Best Backpacking Sleeping Quilts

In this article, we highlight the best backpacking quilts. These are our favorites, as they are the lightest and the most compact of the best backpacking sleeping quilts available. They are made from high-quality materials and versatile enough for all types of camping.

The best backpacking quilts are ideally suited for people who feel claustrophobic in a sleeping bag. These quilts offer more freedom of movement than a bag, and include a foot box. 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; on the other hand, this is more or less a blanket with a foot box. The foot box can be permanent, but some models create their foot box using a drawstring.

Backpacking quilts have less material, so they are usually lighter and more compact than sleeping bags. But there is a big difference in thermal efficiency, as a sleeping bag provides more warmth. On the other hand, for mild weather conditions, you can manage your body temperature more efficiently with a quilt instead of a bulky and uncomfortable sleeping bag.

Our list of best backpacking sleeping quilts

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

This article focuses on the needs of backpackers and hikers. Trekking into the wilderness requires careful consideration regarding the weight and bulk of your equipment. This is where you’ll benefit from carrying an ultralight and compact quilt. But it still needs a temperature rating. All of the backpacking quilts in our list below are warm enough for at least two seasons or more.

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

We have chosen the Therm-a-Rest Vela 2-Person 32-Degree Quilt for its incredibly lightweight. It weighs 2 lb 4 oz (1.06 kg). But note that this is a 2-person quilt, so divide the weight 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 from 650 Nikwax hydrophobic down, it is treated, and the manufacturer claims that it absorbs 90% less water and dries 3 times faster than un untreated down. This quilt also has reflective lining tape along the seams to prevent your body heat from escaping, increasing its thermal efficiency. Its shell fabric is a 20D polyester ripstop with DWR, and the liner is a 20D polyester.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Top-quality materials.
• Great size.
• Great packed size.
• Incredibly light weight.

Cons:

• It’s pricy.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The official rating of this quilt is 32 F (0 C), and this would make it a genuine 3-season outdoor sleeping item. But it is always best to test it before going on the trail. This product has been around for several years and has been tried and tested by many, so you know you’ll get one of the best backpacking sleeping quilts available.

The quilt is designed to fit users up to 78 inches (198 cm). Here are some numbers for the circumference at different positions (shoulder/hip/foot box): 82/82/100 inches (208/208/254 cm). 

2. ALPS Mountaineering Pinnacle Quilt

The ALPS Mountaineering Pinnacle Quilt is one of the best backpacking sleeping quilts, thanks to its lightweight and compactness. It weighs just 1 lb 8 oz (0.68 kg) and measures (L x D) 15 x 6.5 inches (38 x 17 cm). When unpacked, this quilt is 75 inches (191 cm) long. The manufacturer states that this suits users up to 6’2 height (188 cm), but this may not be so realistic.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Nice and lightweight.
• Compact size
• Great insulation
• Well-priced.

Cons:

• Not very long.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

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 ideal for temperatures of around 35 F (2 C). You have a pre-formed foot box that measures approximately 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.

3. Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 35 Degree

This would make it a proper 3-season quilt. The manufacturer provides 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. If you want something for cooler temperatures, choose the red version, which is rated for 20 degrees.

The insulation of this quilt 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.

Best Seller

Pros:

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

Cons:

• Price.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

This is an excellent design with some unique features. For example, you have insulated arm pockets so you can wrap the quilt around your body and 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). This 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 you should have plenty of room. The hip/foot box circumferences are 56/40 inches (142/102 cm).

4. Sea to Summit Ember EbII Quilt

The Sea to Summit Ember EbII Quilt lands at number 4 on our list of the best backpacking sleeping quilts. We like that there are three different versions of this one. You can have it as EbI, EbII, and EBIII. But we will focus 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.

Best Seller

Pros:

• Made from quality materials.
• Lots of great features.
• Compact size when packed
• Incredibly light.

Cons:

• Very expensive.
• Very thin fabric.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

This quilt is also ultralight and ultra-compact, but note that they make it in two sizes: regular (R) and long (L). So pay close attention to the numbers to see what suits you best:

• 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.

If you are a shorter person, you will save 80 grams if you choose the smaller option. Note that this quilt doesn’t have a permanent footbox. But you have a drawcord that you can use to create a foot box. You can also improve the thermal efficiency with another drawcord under the chest.

Interestingly, the quilt is wider in the middle, so you can wrap the body better. But there are also hand pockets to wrap yourself up in your quilt on chilly nights.

• 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 insulation is among the best; this is an 850+ Loft Premium goose ULTRA-DRY down, which is super warm and compressible. It is treated with a permanent nano-level water-repellent polymer. The 850+ number means 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.

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

• 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 pretty long. This is unusual with such ultralight products. The official temperature rating is 32 F (0 C), which makes it a 3-season item. This is thanks to high quality and lightweight 650-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down. 

Best Seller

Pros:

• Pleasant and comfortable.
• Ultralight, so ideal for trekking.
• Great packed size for squeezing into your backpack
• Great warranty.

Cons:

• It’s quite expensive.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

The shell fabric is a thin 20D polyester DWR, and the liner fabric is 20D polyester taffeta. It also has ThermaCapture seams, which means that the tape covering the seams reflects the heat back to you. The quilt has full-perimeter side baffles, and the foot box is elasticized to keep your feet warm.

In addition, this quilt has perimeter snap loops to combine it with another Therm-a-Rest mattress or with their sleeping bags, blankets, etc. It comes with their Better Sleep Guarantee, and here is what the manufacturer says: “… 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.”

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 a temperature rating of 32 F (0 C), but there is another version with a rating of 45 F (7 C). So as of the moment of writing this text, this is the lightest option at this temperature rating. 

To achieve this, Therm-a-rest has stuffed it with top-quality 900-fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down. They claim it maintains loft 60 times longer than untreated down.

Best Seller

Pros:

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

Cons:

• Very expensive.
• Very thin fabric.

Available from:

AMAZON

If you click this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

With such high-tech insulation, you have unrivaled packability. This quilt packs to a tiny 6 x 5 inches (15 x 13 cm). You can buy 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.

The Box Baffled construction gives this quilt mesh inner walls to maximize loft and minimize cold spots. The quilt comes with what Ther-a-rest calls 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 foot box. The quilt is Responsible Down Standard certified.

The shell fabric is a very thin 10D nylon ripstop DWR, and the lining fabric is 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).

Final thoughts

So this was our selection of the best backpacking sleeping quilts, all ultralight and ultra-compact. These are suitable for any outdoor activity, like hiking, camping, cycling, motorbike tours, etc. But bear in mind their temperature rating; quilts are still not sleeping bags.

Related Articles

As you know, you need more than a sleeping bag or a quilt for outdoor sleeping. It would be best if you had a good sleeping pad, too, so check out our selection of the best compact sleeping pads for backpacking. You will also need something to carry all your stuff, so check these best women’s backpacking backpacks.

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