If you’re in a rush, the best backpacking quilt is the Therm-a-Rest Corus Down Backpacking and Camping Quilt.
Is a sleeping bag the only option for staying warm when camping? No way! While sleeping bags are the gold standard, there are a handful of other choices out there.
One that definitely comes to mind is a backpacking quilt.
Quilts can be just as useful as sleeping bags when camping or backpacking, especially since they are so versatile.
If you’re thinking about switching up your sleeping system with a quilt, I found the top 5 backpacking quilts for camping and backpacking in 2022. Here they are:
- Therm-a-Rest Corus Down Backpacking and Camping Quilt (Best Overall)
- Sea to Summit Spark Ultralight 18F Sleeping Bag (Best Ultralight Backpacking Quilt)
- REI Co-op Magma Trail Quilt 30 (Best Premium Backpacking Quilt)
- Paria 15-Degree Down Sleeping Quilt (Best For Cold Temps)
- ENO Spark Hammock Top Quilt (Best Backpacking Quilt For Hammock Camping)
- Big Agnes Kings Canyon Ultra-Lite Quilt (Best Smallest Volume Backpacking Quilt)
- ENO Vesta Hammock Top Quilt (Best Waterproof Backpacking Quilt)
Best Backpacking Quilt: Our Top Recommendations
Therm-a-Rest – Corus Down Backpacking and Camping Quilt
Sizes: Regular, Long | Temperature Rating (F): 32 degrees | Weight: 1 lb 4 oz | Packed Size: 10 x 6.5 in | Fill: Nikwax Hydrophobic Down
The Therm-a-Rest Corus Down Backpacking and Camping Quilt is the quilt for keeping warm on cold nights.
This camping quilt has several insulating features for trapping body heat. The warm ThermaCapture seams and cozy insulated toe box keep you warm down to 32 degrees. That’ll keep you comfortable on most nights, for sure.
Not to mention, this quilt is super lightweight and condenses down to a small, easy to pack size. That means you can combine it with other layers like sheets, sleeping pads, or sleeping bags for a snug, custom sleeping situation.
Pros:
- Features like anchor points, pockets, and baffles help keep out drafts and ensure that this quilt won’t slip out of place.
- This quilt takes up very little space and is very lightweight, so it is easy to pack and carry when backpacking.
- The included stuff sack and storage bag help make transport a breeze.
- The perimeter snap loops allow you to snap the quilt to a sheet, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and more so you can create a customized sleeping system.
- This quilt comfortably fits people up to 6’2″ tall (measures 80 x 52 inches)
- The 650-fill power Nikwax-treated Hydrophobic Goose Down traps in body heat like a champ. It’s also water-resistant and dries three times faster than standard down.
Cons:
- This backpacking quilt is sort of expensive but is well worth it.
- Not optimal for solo use below 40 degrees (in my opinion). The wind chill will make you cold.
Best for: campers who want to take their warmth to the next level.
Sea to Summit Spark Ultralight 18F Sleeping Bag
Sizes: Regular, Long | Temperature Rating (F): 18 degrees | Weight: 14.4 oz | Packed Size: 14 x 6 in | Fill: Ultra-dry down
Sea to Summit is known for making high quality backpacking gear, and this quilt is the creme of the crop.
Filled with 850-fill-power down, this quilt has an 18 degree (F) lower limit text, you’ll be comfortable down to 29 degrees (F).
Most of all it is made for ultralight backpackers. Weighing 14.4 oz in the regular size, there’s not much better you can do on eight in a high quality quilt.
Pros:
- Ultralight, weighing an incredible 14.4 ounces
- Comfortable down to 29 degrees (F) and tested down to 18 degrees (F)
- Filled with 850-fill power down
Cons:
- Very expensive compared to synthetic quilts
Best for: Ultralight backpackers.
REI Co-op Magma Trail Quilt 30
Sizes: Short, Regular, Long | Temperature Rating (F): 30 degrees | Weight: 1 lb 4 oz | Packed Size: 13 x 4.75 in | Fill: 850-fill-power grey goose down (RDS certified and bluesign® approved)
REI Co-op always makes an array of impressive products, and this Magma Trail Quilt is no different.
Made with sustainability in mind, all materials are bluesign and Responsible Down Standard (RDS) approved.
You can secure this to your sleeping pad, while at the same time being able to adjust for warmth.
Pros:
- Comes in three different sizes, making it perfect to tailor to your height up to 78 inches
- Ultimate warmth, thanks to its 850-fill-power grey goose down
- Made with only sustainable materials
- Lightweight at only 1 lb 4 oz
Cons:
- On the pricier side
Best for: Those looking for a premium and lightweight backpacking quilt
Paria Outdoor Products – Thermodown 15-Degree Down Sleeping Quilt
Sizes: Regular, Long | Temperature Rating (F): 15 degrees | Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz | Packed Size: 10 x 7 in | Fill: 700 fill-power 90/10 white duck down
The Paria Outdoor Products Thermodown 15 Degree Down Sleeping Quilt is a stellar option for backpacking. It only weighs 2 pounds, so this quilt won’t weigh down your pack. And, it compresses down to only a few inches large.
Not to mention, restless sleepers will find comfort in this sleeping quilt. It straps down to your sleeping pad so you can move around comfortably while staying warm instead of being confined to a sleeping bad. This is a huge bonus that makes sleeping that much cozier.
Lastly, Paria offers a reliable lifetime warranty to guarantee your purchase.
Pros:
- For campers who move around in their sleep, this quilt provides a sleeping pad strap way that helps you stay warm no matter what.
- This backpacking quilt dries very fast. Even if it gets wet or condensation builds up, you can leave it out, and it’ll be dry in a few hours.
- Weighing only 2 lbs. 3 oz, this quilt is perfect for backpacking as it won’t weigh you down.
- The included compression sack reduces the quilt down to 10 x 7 inches – perfect for packing.
- This quilt comes with a lifetime warranty so you can rest assured that if anything ever happens to your camping quilt, it will be fixed or replaced.
Cons:
- Not the most giant quilt on the market. Keep this in mind if you’re above six feet tall.
- Definitely pair this with a sleeping bag for temperatures below 35 degrees.
Best for: restless sleepers who want a quilt that won’t get bunched up in the middle of the night.
Buy Direct from Paria Outdoor Products
ENO Spark Hammock Top Quilt
Sizes: One Size | Temperature Rating (F): 40 degrees | Weight: 1 lb 9 oz | Packed Size: 23.75 x 12 in | Fill: recycled polyester fibers
The Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) Spark Top Quilt is the perfect quilt for pairing with a sleeping bag. Its unique shape fits snugly inside the hammock, trapping your body heat in and wicking water away.
It even works great for backpacking since it only weighs 25 ounces. It also compresses down to a small size with the included nylon compression stuff sack for easy carrying.
Combined with its 6’6” length and ability to attach to any other sleep gear, this camping quilt is definitely a top pick.
Pros:
- It’s rated for 40-60 degrees, so this quilt will keep you sleeping warm.
- The secure convertible foot box keeps your feet warm while also making entries and exits easy.
- At only 25 ounces, this camping quilt is very lightweight.
- The included nylon compression stuff sack makes for easy packing.
- Measuring 6’6” x 4’5”, this quilt is long enough to accommodate tall people who may not otherwise be able to find a camping quilt that fits.
- This quilt can attach to other gear like a hammock, sleeping pad, sheets, and more.
Cons:
- Might not be wide enough to wrap around king-sized people.
- Not the best quilt for subzero temperatures.
Best for: campers who want to add a quilt to their favorite hammock or sleeping bag.
Big Agnes – Kings Canyon Ultra-Lite Quilt
Sizes: One Size | Temperature Rating (F): No Rating degrees | Weight: 15 oz | Packed Size: 6 x 4 in | Fill: Primaloft® Silver
The Big Agnes Kings Canyon Ultra-Lite Quilt is an all-around awesome camping quilt. While it is specifically recommended for indoor camping, this quilt can keep you nice and warm in almost any condition.
Unique webbing loops and the included shock cord create a cozy system to keep you warm and snug all night long. It is also great for backpacking, as it is ultralight and easy to pack without weighing you down.
This quilt is a bit pricier, but that’s because it’s so dang light (1 lb) and warm. I highly recommend this one.
Pros:
- Works with sleeping pads of any shape that measure 80” x 60” inches or less.
- The small pocket at the foot of this quilt allows you to slide your sleeping pad in so it stays in place, keeping the two items connected.
- The webbing loops and the included shock cord allow you to lace the two sides of the quilt together and pull it snug across you.
- This quilt is ultralight, so you can feel safe in packing it when you go backpacking.
- The synthetic materials make it thin and easy to pack, yet warm and insulating for cold weather.
Cons:
- The elastic band can get tangled easily, and takes some getting used to.
- Definitely pricey, but well worth it.
Best for: campers who want a quilt they can keep in their back pocket for unexpected cold weather.
ENO Vesta Hammock Top Quilt
Sizes: One Size | Temperature Rating (F): 30 degrees | Weight: 1 lb 12 oz | Packed Size: 23.75 x 12 in | Fill: PrimaLoft Gold/PrimaLoft Black
The Eagles Nest Outfitters Vesta Top Quilt is a versatile camping quilt that you can use in a variety of camping conditions. The water-resistant ripstop nylon shell keeps body heat in while the blocking water out.
The PrimaLoft Synergy insulation creates air pockets within the quilt that help you stay warm in temperatures as low as 35 degrees. Other features, like the shock-cord suspension rails, make this camping quilt comfortable. It’s also easy to reposition when sleeping.
Pros:
- I love the PrimaLoft Synergy insulation. It does a great job of keeping you warm.
- The ripstop nylon shell of this quilt is durable and water repellant, so water will roll right off, keeping you dry all night long.
- This camping quilt is easy to set up because it includes shock-cord suspension rails. These rails make repositioning yourself very easy.
- Easy to compress and lightweight – suitable for backpacking.
- Probably one of the softest quilts on this list.
Cons:
- Not the warmest quilt, keep this in mind for winter excursions.
- It could be on the high end of your budget.
Best for: camping in wet conditions, or when you want a quilt that’ll shrink down fast.
Buying Advice For Backpacking Quilts
Before you go shopping, there are a few things you should know that could help you make the right choice.
Quilt Insulation
You have two choices: down or synthetic.
And when it comes to the warmth-to-weight ratio, down is unbeatable. Ultimately, a down quilt that weighs the same as a synthetic one will be warmer.
That’s not to say that synthetic can’t be warm. In fact, there are some pretty great synthetic quilts out there that are great for low temperatures. However a synthetic quilt of the same warmth as a down quilt will be heavier in weight.
On the flipside, down loses its insulation capacity when wet, unlike synthetic. So while it keeps you warm when it’s dry, it’s not a great choice when there’s a possibility of rain.
Also, down is much more expensive than synthetic, so that’s another factor to keep in mind when deciding between the two types of insulation.
Quilt Temperature Ratings
Just like sleeping bags, quilts also have two ratings: comfort and limit ratings.
Comfort temperature indicates the lowest temperature at which you could lay casually in your quilt with your body relaxed and not be cold. This is also the temperature more suitable for women, as their body temperature tends to be lower than men’s during the night.
Limit temperature, on the other hand, is the lowest temperature at which you could sleep curled up without being cold.
Of course, both of these ratings are for an “average person.” After all, it’s impossible to tailor one product to suit everyone perfectly. You have to take into consideration other factors as well, like what position you sleep in, whether you are a warm or cold sleeper, what you are wearing, etc.
Gear Weight
When you’re backpacking, every ounce matters. And you have to carry a bunch of stuff anyway, the last thing you need is a heavy quilt, right?
When choosing the right quilt, keep in mind how much everything else weighs. Maybe if you go with a lightweight sleeping pad, you can bring a slightly heavier and warmer quilt. Figure out a way to pack and carry the necessities without sacrificing comfort or burdening yourself with too much weight.
Standard and Custom Quilt Features
Standard quilts, as the name suggests, come with a fixed set of features, generally most requested in such a product. This makes it easy for manufacturers to produce in large numbers.
Some brands, however, offer a bit of customization as well. This is quite practical, given that we’re all different, so not all products are one-size-fits-all.
For a slightly larger price, you can tailor the product to your needs. This includes factors like:
- Color
- The amount of fill
- Width and length
- Temperature rating
- Draft collar
Of course, which of these (or any additional) adjustments are available depends on the brand.
Sleeping Pad Attachment Systems
There’s nothing worse than waking up on the cold ground because your sleeping pad managed to slide away from too much movement while sleeping.
Luckily, that’s easily avoidable. Many models nowadays have some kind of attachment system that allows you to keep the pad in place.
However, keep in mind that many brands make the attachment system work just with their gear, which basically forces you to buy the quilt and the pad from the same brand. With that being said, there are some that are more adjustable, allowing you to attach the quilt to any type of pad.
Why Backpack With a Quilt Instead of a Sleeping Bag?
WHICH IS BETTER FOR BACKPACKING? | QUILT | SLEEPING BAG |
Sleeping bags may be the traditional way to camp, but camping with a quilt opens a whole new world of possibilities.
In fact, many people choose to go backpacking with a quilt instead of a sleeping bag, ditching it altogether.
That’s because backpacking with a quilt has many unique and beneficial traits that sleeping bags simply don’t:
Comfortability
Speaking of, quilts are often preferred by those who move around in their sleep a lot.
Sleeping bags, especially mummy-style, keep your limbs close to your body and don’t leave you much room to roll.
On the other hand, a camping quilt gives you the ability to move around in your sleep, which will lead to a much more comfortable night.
Portability/Packability
Another significant benefit of choosing a camping quilt over a sleeping bag when backpacking is that quilts are lighter and take up less space.
It doesn’t take as many materials to create a quilt, and the elements that go into making it are super lightweight.
It also takes a lot less compression to make a camping quilt shrink down.
That means not only does it make it easier and more convenient to pack, but it makes it more efficient for a quick set up at camp. Ordinary sleeping bags can take a while to re-loft after being compressed, but a camping quilt takes no time at all.
Versatility
You may be thinking that there is no way a quilt could be warmer than a sleeping bag, especially since sleeping bags wrap all the way around you. But, quilts can be just as warm (if not warmer) than a sleeping bag.
And if you are concerned about not being warm enough with just a quilt and a sleeping pad, make sure to layer up and consider using a hood to sleep.
You can also use a quilt in tandem with a sleeping bag. This is especially useful if you have a light sleeping bag that isn’t rated for subzero temperatures.
One of the main benefits of this combo is that the quilt will stay around you better. In a sleeping bag, your bag leases a large area exposed to the cold if you turn over.
With a quilt, this is not an issue. The down keeps you insulated no matter which way you turn.
Faqs
How wide should a backpacking quilt be?
This depends on a lot of factors, including the position you sleep in.
But generally, it’s best to go with a quilt with a width equal to your girth at the widest point, plus an additional 4 inches.
How long should a backpacking quilt be?
This again depends on how you sleep. But you don’t want it to be too long, as you won’t be as warm at night. Ideally, go with just a few inches past your height.
What is a backpacking quilt pad-attachment system?
This type of system allows you to attach the quilt to your pad, so that it doesn’t move or slide out while you’re sleeping. Typically, it involves straps, but can also include Velcro attachments.
What temperature should a quilt be rated for?
This depends on the weather you plan on camping in. For summer, go with a rating of 32°F or above. For spring and fall, a rating between 20°F and 32°F should work. For winter camping, you need a quilt with a rating below 20°F.
Is there a temperature rating standard for quilts, like sleeping bags?
There isn’t an actual temperature rating standard that brands use. However, most of them follow the same methodology as sleeping bags for deciding the rating for their products, thus making it easier for customers to choose.
Our Verdict
Camping with a quilt instead of a sleeping bag could completely change the way you camp. So why not give it a try?
If you’re ready to upgrade your sleep situation (or leave your sleeping bag behind), consider trying a backpacking quilt. My top choice is the Therm-a-Rest Corus Down Backpacking and Camping Quilt.
This camping quilt keeps you insulated in freezing temperatures gives you a comfortable sleep. Not to mention, this super warm quilt won’t move around during the night and works for people up to 6 feet 2 inches tall.
Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.