Enlightened Equipment Quilts

[vieve]

I currently have a very old (15yrs+) Kathmandu goose down sleeping bag which is very warm but, at 1.5kg, a little on the heavy side (OK, a lot on the heavy side). It's time to replace it with something lighter.

Most of the time I use the sleeping bag 'quilt style' so it makes sense to buy a quilt rather than another sleeping bag. After doing a bit of research I think the Enlightened Equipment RevelationX looks like it will meet my needs (and it seems to get very good reviews). I am, however, unsure of which specs would be best. Here are some details about me and what I want:

- 168 cm (5' 6"") tall
- average build
- side sleeper that tends to toss and turn a little
- quilt will be teemed with an Exped DownMat UL 7 M
- tent is a TarpTent Notch
- for a female, I tend to sleep warm rather than cold
- immediate need is for hiking trips in NSW year round and can supplement with down jacket, thermal liners, etc. in very cold temps (am I dreaming in thinking I can get away with one quilt year round or am I better off having a summer & winter quilt?)
- future needs will probably include hiking trips in Tasmania, NZ and potentially some other overseas locations.

So here's what I would like recommendations on:
- Am I better off getting the 20F (-7) or the 30F (-1)?
- Width wise, is it better to have the WIDE (58" at top) versus the REG (54" at top)?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Strider]

Very timely as I have also been looking at quilts lately, and this one is near the top of my list. Look forward to the discussion

Mods might wish to move this topic to UL forum?

[icefest]

Are you planning on snow camping?

[simonm]

EE do make very nice quilts.

My EE quilt is 54" wide which I which find more than adequate. I have a tendency to go the warmer bag for winter, quilts can be vented quite easily either by opening the footbox a little or loosening the top cinch at the shoulders, if it warms up. But for summer weather I have a another brand quilt rated to 7C which is only 46" wide, designed mainly for hammock camping, but on the ground it will wrap around me reasonably well. I am predominantly a back sleeper though.

This is the 46inch wide quilt as modelled by my wife. For summer camping, depending where you are, I think the narrower quilts are a viable option, saves a little weight, is more compact, and cheaper.

46inch wide Wilderness Logics summer series quilt

[Orion]

Interesting that diagonal baffle pattern.
Function or fashion?

[Lizzy]

I don't use a quilt but for year round & o/s trips I would definitely go the warmer (-7) quilt or bag. I tried a lighter one & froze even with layers (I do sleep cold). I get cold in NSW winters in a -1 bag. For me a slightly heavier bag is definitely worth it & if too hot you can open it up or get out of it. A really light summer quilt down the track may also be worthwhile down the track.

[simonm]

Interesting that diagonal baffle pattern.
Function or fashion?

Good question - I haven't worked that out yet. Marty had the idea that it would wrap around you like a corkscrew .

[Strider]

Can anyone explain to me how EE calculate their overfill? For example, a 6' Rev X Wide contains 16.85oz of down. Does this figure already include the 20% overfill, or is the real figure closer to 20.22oz?

[simonm]

Can anyone explain to me how EE calculate their overfill? For example, a 6' Rev X Wide contains 16.85oz of down. Does this figure already include the 20% overfill, or is the real figure closer to 20.22oz?

I am not sure Strider but if you shoot an email off to Tim, he usually answers pretty quick.

[Strider]

Tim said the weight includes the 20% overfill but the loft height does not.

[Maelgwn]

I am also a side sleeper and I toss and turn a little - i have tried sleeping with my warm sleeping bag unzipped in not too cold conditions (i.e. winter nights in SA) and can't stay warm enough (but I am fine with it zipped up).

So - if i was to buy a quilt I would buy a lighter weight one and plan to use it in spring/autumn and the warmer climes.

Have you tried you current bag unzipped in cold conditions - if you are happy then buy a warm quilt for four season use. Otherwise, I think you need a cooler quilt and a warmer bag.

It may also depend if you have the solid or all mesh inner in your tarptent.

[vieve]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

After posting last night, and following a few emails exchanges with Tim from EE, I made an 'impulse' buy and purchased the EE RevelationX 5'6" WIDE 20F + 3oz overstuff. A couple of reasons why I decided to go with this quilt:
- it was on Sale. Tim has a number of 'returns' on sale (link was published on the BPL forum). The reduction in price helped to cover some of the postage costs. Probably not a great reason for a purchase but I am on a tight budget at the moment.
- this quilt was made before Tim switched from 850 fill down to 750 for the RevelationX.
- I liked the colour combination of royal blue shell/black liner (royal blue is no longer an option). Hey, I'm a girl - colour is important!

I hold no illusions that this quilt will be 'ideal' for a NSW summer but I think it should be a pretty good replacement for my existing bag (which is also overkill for summer). It's already on its way so hopefully I'll be able to try it out on my next trip in a couple of weeks.

I am not sure Strider but if you shoot an email off to Tim, he usually answers pretty quick.

+1 Tim's customer service is excellent. He responds to emails very quickly.

[icefest]

What rating bag was it? RevelationX come in 0-40 deg F.

[vieve]

What rating bag was it? RevelationX come in 0-40 deg F.

Sorry Icefest, just realised I forgot to include the rating and have now edited the post. I got the 20F.

[simonm]

Well done vieve - you won't be disappointed with that quilt.

[icefest]

Plenty warm enough for everything but a midwinter Kosci Blizzard.

[Scottyk]

I have a EE Prodigy 30F. This is synthetic bag so I can't give advice on warmth compared to down quilts.
The quilt is very well made from what I can see. I took it up the Labyrinth for two nights (got back yesterday) this week and it performed really well. I was a little worried how it would seal out drafts but that concern was unfounded. I sleep on my stomach for the most part and so I found if a gathered the top of the quilt in under my shoulders then the sides of the quilt took care of themselves and sealed out drafts fine, this is with the foot box zipped up and closed. There was a slight snow shower whilst up there so the temp was getting down towards zero.

I think if you are are side sleeper the wide quilt is a good option just to ensure it will cover you and seal up when your on you side.

I went the synthetic option and I am really glad I did, i'll explain why. It may weigh more than down but in wet weather it comes into its own. The second night I was up there it had rained hard all afternoon and I was planning on doing the Ducane travers so I went all the way out to Big Gun Pass, got blown off my feet a few times and decided that it was too windy and wet to proceed so retreated to a sheltered spot to camp. So I was wet, from water on my shorts and sweat on upper under my jacket. I went to bed with my wet shorts, sox and damp thermal top on and was warm enough and by the time the morning came I was dry and so was the quilt. I could have changed into dry thermals but I wanted to see how the bag would do this drying and it really made me happy with how I can go to bed wet and dry out my stuff whilst I sleep. I am sure it is using warmth to do it but I was not cold at all and if I was I could have changed into dry thermals or taken the wet ones off. Anyway the synthetic seems to have one over down in this aspect I think.

[Scottyk]

EE do make very nice quilts.

My EE quilt is 54" wide which I which find more than adequate. I have a tendency to go the warmer bag for winter, quilts can be vented quite easily either by opening the footbox a little or loosening the top cinch at the shoulders, if it warms up. But for summer weather I have a another brand quilt rated to 7C which is only 46" wide, designed mainly for hammock camping, but on the ground it will wrap around me reasonably well. I am predominantly a back sleeper though.

This is the 46inch wide quilt as modelled by my wife. For summer camping, depending where you are, I think the narrower quilts are a viable option, saves a little weight, is more compact, and cheaper.

Summer series top quilt green body.jpg

Is the one pictured a Enlightened Equipment quilt?, the picture says it is one of these http://www.tiergear.com.au/11/diy-suppl ... Top-Quilt/
Am I missing something?

[simonm]

Hi Scottyk,

It is not an EE. In the post I said "I have a another brand quilt rated to 7C which is only 46" wide". I was trying to give an idea of the width, and also the option of a summer quilt.

Your post about synthetic quilts is a good one, I have read people having similar experiences with synth quilts. How bulky is it when it is packed?

[Scottyk]

Hi Scottyk,

It is not an EE. In the post I said "I have a another brand quilt rated to 7C which is only 46" wide". I was trying to give an idea of the width, and also the option of a summer quilt.

Your post about synthetic quilts is a good one, I have read people having similar experiences with synth quilts. How bulky is it when it is packed?

Apologies Simon, I was missing something!
I have got a medium size compression sack from STS and I pull it down maybe to 2/3 of the original size before it goes in the pack. I am not really keen on compressing it too much but I could go a lot more if I really needed to.
Link to the compression sack, medium size http://www.seatosummit.com.au/products- ... ion-sacks/

[simonm]

No worries mate, I am sure my wife loves having her face splashed around the place .

[vieve]

My EE Quilt arrived today and the quality looks great. It's half the weight of my old sleeping bag and compacts quite a bit smaller too. So far very happy.
Here are a couple of photo's:

[Scottyk]

Looks good, left us know how it performs

[Joomy]

I think you'll be very happy, Vieve.

[vieve]

Just noticed that Tim has a new Top Quilt available, The Enigma. From his website:

"The Enigma merges our time tested designs with our newest cutting edge technologies. New SHIFTLESS baffle system which eliminates down drift found in every traditional open tube design. Now offering 850 DownTek fill which stays warm and lofty even when wet. Introducing Phantom 10D Enlightened Equipment’s exclusive ultralight nylon that doesn’t sacrifice comfort, breathability or down-proofing. The Enigma offers a closed footbox to squeeze out every possible oz while providing a great sleeping experience."

It looks good.

[Strider]

Vieve can I ask why you opted for 3oz overfill? Was it for warmth requirements, or to prevent down shift? What temp do you expect your quilt is actually capable of?

[Strider]

Ok so I've had some extensive dialogue with Tim at EE and have al but settled on a Revelation 20, but using the 30* baffles to prevent down-shift as I am a quite active side-sleeper.

All that's left to decide is whether I want any overfill or not. Is 20F (-6C) a suitable all round rating for use in Tas?

[vieve]

Vieve can I ask why you opted for 3oz overfill? Was it for warmth requirements, or to prevent down shift? What temp do you expect your quilt is actually capable of?

Strider, I'd originally decided on the -20ºF (0ºC) RevelationX (without any overfill), however, Tim posted a link to some sale items on the BPL website and my quilt was listed. I decided to grab it as the reduced price helped cover some of the postage costs. To be honest, I am not sure what temperature my quilt will actually be capable of and haven't yet had the opportunity to test it in the field. When I do, I'll post how it goes although being in Sydney I'm probably unlikely to experience temps below 0ºC until next year.

[Joomy]

Ok so I've had some extensive dialogue with Tim at EE and have al but settled on a Revelation 20, but using the 30* baffles to prevent down-shift as I am a quite active side-sleeper.

All that's left to decide is whether I want any overfill or not. Is 20F (-6C) a suitable all round rating for use in Tas?

I bought mine with just that sort of trip in mind, although winter in Tas would definitely be pushing it to its limits. I plan to combine it with a down jacket if temps warrant it. To me this seemed like a much more versatile option than overfill.

[Strider]

Sounds like where I'm at with my current thinking. Winters trips means carrying more clothing anyway