Updated 09/01/2026

Backpacking quilts are generally 20-30% lighter in weight than sleeping bags and allow more room to move around, so for those who don’t like being confined in a mummy-style bag, a quilt might be a better option.

Recommended Backpacking Quilts

Zenbivy Light Bed

Regular size / 25-degree version

weight: 1 lb 10 oz (quilt and sheet)
size, quilt: regular – 72 in. x 54 in.
temperature rating: 25 degrees
down: 800 fill-power HyperDRY™ fluorocarbon-free water-resistant 90/10 duck down
size/temperature options: regular, large, extra-large / 10 degree, 25 degree
price: quilt $289; sheet $139

Out of all of the sleeping bags and quilts that I’ve used for backpacking over the last 10 years, the Zenbivy Light Bed is an incredibly comfortable sleep system. While most backpacking quilts use straps to attach to a sleeping pad, Zenbivy Beds feature a sheet with an oversized hood and wings on the sides that attach to the quilt with clips. In my experience, this effectively eliminates drafts – especially for those of us who toss and turn a lot in our sleep – and provides better overall comfort.

Pros: innovative attachment system; softest fabric; best for side and stomach sleepers
Cons: slightly heavier than standalone quilt options when combined with the sheet/hood

See my full review of the Zenbivy Light Bed

Zenbivy Ultralight Bed

Regular size / 10-degree version

weight: 2 lbs (quilt and sheet)
size, quilt: regular – 72 in. x 54 in.
temperature rating: 10-degree quilt and 25-degree sheet
down: 900FP ExpeDRY™ water-resistant 90/10 goose down (PFAS-free)
size/temperature options: regular, large, extra-large / 10 degree, 25 degree
price: $579 quilt; $149 sheet

Just like the Zenbivy Light Bed featured above, the Zenbivy Ultralight Bed combines the best parts of sleeping bags and quilts together in an incredibly comfortable sleep system. While it is a much more expensive setup than the Light Bed, if you want the most premium option at the lightest weight in the Zenbivy lineup, you can’t go wrong with this combo.

Pros: innovative attachment system; softest fabric; best for side and stomach sleepers
Cons: expensive

See my full review of the Zenbivy Ultralight Bed

Zenbivy Synthetic Ultralight Bed

Regular size / 25-degree version

weight: 2 lbs (quilt and sheet)
size, quilt: regular – 72 in. x 54 in.
temperature rating: 25 degrees
insulation: PrimaLoft Gold (100gsm x 2 layers)
size options: regular, large, extra-large
price: $329 quilt; $139 sheet

The Zenbivy Ultralight Synthetic Bed is a new addition for 2026, bringing a synthetic insulation option to Zenbivy’s popular ultralight sleep system. This new synthetic version retains the same integrated sheet-and-quilt design Zenbivy is known for, and is ideal for those with down allergies or anyone avoiding animal-based materials. It uses two layers of PrimaLoft Gold insulation, known for excellent warmth-to-weight performance and reliable heat retention even in moist or humid conditions.

Pros: less expensive than down, more reliable in wet conditions
Cons: slightly heavier and bulkier than down

See my full review of the Zenbivy Synthetic Ultralight Bed

Outdoor Vitals StormLoft Down TopQuilt

Regular size / 15-degree version

weight: 1 lb 8 oz
size: regular
temperature rating: 15 degrees
down: 800 Fill Power ExpeDRY™ from Allied Feather
size/temperature options: regular, long / 0, 15, 30, 40 degrees
price: $339 (for version shown)

The Outdoor Vitals StormLoft Down TopQuilt is feature-packed and provides greater protection in wet and humid conditions with down fill that’s been treated with gold nano particles. After using in overnight temps in the high 30s, I find it to be warmer than similarly rated quilts and wouldn’t hesitate to take it on colder trips versus my 0-degree sleeping bag. I also like the fabric used – it’s soft yet durable – and the quilt is very well made with no extra threads hanging loose or down escaping. While the tapered top helps to keep more warmth in, I’d prefer a wider quilt at the top to avoid having it feel like a sleeping bag does. Regardless, I think it’s a very high quality option for backpackers at a good price point.

Pros: warmest quilt for the weight; best in cold, wet conditions
Cons: not available in a short version

See my full review of the StormLoft Down TopQuilt

REI Co-op Magma 30 Down Trail Quilt

Regular wide size / 30-degree version

weight: 1 lb 6.3 oz
size: regular wide
temperature rating: 30 degrees
down: 850 Fill Power Water-resistant Goose Down (bluesign approved)
size/temperature options: regular, regular wide, long / 15, 30 degrees
price: $329 (for version shown)

REI’s Magma quilt is a versatile option that can be opened up and used flat like a blanket, or closed up at the footbox and attached to a sleeping pad with straps. It includes a draft collar, an effective cinch system that keeps the cord tucked away, and two pad straps with toggles for easy adjustment. Available in a wide width, this quilt can easily accommodate varying body sizes. After using this on several backpacking trips with overnight temps in the 35-40 degree range, I feel that this bag is much warmer than its stated temperature rating – and I usually find the opposite to be true.

Pros: multiple sizing options – regular, wide, long and wide long; warmer than the temp rating; best top cinch system
Cons: pad straps use bulky toggles; frequently out of stock; not available in a short version

See my full review of the Magma 30 Down Trail Quilt

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Down Quilt

Short length / regular width / 10-degree version

weight: 1 lb 6 oz
size: short length, regular width
temperature rating: 10 degrees
down: 950 Fill Power Goose Down
length options: xshort, short, regular, long, xlong
width options: slim, regular, wide, xwide
temperature options: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 degrees
down options: 850 fill power, 950 fill power
price: $440 (for version shown)

Made in the USA by Enlightened Equipment, the Revelation quilt is highly customizable, with five different length options, four width options, and six temperature options. My custom Revelation quilt is rated to 10 degrees, with a 20 denier outer fabric and 10 denier inner fabric. I purchased my quilt in 2016, and the Revelation has been updated since then with 30% more fill and options for a draft collar, as well as changes to the colors and fabric weights that are available. I like the versatility of being able to open it fully to use as a blanket, or closed at the footbox and strapped to a sleeping pad – which is most frequently how I use it.

Pros: most customizable; handmade in the USA; can open fully
Cons: more expensive; custom quilts take longer to ship

See my full review of the Revelation Quilt

View at Enlightened Equipment    View at Garage Grown Gear

How Backpacking Quilts Work

Backpacking quilts weigh less since they don’t have hoods and are made to go over your top and sides but not underneath, saving extra material and insulation over bags that are fully enclosed with zippers. Some can be fully opened and used like a comforter in warmer weather, and then closed to make more of a mummy bag shape when it’s colder. They often include straps for attaching to a sleeping pad to allow for flexibility in how tight or loose you prefer it to be, and allow for easier movement while sleeping.

What to Look for in a Backpacking Quilt

There are four main factors to consider for sleeping quilts: comfort, weight, warmth, and cost. Besides the obvious need for comfort, paying special attention to the weight could have a big impact your overall pack weight. Quilts offer a big advantage in packability since they tend to take up less space than sleeping bags. And of course, cost shouldn’t be overlooked, with most high quality quilts selling in the $300-500 range and up.

Insulation Type

Down quilts use duck or goose down for insulation. They tend to be warmer, lighter weight, more compressible, and have better longevity than synthetic-filled quilts. While down loses insulating abilities when wet, most quilts currently available utilize down that’s been treated with a hydrophobic coating to make it water resistant. The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is a certification program to ensure that down comes from ducks and geese that have been treated well and are not force fed or live-plucked.

Synthetic quilts are filled with polyester for insulation. Less expensive than down, synthetic fill dries faster and retains insulating abilities better when wet. And for those with allergies, synthetic fill is non-allergenic. However, synthetic products are heavier and bulkier than their down counterparts, and they tend to not last as long due to a loss of insulating properties over time.

Temperature Rating

Typically, the temperature rating on a sleeping bag or quilt is based on the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep an average sleeper warm. Most sleeping bag manufacturers use either the EN (European Norm) rating system or the newer ISO rating system for determining the temperature range a bag is suited for. While these ratings are accepted as the most dependable standards available, all ratings are subjective and don’t take into account individual body types. An additional factor that greatly influences quilt warmth is your sleeping pad’s insulation value.

Warm sleepers may be fine in temperatures a quilt is comfort rated for, but most people tend to stay warmer in quilts that are rated 10-20 degrees lower than the temps they will be camping in. The overnight low temps for most of my backpacking trips is in the 40s and I prefer to use quilts with a 10-30 degree limit rating.

Size and Shape

Sleeping quilts work by using your body heat to warm the air pockets trapped around you, so finding one that fits the shape of your body will help to keep you warmer. To accommodate various body types and heights, quilts are available in different lengths and widths.

Closed-footbox quilts are the most common type, offering the highest warmth-to-weight ratio due to their trimmer shape, while quilts that open fully and can be cinched closed at the footbox are also popular. Having the option to fully open a quilt can make it more suitable in a wider range of temperatures. In warmer weather, I like to use my quilt as a blanket instead of being enclosed inside it.

The width of a quilt determines how much room you’ll have inside. While choosing a wider width than you need might sound appealing, it will be difficult for the quilt to keep you as warm if there is a lot of extra space around you to insulate.

Features

Hoods: quilts don’t typically include hoods and instead feature a draft collar that can be cinched to keep heat inside the quilt. Wearing a hat is recommended on cold nights when sleeping in a quilt.

Draft collars: located at the top (and on some models, also at the bottom of the quilt), a draft collar is an extra piece of insulation that prevents warm air from escaping and cold air from entering the bag.

Zippers: while most quilts either have zippers only at the footbox or no zipper, there are few styles that utilize full length zippers. Since quilts tend to be lightweight, the zippers used on them aren’t as burly as those found on sleeping bags.

Pad straps: to hold a quilt in place on the sleeping pad and allow you to adjust the position of the quilt on the pad.

Stuff sacks and storage: to prolong the life of a quilt, it should be stored uncompressed whenever not in use. Compression sacks are useful for fitting into a backpack, but use a larger breathable stuff sack is much better for long-term storage. I rarely use a compression sack for my quilt, preferring to stuff it in the bottom of my backpack and allowing the gear on top of it to provide compression.

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