What Sleep System are you currently using on the Trail? Do you Rock a Quilt or a Sleeping Bag? 👇Let Us Know Down Below!👇

Years ago, I wanted to switch to a quilt but had no money to buy one. So I took my old mummy bag, cut off the zippers and hood, did some sewing and it worked fine for me up to now. This year I want to buy me a brand new real quilt and send my old one in retirement.

i wanna switch to a quilt but 1:47 has me thinking twice. look how content that man is. i wanna be that content

I respectfully have to disagree for myself I only use quilts in the summer +35F/+5C at least or greater. When it's colder than that I'm always waking up with a draft somewhere and I have the exact same set up as yourself, so for 9 months of the year I'm in a generously cut, high quality (expensive) sleeping bag. Love your content!

Darwin one of my favorite features of a quilt is if it get to hot a can kick my feet out

My hubby and I got the EE quilts after watching your last video, love them! We wouldn’t use anything else. Thanks Darwin!

Thank you, Darwin for another great video. A few years ago I switched to a Jacks are better Sierra Sniveler and there is no going back! I can use the quilt as a poncho type jacket and Velcro in a detachable hood. You can even add down sleeves which I have really enjoyed on cold nights wether I used them as sleeves or leg warmers. Quilts are now my top choice because It works great with a hammock as well.

Yup. I too am a side sleeping toss n' turner, and I LOVE my quilt. Best upgrade to my kit I ever made.

Love the creepy smile on the pan up the quilt! LOL

I switched to a quilt after watching your last video about them. I toss and turn as well. I was hesitant about spending that much on something I wasn't even sure I would like, so I made my own! If you have any sewing skills at all, I guarantee you can make your own. I have a video up showing how I did it, and a link to the video I learned it from. I love my quilt. Thanks Darwin! Ps. I use my quilt paired with the insulated klymit with R4.4. I will be making a pad cover with straps next.

Thanks Darwin. I took your advice and got a EE 20degree quilt and loved it on my first backpacking trip around Mt. Rainier on the Wonderland trail last week. I enjoy your videos.

I switched to a quilt last week. It was amazing! I will never use a mummy bag again. The freedom of movement was great.

I am using a light weight cot with zlite sleep pad and a quilt.....love it

My mind was blown when I learned (from you) about quilts. For years using sleeping bags camping I always thought there had to be something better!

I have a mummy bag that I use as a quilt. The zipper is down and to the edge of the pad. This works for me.

Just made the jump to a Hammock Gear quilt and absolutely love it. Havent even looked at a sleeping bag since then.

Thanks Darwin for all the great info! Haven't tried a quilt yet, this is only my second year of backpacking. I have mountain hardware ratio 32 bag it's a "comfortable" mummy and I really like it...I can move and bend my knees. I have the long version. I like it so much I sometimes sleep in it on my bed at home... 😁

I have yet to use a quilt, but I’m excited to give it a try! I have been using a spoon shaped mummy bag

Thanks Darwin! I use the nemo tensor long/wide pad and the katabatic gear flex 22 long/wide and I actually look forward to sleeping while backpacking! I Love the ability to roll around without getting tangled.

Well, that answered all of my questions. I knew nothing, and now I am enlightened. Thank you for this video!

My favourite, most trustworthy piece of cooking gear is the MSR Titan Kettle, a really perfect bit of kit for solo use. I love the way it's engineered with the pan "gripping" the lid, so you can pick up by the lid even when full of water.

I switched from a mummy bag to a UGQ quilt for the JMT that I completed 2 weeks ago. I too am a side sleeper and sometimes restless. There were a few nights that dropped below freezing and I am still sold on the quilt. It took a few days to get used to the strap system but I couldn't see going back to a mummy bag. Thanks for all the information and inspiration you provide on your channel.

Love my quilt so much I turned a Costco down throw into a quilt that fits my recliner. Best all world's when catching a football game.

Just ordered my UGQ Bandit 10 degree. Can't wait.

I've been using quilts for about 5 years now, my warm weather one is a old Thermarest 35 and when the temps drop, I use an EE Enigma 20. I never use the straps, just toss it on the pad (X-Therm) and fall asleep. I recently borrowed my wife's 5-degree mummy bag for an adventure in the snow, and boy did I regret that, should have used the EE. The mummy was horrible, every time I rolled over or tried to sleep on my stomach the bag wound up and tried to strangle me. I too will never go back to bags.

I roll up into my regular quilt at home like a burrito when necessary. Sleeping bags always make me feel trapped when I attempt to switch sides. This is for me.

Thanks Darwin. Big help picking out my first quilt.

JUST starting to test out quilts. I know everyone seems to hate being "cocooned" but the thing I've noticed the most so far is that I think I actually really enjoy that feeling. Thanks for another great video Darwin. Keep Moving Forward!

I have a pair of the Aegismax UL sleeping bags that you reviewed in a budget gear video. But both are a blanket like rectangle shape unlike the mummy style you reviewed. It allows me the flexibility to use both either as blankets or sleeping bag to fit the situation. I carry one when summer camping and both when I expect colder temps. The rectangle shape also works well on a twin bed in a cabin when I am able to bring sheets.

Quilt now for 8 years, never looked back. Always great content Darwin and I wish more people understood why quilts are better. One thing I think important to point out was mid-video you said you pull your quilt over your head. If camping in the winter, that is a no-no. You will quickly derate your quilt's insulation if using a down quilt due to all the moisture your breath puts into the down, even the dry-tec down on my newest quilt also has this issue in the cold. I do a lot of subzero trips and I used to do this and after 2-3 days, the upper portion of my quilt I could see the clumping starting from the moisture and the quilt is much cooler to sleep in. Better to use a hood or a buff or something over your face than the quilt when it's cold out.

Thanks Darwin! I am considering trying a quilt and your video inspired me to take a leap of faith. 😃Gretings from Sweden!

I'm a hammocker and use a beautiful custom outdoorink 10 degree 850 fill down UGQ underquilt...and a raggedy old synthetic 20 degree mummy bag I got on sale at big 5 a couple years ago for $20 that is so torn to bits it looks and acts more like a quilt...that weighs 4 lbs. But it works okay at the moment. I'm saving up for a UGQ top quilt right now so I will be able to survive the winter snow.

Thank you, this answered all my questions and I love your information on all the videos

I’m a quilt user,,, saw ur vid a while back when I barely got into backpacking and I move a lot too ,,, best sleep I ever have on trail ,,,

Thanks for this! Looking to do the PCT next year and am so uncomfortable in a traditional backpacking sleeping bag. You answered every question I had about a hiking quilt. Enlightened Equipment bag is on it's way!

I may not buy a bag or quilt but I enjoy watching your videos, Darwin. Thanks! I am in Arizona and will do day hikes. Many with spectacular views are very close to Phoenix.

On a future update please inform us on what you wear to sleep in, how do you keep your head & ears warm, use of a liner, etc...

Definitely a quilt fan. I have broad shoulders, so I went with the wide for my enigma. As a side sleeper, I found my issue to be that the standard sleeping pad size of about 20 inches was too narrow. My arm would lay wierd, or fall of the sleeping pad causing huge pain in my shoulder. I upgraded to a 25 inch wide pad and it gives plenty of room for my arm to lay naturally and more comfortably as well.

I recently switched over to the Sierra Designs Cloud 20, which is a zipperless mummy bag (so kind of a bag-quilt hybrid). It's lighter than a traditional mummy bag but not quite as light as a quilt, but the benefit for me is that I can roll around at night and use the top flap as a blanket in the same way the quilt works. I've used it for 4 nights at temps in the upper 20s/lower 30s and so far, I'm really impressed.

I got a quilt from Hang Tight off of Esty and loved it over the summer!

Really appreciate your presentation skills and information you provide.

Bought a used $40 sewing machine on Craigslist, bought Climashield Apex insulation, breathable fabric from Dutchware Gear. 1/2 the cost. Sew easy :) Next on my list is a SilNylon tarp, w no-see-um mesh at edges and ends, and tub floor. Wooohooo!

I switched to a quilt last year, I absolutely love it. I made my own and used climashield apex insulation. Was a easy project with minimal sewing skills. Ended up making one for each guy I was in elk camp with.

I’m also a back & forth side sleeper, so never liked mummy bags. I know a quilt will be best for me and am saving to get a good quality one. Thanks for the update!

Great video Darwin! I have made the switch for this falls backpacking trip. I will be using the Nemo Tensor insulated wide regular for my ground pad. They don’t pitch R value that I know of but it is a step above the uninsulated version and below there alpine version of UL pads. I got it on sale at REI. I also like how you pointed out companies like UGQ have “off the Rack” or Fastrack quilts. I went with a fastrack UGQ 30 degree bandit 55x 72. The price for this was around $200. My Trip is in early October so looking forward to see how this new system works. Keep up the great work.

I started by zipping my mummy bag up only about foot and leaving the top unzipped to immitate a quilt. Decided I liked it then bought a quilt and will never go back. Side and stomach sleeper also toss and turn. Quilt works great for me. The pad is just as important as the quilt. I first heard about it from Ray-Way Jardine. Back then weren't to many quilts around, much better now.

Ooh I love this. I pretty much do this with my sleeping bag as is because if I feel tangled/trapped in the middle of the night, I'll launch into a panic attack. I'll definitely be looking into these

Dude nailed it,, I agree with. Almost everything D says on this one,, I learned The pad lesson and I wish my quilt was wider

Great video, really appreciate the info, thanks Darwin!

That earlier video was one of the reasons I decided to switch to a quilt. Maybe a little over 2 years ago. Love my Katabatic Alsek for 3 season. Cosco quilt for summer. Quilt 90 percent of the time. I do go back to a mummy for any COLD winter stuff.

I'm going to switch to a quilt. I just ordered an EE Revelation. Sometimes my legs get hot and I'm looking forward to being able to unzip the footbox and kick the covers aside. Thanks very much Darwin!

I’ve changed to a quilt, but when it’s really cold I still use a very light down liner. I find it gives me the best of both worlds and in warm conditions I just use the down liner. These two things give me three options when I’m out walking.

Thanks man. Your informed and valuable info is one of the reasons I switched to the Revelation. And that 1st quilt will be here Monday! It’s been a long 4 weeks waiting (actually a month quicker than the lead time they gave me... but you know what I mean. Instant gratification is a thing). But I’m stoked to get it out on trail next week.

Still in a mummy bag. Nights get cold in the white mountains lol looking to grab a quilt tho for my AT attempt next spring. I'm starting in February so I'll drag the mummy with me for the first part of it but will switch out to the quilt when weather allows. Thank you for your videos!!

Another great budget option is Econ quilts from hammock gear. The econ version runs cheaper than their premium and what I've seen from EE. I have two of the econs and the quality is great!

went backpacking for the first time and had an awful night sleep! I had a nice sleeping bag but continually rolled off the pad and slid around all night. I had to sleep on the ground haha! Thanks for showing us the proper way for a moving sleeper like me! Hike on!!!

Thanks for the info! I've been using the Zpacks classic sleeping bag for a few years now and really love it. I do feel like there's a quilt in my future once the budget allows. Thanks for including some "budget" options to take a look at!

Thanks for the tips bro! Just did a little loop going over the Lamarck Col down into Evolution Valley on the PCT/JMT with a couple of Bros and got some new gear with inspiration from your suggestions. Was wicked comfy! Keep on Trekin'!

Years ago I bought a mummy bag from an army surplus store. I do not remember a decent sleep in it. When in boy scouts, I borrowed a kapok sleeping bag from my dad the Forest Ranger. Again, night time sleeping was not enjoyable. For two years we planned float trips for our fly fishing addiction. We put into a river in two man inflatables and slept at a dude ranch by the river. On the last day, Bob and I were on a sand bar just one turn above the ranch and having a "bump" from his flask. We discussed how nice it would be to just stay on this sand bar. We could bathe in the river, cook dinner over a driftwood fire. Sevylor had come up with some blow up boats that were tough and light. He lived in Coeur D Lane and I lived in Issaquah but we were in contact often with our work. He was a customer of my company who encouraged friendly trips with business associates like fishing, golf, skiing, hunting and camping. Good friends created trust and good business. The next year 1974, we met in Kalispell, left our families at Birch Glen at Swan Lake and Bob, Jim and I hiked into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. 30 miles from Holland Lake, over Pendent Pass to Big Salmon Lake then 2 miles down to the South Fork of the Flathead River. At the river on the second day we blew up our boats and floated 30 miles out on the fourth day. My bed was a K79 Tahiti kayak that weighed 13 pounds. I had my mom's old down quilt and a light nylon tarp to keep the river dew off. I am 6'4" and weigh 220 pounds I make my own sleeping bags that are 44 inches wide and 7' long. I take a comforter (goodwill) fold it over and sew the bottom. I often take my boat even though I might not float. I have never slept well on the ground. If you see us on the trail or on the river we have a 45 pound pack that is good for a week, our boats and fly rods and a 3/4 size paddle for a walking stick. Every night, dinner is poached trout with bacon and onion. In the pot we have noodles, rice or beans. For greens we have water cress or clover from the river. So, we floated the Flathead, the Swan, the Clark Fork and the Blackfoot. all great rivers and lots of fun. Iguana

I converted to an Outdoor Vitals quilt about 18 months ago and after using it in all seasons, I'm definitely a quilt convert for anything above about 25F (give or take). In super cold weather I still use a bag.

Great video again Darwin,, I've been using the As Tucas Sestrals Apex 200 uilt for a few months now,, really like it and its the large wide one too. I'm looking forward to this winter and seeing how in performs in our British climate,, 👍 👍

I’ve never done cold weather camping. I live down in Deep South Texas and in the spring and summer I put my sleeping pad inside a Walmart sleeping bag liner and just sleep on top of it with no sleeping bag or quilt.

You did a great video before about quilts and mentioned UGQ, my wife looked them up and got a 30 degree quilt from them. We love it. I take it camping, she even takes it on road trips when she goes home to visit the folks. It's won us over and now I want another one. I sleep on a Thermarest Basecamp or sometimes the Thermarest Luxurymap pad which are a little heavier and bulkier than ultralight pads but they sure comfy. Hike on.

I used quilts for a few years before ordering a new sleeping bag. Now my arms no longer fall off the side of the mattress, I no longer wake up with a cold back from drafts and I sleep better and warmer overall... My new bag is a 20deg bag from Cumulus which is as light as a 20deg quilt. I'm happy. Bag for the win for me.

I have a 20 degree quilt from Jacks R Better and love it. For stopping drafts, I just make sure the cord is drawn at the top and let the rest hang. For some really cold nights, i have added a Sea to Summit liner bag with the quilt over it. Worked well. Also have used a foam pad with an inflatable in the winter, as I have a cheap inflatable pad.

Quilt for a few years now .. love it! But I am a hammock guy and I always get a great night sleep 😴

1:46 Looks like you found that guy like that in the woods and said "ooh perfect for my quilts video" :)

Awesome little video you got their Darwin I am rocking a underquilt and a over quilt from hang tight shop and they are both 20° I also have a Aegismax 30 degree down sleeping bag which also works as a over quilt

Hi Darwin, great video as usual. I’ve been using quilts from Nunatak, UK hammocks, Elightened Equipment and Zpack for the past five years. Always lighter in weight and cheaper than an equivalent sleeping bag IMHO.

I rock a mummy bag...but since I already have slept for years underneath an unzipped one with the sides tucked around me, I'm excited to get this alternative soon.

I am currently using a 32 degree mummy sleeping bag with a callable sleeping pad...im currently a weekend warrior and living on the east coast... I sleep very warm, I have had it in the snow down to 20 degrees and I was comfortable granted I slept with my pants on... thanks for the video Darwin, I plan on converting to a quilt I. The near future. Hike on!!!

This is some good information as always. Thanks for sharing.

I've been using a quilt since I made my first Ray Jardine quilt from his kits in 2006. Still have those quilts but when backpacking I use Enlightened Equipment and Zpacks quilts now. Love them!!! All the same reasons you use a quilt.

I’m in the middle: I have an EE 20 degree Conundrum hybrid. I love it! I move around a lot in my sleep. I can’t even estimate how many times I woke up with my face trapped in the hood of a mummy bag thinking some creature was swallowing my head. Talk about panic! 🤣 BTW, my sleeping pad changes with the weather; I’m a cold sleeper. Most often I use a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite. I’m a feather pillow lover, so I use an overstuffed GooseFeet Gear down pillow. It actually weighs less than my Sea to Summit Aeros that I dubbed my “slip n’ slide”.

15 degree top quilt from outdoor vitals. Big agnes slx q core delux 3.2 R. Still got chilly on a early spring trip.

Thanks Darwin.

I have an outdoor vitals 15° quilt and a klymit static v UL sleeping pad, and it has a 4.2 r value. It's nice and wide, and with the 15° quilt I can definitely make it deeper into fall. I'm a warm sleeper, and also picked up a thermarest u relight so I can still use the quilt in the summer without over heating. I move a lot in my sleep, I dont come off the pad, and my quilt always pretty much stays where it needs to be.

I use the Aegismax ul 30 degree quilt you recommended in your budget video with a therm-a-rest zlite foam pad. I'm usually on the hotter side, I like being able to let a draft in to cool me down and a quilt allows that. Works for me and didn't break the bank to get it. Thanks!

Therapist: quilted Darwin isn’t real, he can’t hurt you Quilted Darwin: 4:40

I just picked up an Outdoor Vitals quilt last week finally. I only just started backpacking this year and wanted something I could use in colder weather that didn't add a ton to my pack weight. I made the decision based on your last video on this topic and was just slowly saving up until I could afford it.

We are still experimenting with both. Great video and we’ll let you know.

Hey Darwin I bought a similar quilt as you (10 deg, long & wide enigma , I’m 6’3”) before my thru hike this year on the PCT and loved it. Also have the same mattress as you. I’m also a warm sleeper and was toasty every night accept for on fuller ridge above idyllwild when it 28 deg up there with 60 mph lol. Anyway great video and great meeting you again at pct trail days. Marmalade

Ugq 30 degree quilt. Have for 3 years and love it..

I had an rei magma mummy bag and for warm weather ordered an EE revelation 30 stock. It was such a game changer I sold the rei bag and just ordered a 10 degree enigma. I am a quilter for life now after a season in the revelation. I was worried it was too light to be warm but it is toasty. Pad selection is critical and you can always bump it up with a down puffy and down socks if it gets a little frosty.

EE 20* quilt guy here ! My bag days are over. I sleep in my tent like I do in my bed. Move around ,hang a leg out , what ever and used it down to 23 * nights in snow.

Thanks Darwin, like all your vids - very helpful, useful info, even years later! I appreciate your real world perspective. I'm hoping to get some realistic practical guidance sizing a quilt as I transition from mummy bags to lighter weight, more range and versatility. I’ve been hiking the Whites the last 10+ years, starting with long weekends and moving up to week+longer hikes. I started out cheap with a 4lb Slumberjack 20F, moving to the lighter 2.25lb Marmot Nanowave 35F after realizing how much versatility there was in layers, good padding and cinching up a mummy bag. Got to the point where my son and I were able to achieve the coveted Boy Scout Black Bead sleeping out under the stars at Carter Notch on a frozen lake at -5F in our Slumberjack 20F's. Both of us stayed warm and toasty all night! I've also been able to sleep warm + comfortable at 15F in the Mahoosuc Notch shelter in the Nanowave 35F. I'm looking to get my base weight to 15lb or less so I can hike the AT and be reasonably positioned for the CDT and PCT. Having less weight for winter hikes will be nice too! I am confident most 20 or 30F quilts will work for me on the AT. I'm trying to decide tho how to best position myself for the CDT, PCT and winter hikes in the Whites. To date I have gone cheap on bag+pad. Now I'm ready to invest long term, long hike. Given what I've read here and elsewhere, I am a goldilocks sleeper - not too cold, not too hot, knowing how to layer,pad+cinch for comfort. My question is: can I attain similar results with a quilt if I go longer+wider to match the length+shoulder of my Nano 35? curling+cinching up so that I can get to -5F or even 0F with a 20F quilt? I'm considering an EE Revelation 20 Long+Wide, figuring I'll likely be better off using 2-3 oz to increase the quilt size in order to mummify rather than going the hoodlum way. Given my experience and what I’ve read here+elsewhere, I’m focusing on reducing draft rather than just increasing insulation. I am also upgrading my old reliable 1.5lb ThermaRest Short Self-Inflate Backpacker pad which is 1.5" and 3+R. It's served me well+warm all the way down to -20 to -30F nights on the Presidentials using the backpack as a pad under my calves+feet as I’ve always done. I'm considering upgrading it with TR NeoAir XLite Short with R4.4 at 8oz. Do you think my calves+feet will be cooler or the same with the quilt over my pack? I'm assuming I'll want draft tubes for the zip no? Ideally, I’d like to trade up my 3 season 3.75lb Nano bag+pad setup to a 2lb 3-4ish season quilt+pad setup that I will likely not need to change for the PCT or CDT. I realize I will have to tho for -10F and cooler nights in the Whites! Any guidance is much appreciated.

Great review on a pertinent topic. I prefer a sleeping bag when tent camping under 38 degrees F - I have a 20 degree EE convertible down bag and an EE 20 degree sewn toe- box quilt. For tents I use the full size Neoair Xlite pad, the gold one, which has a decent R-value. In the tent I grow weary of messing with the quilt pad straps when I need to get up in the night and I always seem a little colder in the quilt, in direct comparison with the bag of the same brand and rating. I much prefer a quilt in warmer temps down to about that 38 degree floor. In hammock camping the draft problem is minimized and I enjoy my quilts very much. Wondering if I'm alone on this.

I have an insulated air pad (4.4) but low on funds so I use my mummy bag as a quilt right now. Love the room it gives me too move around while sleeping. Looking at maybe next year to get a quilt so I shed some weight and space in my pack.

I use the Outdoor Vitals 30 degree quilt Darwin mentions. Very happy with it paired the OV insulated mummy pad. Haven't taken it down below 35 yet, but if you sleep in some insulating layers I'm sure the set-up would work well for most people down below 30.

I use my mummy bag as a quilt and will until it is time to replace. My hack is to put the hood down at my feet works pretty much like a toe box on cooler nights.

Nice refresher! You do present a lot of gear information, sometime you can forget things

I am still rocking the mummy bag. In cold weather I like pulling it over my head, only a mouth hole to breathe.

Just finished making my new synthetic quilt! Hoping to test it out before it gets too cold!

I tried a quilt for two years and went back to a mummy bag. Im a cold sleeper and need to be completely closed in. Any tiny draft at night, while using the quilt, would wake me up. I now use my quilt over a 0 degree bag while winter camping and am happy with using it in that application.

Ordered a UGQ quilt last night. Can’t wait!,

Hey Darwin, I tend to agree with the quilt. I have a Hammock Gear Burrow and love it. Not tried it in a tent yet but I did have the straps for that. In a tent I use a Big Agnes Lone Ranger 15 and an Exped pad 9lw which does me fine

first went to a frankenquilt from costco worked great this year 20 degree down quilt worked great. Bags have a place but I am a quilt guy now.

Just bought a outdoor vital quilt. We are planning another pikes peak hike next month.

I got the REI quilt on sale and am a convert, no more sleeping bags for me! Best nights sleep I’ve ever had on the trail and I’m a tossing turning side sleeper!

Just one issue. I totally get people who just like quilts because they can be less restrictive. That said Darwin, you proved a point I have been making for a while regarding quilts. Once you make it wider (ground sleepers usually need wider quilts than hammock folks), and longer in many cases so people can pull it over their head, takes away from the weight advantage when looking at a mummy bag of comparable quality. The same applies for winter if people add down hoods to avoid getting a long quilt. We aren't even talking say EE vs Big Agnes or the like. An REI Mummy bag will be in spitting distance of weight at this point. That's what makes me still rock a sleeping bag. I don't feel constricted and the lack of weight difference made me say swapping wasn't a necessary expense. Admittedly I also hit the Mid-Atlantic trails in January. I think regardless that a mummy bag is better for sub freezing temps as you don't have to add complications (down hoods straps etc.). The more complications the have the greater chance of failure. Failure in sub freezing temps can hurt, maim, even kill.