Hiking Quilts Explained: No, It's Not Grandma's Sewing Project
You're probably accustomed to the typical sleeping bag - a fluffy cocoon protecting you from all sides and featuring a snug little nest for your head. Ultimate snuggle cloud. How do quilts compare and how do you use one?
A quilt covers you from the front and sides, leaving your back exposed. It's almost as if someone forgot to sew the back on. Where's the other half? Where's the hood?! It's seemingly illogical, right?
LET’S GET INTO SOME ‘QUILTOLOGY’
Your sleeping bag or quilt don’t create heat. They simply trap the air warmed by your body. When you're in a sleeping bag, the down or synthetic insulation underneath you gets squished, rendering it relatively ineffective. Enter, the quilt - designed to address this issue by scrapping the ineffective back portion.
In other words, hiking quilts are like your sleeping bag's sleeker cousin. They're lighter but manage to offer similar insulation levels. And we know how hikers love anything that performs well but can remain low on weight!
WHAT’S WITH THE STRAPS?
These strappy sidekicks help secure the quilt onto the sleeping pad, blocking drafts and trapping heat. If it’s going to be cold, you’ll need these. Your quilt should also have some kind of drawstring or button system at the top and bottom that you can cinch closed to help keep that heat in.
The beauty of a quilt is in its flexibility. As the temperature fluctuates, you can either channel your inner burrito and wrap up, or let it hang loose like a blanket.
CUSTOMISATION
Many companies offer customisable quilts. You can choose the temperature rating, down type, size, and of course the most important thing, colours. The quilt I use is made by Australian company Neve Gear.
But let's remember the ground beneath us is one of the biggest heat thieves when camping. So pair your quilt with a good quality sleeping pad. The higher the R-Value of your sleeping mat, the better it is at insulating you from the ground. And of course, don't forget your beanie!
BUT WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
Choosing between a sleeping bag or a quilt is ultimately down to personal preference and the specific conditions under which you'll be hiking. But we hope this little quilt crash course has shed some light on it’s illusiveness.