The topic of using a traditional sleeping bag (most often a mummy stlye) vs using a sleeping quilt is a new hot topic for folks these days. As with anything there are pros and cons to each side. Let's jump into it and give a brief overview and the good, bad and the ugly.
Sleeping Bag
The sleeping bag, it's like an ol' trusty friend.. we know what we are getting and are very familiar with it. Whether you are using a mummy style or a rectangular style the cold rating can vary.
Pros:
- A warm snuggy place that holds you all night
- Various temperature ratings and materials
- Wide range of sizes and styles to allow almost anyone to be comfortable
Cons:
- Generally a bit more bulky
- Some folks find them limiting in being able to move
- Less usable for other uses
Quilt
The quilt is more like a comforter at home. It acts more like a top layer for you to sleep with much like your bed at home. A quilt generally doesn't have the bottom side like a sleeping bag would have. The argument is when you are crushing any loft and materials, it isn't going to provide any warmth anyway so why have the extra material? Some quilts come with a footbox to allow your toes to get cozy and you be able to really snuggle up.
Pros:
- Often times are less material making them lighter to carry/pack
- Versatility allows one to let excess heat out as needed
- More freedom in movement
- Feels more like your bed at home
- Can be used for other activities besides actually going to bed
Cons:
- Can have less insulation and let cold drafts in more easier
- Requires having a pad or something below you to make a more complete sleep system
- Can require learning curve on temperature regulation and setting up
At the end of the day it boils down to preference, costs and availability. Our shop offers a few options in this regard. For sleeping bags, check out our Near Zero sleeping bags. For a quilt, check out Aeronaut Outdoors quilts.
I'm not gonna lie, I am torn on the two options and will probably bounce back and forth depending on the trip. I also really like the idea of Near Zero's Quilt, which isn't a true "quilt" but a lightweight sleeping bag thats rectangular vs a mummy bag shape. I like that it packs down really small and is rated for about 45 degrees. At that point I can add a sleeping bag liner to it or a blanket to help keep me warmer if needed. To me this will be more of a shoulder and summer season option.
Feel free to reach out with more questions you may have to us. We are happy to answer whatever else you may want to chat about in regards to sleeping. We will be adding some more options soon to increase our selection in regards to sleeping. We have been testing some other options and are excited to ideally share them soon.