Mummy Bags vs Quilts
Traditional mummy style sleeping bags are great in very cold conditions because you are sealed in a cocoon like structure. However, the insulation on the underside is compressed under your body weight resulting in diminished thermal efficiency. In warmer conditions a down quilt is preferred by many since it leaves out the underside insulation reducing weight and (at least in principle) cost. Generally these are formed by a sealed toe box similar to a mummy bag but then opens up to function more like a warm blanket used at home. Most don't have a zipper further reducing weight.
The spreadsheet below summarizes some of the features of quilts I'm considering for summer conditions
P.S. I finally chose the Katabatic Palisade 30F. So far this summer (2018) it's been great!
The spreadsheet below summarizes some of the features of quilts I'm considering for summer conditions
P.S. I finally chose the Katabatic Palisade 30F. So far this summer (2018) it's been great!
Down Fill Power
The down fill power (or rating) is often misunderstood. This video from Sierra Designs does a good job of explaining what the rating actually means (hint: it's not warmth).
Graphic from Montbell describing different different down fill powers.
Graphic from Montbell describing the standardized EN sleeping bag temperature ratings.
Sleeping bags must be paired with an adequately insulating sleeping pad to keep from losing heat to the cold ground. The degree of thermal insulation of sleeping pads is quantified by the "R value", which is a measure of the resistance to heat flow per unit area. The larger the R-value the more insulation it provides. Personally, I use a pad with R=3-4 for overnight temps down to ~25 degrees F and non-snow covered ground. I use a pad with R = 5-6 for sleeping on snow in the winter with temperatures down to ~zero degrees F.
R values are not unique to sleeping pads. This page from the US Department of Energy has a good discussion of this quantity in the context of building insulation.
R values are not unique to sleeping pads. This page from the US Department of Energy has a good discussion of this quantity in the context of building insulation.
Some tips on washing down sleeping bags: http://rainypass.com/2016/05/sleeping-bag-cleaning-tips/
Layering Quilts: support.enlightenedequipment.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002770588-Quilt-Layering
Layering Quilts: support.enlightenedequipment.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002770588-Quilt-Layering
Understanding Sleeping Bag EN/ISO Ratings: thermarestblog.com/en-iso-sleeping-bag-ratings/
History of Montbell Sleeping Bags: www.montbell.us/special/product/TheHistoryAndEvolutionOfSleepingBags/
History of Montbell Sleeping Bags: www.montbell.us/special/product/TheHistoryAndEvolutionOfSleepingBags/
Sleeping bag comparison spreadsheet
- Sleeping bags are organized by brand/manufacturer. Generally, 3-season quilts are towards the top and 4-season mummy bags towards the bottom. Since I made this spreadsheet to inform my own purchases, it only has models with features I am (or was) interested in.
- Annoyingly, different brands rate equivalent sleeping bags differently. Where data is available, I've included the (1) down fill power, (2) down fill weight and (3) target loft.
| lightweight_sleeping_bags_and_quilts_nov_26_2019.xlsx |