Best Backpacking Sleeping Quilts

Here you have my selection of the lightest and the most compact best backpacking sleeping quilts built from high-quality materials, versatile, and suitable for 3-season use.

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For people who feel claustrophobic in a sleeping bag, a quilt is a great option. It offers more freedom of movement than a bag, and it includes a footbox. A sleeping quilt can be described as a mix between a blanket and a sleeping bag. On one hand, it looks like a bottomless bag, and on the other hand, this is more or less a blanket with a footbox. This footbox can be permanent, but some models have a drawstring that creates a footbox.

You have less material used in a quilt so such items are generally lighter than sleeping bags. This also affects the packed size, they are usually very compact. But there is a big difference in thermal efficiency. Although I do not like sleeping bags, when this is about protection, nothing can replace a sleeping bag, this is a fact. On the other hand, for mild weather conditions, you can really manage with a quilt instead of a bulky and uncomfortable sleeping bag.

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My list of best backpacking sleeping quilts

So here is my list, the quilts are ordered by weight from heavier to lighter:

My focus here is on items for backpackers and hikers. So weight and bulk are crucial, and this is why you have only ultralight and compact quilt, but still with quite a good temperature rating. All of them are warm enough for at least two seasons or more.

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1. Therm-a-Rest Vela 2-Person 32-Degree Quilt

This quilt is in such a position here because of its weight which is 2 lb 4 oz (1.06 kg). But note that this is a 2-person quilt, so divide by two to realize how incredibly light per person it actually is.

It has a fully enclosed sewn-in foot box, and it is ultra-packable. The packed size (L x D) is 14 x 8 inches (36 x 20 cm). You have high-quality insulation here. This is a 650 Nikwax hydrophobic down, it is treated and they claim that it absorbs 90% less water and dries 3 times faster than un untreated down. They have also added reflective lining tapes along the seams, to prevent the body heat from escaping and to increase its thermal efficiency.

The official rating of this quilt is 32 F (0 C), and this would make it a true 3-season outdoor sleeping item. But it is always best to test it before going on the trail. You will want to know that this product has already been around for several years already, it has been tried and tested by many, so you know what you are buying.

The quilt is designed to fit users up to 78 inches (198 cm). Here are some numbers for the girth at different positions (shoulder/hip/footbox): 82/82/100 inches (208/208/254 cm). The shell fabric is a 20D polyester ripstop with DWR and the liner is a 20D polyester.

What I like:

• Top-quality materials.
• Great size.
• Great packed size.
• Incredible weight.

What I dislike:

• Price.

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2. ALPS Mountaineering Pinnacle Quilt

This ALPS Mountaineering Pinnacle Quilt is ultralight and this means the weight of 1 lb 8 oz (0.68 kg). It is also ultra-packable, so again in terms of numbers, this means only (L x D) 15 x 6.5 inches (38 x 17 cm). To continue with numbers, the length is 75 inches (191 cm). They write this is good enough for users up to 6’2 height (188 cm), but this may not be so realistic.

This is a quality item with a treated down fill, suitable for backpackers and hikers and for 3-season adventures. The official rating is that it is suitable for temperatures of around 35 F (2 C). You have a pre-formed footbox that measures around 12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm).

The shell fabric is a thin 20D 380T nylon. The quilt comes with a drawstring to cinch it under the neck to prevent cold drafts, and in the same area they have added a contoured chest baffle for comfort and heat retention. You also have a removable retention system that you can use to attach the quilt to a sleeping pad.

What I like:

• The weight.
• The packed size.
• The fill.
• The price.

What I dislike:

• Not very long.

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3. Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 35 Degree

Third on our list of best backpacking sleeping quilts is the Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt is built in two versions, for 20 and 35 Degree F. The blue version shown in the picture is the 35-degree quilt. Its official ratings are:

• EN Limit Temp Rating: 27 F (-3 C).
• EN Comfort Temp Rating: 37 F (3 C).

This would make it a proper 3-season quilt. Note that they provide an EN rating, so this should be reliable, but as always it is best to test the quilt yourself and see how it works for you. The other version (20 degrees) is in red color and this is the easiest way to recognize them.

The insulation here is a top-quality 800 Fill Power Fluro-carbon free DriDown. The fabric is a very thin 15D nylon ripstop, the same for the shell and the liner.

This is a great design with some unique features. So you have insulated arm pockets to use in order to wrap the quilt around your body and to seal out drafts. There is also a hideaway hood for extra insulation for your head, this is suitable for back sleepers in particular.

Here are some numbers you will want to know. The minimum weight is 1 lb 6 oz (0.62 kg). The quilt fits users up to 6′ 3″ (191 cm), and its length is 75 inches (191 cm). The shoulder circumference is 56 inches (142 cm), so this is indeed an oversized design as they write. The hip/footbox circumferences are 56/40 inches (142/102 cm). Stuff sack size is (L x W) 13 x 7 inches (33 x 17.8 cm).

What I like:

• Unique features
• Top-quality materials.
• Great size.
• Great packed size.
• Great weight.

What I dislike:

• Price.

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4. Sea to Summit Ember EbII Quilt

This quilt is the next up on our list of best backpacking sleeping quilts. We like that the have three different versions, you have it as EbI, EbII, and EBIII. I focus here on the medium version with a temperature rating of 30 F (-1 C). So this is again an item for 3-season use. It is IDFL tested and also RDS approved.

This quilt is also ultralight and ultra-compact, but note that they built it in two sizes as regular (R) and long (L). So see the numbers.

• Weight:
  – R: 1.32 lb (0.6 kg).
  – L: 1.5 lb (0.68 kg).
• Fits:
  – R: 72 in (183 cm).
  – L: 78 in (198 cm).
• Packed size: 13.8 x 5.9 inches (35 x 15 cm).
• Volume when packed:
  – R: 3.7 l.
  – L: 4.9 l.

Obviously, if you are a shorter person you will save 80 grams if you choose the smaller option. Note that this quilt is without a permanent footbox. But you have a drawcord which you can use to create a foot box. Thermal efficiency can be improved also with yet another drawcord under the chest.

It is interesting that you have a shape wider in the middle, so you can wrap the body better. But here too you have hand pockets to use for body wrapping. See the numbers:

• Width (chest/hip/feet):
  – R: 47.2/59/34.3 inches (120/150/87 cm).
  – L: 55.1/70/38.2 inches (140/170/97 cm).

The fill is among the best you will find, this is an 850+ Loft Premium goose ULTRA-DRY down, super warm and compressible. It is treated with a permanent nano-level water repellent polymer. The meaning of this number is that 1 oz of down will expand after being compressed to more than 850 cubic inches. So this describes the loft, and as usual, the more the better.

The fabric is incredibly thin but down-proof 10D shell and 7D lining, and note that this is nylon. You have box baffles throughout, with vertical baffles strategically placed on the chest.

What I like:

• Quality materials.
• Great features.
• Great packed size.
• Incredibly light.

What I dislike:

• Very expensive.
• Very thin fabric.

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5. Therm-a-Rest Corus 32-Degree Down Backpacking and Camping Quilt

Next on our list of best backpacking sleeping quilts is the Therm-a-Rest Corus 32-Degree Down Backpacking and Camping Quilt is also built in two sizes. This is always great to have as an option to avoid unnecessary weight and bulk. So here are the numbers:

• Weight:
  – R: 1 lb 4 oz (0.57 kg).
  – L: 1 lb 6 oz (0.62 kg).
• Packed dimension (L x D): 10 x 7 inches (25 x 18 cm).
• Fits:
  – R: 72 inches (183 cm).
  – L: 78 inches (198 cm).
• Dimensions (L x W):
  – R: 79 x 49.5 inches (201 x 126 cm).
  – L: 83 x 53 inches (211 x 135 cm).
• Girth (shoulder/hip/foot box):
  – R: 49.5/47.5/48 inches (126/121/122 cm).
  – L: 53/51.5/58 inches (135/131/143 cm).

Note that both versions are quite long. This is not always so with such ultralight products. The official temperature rating is 32 F (0 C), so this is a 3-season item.

The fill is quality and lightweight 650-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down. The shell fabric is a thin 20D polyester DWR, and the liner fabric is 20D polyester taffeta. Note that here you have ThermaCapture seams, this means that tapes are added to cover seams and reflect the heat back to you. The quilt is with full-perimeter side baffles. The footbox is elasticized to keep the feet warm.

You also have perimeter snap loops to combine this quilt with another Therm-a-Rest mattress or with their sleeping bags, blankets, etc. It comes with their Better Sleep Guarantee and here is what they write: “… If you are not completely satisfied, return it within three months with the original receipt of purchase and we will give you a full refund- no questions asked.”

What I like:

• Pleasant and comfortable.
• Ultralight.
• Great packed size.
• Great warranty.

What I dislike:

• Price.

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6. Therm-a-Rest Vesper 32 Quilt

This is our final selection on our list of best backpacking sleeping quilts. The focus here is on the version with the temperature rating of 32 F (0 C), but they have yet another with the rating of 45 F (7 C). So as of the moment of writing this text, this is the lightest option with such a temperature rating. This is because of the top-quality 900-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down. They claim it maintains loft 60 times longer than untreated down.

With such a fill, you have an unrivaled packability. This quilt packs to 6 x 5 inches (15 x 13 cm), can you believe this? They build it in two sizes so you have 15 oz (0.44 kg) for the R size, and 1 lb 1 oz (0.49 kg) for the L size.

They apply Box Baffled construction, which means mesh inner walls to maximize loft and minimize cold spots. The quilt comes with what they call SynergyLink Connectors, this is to integrate it with a mattress for optimal efficiency and comfort. You also have perimeter side baffles, snap neck closure, and an insulated footbox. The quilt is Responsible Down Standard certified.

The shell fabric is a very thin 10D nylon ripstop DWR, and the lining fabric is also a 10D nylon ripstop. Here are a few more numbers:

• Length:
  – R: 75 inches (191 cm).
  – L: 79 inches (201 cm).
• Girth (shoulder/hip/footbox):
  – R: 58/51/37 inches (147/130/94 cm)
  – L: 61/54/40 inches (155/137/102 cm).

What I like:

• Ultralight.
• Ultra-compact.
• Top-quality down.
• Great size.

What I dislike:

• Very expensive.
• Very thin fabric.

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Final thoughts

So this was my selection of the best backpacking sleeping quilts, all ultralight and ultra-compact. Being great for backpackers, this makes them suitable for practically any outdoor activity, like hiking, or for bicycle and motorbike tours, etc. But bear in mind their temperature rating, quilts are still not sleeping bags.

Editor’s Choice

As mentioned above in the text, this is about reducing weight and bulk in the pack, other features are welcome but not essential. This is why the quilt shown below is my choice:

As you know, a sleeping bag or a quilt are not enough for outdoor sleeping. You need a good pad, so see my selection of the best compact sleeping pads for backpacking. You will need something to carry such stuff, so check these best women’s backpacking backpacks.

Thank you for reading. There is a comment box below so let me know if you have questions or comments. Have a nice day.