Best Backpacking Quilt 2024

Sharing is caring!

This is a gear review of all the Best Backpacking Quilts in 2024.

In recent years lightweight quilts for backpacking have become popular among ultralight thru-hikers and make a great choice for those wanting to lighten the weight of their backpacking gear.

With so much good gear out there the Best Ultralight Backpacking Quilt Reviews below should help you decide which model to purchase. All of these were chosen for their quality, lightweight, insulation, and small pack size. I have tested and used many Backpacking Quilts over the years and believe these are the best of the best.

Not looking for an ultralight hiking quilt? Then check out the Complete Guide to the Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag or do you need a very cold weather, Winter Sleeping Bag?

---

How We Tested

All the Backpacking Quilts in this review have been extensively evaluated and researched by the expert author who has many years of experience in Thru-Hiking, Backpacking, and Hiking. Some of the Quilts were purchased and some were supplied by the manufacturer. They have been rigorously tested by the author in all kinds of weather. The research, testing, and experience of the author have combined to come up with the best backpacking quilts for 2024. Read the Review Policy for further details.

---

Best Ultralight Quilt for Backpacking 2024

The Best Ultralight Quilts for Backpacking in 2024 are:

• Best Backpacking Quilt: Katabatic Sawatch 15F
• Best Stock Backpacking Quilt: Sea to Summit Ember 14F EB3 Quilt
• Best Ultralight Backpacking Quilt: Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20F
• Best Zippered Backpacking Quilt: Feathered Friends Flicker UL 20F Quilt
• Best Sleeping Bag Quilt: Zpacks 20F Zip Around Sleeping Bag Quilt
• Best Budget Backpacking Quilt: REI Magma 30F Trail Quilt

More Quality Backpacking Quilts:

• Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20F
• Tier Gear Quenda – 20F / -7C
• Zpacks Solo Quilt 20F
• Hammock Gear Economy Burrow 20F

---

Backpacking Quilt Comparison Table

Brand	Weight	Down Fill Power	Fill Weight	Shell Weight	Stuff Sack Size
Katabatic Sawatch 15F	1 lb. 8.7 oz	900+	16 oz	8.7 oz	7L
Sea to Summit Ember 14F EB3 Quilt	1 lb. 9.5 oz	850+	17.7 oz	7.8 oz	5L
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20F	1lb. 4 oz	950+	14.4	6.5 oz	7L
Feathered Friends Flicker UL 20F Quilt	1lb. 9 oz	950+	14.7 oz	6.5 oz	8L
Zpacks 20F Zip Around Sleeping Bag Quilt	1lb. 5.6 oz	900	14.5 oz	7.1 oz	8L
REI Magma 30F Trail Quilt	1lb. 3 oz	850	10.5 oz	8.5 oz	3L
Therm-a-Rest Vesper	1lb. 3 oz	900	12 oz	7 oz	Not Specified
Tier Gear Quenda – 20F / -7C	1lb. 6 oz	850+	15 oz	7 oz	2.5L
Zpacks Solo Quilt	1lb. 2.7 oz	900	13.7 oz	5 oz	5.6L
Hammock Gear Economy Burrow	1lb. 6.5 oz	850	14.5 oz	8 oz	8.5L

---

At 24.7oz (700g) this is an ultralight backpacking quilt with a very small pack size considering the temperature rating of this quilt.

There is the option to have this quilt stuffed with either 850+ or 900+ down fill power, Hyperdry down, and also an option to have it overfilled with extra down. My preference is 900+ Hyperdry down fill power with 1-2 oz of overfill.

The Katabatic Sawatch uses the best sleeping pad attachment system of all the quilts in this review. And this is one of the main reasons that this is the best on the market right now.

This is a popular quilt for someone who wants the lightest and most compact quilt that money can buy with a good warmth-to-weight ratio. Ultra-light hikers love this bag. Like all the other quilts it has no hood so most backpackers use either a down or fleece beanie for insulation to keep the head warm on cold nights. It also comes with a stuff sack.

Ultra-light hiker Micheal ‘Grizzly’ Ivey loves the Katabatic Sawatch which is rated at 15F (-9C). He loves the craftsmanship on this quilt and has never had a cold spot.

He has used this quilt on the Colorado Trail (3 Times), Pacific Crest Trail, and Superior Hiking Trail. And after many nights of use, the backpacking quilt is still going strong. Follow his journeys on his Instagram Page – @grizzly_hikes

Overall, this is one of the best backpacking quilts on the market and best suited to the ultralight thru-hiker or backpacker. There is a good reason why this is one of the most popular quilts for thru-hikers. There are not too many bad things to say about this ultralight quilt.

The Sea to Summit Ember is one of the lightest and warmest quilts on the market. They use premium responsibly sourced 850+ down and ultra light outer shell materials. It is also supplied with a small stuff sac that compresses the bag to a very small 5L.

The bag is rated to 14F /-10C in the limit zone with 25F / -4C being the comfortable rating. I tested this quilt at those temperatures and found it warm and comfortable. The Ember quilt only weighs 25.5oz /725g which is very lightweight when considering it has 17.7 oz / 500 g of down-fill. This is more than all the other self-tested quilts made by other companies in this review. As a result, when I tested this backpacking quilt I trusted the insulation of the quilt in colder temperatures more than some of the other quilts in this review.

Like the other Quilts, it is very versatile in the way it can be used, especially when the weather is warmer. It is also available in other temperature ratings.

Overall, I am a big fan of this quilt. I like the pad attachment system but it is not as good as the models from Katabatic and Enlightened Equipment. But when the temperatures drop I believe this is one of the best quilts for backpacking. If you want a stock quilt that is available to purchase today without having to wait weeks or months then this is one of the best options for you. Not to mention that this is packed with quite a lot of high-quality down.

At 19.98 oz / 566 g and filled with 950+ down this quilt is a great lightweight option for someone wanting the lightest quilt for thru-hiking or backpacking. The weights quoted are for the regular size with ultralight fabric and the high fill power option of 950 high fill power goose down which is a very high quality insulation.

This quilt comes in numerous size options both in length and width so can be customized to the size of the individual. Want a wider option with more room to move, this quilt gives you this option. The sleeping pad attachment systems used by Enlightened Equipment are also very good.

You also have the option to use an even lighter exterior shell fabric that is a 7 denier weave, the inside can also be 7D if you choose. And the foot box is a combination of a zipper and drawstring so when the weather warms up you will be able to open the quilt. If you want ultralight, this may be your quilt. Be sure to add the draft collar to stop cold drafts from getting in.

The 20F / -7C rating of this quilt is a self assessment from the company. The 10F / -12C would be a better option for cold sleepers. They can be made in custom colors if you choose.

Overall, this is one of the best ultralight backpacking quilts for thru-hiking or for backpackers wanting a custom quilt and the best warmth-to-weight ratio available for their ultralight gear.

At 25.2 oz / 715 grams the Feathered Friends Flicker UL 20 is a nice lightweight 20F (-7C) quilt. It is stuffed with the highest grade 950+ down fill power which contributes to the lightweight and quality of the quilt.

To help regulate the temperature there is a full-length zip down the center of the quilt. There is also a draw strap at the base. The full-length zipper and the draw strap can be used to regulate the temperature on warm nights when you don’t need so much insulation. Just leave it unzipped and use the entire quilt as a blanket when it is warmer.

These features make this a nice versatile quilt that can be used in a variety of temperature ratings. Great for winter hiking in the desert and summer hiking in the mountains.

It also comes in a wide version for those with big bones and a tall version for those over 6ft. This quilt would be perfect for someone wanting a lightweight quilt that can be used both in cold weather and on warm summer nights.

Overall, this is one of the best zippered down quilts on the market at the moment and is one of the most versatile quilts to use in cold weather and warm weather. They also make some great sleeping bags.

REI Magma Trail Quilt is a 30F rated down backpacking quilt that has been built with high quality but offered at a budget price. If you don’t have much to spend then this could be the best option for you.

The REI Magma Trail Quilt uses high-quality 850 fill power down that is water resistant. And the outer shell is made from quality Pertex Ripstop Nylon with a DWR coating added. So this bag will keep is designed to do a good job in damp conditions.

There is a good pad attachment system and for the price, it is a very attractive option. It is only available in the 30 F temperature rating which means this will really only be used as a summer quilt for backpacking trips.

Overall, the REI Magma Trail Quilt is one of the best budget quilts for backpacking 2024.

Part Sleeping Bag, part Quilt. That is how you could describe the brand-new Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag. Like the Classic Sleeping Bag mentioned above, it is a hoodless sleeping bag. It is not only an ultra-lightweight sleeping bag, but it features a full-length zip that increases the versatility of the bag by allowing you to fully unzip the bag, thus turning it into a quilt. Perfect if you find yourself on a backpacking trip that includes both hot weather and cold.

I tested the Zpacks Full Zip Sleeping Bag in warm weather. It was great to be able to fully unzip the bag and use it as a backpacking quilt.

The full-length zip increases the weight of the bag slightly compared to other Zpacks other sleeping bag models, but that increase in weight also increases the versatility of the bag. And if you ever thought of buying a backpacking quilt but never dared to try, then this is for you.

The zip and neck area has a draft tube to keep the heat in when needed and the zip has a strip of webbing to prevent snagging. When I tested the bag I found the anti-snag zip worked well and as promised.

The Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag comes in a Dyneema stuff sack that is waterproof and slightly oversized to make packing easy. Want to compress the stuff sack? Easy, just sit on it after you packed it up.

It comes in 4 color choices, 2 width choices, and is available in a 10F, 20F, and 30F temperature range.

Overall, the Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is the best full zip sleeping bag for 2024 and one of the most versatile sleeping bags or sleeping quilts you can buy.

The Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 F Quilt is a very ultralight sleeping quilt. With super high-quality 900 fill power water-resistant down and a shell made with lightweight ripstop nylon, there is a lot to like.

The Therm-a-Rest Vesper Quilt is very compact and packs to a very small size which is perfect for the ultralight backpacker.

But this small size and low weight come at the cost of the internal room which can be a bit of a tight squeeze. If you are a smaller build then this is an issue, but larger bodies may find it too small. And it would be better for back sleepers than side sleepers.

Although rated at 20F it might be better to say this quilt is more like 25F as it may not keep you as warm as some of the other quilts.

Overall, the Therm-a-Rest Vesper Quilt is one of the lightest backpacking quilts for 2024 but is a bit of a tight fit and could be warmer.

At 22oz / 624 grams, this is one of the most ultra-lightweight quilts in this review. Tier Gear is a small niche brand from Tasmania, Australia is a great option for Antipodeans wanting to buy a local brand. It is well made and will suit anyone wanting to seriously lighten up their gear.

Like most of the other brands, it uses 850+ fill power responsibly sourced water repellant down. It also has the smallest pack size of the quilts or sleeping bags in this review, packing into a tiny 2.5L compression stuff sack.

If you live in Australia or New Zealand this could be your best option for a lightweight quilt. It certainly is better than or equal to the very popular Katabatic Sawatch or Sea to Summit Ember 3. 

The only problem with this hiking quilt, and this is a big problem, is the wait times which can be very long. It can be up to several months before you will see your ultralight backpacking quilt. Would be quicker to order a buy an off-the-shelf Sea to Summit or another brand which would arrive much quicker.

The Quenda is also available in many different lengths and temperature ratings: -1C, -7C, -12C.

Overall, these are a good choice with a high build quality but you need to preplan your purchase due to their long waitlist that can vary from weeks to months. For that reason, it is hard to recommend this product.

---

other ultralight quilts to be Reviewed

Here are some upcoming quilts to add to the list of best backpacking quilts. I am in the process of reviewing:

• Zpacks Solo Quilt – The Zpacks Solo Quilt is an ultra-lightweight quilt that comes in around 18.3 oz / 520 g which is very lightweight and should have a good warmth-to-weight ratio.
• Hammock Gear Economy Burrow – The Hammock Gear Economy Burrow is one of the cheapest quilts available and should make the list as one of the Best Budget Backpacking quilts. Hammock Gear Review coming soon.

---

---

Why Upgrade to a Backpacking Quilt

Recent years have seen the weight and pack size of Backpacking Quilts reduce and the quality rise. For anyone who still has a bulky, heavy, or poor quality traditional Sleeping bag it is time to consider throwing down some money on an upgrade to an ultra light weight quilt.

The quilts listed represent the best on the market at the moment. All the Quilts for thru hiking are under 2lb (900g). If you are planning to lighten your for a long distance thru hike such as the Pacific Crest Trail – Continental Divide Trail – Appalachian Trail – Te Araroa Trail or any of the other great hiking trails in the world, then a lightweight sleep system is one of your first choices.

---

Sleeping Bags vs Backpacking Quilts

Ultralight Hiking Quilts have many advantages over ultralight sleeping bags. They are usually cheaper as they use less down and less material to provide the same warmth. With the exception of the foot box area, there is usually no down on the bottom side of the quilt. They use straps for the sleeping pad attachment system.

Lightweight Quilts are a favorite of Thru-Hikers who are aiming for lighter-weight gear for their multi-week or multi-month thru-hike. But they are not without issues that you should know about.

The temperature where the person uses the Ultralight backpacking quilts will play a big factor in deciding which one is best. For temperatures of 30F (-1C) and above, a quilt is the best option. They are usually cheaper, lighter, and pack up much smaller.

When the temperatures drop below 30F (-1C) it is better to choose one of the best ultralight sleeping bags to keep in the warmth slightly better than a quilt. Temperature ratings of 20F (-7C) and below a mummy bag is a way better option than a down quilt, in fact, don’t take a quilt in temperatures lower than this.

And when it gets really cold you need the warmth of a 4 Season Winter Sleeping Bag for winter camping. The mummy-style sleeping bag of winter bag is better suited to the cold.

There are no hoods on the down quilts. This is not an issue unless the nights are below freezing. Wearing a beanie will be enough for most to keep the head warm and most hikers carry one with them on all but the warmer nights.

On very cold nights a down balaclava would be a great lightweight addition that can also be worn when in the camp or when hiking on those crazy cold mornings.

---

The Importance of a Sleeping Pad for Quilts

You will need one of the Best Sleeping Pads if using a down quilt. As they lack the full enclosure of a sleeping bag a sleeping mat that is warm enough is even more important.

Once temperatures drop to 30F or below it is easier for a cold draft to enter a quilt and make it cooler inside, therefore, in colder temperatures a quilt is not always the best option. And if using a quilt in cold temperatures it is more important to have a good sleeping pad and a good pad attachment system to ensure you have good insulation or face a cold night’s sleep.

f you don’t have a sleeping pad rated for cold temperatures and you are using a quilt the heat will be lost through the sleeping pad and you will be cold. For extra comfort, you can consider a Backpacking Pillow. I started using them a few years ago and have never looked back.

---

Backpacking Quilt Temperature Rating

Let me get one thing out in the open. Most companies do not scientifically test their quilts to confirm the temperature rating assigned to them. Most of these quilt manufacturers have self-determined the temperature ratings of their bags.

While these guides are fairly accurate it is up to you to know yourself well enough to know if you are a cold sleeper or not. Also, generally speaking, women sleep colder than men, and almost all suffer from colder feet than men. So adjust your purchasing decision to suit your own body.

The industry-recognized temperature ratings standard for the sleeping bag industry is EN 13573 ratings or the better and newer ISO 23537-1:2022 Standards. This test determines the correct temperature ratings for sleeping bags in a standardized scientific way but is not yet available for quilts as yet.

The fill weight or amount of down insulation fill inside the quilt for hiking varies a bit between all the manufacturers. For example, the fill weight of the leading quilts varies between 12.5oz – 17.5oz, even though they are all rated around 20F (-7C). Sure the loft of the down insulation has a bit to do with the weight discrepancy.

This might not seem like much but it can make a difference to the insulation of the quilt. It would be easy to claim that the width or style of the internal baffling could lead one manufacturer to have a competitive advantage over another, and that may be the case.

The way internal baffles are constructed also affects the temperature rating. In some ultralight quilts, the down insulation can be moved within the internal baffles to where it is needed most. I find this feature very annoying.

I want to unzip my bag to regulate the temperature, not wake up in the middle of the night, and try to shuffle down insulation within the baffles.

The Best Lightweight Backpacking Quilts in the review are rated at around 20F (-7C) which is a good functional temperature range that can be used in all but the coldest and warmest of weather. As mentioned earlier quilts don’t function at their best when the temperature falls below freezing. When it gets cold, mummy-style sleeping bags will be better for warmth and be worth the extra weight.

At the moment synthetic insulation does not quite have the same warmth-to-weight- ratio or compressibility ratio as down. So down is still the best material inside all the best backpacking quilts.

In my opinion, a good night’s sleep in cold weather is more important than saving money and weight on a bag unsuited for the cold night, even if they don’t occur every night.

---

Stuff Sacks for Quilts

Keeping a sleeping bag dry while hiking is critically important. Heavy rain, a leaking backpack, or a fall when crossing a river can make for an uncomfortable night’s sleep at best and a life-threatening situation at worst.

Over the years I have used a Thermarest fleece stuff sack, which doubled as a pillow, and the Sea to Summit dry bag. Both have worked well and served their purpose.

Recent years have seen many ultralight hikers make the switch to Dyneema stuff sacks such as those from Hyperlite Mountain Gear. These Uber lightweight, strong, and waterproof stuff sacks come in multiple sizes and shapes to fit any sleeping bag and are a good investment to keep your down bag dry. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear is the preferred choice of Backpacking Quilt stuff sack.

---

Pack Size

Ultra-light Quilts are more packable in both size and weight compared to sleeping bags. In fact, if you are reading this you probably want to upgrade to a quilt for backpacking trips because you want something not only lighter but with a smaller pack size than your sleeping bag.

All the best hiking quilts in this review pack to a very small size in either the stuff sack supplied or into your aftermarket stuff sack. I have tried to list the packing size in liters when available.

---

Stock vs Custom

When you take a look at the quilts in this review you may notice that many companies offer custom backpacking quilts and some do not. Some offer both custom and stock. So, which one do you choose?

Custom Quilts

Many quilt companies offer the ability to make a custom backpacking quilt. The custom quilts often have the choice of shell fabric colors, fill power of down, draft collar or no draft collar, the ability to overstuff the quilt with down, custom sizing with the chest and feet, drawstring foot box or sewn foot box…….. the list goes on.

All these custom options are awesome and in my opinion, the extra price you pay is worth it. Think about it. Your favorite color is hot pink, so why not get a sleeping bag in that color? or whatever color you choose.

If there is an option for adding extra down fill power, or overstuffing is a good idea too. Sure it may add an extra ounce but that extra ounce will be worth it when you are in damp conditions and the down will not clump as much.

But there is a downside. Time. These custom quilts take time. And the time can be from weeks to months. If you are planning a trip or want to upgrade then you might need to plan months in advance to make sure your quilt arrives on time.

Stock Quilts

Most companies have their stock quilt range. And most have them available off the shelf ready to ship. If you have a backpacking trip coming up next week and want a quilt, they will be your go-to option.

---

Footbed Shape and Design

When it comes to quilts for hiking and backpacking there are several footbed shapes and designs that may influence your purchasing decision. Do you want a sewn-in foot bed, drawcord, or zip?

Sewn-in Foot Bed

The sewn-through footbed design of quilts is usually the cheapest method but not always the cheapest. Most companies who offer this have the whole bottom section of the quilt sewn together to keep your feet warm. This makes the closed-foot boxes smaller in size and weight in some cases and very similar to mummy bags. Also, it makes it impossible to open up or vent heat from the feet during those warm summer nights. Overall, this is the method of design I prefer.

Zippered Foot Box

Another method is to use a zip to open or close the footbed. The zip is sometimes all the way to the bottom, sometimes not and other times it is combined with a drawstring at the very bottom. Using zips makes the quilt more versatile when the weather is warmer during the summer months.

Drawstring Foot Box

Some companies use a drawstring at the very bottom of the quilt which is handy to vent heat when the weather is a bit warmer. Many people love this but I find it a waste of time and prefer a fully sewn foot box. Having said that, when the weather warms up you will appreciate this feature. Also, not too many sleeping bags have this feature.

---

Quilt Price

The Best Lightweight Hiking Quilts can cost a lot of money but it is money well spent. It is not unusual to keep a quality quilt for 10 years. I kept a quality winter sleeping bag for 20 years before I decided to sell it. It was still in near-perfect condition.

In most cases, it is not only money well spent, but one of the best investments you can make. All of the bags listed should last at least 10 years or well over 1000 nights of use.

The highest cost in these quilts is the fill power rating of the down. 950+ loft will cost a lot more than 800 loft.

---

Warranty and Return Policy

Before purchasing an Ultralight Backpacking Quilt be sure to check the return policy. Make sure you can return it if you ordered the wrong size or it just doesn’t work for you. Be aware that you will not be able to return or exchange a used Backpacking Quilt unless there is some sort or manufacturing issue.

---

How to wash a Sleeping Bag or Quilt

Once you have purchased one of the Lightweight Sleeping Bags or Quilts listed above it is time to look after it. You can keep it clean and even increase the warmth of the quilt by using a Sleeping Bag Liner. But I prefer to use a Merino Base Layer instead.

Take a look at the Guide on How to wash a down sleeping bag for all the details on the best methods and products to use.

---

Conclusion

The Katabatic Sawatch is also super awesome with the best pad attachment system of all the quilts. It is the best backpacking quilt of 2024 by a small margin.

The Sea to Summit Ember 3 has the highest amount of down fill by weight in the quilt and will keep you warm when the temperatures drop. For that reason, I like this quilt.

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation, Zpacks 20F Zip Around Sleeping Bag Quilt, and Feathered Friends Flicker are also great.

The REI Magma is at a good price point.

Really, you can’t go wrong with any of these quilts.

The Tier Gear Quenda is one of the lightest of all quilts in this review and is taking on the bigger niche companies with its high-quality product. Overall, it is a good choice for Australian and New Zealand hikers in 2024 but the waitlist is just way too long to make this product viable for most people.

The backpacking quilts must be used in conjunction with a high-quality, lightweight sleeping pad. Read the complete review of the Best Lightweight Sleeping Mats for more information.

---

Frequently Asked Question

Sharing is caring!