Best Backpacking Quilt – Top 9 Products for 2024

Ultralight Backpacking Quilt Buying Guide

Lightweight Quilt: What Is it?

For backpackers who trek for prolonged periods in different terrains and temperatures, a lot of consideration needs to be placed on how much weight they will carry on their backs to maintain comfort and energy.

The lightweight quilt is the alternative to a sleeping bag, with the main benefits being that it weighs 20 to 30% less than a fully enclosed mummy bag, is way more versatile, and comes at a fraction of the price.

Down vs Synthetic

Down is made from the fluffy undercoating from ducks or geese and has long been the preferred choice for insulation due to the fact it has a higher warmth to weight ratio, better compressibility, and longevity than what man-made fibers can match. Then what is the downside? Down does not come cheap.

Synthetic materials are definitely the better price option, which makes them a great choice for budget traveling and quick trips. Additionally, they are usually hydrophobic, meaning they should dry out quicker than down, so they are preferable for use in humid climates or for extended cold weather journeys where it’s difficult to dry your gear. However, with many brands now coating their down with durable water repellent (DWR), it’s not the most compelling argument for synthetic.

Insulation (Fill Power)

Fill power, or FP, refers to how much space one ounce of the down fills and basically how fluffy or lofty the insulation is. It can range from 300 to 950+, and a higher fill power represents a higher quality and also how well it can insulate for its weight.

Rather than just layering up with extra clothes and blankets, fill power is the key factor in finding gear that will not only keep you warm in cold weather but will also be light and take up little room in a backpack.

For down sleeping quilts, an FP of 600 to 650 is considered good quality, 700 to 750 is very good, and 800 to 950+ is some of the best you can get.

Sleeping Quilt Temperature Ratings

To find equipment that is suitable and safe for your camping trip, it’s important to know how well it can perform in a variety of weather conditions, such as humidity, rain, wind, and altitude, as each can impact how warm you will be.

Unfortunately, no such standardized test system is available yet for backpacking quilts like there is for sleeping bags, so you’re forced to rely on how manufacturers test and self-rate their products as well as their overall reputation and customer reviews. Manufacturers that already produce sleeping bags are likely to use the same method of testing, but it is well known that they make assumptions about other items you may be wearing, such as an insulated hat that can raise a quilt’s temperature rating by up to four degrees. Additionally, temperatures are based on body size rather than gender, which needs to be addressed, as women sleep colder than men. Therefore, women may want to add 15 to 20 degrees of insulation.

Temperature ratings are by no means a guarantee, so if you are unsure what you need, it is worth contacting the company and asking these questions before you buy.

Comfort Zone

The comfort level is the temperature that the sleeping quilt should feel comfortable and you are able to sleep through the night without any additional layers or blankets. When the quilt is used in temperatures below the comfort zone, the user is likely to feel the cold.

To find the comfort zone temperature of your quilt, it is recommended to add 20 degrees to the manufacturer’s stated temperature rating.

So, for example, if you have a quilt that is rated 30 degrees Fahrenheit, you would probably sleep comfortably in just base layers down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Below that, you would likely want to wear some additional layers to remain warm.

Ultralite Hiking Quilt Shell Fabrics

The best camping quilts are made with ultralight fabrics on both the outer shell and inner lining. You will see a lot of quilts are made with a Ripstop Nylon material, which comes in a range of denier fiber thicknesses (10D, 20D, and so on).

If you are keen to camp lightweight in fair weather conditions, a 7D or 10D outer shell material would work fine; however, as that is very thin, it might not be as durable for the longer term, and down can sometimes be lost through the fabric. If longevity and water resistance is of more importance, a thicker denier, such as 20D, would be suitable.

It’s worthwhile looking for quilts where the outer fabric has been treated with a down water resistance (DWR) coating, which helps to stop water penetrating the fill.

Trekking Quilt Sizing

Manufacturers usually provide details of the user maximum height within the product description as well as the actual quilt dimensions, so keep an eye out for those.

Customer reviews can also give further insight as to whether they found the sizing accurate and comfortable for their own height.

Width is generally more important for ground sleepers because they will need extra fabric to wrap underneath, whereas hammock users would tend to use it as a top quilt with a separate under quilt for added protection.

Footbox

You will often find that top of the range quilts offer options for either a zippered footbox or one that is sewn-in.

With a zippered footbox, it can be zipped up, and then usually a drawstring feature would be cinched in to stop any drafts from entering. When the footbox is unzipped, the entire quilt opens up and can be laid out flat just like a blanket, making it more versatile.

A sewn-in footbox is just how you would imagine it—sewn in. This creates its own challenge, as it is permanently closed and therefore not as multi-purpose as the zippered version. Although this means the quilt can never be fully laid flat, it does help to maximize warmth, and without the addition of a zip, it is slightly lighter.

Neither is better than the other. Which one is better truly comes down to personal preference and what kind of trips the user needs it for.

Collar

Unlike sleeping bags, backpacking quilts do not tend to have a hood, so one way to retain warmth is to secure the collar of the quilt around your neck.

Most blankets include a flat clip or snap button alongside a drawstring which cinches the collar in tight for those extra cold nights.

Draft Collar

Some quilts have the addition of a draft collar which is down-filled baffle along the collar of the bag created to further stop heat escaping and provide some extra comfort.

Ultralight quilts may not include it as a means to keep the carry weight down. While it isn’t a huge deal, people tend to prefer to have it rather than not.

Camping Quilt Extra Considerations

Weight of the Gear

Clearly weight is an important factor when picking your camp gear, but it’s imperative that you don’t sacrifice your comfort (or in extreme circumstances, risk your life) by selecting a quilt that is not up to the challenge of keeping you warm enough all night.

Insulation is the lightest component of a quilt, so pay attention to fill-power for loftiness and warmth-to-weight ratio.

When choosing outer shell fabric, refer back to denier thicknesses preferably with a DWR coating, and if anything should be weighing a little extra, consider making it the inner lining fabric for durability.

Down Fill Weight

Not to be confused with fill power, the fill weight determines the quantity, which means if a quilt has a down weight of 15 ounces, then 15 ounces of filling was used to insulate the blanket.

The weight must be viewed relative to the power, as fewer ounces of high fill power down can offer the same level of warmth as more ounces of a lower fill power down.

Another thing to note is that the fill weight is not the sole indicator of how warm your quilt will be. Everything from the shape, lining, and shell to footbox and zips can contribute to that.

Bottom Opening vs Full-Length Zip

The bottom opening on a backpacking quilt is normally secured using elastic straps or shock cords which bring the edges together around the body and is a standard feature of a camping quilt. The pros are that you have more freedom of movement due to not being completely attached to a sleeping pad, but the cons are that you’re not always protected from drafts, hence why most people opt to use a pad alongside it as part of their sleep solution.

The full-length zip is slightly controversial, as having a zip across the bottom opening technically makes the quilt a hoodless sleeping bag, and the true quilt enthusiasts out there don’t believe they should be in the same category.

At the end of the day, it’s all down to personal preference!

Multiple Uses

Something we have touched upon already, some backpacking quilts are more versatile than others. For example, quilts that open up like a blanket can be used to sit on, to wrap around you when watching outdoor sports or sitting at the campfire, and for hammock and ground sleeping use. They can also be used in a range of different temperatures, whereas quilts with sewn in foot boxes are more suitable for colder weather sleeping.

Hammock

For hammock camping, top quilts are the most popular and can be used on their own or alongside an under quilt for added warmth and protection from the elements.

Blanket

For use in conjunction with a sleeping pad, the quilt can simply be used just like your duvet at home and draped over you—weather permitting of course.

Sizing up

For some quilts, the length and width measurements listed in the product description may be taken from when the quilt is laid out flat, and therefore you may need to size up a few more inches to take into consideration when the blanket is cinched up. Also, if your height is in between the available sizes, you would probably want to take the next size up for comfort.

Pad Attachment

For when temperatures get very low, having just a quilt wrapped around you is not going to cut it, which is why most of the quilts you will see have some form of pad strap attached to it. It can either be a single or double strap which then secures around a sleeping pad. Further clips or fastenings can be used to properly set it down in place if need be.

Including a hammock sleeping pad as part of your sleep system can make a huge difference to the quality of your sleep when camping. Combining these products helps to keep drafts out and keep your quilt firmly in place without restricting movement, so if you are a side sleeper or toss and turn during the night, your warmth and comfort are not compromised.

Bringing a Hat

Normally, quilts don’t have a built-in hood, but there are some exceptions, like the Go Outfitters Adventure Top Quilt that we have listed above.

Although it is usually the main concern for people transitioning from a bag to a quilt, this is actually considered a positive aspect of a quilt, as wearing a hat means your head will keep warm no matter which way you sleep.

You can also control the warmth better depending on which hat you use, from fleece to down or even a jacket with a hood. The choice is up to you!

Delivery Time

For highly customized quilts there can be long waiting times, sometimes up to two months during peak camping season, especially if your order requires some specific finishings.

It’s worth contacting the manufacturer to double-check you will receive your order before your trip, otherwise, it might be easier to buy an off-the-shelf model that’s readily available on demand.

Bonus Features

Although most backing quilts are fairly similar when it comes to specifications, some extra features can improve performance and help you get the most out of your backpacking trip. These features include but are not limited to:

Zippers

For quilts temperature rated under 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it is handy to have one with a 3/4 or full-length zipper. When zippered closed, it eliminates any potential for cold drafts but is still able to be opened up as a blanket when temperatures rise.

Foot Box a Dog Bone

Some quilt manufacturers provide a down-filled piece of material shaped like a dog bone that can be placed into the small center hole when the footbox is cinched in to further eliminate cold drafts creeping in.

Removable pad straps

If you know you are not planning to attach your quilt to a sleeping pad, being able to detach the straps just eliminates any extra weight or fuss, even if it is minimal.

Backpacking Quilts vs Sleeping Bags

Weight

Camping quilts are remarkably lighter than sleeping bags with no need to compromise on warmth, so for trips where you need to carry your gear on your back or are simply looking for a light option, it’s a no brainer to choose a quilt.

Cost

Given the fact that quilts are made with less material, insulation, hoods, and zippers, you would expect them to be less expensive than a sleeping bag, and they are. Although you can get some reasonably priced sleeping bags, if you try to compare them like-for-like in performance, there can be a significant difference in the price making quilts ideal for the budget traveler.

Comfort Level

Because quilts are non-restrictive, they are great for people who don’t enjoy the tight fit of a mummy bag and are a renowned favorite among side sleepers. Quilts are easily adaptable to a broad range of temperatures with a wide range of fabrics and fill-types, so there is not much difference when it comes to the comfort level of warmth retention and the like.

However, some people do prefer sleeping cocooned in a sleeping bag with a hood. Sleeping bags have been around for years, and for extremely low temperatures, some backpacking quilts can’t quite keep up.