Best Ultralight Backpacking Quilts
Backpacking quilts are becoming more popular as thru-hikers, backpackers, and outdoor adventure seekers look for ways to lighten up their packs or decrease their bulk in the backcountry. A backpacking quilt is essentially a sleeping bag without a back (i.e., the part that would normally be in contact with your sleeping pad).
The best backpacking quilts available are remarkably high quality, and many allow for a large amount of customization not typically found with traditional sleeping bags. According to the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail surveys, quilts have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more hikers deciding to switch.
I have personal experience with most of the quilts listed here, and the ones I have not used myself have been recommended by friends or highly regarded by hikers who completed my hiker surveys. The chart at the bottom includes some of the other (similar) quilts available now. If you have a favorite that you don’t see here, I’m always looking for more quilts to try out!
Thru-Hiker Favorite: Katabatic Flex
+ Internal stash pocket (for phone, water filter, rocks, etc.)
+ Excellent patented pad attachment system
+ Down filled collar and draft-blocking footbox
+ Elastic binding around bottom opening to prevent drafts
– Lead times can be long (i.e. not always in stock)
– Not as customizable as other options
– Expensive
The Katabatic Flex is consistently one of the highest-rated quilts used by thru-hikers. It’s available in three temperature ratings, 15°F/-9°C, 22°F/-5°C, and 30°F/-1°C versions, and it comes in regular and wide sizes. There are also three fill powers, two colors to choose from, and three different lengths. The Flex can be fully unzipped and laid flat (i.e., it does not have a sewn footbox). It has continuous baffles, which allow you to move down around inside of it, and it has a patented pad attachment system that works exceptionally well. Check it out here.
Most Popular: Enlightened Equipment Revelation
+ Most popular quilt among thru-hikers
+ One of the lightest options available
+ Highly customizable – from sizes to colors
+ One of the most affordable options
– Down can migrate in vertical baffles
– No interior stash pocket
– Nowhere to find and try locally (but free shipping)
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation has become the default quilt for thru-hikers. It’s a highly customizable quilt – with options ranging from temperature ratings and widths to exterior and interior colors – that can be tailored to the conditions in which you plan to use it. The footbox is closed with a 1/4-length zipper that can be opened to lay the Revelation open as a blanket. The quilt has continuous vertical U-shaped baffles, comes with 850 or 950-fill power down, has a snap/drawcord neck closure, and can be customized to include a draft collar. Check it out here.
The Lightest Option: Western Mountaineering AstraLite
+ Lightweight quilt that will keep you warm
+ Insulated draft yoke with elastic closure
+ Extremely compressible – packs down small
+ Top collar drapes around neck to block wind
– Frequently out of stock
– Color changes based on available fabrics
– No wide version available (there is a long version)
– No interior stash pocket
I count the Western Mountaineering AstraLite among my favorite quilts and one of the best backpacking quilts available. Western Mountaineering has long been known for making quality gear with conservative temperature ratings (i.e., their gear keeps you warm to the advertised temperatures). The AstraLite is one of two quilts from Western Mountaineering – the other being the Western Mountaineering NanoLite – and it will keep you warm down to 26°F/-3°C. It has horizontal baffles, a mummy shape, and comes with a top collar designed to drape around your neck to block wind and retain heat. Check it out here.
The Budget Option: Sierra Designs Nitro 20
+ One of the most affordable quilt options
+ Hide-away hood provides insulation for your head
+ Insulated hand/arm pockets
+ Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship
– No pad attachment system means it can get drafty
– Heavier than comparable options
– No way to close quilt around you
– Only one size with no customizations available
– No interior stash pocket
The Sierra Designs Nitro 20 is unique among the quilts listed here as it does not come with a pad attachment system nor a way of closing the quilt around you. The one thing it has going for it is its affordability. The Nitro 20 is also unique as it has a hide-away hood in which your head can be placed, as well as two pockets at the top corners designed for your hands (presumably when sleeping on your stomach). Because it lacks a closure system, I wouldn’t trust this quilt in colder temperatures, but if you’re looking for an affordable quilt for warmer nights, it may be worth a look. Check it out here.
The Fill-Power Option: Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Degree
+ Filled with 1000 fill power RDS-certified goose down
+ Includes two separate pad attachment straps
+ Three center push clips and a neck drawcord to reduce drafts
+ Available in three sizes
– One of (if not the) most expensive options
– No customizations available (beyond quilt length)
– Nowhere to find and try locally (but free shipping)
– No interior stash pocket
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-degree quilt is the most expensive option listed here (but it should be noted that it’s possible to customize an Enlightened Equipment Revelation or a UGQ Bandit to be more expensive). It’s also the only quilt that uses 1000-fill power RDS-Certified grey goose down – 14 oz / 397 g in the regular length. Hyperlite Mountain Gear has long been in the shelter and backpack game, but the quilt is a more recent addition to their ultralight lineup. Its shell is 7D micro-ripstop nylon, and the quilt has 1.5 in / 3.8 cm vertical baffles. Sadly, its high price tag does not include a stuff sack. Check it out here.
The Full-Zip Option: Feathered Friends Flicker UL
+ Full-length center zip means it can be used like a traditional sleeping bag
+ 14.7 oz / 417 g of 950+ fill power down
+ Draft collar with two drawcord and bottom drawcord for footbox
– No pad attachment – can be zipped up or laid flat
– No short or wide versions available
– No interior stash pocket
– On the pricier side
The Feathered Friends Flicker UL is unique as it features a full zipper. It can be completely unzipped and laid flat like a blanket (quilt), or it can be zipped up like a traditional sleeping bag. There is no pad attachment system because of the full zip (more like a sleeping bag), but there is also no hood (more like a quilt). It may be a good option for those who are still quilt-curious. Regarding weight, it falls more in line with quilts at 25 oz / 715 g for the regular length 20°F/-6°C model. Speaking of weight, it has the highest down fill of any option listed here – 14.7 oz / 417 g of 950+ fill power down in the 20°F/-6°C option. You can find it in two lengths, regular or long, and four colors. Check it out here.
The Aggressive Taper Option: Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20
+ Incredibly light at just 19 oz / 539 g
+ 900-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down
+ Snap neck closure and insulated footbox
+ Three-month, no-questions-asked return policy
– Comfort rating actually 32°F/0°C
– Only one pad attachment point
– Narrow taper – without a wide version available
– No interior stash pocket
The Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 is the lightest backpacking quilt from Therm-a-Rest (who you may know from their far more popular sleeping pads). The Vesper 20 has an aggressive taper and only a single width available, so it may not be for everyone – especially those wanting a bit more wiggle room in their quilts. However, this taper also makes the quilt incredibly lightweight at just 19 oz / 539 g. The Vesper 20 has 12.5 oz / 354 g of 900-fill goose Nikwax hydrophobic down and a 10D nylon ripstop shell with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish. Check it out here.
The Synthetic Option: Enlightened Equipment APEX Enigma
+ Uses synthetic Climashield APEX insulation
+ Synthetic insulation performs better in humid or wet environments
+ Can be customized in a variety of sizes, colors, and temperature ratings
– Synthetic insulation not a compressible or as lightweight as comparable down insulation
– Nowhere to find and try locally (but free shipping)
– No interior stash pocket
So far, all of the options listed are down-filled quilts. The Enlightened Equipment APEX Enigma is a synthetic quilt for those of you who prefer a synthetic-filled quilt. The APEX Enigma has a sewn footbox, so it cannot be completely unzipped and laid flat. If you’re interested in a synthetic quilt that can be completely unzipped, check out the APEX Revelation. The APEX Enigma comes in four temperature ratings and four sizes – short/regular, regular/regular, regular/wide, and long/wide. Check it out here.
Best Backpacking Quilt Breakdown
| QUILT | PRICE | WEIGHT | TEMP | SHELL FABRIC | FILL | FILL WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Coyote AlphaLite 900 | $329 | 22.15 oz / 628 g | 20°F / -6°C | 15D Nylon w/ DWR | 900 goose | 15.13 oz / 429 g |
| Enlightened Equipment APEX Convert | $290 | 35.56 oz / 1.008 kg | 20°F / -6°C | 7 or 10D Nylon | CLIMASHIELD APEX | --- |
| Enlightened Equipment APEX Enigma | $230 | 28.64 oz / 812 g | 20°F / -6°C | 7 or 10D Nylon | CLIMASHIELD APEX | --- |
| Enlightened Equipment APEX Revelation | $220 | 30.14 oz / 855 g | 20°F / -6°C | 7 or 10D Nylon | CLIMASHIELD APEX | --- |
| Enlightened Equipment Convert | $510 | 24.64 oz / 699 g | 20°F / -6°C | 7 or 10D Nylon | 950 duck | 16.05 oz / 455 g |
| Enlightened Equipment Enigma | $315 | 19.3 oz / 547 g | 20°F / -6°C | 7 or 10D Nylon | 950 duck | 13.8 oz / 392 g |
| Enlightened Equipment Revelation | $280 | 20.9 oz / 593 g | 20°F / -6°C | 7 or 10D Nylon | 950 duck | 14.4 oz / 408 g |
| Feathered Friends Flicker UL | $489 | 25.2 oz / 715 g | 20°F / -6°C | Pertex Endurance UL | 950 goose | 14.7 oz / 417 g |
| Feathered Friends Flicker YF | $409 | 27.2 oz / 771 g | 27.2 oz / 771 g | Pertex YFuse | 900 goose | 14.7 oz / 417 g |
| Hammock Gear Economy Burrow | $190 | 24 oz / 680 g | 20°F / -6°C | 20D Nylon | 800 duck | 14.5 oz / 411 g |
| Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Degree | $599 | 20.1 oz / 570 g | 20°F / -6°C | 7D Nylon w/ DWR | 1000 goose | 14 oz / 397 g |
| Katabatic Alsek | $430 | 21.9 oz / 621 g | 22°F / -5.6°C | Pertex Quantum Eco | 900 goose | 13.4 oz / 380 g |
| Katabatic Flex | $410 | 22.8 oz / 646 g | 22°F / -5.6°C | Pertex Quantum Eco | 900 goose | 14.3 oz / 405g |
| Nunatak Arc UL 20F | $450 | 22.4 oz / 635 g | 20°F / -6°C | 10D+7D Nylon | 900 goose | 15.3 oz / 434 g |
| Sierra Designs Nitro 20 | $280 | 27 oz / 765 g | 21°F / -6°C | 15D Nylon | 800 duck | 14.8 oz / 420 g |
| Therm-a-Rest Corus 20 | $300 | 26 oz / 737 g | 20°F / -6°C | 20D Polyester w/ DWR | 650 duck | 19 oz / 539 g |
| Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 | $430 | 19 oz / 539 g | 20°F / -6°C | 10D Nylon w/ DWR | 900 goose | 12.5 oz / 354 g |
| UGQ Bandit | $365 | 19.4 oz / 550 g | 20°F / -6°C | 5 Options | 950 goose | 13 oz / 369 g |
| Western Mountaineering AstraLite | $465 | 17.1 oz / 485 g | 26°F / -3°C | 12D Nylon | 850 goose | 10.5 oz / 298 g |
| Zpacks 20F Solo | $429 | 18.7 oz / 529 g | 20°F / -6°C | 7D Nylon w/ DWR | 900 goose | 13.7 oz / 387 g |
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