Best Backpacking Quilt for Camping

In this article, we give you the lowdown on the best backpacking quilts, how they differ from sleeping bags, and why they’re a great addition to any backpacking or camping trip.

If you’re new to backpacking quilts, this is a great place to start. This article will take you through their features, what they’re for, and why you might want to invest in one. For buying advice on sleeping quilts, you’ve come to the right place!

Our Top Pick: Western Mountaineering Astralite.

Specs and features:

• 850-fill power down
• 26°F temperature rating
• 1.1 lb

Backpacking Quilt Reviews

Here are our top picks for the best camping quilts on the market:

Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20

Due to its budget-friendly price and excellent quality, the Revelation has been one of the most popular quilts for years now. It’s one of the few entry-level backpacking quilts that actually live up to their temperature rating.

While it can’t match a mummy bag, it’s warmer than many of its high-end competitors. The loft of the down is particularly impressive and the U-shaped baffles keep the insulating material in place.

The quilt comes with one straight strap and one loop strap. On a night below freezing, you can easily tuck them in for extra warmth.

On each end, there are two cinch cords. The one on the bottom works alright, but it requires some getting used to.

Weighing only 1.2 lb, the Revelation is one of the lightest quilts you can find. Despite being lightweight, it features an impressive 13 ounces of down. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better ratio. The 10D fabric is less delicate than it seems, and it’s a great choice for saving weight.

The only real downside of the Revelation is the stuff sack. It doesn’t really pack small. But you can smush it into the bottom of your pack or pair it with an aftermarket compression sack if you really want to save space.

Most ultralight quilts on the market are particularly crinkly, but not the Revelation. Slick and smooth, the fabric feels really nice against the skin.

Since it’s really light, the Enlightened Equipment quilt is pretty versatile. On hot nights, you can fully open it up and use it as a blanket. On cold nights, you can curl up in it and snap, zip, and strap it down to your sleeping pad.

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Therm-a-Rest Vesper 32

The Vesper is a well-thought-out ultralight quit that is sure to give you a bang for your buck. It features quality hydrophobic down that is distributed smartly. Considering that the Vesper weighs only 9 ounces, it is surprisingly warm and comfortable.

The Vesper doesn’t feature any excess fabric. So, when packed, it’s the size of a reusable water bottle. However, the stuff sack feels a bit flimsy. Still, if you are a packing-obsessed ultralight hiker who wants to get by with a daypack, you will be more than happy with this quilt.

The 10D nylon ripstop shell is comfortable. It’s quite slippery, so it won’t catch on fleece clothing. You won’t notice the straps when you lay on them, thanks to their low-profile design.

However, the foot box feels a bit too narrow. But, on the other hand, it is pretty deep, so you won’t have to worry about your feet sliding out at night.

Due to being super light, the Therm-a-Rest is more of a summer quilt. The quilt performs quite well in wet conditions. It will dry out quickly after a wet night. Thanks to the hydrophobic down, the Vesper really gives the competition a run for their money.

The drawstring and the draft collar work quite well, and the pad attachment system is easy to use. If you need an ultralight quilt for the summer, but don’t want to break the bank, the Vesper is well worth considering.

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REI Co-op Trail Magma Quilt 30

If you want a simple introduction to quilt camping, the REI Co-op Magma may be the perfect quilt for you. The backpacking quilt market had been dominated by niche cottage companies until this no-nonsense quilt system by REI was introduced to the masses.

Thanks to its functional design and high-quality materials, hikers and backpackers immediately fell in love with it. When it comes to warmth, the Rei Co-op backpacking quilt can certainly go toe to toe with more expensive products.

There’s less opportunity for warm air to escape since there are no snaps or zippers, and the footbox is nothing but toasty. The down lofts up nice and high, thanks to the continuous baffle design.

While you are sleeping, the draft tube around the neck area and the pad system keep warm air-sealed in. If you have a good sleeping pad and adequate head covering, the Magma could keep you warm in temperatures lower than 30°F.

Perhaps surprisingly, the brand’s temperature rating is a bit conservative. In surprise snowstorms and unexpected cold weather, you can burrow inside the Magma to escape the cold.

Over half of the total weight of the Magma is hydrophobic 850-fill power down. There are not many quilts in this price range that feature so much quality down.

Even though it is a mass-produced piece of gear, the Magma uses the light and tough Pertex ripstop nylon fabric. Usually, this material is reserved for more specialized, higher-end products.

The stuff sack is made from the same fabric. It will take the abuse of a tough, multi-day hike without any issue.

To help you keep a secure seal at the top, the Magma features a neck draft tube. If you want to compress the top of the quilt even more closely around your neck, there’s a cinch cord you can use.

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Western Mountaineering Nanolite Quilt

When it comes to quality camping and backpacking gear, this brand has always set a high standard. Not only is all Western Mountaineering gear made in the USA, but many of their products are signed by the person who made them.

The Nanolite features a proprietary 10D liner and a 7D shell fabric. Pair these with 850 fill power down, and you get a super warm and durable backpacking quilt.

This one has an elastic lacing bottom closure and is super packable. It has elastic pad straps for pad attachment. This quilt also has a sewn-through footbox along with an insulated draft yolk. To help keep things tight, there’s a button snap on the back.

It’s not the biggest quilt out there, but it offers more than enough space around the shoulders. If you want to give your feet a bit more room, you can opt for the longer version. When packed, the Nanolite is about the size of a small melon.

All of this comes together for above-average comfort. Since it has two lengths, it’s a great quilt for finding a length that matches your shape. It weighs only 12.5 ounces, so it is ideal for endurance-style events, bike packing, and backpacking trips.

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Outdoor Vitals Hiking Top Quilt

If you are looking for an affordable yet reliable backpacking quilt, The Outdoor Vitals is an excellent choice. The hybrid baffles are a really nice touch. They help make sure the quilt stays close to your body while you toss and turn during the night.

You can use this one for ground sleeping and hammock camping. It’s very light and fairly compressible.

A great feature of this hiking quilt is that you have three different versions for three different climates – and that each one offers a different pack weight, so you can choose your own trade-off between pack weight and temperature support.

This one has a closed foot box and a pad strap. It has good water resistance. On top of the insulating material, the shell is also treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. While the DWR does the job more than well, it does emit a strange smell when it gets wet.

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Sorison Puffy Blanket

This one is a very good option if you want something affordable. For the price point, it is very warm. It also has a good length, making it a good choice for taller campers.

That said, the pack size is very big – so if you want to buy a backpacking blanket quilt (rather than a bag) because of pack size, don’t bother with this one.

That said, the stuff sack has shoulder straps, which makes this quilt easy to carry around. This has decent waterproofing and is fairly breathable.

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Therm-a-Rest Corus Quilt

Another good option for versatility, as it has two size choices. This one packs down to a small size and features a DWR coating. The Corus Quilt has a toebox that is designed to fit around a sleeping pad, which keeps your feet (and body) warm – and keeps drafts out.

This quilt is a good all-rounder in terms of small pack size, weight, and price point. If you want something which isn’t exceptional but does all the basic stuff well, this is a good option.

The Corus is best suited for warmer fall and spring weather as well as the summer. The shell of the Corus is directly sewn to the lining. This type of baffle construction helps keep the weight down but reduces the overall temperature retention.

The pad connection on the Corus quilt delivers big time. Even when the quilt is snapped in, it offers plenty of room to shift around.

There are three snap loops along each side and two on the bottom. These snap loops pair well with the Thermarest Universal Sheet or with the stick-on mattress patches that come with the Corus. They also allow you to easily attach the quilt to a sleeping bag, blanket, or even another quilt.

The two large draft tubes do a great job of preventing warm air from escaping. The small snap pocket near the top is pretty useful as well.

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Get Out Gear Down Puffy Camping Blanket

This is a fantastic low-cost option. If you’re looking for something affordable which you don’t need to use in super cold conditions, this is probably the best option on the list. It’s also incredibly lightweight, and it packs down to quite a good size.

This comes with a stuff sack that has a heavy-duty clasp, so it’s really easy to carry and store. It also can be snapped into place around the body, for sitting around. The Get Out Gear blanket is treated with a waterproof coating.

If you attach the Down Puffy to your sleeping bag or quilt, you can add an additional 15°F of warmth. Since the fabric resists pet hair, sand, dirt, and grass stains, you can use the Down Puffy pretty much everywhere.

In addition to the Down Puffy, there’s also the Double Puffy—a camping blanket for two. The double puffy weighs only 1.5 lb, so it’s well worth considering.

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OneTigris Featherlite Sleeping Quilt

This is another good mid-range quilt. It doesn’t do anything spectacular, but it gives you an average performance at an impressive price point. The pack size is okay, but it’s not as lightweight as many others on this list.

This one has a great footbox, and it’s a versatile option, suitable both for floor camping and hammock camping. Admittedly, the synthetic insulation doesn’t retain heat as well as down, but the OneTigris truly is a 3-season quilt.

The SEE polyester synthetic insulation makes it both windproof and breathable. Moreover, synthetic insulation has one significant advantage over down—it stays warm even when it gets wet.

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Eagles Nest Outfitters Vesta TopQuilt

Affordable, and an okay option for a starter quilt. It’s good for versatility – easy to use both on the floor and in a hammock. It has a nice soft feel, so it’s a comfortable choice.

The quilt features Dual Layer Primaloft insulation. Primaloft is considered to make the best synthetic insulation on the market, and for a good reason. The dual Layer Primaloft insulation ensures maximum loft and does a great job of eliminating cold spots.

That said, the temperature rating is a bit off. Realistically, it’s more around the 50° to 55° degree range. However, if you want to create a four-season sleep system, you can pair it with the Vulcan UnderQuilt.

The quilt doesn’t come with too many extra features. It includes a large mesh storage bag and an adjustable draft collar.

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ZEFABAK Blanket

It may not be a quilt, technically, but the ZEFABAK Blanket is thicker than some backpacking sleeping bags on the market.

The blanket gives off a rather nice “nesting” vibe, thanks to its nice loft. That said, it feels best when you use it over a layer of clothing. The outer material is comfortable as well.

If you have specific temperature or size requirements, this is an excellent choice, because you have three blankets to choose from. Given that, it’s also a very affordable option. It comes with a good carry bag, making it easy to transport.

Thanks to its high-quality European duck down, the blank does more than a good job of retaining heat.

There aren’t lots of features here such as toe boxes etc, but for a simple blanket that performs very well and offers good choice and versatility, this is as good as it gets.

The two corner hand pockets are pretty cool, though. They allow you to use the blanket as a poncho. The blanket’s combination of puffiness and size makes it pleasant to wear all day long.

Like a proper poncho, the blanket offers solid protection against the wind. It also repels most water, even though it isn’t waterproof.

Because of this, the ZEFABAK blanket is a very popular model among fairly casual hikers and campers who simply want to stay warm in moderate conditions. It’s not as durable as some others on this list.

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Sea to Summit Ember

The Ember is another simple yet feature-rich backpacking quilt. Considering its weight, the warmth the Ember offers is pretty solid. So that the down wouldn’t clump in one area, the quilt has small baffles.

The Ember lives up to its temperature rating as well as the Sea to Summit brand name. While not entirely hydrophobic, the insulating material is water-resistant. In case the quilt gets caught in rain, the water won’t penetrate the shell immediately.

The zip-up and drawstring foot box is a really nice detail. It allows you to keep the Ember right where you want it. If you want to secure the quilt to your sleeping pad, you can use the four adjustable straps. The same pad straps allow you to set up the quilt in a number of different ways.

So that you can keep the Ember tucked around nicely around your next and shoulders, it features unique hand pockets. This makes it a great quilt for stomach sleepers.

While it’s not the most comfortable quilt on the market, the 7D nylon liner and the 10D nylon shell make it very breathable. It’s an excellent option for warmer weather.

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Sierra Designs Backcountry Quilt 700

Featuring an innovative hood and an extra-wide cut, the Sierra Designs quilt is one of the most unique models I’ve seen. While it’s not as light as most other models on the list, the extra weight that comes with the Sierra Designs quilt is worth it.

You will feel like you are sleeping with a big cozy blanket rather than a minimalist backpacking quilt.

The quilt is so big, you can easily wrap it around itself when sleeping, so there’s no need for zippers or straps. This way, you won’t have to worry about something coming loose or unbuckled in the middle of the night, and you won’t be sleeping on buckles or straps.

The hood is comfy and stays in its place. This is one of the best backpacking quilts for restless sleepers, if not the best one. It’s very easy to adjust in the middle of the night.

Thanks to the quilt’s shape, you can wrap yourself in it like a burrito or sleep with it like a loose blanket. It’s great for shoulder season trips in near-freezing temperatures and warm nights in the desert.

Filled with about 18 oz of 700 fill power duck down, the quilt will keep you warm in temperatures above freezing. If you want the most warmth from this quill, you can tuck either side of the quilt under yourself and slide your head through the tuck-away good.

In addition to the good amount of insulating material, the unique construction of the quilt also helps trap heat. However, the Sierra Designs Backcountry Quilt doesn’t pack down that well, mostly due to its weight.

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Western Mountaineering Astralite Quilt

The Astralite is essentially a bit heavier but warmer version of the Nanolite. It’s a great choice for those who put a priority on weight and warmth.  For a 26°F quilt, the Astalite is quite toasty. This Western Mountaineering quilt has more down fill than sleeping bags of similar size.

When you attach the quilt to a sleeping pad and lay inside it, you feel like you are surrounded by a very warm cocoon. Even after you crawl into it, the quilt feels quite fluffy and lofts impressively. Both the lining and the shell fabric feel nice against the skin.

As you roll around all night, the quilt will stay in place, more or less. However, it’s hard not to end up sleeping on top of the toggle.

Of the 17 ounces it weighs, about 10 ounces are down. For a 26°F-rated quilt, this ratio is quite competitive. The quilt packs down nicely as well.

The Astralite is much like a hoodless mummy bag, even though it’s technically a quilt. But, it’s less drafty than the average mummy sleeping bag.

The elastic closure system does a great job of sealing in warmth. In fact, it works a bit too well. If you want to prevent overheating, the best way to do it is to adjust clothing.

The built-in straps work well, without restricting your freedom of movement too much. The Astralite is more expensive than the average backpacking quilt, but, considering the quality of the construction and the materials, it’s safe to say that it’s worth every penny.

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Backpacking Quilt Buying Guide

What’s the Difference Between a Backpacking Quilt and a Sleeping Bag?

The answer to this question is short and simple – while a sleeping bag wraps around you like a cocoon, a sleeping quilt is simply like a blanket!

It’s important to note that the terms ‘quilt’ and ‘blanket’ can be used interchangeably here.

Why Should I Use a Backpacking Quilt Instead of a Sleeping Bag?

Backpacking hiking quilts are slowly gaining popularity. And although they’re not perfect for every hike, every hiker, and every camping trip, they can be excellent in the right conditions. Here are some of the reasons you might want to invest in a camping quilt rather than a sleeping bag:

Pack weight: quilts are typically 20-30% lighter than sleeping bags. This is because they don’t have hoods and they don’t provide insulation underneath the sleeper. Quilts are also slightly lighter because they typically have no zip or draft tube. These weight savings can be very useful on long trips.

Volume: a quilt takes up less space than a bag, which is good for pack size. Because of this, you’ll also compress your quilt less – which can improve the longevity of your quilt.

Warmth: you’re not necessarily sacrificing warmth. The vast majority of quilts are now just as warm as sleeping bags. Yes, you don’t have a hood, but some quilts come with neck collars – and you can always wear a hat!

Less moisture: with a sleeping bag, your head is often inside the hood – and therefore inside the bag. Breathing inside of a bag all night can make the bag wet inside. But with a backpacking quilt or blanket, this isn’t an issue.

How Important is Quilt Insulation?

Insulation is, of course, an essential consideration when choosing a sleeping quilt. If you want to prioritize good insulation alongside an ultralight pack weight, high quality goose and duck down are the way to go.

Not all quilts are insulated with down – and if you’re not camping in cold places or on cold nights. you might not need down. Some quilts have synthetic insulation. But it’s important to consider the coldest place in which you’ll use your quilt – and the amount of insulation you’ll need for such climes.

For good warmth, you should go for fill powers of 800, 850, 900 or 950, as they provide great lightweight pack weight alongside fantastic insulation. A better warmth rating means a warmer night’s sleep.

So Should Pack Weight Be My Biggest Priority?

No. Pack weight should be a consideration, and it is a fantastic plus point of sleeping quilts, but your biggest priority should be ensuring that you’re definitely going to be warm. Interestingly, insulation is typically the lightest component of a quilt. The heavier component is the rest of the fabric the quilt is made from.

Yes, many hikers will value an ultralight backpacking quilt, but be sure to consider other things too.

Another consideration is how often, and how heavily, you plan to use your quilt. Most wear and tear occurs in the inner lining of the quilt, so if you’ll be using it often, you might want to go for a heavier inner coating.

What About Water Resistance?

Down is naturally water-resistant, but it’s still a good idea to make sure you’re taking proper care of your quilt. You don’t want to take chances. Get a waterproof bag for your quilt.

Some brands offer ‘treated’ sleeping quilts, which are apparently more water-resistant, but the effectiveness of these has not been properly proven. If you prefer the safety net of a treated quilt, that’s understandable – but it’s no guarantee that you’ll be any drier.

A quick side-note: ensure you wash your quilt properly. Some can be cleaned in a washing machine, but you must follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. This will help retain the water resistance of your quilt, as well as performance and quality.

Should I Pair My Quilt With a Warm Sleeping Pad?

It depends. If you’re going somewhere cold, then yes. But remember that the whole point of buying a quilt (rather than a bag) is that you save weight by foregoing any material underneath you.

If pack weight is not a massive concern, and if you’re going somewhere cold, a warm sleeping pad can (and often should) be a great addition to your camping kit.

If you value versatility, you can invest in a quilt and a pad. That way, you can take both on your colder hikes – but only take your quilt when you’re camping in warmer areas.

A pad attachment system can be very useful in the right conditions.

Can I Trust Quilt Temperature Ratings?

This is an important note and an important consideration. While standardized sleeping bag temperature ratings have made it easy to really know how warm a sleeping bag is, quilt temperature ratings are yet to be standardized.

Because of this, it’s impossible to know exactly how warm your quilt temperature will be. But our general advice – which will help you to move in the right direction – is this:

Carefully read reviews. See what other people are saying about temperature.

If you’re male, purchase a quilt 10 degrees below your needs, to ensure you’re definitely going to be warm enough.

Due to lower body mass, women may want to get that’s rated 15 to 20°F below their needs.

For these reasons, it’s important to note that our reviews will, of course, mention the temperature suitability claimed by the manufacturers. But these claims might not necessarily match the actual performance of the quilts.

Do Some Backpacking Quilts Come With Custom Quilt Features?

Yes. There are many other features that can determine how warm a camping quilt can be:

Baffles: the lumps and lines that make up the shape of your camping quilt are created by ‘baffles’. ‘Baffles’ are created by the way in which the insulation is shaped. Some baffles are warmer than others.

Draft collar: Thanks to this feature, many quilts are almost as good as sleeping bags. A draft collar helps keep the cold air out.

Zoned insulation: some quilts are insulated more in some specific places – and less in others – to keep the quilt warmer while reducing pack weight.

Pad attachment: Having nothing but a backpacking quilt wrapped around you when the temperatures drop significantly isn’t going to cut it. Because of this, many quits come with either a single or a double pad strap. If need be, you can also use fastenings or clips to properly set the quilt down in place.

Some quilts come with removable pad straps. If you don’t plan on attaching your quilt to a sleeping pad, this is a great way to eliminate extra weight.

Closed foot boxes: a foot box is designed to keep your feet warm because we lose (or retain!) a lot of our heat through our feet. To prevent cold drafts from creeping in, some quilts come with something called a footbox “Dog Bone.” It’s a down-filled piece of material that you can place in the small center hole of the footbox.

Are There Many Different Sizes Available?

Some are more versatile than others – and depending on the type of camping you want to do, and where you want to do it, you might want something quite versatile.

Narrower quilts, for example, can be used for hammocks, but wider ones are typically more useful for sleeping on flat surfaces. So if you want to sleep both in hammocks and on floors, it’s a good idea to choose a wider quilt.

It’s also important to consider height. Manufacturers often give height recommendations for their quilts, which is a good guideline. It’s also important to understand whether the foot-box of a quilt is included in this given height.

Our Top Backpacking Quilt

The above ten are our top picks for the best backpacking quilts on the market. Wherever your next trip takes you, there’ll be an option on this list that’s perfect. Just make sure that your backpacking backpack is the right size to carry your quilt or sleeping bag.

But our #1 top pick is the Western Mountaineering Astralite Quilt, based on craftsmanship and the quality of the materials, among other things. Considering the excellent temperature suitability, it really is a bargain.

That said, before you buy a quilt, you should do a little research of your own, according to the trails you’re hitting and the type of trip you’re taking.

When buying any camping or hiking gear, it’s essential that you buy the kit appropriate to where you’re going and what the conditions will be. Backpacking quilts are an excellent addition to any hikers’ arsenal of outdoor gear. Buy one and see why!