Mt Whitney Zone Forums Gear Heads Sleeping quilt vs bag

I have a budget of under $400, I want to find a versitle sleeping system that doesn't weigh too much. I've been considering a Enlightened Equipment quilt. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I hated the feeling of mummy bags- too constricting- so I switched to quilts. After using them for a few years, I wonder if getting a regular zip up sleeping bag and just unzipping the top half would duplicate the fit of a quilt but offer the ability to zip it up if you wanted. I don't have any complaints about the quilts, though. Depending on the weather, I may or may not use the pad straps, but I always bring them.

I use the Katabatic Flex 15 (overstuffed) and Flex 22 and Therm-a-rest Chorus quilts. I got the wide versions of the Flex quilts because I toss and turn quite a bit. All are very good. The Chorus is really only good for temps to about 45 (for me) so consider it a summer quilt.

I've never tried a quilt. Do you need a matching sleeping pad to tie the straps to? So there's nothing between you and your pad?

It's basically a sleeping bag without a zipper. Guess it saves some weight(?). Some have closed foot boxes (lower third), some have a 1/3 zipper so you could actually open the quilt all the way like a blanket.

Yup, you sleep right on your pad with the quilt over you like a blanket. The idea being the part of a sleeping bag that you sleep on provides essentially no insulation since it's being compressed, so why have it.

I don't like the feeling of bare skin on the pad so I always bring a thin pair of long johns or sleep in my hiking clothes.

You don't need a special pad. There are some matched sets- pad and quilt- I think from Big Agnes- but other quilts come with straps or cords that go under/ around the pad. I like the straps the best. The cord you wrap around the pad and the quilt has clips that connect the quilt to the cord. You can slide the slips in and out to create as much or as little cocoon effect as you want.

Take a look at the video here to give you an idea of how this particular quilt works.

https://katabaticgear.com/products/flex-22-ultralight-quilt