated for less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit or if you’re a cold sleeper, we recommend that you get a quilt with a 3/4 length or full-length zipper. When zippered closed shut, it eliminates any chance of cold drafts, but still lets you sleep with the quilt open and draped over you in warmer weather.

What is the difference between 800 and 900 fill power down?

Fill power is a way of measuring how much space goose down or duck down can fill. For example, 1 ounce of 800 fill power down will fill 800 cubic inches, whereas 1 ounce of 9oo fill power will fill 9o0 cubic inches. More down generally means more warmth. So a 900 fill power down quilt provides more warmth than an 800 fill power quilt for the same weight of insulation. It also means that you can use less 900 fill power down by weight to get the same warmth as that supplied by 800 fill power down, thereby reducing the weight of your quilt.

Is duck down warmer than goose down?

Fill power is a species-independent way of measuring the warmth-to-weight ratio of duck down and goose down. In other words 800 fill power duck down is as warm as 800 fill power goose down. The difference between the two boils down to the color of the insulation, which you won’t see because it’s sewn into a sleeping bag or quilt and not visible to the eye. Duck down is also less expensive than goosedown because there are a lot more ducks in this world than geese.

What is the difference between a stock quilt and a custom quilt?

Many quilt manufacturers offer stock quilts, which are pre-made, have a limited feature set, use slightly heavier fabrics, and are only offered in a handful of colors. They also tend to use lower fill power down insulation or duck down instead of high fill power goose down. The advantage of buying a stock quilt is that they are usually less expensive and available much faster than one that is custom made, even if it is a few ounces lighter weight and comes in your favorite color.

What is the best type of sleeping pad to use with a quilt?

Most sleeping pads work well with quilt pad-attachment systems with a few exceptions, including inflatable air mattresses, self-inflating pads, and foam sleeping pads. Pads that don’t work very well are thin, closed-cell foam pads that are thinner than 1/4″ and Klymit sleeping pads that have openings in them. But in general, quilts work best with inflatable sleeping pads from Therm-a-Rest, Sea-to-Summit, NEMO, and Exped.

What is an underquilt for backpacking?

An underquilt is used by backpackers who sleep in hammocks. It provides back insulation, much like a sleeping pad does for people who sleep on the ground in tents or under tarps. While you can technically sleep on a sleeping pad in a hammock, an underquilt is much more comfortable because it is hung underneath the hammock and out of the way.

What is the Responsible Down Standard?

The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification aims to ensure that down and feathers come from animals that have not been subjected to any unnecessary harm. Any removal of down and feathers from live birds (live-plucking or molt-harvesting) is prohibited; force-feeding is also prohibited. A professional, third-party certification body audits each stage in the supply chain. Certification ensures that the identity of RDS down and feathers is maintained at all times: from the farm to the final product.

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20 comments

  1. REI’s Magma 30 trail quilt has been a fantastic quilt experiment for me. Not worth the $300 retail price, but on a 50% off sale you cannot go wrong with it, especially if it’s a diceroll on your first quilt. I will not be going back to sleeping bags for the spring/summer/fall.

    • Anything quilt that REI sells is a good experiment given their return policy. The Magma 30 is a passable option, but The Thermarest vesper is SO much better and also a good first quilt.

      • I agree on the Thermarest quilts – I’ve found the 32 plenty warm for most 3 season hikes and the 20 great for shoulder seasons. When combined with an REI sale they are a tremendous value. What makes it ‘only’ a good first quilt IYO? They’re still lighter (esp by rating) and pack smaller than the quilts mentioned above and quite minimal.

  2. If’n I wiz gonna buy a quilt I’d get the NUNATAK ARC UL for the quality but mainly for the way it widens out considerably from the waist up. THAT keeps drafts from sneaking in when you roll over.

  3. Any thoughts on Jacks R Better? Especially when looking at cost, weight, and warmth.

    Also, why did you include a thermarest (not knocking them) yet specifically call them out as mass produced?

  4. Also,when considering length,a stomach sleeper might consider a longer length because the feet are stretched out.

  5. UGQ no longer makes a synthetic Bandit.

    • Hello

      I have been looking at quilts and was wondering if you have had any experience with Western Mountaineering quilts ? The weight of their two quilts are really light. I currently have a 20 degree and 0 degree from them and love both. Do you think their quilts will be as warm as the mummy’s?

      Thank You

      • While I have owned several Western Mountaineering mummy bags from Western Mountaineering, I suspect their quilts will be built to the same level of quality. As for warmth – that’s up to you much more than in a sleeping bag. If you let drafts in the sides no, they’ll be colder, as would any quilt. But otherwise, they should probably be fine.

  6. Philip, have you tried the new HMG 20 quilt? I had been hearing good things so I just bought it. Very comfortable, much more premium feel than EE.

  7. Among other things, I own and pack an EE R quilt. I ordered it in the largest dimensions available. Some observations trail:

    – slow fulfillment, but timetable was as promised

    – I am a hot sleeper and do best between 62F and 35 F, am 50% Scandi

    – loft is accurate but dimensions barely fit a 5’10 200 lb ex-rugger frame, seems small

    – puncture resistant, and it does not show wear

    – still doesn’t stink after years of not washing (still haven’t this quilt)

    – arrangement of fitments is really well thought out

    – breathes (7 denier)

    – 900 fill, squeezes small

    My 10F EE R quilt is a real all-rounder except when temps climb above 60F.

    Consider the current quilts offered and buy larger.

  8. I own a Marcy quilt from Mid-Atlantic Mountain Works, the company that invented the edge tensioning system. Last I knew, Nunatak was the only company to license this innovation.

    • First off – there’s no licensing in the cottage end of the market, just copying. That’s why so many cottage products are virtually identical. The only barrier to entry is startup equipment, experienced sewers, and seed materials.

      Next – Mid-atlantic Mountain Works has been out of business for several years now.

      Finally – different manufacturers call the side tensioning system different things. Warbonnet has them, Nunatak, and others.

  9. Why no UGQ Bandit? Didn’t you recommend them highly in an earlier review?

    • Last year. New Year, updated list. The competition has gotten much better. The Bandit is still a good quilt ,but we try to offer a mix of great products because everyones preferences and needs are different. Many of the cottage quilts are pretty much equivalent and only compete on price and delivery timeframes.

  10. Denier is not a measurement of thickness of threads but of its weight, actually grams per 9000 meters

  11. While there is a slight wight penalty for the two-piece system, I picked up a ZenBivy last year. Great draft stop with the zippered sides. Paired with my Neo Air it is as comfortable as my bed at home.

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