#2: Quilts vs. Sleeping Bags- Which is Better for Backpacking?

There are a few debates within the wild camping and backpacking community that people will never be in agreement on. One of them is the question: “Are quilts better than sleeping bags?” This is a broad and subjective question, so I can only speak from my own experiences. Here are my thoughts on the matter.


Comfort

When it comes to comfort, personal preference plays a huge role. For me, I can’t bear to be restricted when I sleep. I like the freedom to spread out, and if it’s a warm night, I like to kick a leg out to cool off. This, of course, can’t be done in a sleeping bag, especially a mummy-style sleeping bag. However, you can do this with a sleeping quilt. Provided you have the correct size quilt for you, you can spread out as much as you want, resulting in a sleep closer to what you’d get in your own bed.

Weight

Weight is always on the mind of a backpacker. Whether you’re a thru-hiker or a weekend warrior, lowering your pack weight is always beneficial. Quilts have an open back, which means they use less material and are generally lighter and more packable. While there are ultralight sleeping bags that use high fill power, a quilt with the same fill power and temperature rating will, in most cases, be lighter.

Warmth

The warmth debate is a toss-up. Some say that sleeping quilts are colder because drafts can blow under them. However, if used correctly with pad straps, this shouldn’t be an issue. Sleeping bags tend to have hoods, which is a definite pro, but many quilt manufacturers sell insulated balaclavas that pair well with quilts. Some argue that sleeping bags offer better insulation underneath because you are essentially wrapped in the down/syntheyic insulation. But insulation needs to be “lofty” to trap warm air. When compressed, sleeping bags lose their insulating properties which is exactly what happens when you lie on them.

Features and Versatility

Here’s where we start to see the big differences. Sleeping bags are straightforward: you get in them, pull up the hood if it has one and that’s it. Quilts, on the other hand, can be fully unzipped and used as a blanket, cinched up to be fully enclosed for colder nights, or paired with another quilt or sleeping bag for a modular sleep system. Pairing two mummy bags is possible, but because they’re so tight, the insulation can become compressed and therefore reduce warmth. Whereas using a quilt as a top layer avoids this problem.

Cost

High-quality sleep gear can be expensive. Both top-end quilts and sleeping bags can cost several hundred GBP, but quilts tend to be more expensive. This is often because quilts are made by smaller cottage brands that hand-sew their gear and use the highest quality materials. Mainstream companies also use high-quality materials, but cottage brands often take extra care in the manufacturing process.

My Opinion 

I think you probably know by now which camp I’m in. I’ve used both sleeping quilts and sleeping bags in the past, but for years I’ve exclusively been a quilt user, even in the winter. The comfort and versatility of quilts far outweigh any benefits that sleeping bags offer for me. The higher price point isn’t necessarily a bad thing in my opinion when you’re supporting smaller businesses that push the boundaries of ultralight gear. But like everything, this is subjective. Some people don’t mind being wrapped up tight in a mummy bag, while others simply can’t sleep that way.

Final Thoughts

So, are quilts better than sleeping bags? Well, that depends on your priorities. If you want versatility and a high level of comfort, a quilt may be for you. If you’re not bothered about the benefits of a quilt and just want to get out into the great outdoors, then perhaps the lower price point of a sleeping bag will suit you just fine.