Dedicated to Mara's travel and hiking adventure journals as well as her words of wisdom and suggested resources for hikers and travelers.
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Quilts and Top Bags versus Sleeping BagsWhen using a standard sleeping bag, the insulation below your body is crushed under your body weight and provides no useful insulation. Therefore, the theory is that you can save weight by using a quilt or top bag that covers only your top and sides. Those who sleep on their backs and don't toss and turn, can get away with a fairly small quilt. These folks probably see the greatest weight savings. For those who do toss and turn and need that extra converage to prevent gaps while turning from side to side, the weight savings may not be as apparent. Quilts and top bags are two different ways manufacturers have tried to save weight. Quilts are shaped blankets with filling like a sleeping bag and usually with straps to go around your pad to keep the quilt in place. Top bags are sleeping bags designed with fill on the top and sides but with a bottom that has no fill. An example of a manufacturer that offers quilts is Nunatak. For top bags, Big Agnes. I find the bells and whistles on the Big Agnes bags may reduce the weight savings (a full pocket to hold the shaped pad, etc.). If you look at full sleeping bags from manufacturers such as Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends, their weight is about the same as Big Agnes and you get fill top and bottom. Given continuous baffles, the Westesrn Manufacturing and Feathered Friends bags may have a bit more versatility than the Big Agnes top bags. Also, you can always unzip a full bag and use it like a quilt but zip up if it's colder and/or you toss and turn. With quilts, be aware that they have no hoods. Be prepared with a hat and for cold weather camping, consider a down hood such as those available through Nunatak. Last updated, December 06, 2010. |
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