Quilt Vs Sleeping Bag: What Is Right For You?

Are you looking for a way to stay warm and comfortable while backpacking? If so, deciding whether to go with a quilt vs a sleeping bag is an important decision to make.

Both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks which can make it difficult to decide which one is best for your needs. In this article, we will break down the differences between the two so that you can determine what works best for your next outdoor adventure. (And ultimately end the quilt and sleeping bag debate).

In A Hurry? Here Are My Best Overall Quilt And Sleeping Bag Choices

Best Quilts:

• Katabatic Gear FLEX
• Enlightened Equipment Enigma
• Western Mountaineering Nanolite

Best Sleeping Bags:

• Western Mountaineering Alpinlite
• REI Co-op Magma 15
• Kelty Cosmic 20 Sleeping Bag (Budget)

Here’s How To Choose Between A Quilt Vs Sleeping Bag

What Is A Quilt

A quilt is basically a sleeping bag but with less materials. For example, you don’t get the hood that you would on a typical mummy style sleeping bag. Also, unlike a traditional mummy bag, you only have insulative material on the chest part of the bag, while leaving your back exposed directly to your sleeping pad.

The quilt is designed to be lightweight and packable for backpacking. It also can provide more freedom of movement than a traditional sleeping bag since it allows you to move around freely without feeling restricted by the material.

Oftentimes, you will see thru hikers carryingbackpacking quilts as there are fewer materials creating a lighter weight kit to add to the common ultralight gear that people carry.

My go to sleep system involved a therm a rest sleeping pad and this backpacking quilt.

What Is A Sleeping Bag

Based off the fact that you are on my blog reading about backcountry travel, I imagine you know what a sleeping bag is, but in case you don’t…

A sleeping bag is similar to a quilt, but provides full coverage from head to toe. It is typically designed for backpacking purposes as a “mummy-style” shape so that it can help keep your body heat in while keeping the cold air out. Sleeping bags are also great for providing extra comfort, since they come in different shapes, sizes and materials.

Benefits Of Quilts

Now, lets go over some benefits of a camping quilt.

1. Much Lighter And Packs Smaller

First and foremost, quilts are much lighter because they use less material than most sleeping bags and pack down significantly smaller in the stuff sack. This is great for those looking to minimize their load on ultralight backpacking trips or for those who don’t want to carry around extra weight.

2. More Versatility

Quilts are the kings of versatility in warmer and semi-cold weather, because many options allow for you to simply open up the quilt and use it like a blanket making a warm night bearable. This makes quilts a great choice if you plan on hiking in the warmer months and anticipate decent changes in temperatures.

Quilts are also highly versatile because they come in a wide range of shapes (long and wide) and sizes which can be tailored to fit anyone’s needs. Because of the fact that most quilts are made by higher end brands, you can get features like different down fill power options, which can provide better warmth per weight.

Also, many quilts can be doubled as part of a warm weather hammock gear kit as they can actually be used as an underquilt or overquilt.

It is worth noting that some quilts have a sewn shut foot box style where others have zippered foot boxes.

3. Less Restrictive

Since quilts are not a traditional mummy shape, you don’t get the same feeling of being “trapped” that you might get with a sleeping bag. Instead, quilts can provide more freedom of movement and comfort when you are laying down on your back or side.

With quilts, you can move around while sleeping without having to worry about it coming off in the middle of the night. This is because most quilts snap directly onto your sleeping pad. So if you happen to be an active sleeper who needs some extra freedom and flexibility, then a quilt could make all the difference!

4. No Zippers

Lets face it, zippers are annoying.

They can get stuck, break and cause all types of problems. Quilts do away with this problem by featuring different systems (depending on the brand) that keeps the quilt secured to the sleeping pad. This quilt closure system is usually adjustable and can be cinched tight to your body for added warmth and comfort for a good night’s rest.

5. Easier To Stay On Sleeping Pad

Because quilts typically secure to your insulated sleeping pads, it means that when you move inside of the bag, your quilt will stay in place, which can be very comforting. This is because quilts are designed to hug the body lightly and barely move from side to side when adjusting and sleeping.

I feel that there are more air pockets inside of your quilt that allow for better insulation.

Disadvantages Of Quilts

Overall, quilts can be a great addition to any backpacking quiver, but there are a few disadvantages that need to be considered. Realistically, there are many types of camping that quilts would be unideal for.

Here are a few things to think of when deciding to go quilt camping:

1. No Insulation Around Your Head

If you plan on camping in cold weather quilts might not be the best option. This is because quilts do not have insulation around your head, which means more heat can escape if you are sleeping without a hat or hood.

However, in most casual conditions (15 degrees F and up) keeping your head warm can be solved with a balaclava (my go-to)and typical layering for your head.

2. Pillow Will Move Around

Unlike sleeping bags, quilts don’t have a pillow pocket like many mummy shaped bags do. This means that if you plan on bringing a pillow with you, it can move around and make noise throughout the night which may disrupt your sleep.

To fix this problem, I would recommend getting one of those special camping pillows made from your clothes and just rig up a rope around it to stop it from sliding. (;

Simple fix!

3. Draft Is A Semi-Regular Issue

Drafts can be an issue with quilts, especially when camping in colder climates or during the winter months. This means that you need to be mindful when sleeping as draft from the sides of the quilt can occur and make your quilt less effective at providing insulation.

Unfortunately, because unlike traditional sleeping bags, backpacking quilts don’t zip closed which means that there is no true 100% bondage to the sleeping pad. There can be little tiny open areas that let small amounts of cold air inside.

The best way to fix this is by having a good quilt closure system and making sure that you are sleeping on an insulated sleeping pad with a quilt that fits your body. Also, packing your insulated clothes inside your quilt can help too.

4. Not As Good In Cold Weather

Realistically, regardless of quilt closure systems and other methods, quilts are not as good in cold weather as sleeping bags.

This is because quilts can have open areas on the side that can let cold air inside and provide no insulation to keep you head warm. So if you plan on doing more winter camping, it might be best to stick with a traditional sleeping bag

5. Requires Setting Up

Don’t be mistaken, setting up a quilt to your sleeping pad is not exactly hard. However, it does require more effort than if you were to pop open and climb into a sleeping bag.

Of course, you can efficiently secure the quilt in under two minutes – but when your energy levels are drained from an eventful day out on the trail, those extra steps might feel like eternity!

6. Difficult To Store Gear Inside Of Quilt

One of the main issues I run into in cold weather is storing gear during the night. As you likely know, batteries get drained very quickly in cold temperatures which can be a problem if you are trying to power your phone or headlamp.

Unfortunately quilts don’t have the full closure that a zipper would provide, so I found that my camera batteries and phone would eventually slip out and onto the cold floor. It is a small detail, yet can provide some annoyance when you are tyrying to sleep with your electronics to keep the batteries warm.

With some ultralight quilts having sewn-in foot boxes and others featuring zippered compartments, you can certainly place items in the area of your feet. Sadly though, I have noticed that my possessions often slip out regardless.

7. Usually More Expensive

Quilts are generally made by specialized companies which usually carry the specialized price tags you would expect. You can still find quilts for a lower price than sleeping bags, but most quilts will cost you more initially.

For budget backpackers, quilts are out of the picture as there are too many cheap as shi* options for sleeping bags. On the other hand, quilts are worth the investment for long-term thru hikers as quilts can last you much longer and are much lighter.

Benefits Of Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags offer a lot of convenience and warmth, which makes them ideal for all sorts of camping. Here are some of the main benefits that come with sleeping bags:

1. Sleeping In A Cacoon

Some people find that they like the feeling of being completely wrapped up in a sleeping bag, which quilts don’t offer. This feeling of being completely closed off can help many people feel safe, cozy, and relaxed while camping.

2. Storing Gear Inside Them Is Easy

Storing gear inside a sleeping bag is much easier than quilts, as they are completely closed off and will not let your items slip through the cracks like quilts do. Sleeping bags are made with zippers that can be securely fastened, whilst quilts cannot be closed off in this way and instead rely on quilt closures which can often come undone on accident.

For cold weather like a polar expedition training course, quilts would never be considered as it doesn’t match the intended use.

3. No Setup

Another benefit of sleeping bags is that they do not require any setup. Just unzip, climb in and sleep! This makes them ideal for those who are looking for a convenient way to get some sleep while camping or backpacking.

4. Pillow Is Secured In The Hood

Sleeping bags come with built-in hoods for extra warmth and comfort, and this is a great place to store your pillow. The hood of the sleeping bag is designed to fit securely around your head, meaning that you can easily tuck your pillow away while you sleep.

5. More Purchase Options

Let’s face it, quilts are not that common and it can be hard to find quilts in many stores. On the other hand, sleeping bags are more widely available and there is a huge selection online and in-stores.

With this, you acquire the freedom to look for a variety of sleeping bags with distinct characteristics until you find one that effectively meets your desires!

The choices available to you extend across a wider range of prices.

Disadvantages Of Sleeping Bags

1. They Are Heavier

Really, the main downside of sleeping bags is that they can be quite heavy, especially when compared to quilts. Sleeping bags will usually include extra material and insulative padding, which adds to the overall weight.

This makes them unsuitable for ultralight backpackers or those looking to go on lightweight trips across multiple days.

2. Zippers Are Annoying

Zippers are often a pain to manage and sleeping bags aren’t an exception. Although this shouldn’t be your deciding factor, it’s still worth taking into account that broken or stuck zippers can occur even with the most reliable brands.

3. Easy To Slide Off Of Your Pad

When sleeping in a bag, you are only laying on top of your pad. As a result, if you struggle to stay still like me, I find that it’s fairly common for people (like myself) to eventually wake up flat on the cold ground! That being said, there isn’t any way for the bag and pad to hold each other together – which is why it’s always been so hard for me to sleep soundly without getting off track.

Quilts on the other hand are attatched to the pad so it is unlikely that you will slide off of it.

If you are using a foam pad, try stuffing items under both your right and left side. This will help keep you from sliding off!

Is A Quilt Going To Be As Warm As A Sleeping Bag?

No, quilts are not as insulated (or warm) in comparison to sleeping bags. As quilts have no warm hood or zipper preventing draft, they offer less insulation and therefore will not be able to keep you as warm in really cold environments.

This also applies for quilt closure systems which are great down to mild temperatures, so quilts may not be suitable for colder climates (think beloo 15 degrees F). That being said, quilts can still help to provide impressive insulation and can often be used in combination with other items like a liner or flat blanket.

In conclusion, it all comes down to personal preference when deciding between quilt vs sleeping bag and the environment that you plan on using it in.

What Is More Expensive? Quilt Or Sleeping Bag?

In general quilts are more expensive than sleeping bags. This is mainly due to the fact that quilts are specialized pieces of gear made by high end gear companies for the most part. Camping Quilts also often come with more customization options such as quilt fabrics, insulation materials, width, and more, adding to their cost.

With many sleeping bags having synthetic insulation, this gives a more affordable and versatile sleep system when in wetter environments. Because down insulation doesn’t insulate when wet.

That being said, there are sleeping bags on the market that can be rather pricey too (Like and ultralight sleeping bag) , so it really depends on what type of quilt or bag you are looking for. Ultimately, both quilts and mummy style bags offer great benefits depending on how you plan to use them!

Which Should You Choose?

Here are some generalized scenarios of what would work for you.

Quilts are for:

• Ultralight Thru Hikers
• Backpackers Prioritizing Weight Savings
• Summer Nights / Warmer Climates
• People wanting something like a blanket

Sleeping bags are for:

• People Wanting More Warmth Or A Cold Sleeper
• Anyone Not Concerned With Pack Weight
• Budget Camping
• Winter Camping

Conclusion

Quilts and sleeping bags both offer great benefits for backpacking trips. Whether you prefer ultralightweight trips or additional warmth and comfort on your adventure, there is an option to suit your needs.

Quilts are best suited for thru-hikers looking to save weight in their packs, while sleeping bags tend to provide more insulation and are ideal for winter backpacking/camping. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference when deciding between quilt vs sleeping bag – but with the information provided here, you should be able to make a decision that works best for you!

I have found that a sleeping bag and custom quilt of the same temperature rating will keep you warm about the same in moderate temperatures.

Happy camping and I hope you are able to keep your back healthy and your head and feet warm on your next trip!

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