I'm thinking about getting a quilt. Multi-purpose as possible, pad straps and foot box sound cool, budget tight, oh and it would be cool if it didn't weigh all that much. I don't know about ya'll but I hate heavy packs.

Are you looking for suggestions or should this have been a WTB thread in the Gear Swap?

Suggestions, sorry. Can't you read my mind? I'm not sure what I WTB yet. I got a 17oz mummy bag but I've never had a quilt.

Only top quilts I have used are the BMW UL 90 for warm summer nights and the JRB Nest. Hammock camper. Have used the Nest down to low 20's. Cold sleeper. Slept in comfort with a hood and light weight baselayer. Did use a winter temp underquilt

Nest is a down quilt at ~20oz. Not ultralight. The Jacks use basic ripstop nylon with a DWR outer shell. Not Momentum or Pertex light. But keeps the cost down. Check out their website for details and other down quilt options.

Rick, I'd say your obvious choices are...JRB, Nunatak, or Golite Ultra.

Jamie

Thx, the JRB, and mld look interesting. Still can't make up mt mind.

A lot of people say that the Nunatak Arc Alpinist is their "all purpose" quilt. I'm considering one, but have never used one. I have a BPL UL 180 synthetic quilt, but it's a little too small for me to be truly comfortable under it (5'10", 200-lbs). Also, it doesn't seem to suit me in the shoulder seasons. I don't know how the Arctic 1000 guys did it...

Edited by acrosome on 04/14/2009 07:09:06 MDT.

Rick, you should just go to the shop in person as JrB are also located in VA.
Once youre there, pick up a No Sniveller and a down hood. You can expect to go to the high 20's with ease.
those guys will most def be at TD and have a crowded booth.

Edited by mikeinfhaz on 04/14/2009 18:33:27 MDT.

I wasn't even thinking, td is soon. It would be cool to go with the local boys. I could chill in my jrb quilt and drink old dominion ale.

So I'm reading all about the "Ray Way" and I'm thinking about the two person quilt, but I'm lazy about sewing. Does anyone know a place to but a 2 person synth quilt like he describes? Or am I being a big sissy and it's time for me to get a thimble like a real man?

Not sure I'd go with a RayWay. See this thread:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/11512/index.html?skip_to_post=84242#84242

another Va option is mountain laurel designs (roanoke VA) they have synthetic quilts with a variety of options

I agree,
Having made a RayWay and recently purchased a Golite Ultra20, the Golite is the way to go. IMHO.

Cheers

I have been using the Golite ultra 20. Down into the 20s I've been able to sleep toasty as long as I add my light down sweater into the mix. I'm a girl so this is meaningful information. The thing is really warm.

I really like my quilt.

I have heard people say that quilts are not good for side-sleepers. Maybe that is because if you do it wrong you can invite drafts from the sides. But I have found that quilts are ideal for side-sleeping. Maybe a draft comes in now and then but you learn what to do about them pretty quickly. Having a bed that's more like a blanket like you're used to is so much better than rolling over and having some annoying sleeping bag hood suffocating your face.

I have used this quilt for about 3 months of nights. The other day, one of my straps popped right out. It's hardly attached at all. Just a tiny little plastic tab is sewn in. I sewed it back in with a needle and thread and it's good as new. I'm hoping it will last.

A friend of mine who designs gear for one of the ultralight companies actually sewed some cuben fiber on to his Nunatak quilt so that he can velcro it shut with the cuben fiber flap. Another friend of mine is thinking of cutting off the straps because he never uses them. Everyone is different, but it seems that overall from the people I know who have them, quilts work well.

If I had it to do over I think I'd get the JrB one where you can wear it as a serape.

I'm looking really close at the JrB's I might go hog wild and get a no sniv for me and one of the doubles for me and the Mrs. But $$$! Has anyone used one of the "large family of quilts?" The only fear I have is icey cold wife feet!

I went to a quilt and won't be going back. I can't say much about JRB's large family of quilts, but I suspect they are as good as regular size quilts. I used the Hudson River for a couple of years and loved it. My girl loved it so much she commandeered it. Her feet got a little chilly but she doubled up her socks and resolved that issue. I used the BMW Pro 90 quilt over the past winter with out problems though I do miss the Hudson.

I just ordered a JrB no sniv. On Sale Boyeee

As a big boy, I love the JRB Large Family quilts. In fact, I just ordered a Springer on Sunday for summer use as the Katahdin is just a bit too warm during hot/humid July and August nights here in the North East.