WooHoo... the brown guy just delivered it. I hate the straps. Does anyone use them? It is my first quilt, besides sleeping with all my zippered bag open... what are your thoughts about the quilt? temps? overall?

I hated the straps too. I returned mine and bought a montbell SS UL FWIW.

I bought one and promptly modified the straps to match the other quilts out there.

I thought it was overrated temp wise and sold mine. The quality is good, it's just not a 20 degree bag. More 30ish.

Edited by simplespirit on 07/15/2009 10:24:07 MDT.

I thought it was understuffed and I was unimpressed further when one of the straps ripped off on the first night.

I've used mine into the upper 20s with no trouble. I sent it back, and they retrofitted the strap attachement to the current design for no charge. I'm happy with it. First one I ordered did have some underfilled chambers, so I returned it.

I have the 40 degree version.

I LOVE IT!

I snipped off the strap within minutes of opening the package,

Untie (or cut off) the strap (only one, right?) and just tie a thin section of elastic cord. Use it a few times, and figure out the length that works best, and snip off any extra cord.

I just got one on sale and I'd say it's well worth the money. Sure, I'd love to have an Arc Alpinist, but for half the price, the Ultra gets the job done.

I also hate the straps, and plan on using elastic cord to replace them soon... once the temps drop a bit more.

I did notice after a few nights of use that some of the edges of the baffles are letting some down out of the bag, though. Not the feathers with quills, but actual down (now that I need to see it, that thread with the difference between down and feathers seems to be hiding from me). I wonder if that's worth a call to Golite...

and I really like it. I took the straps off, and I curl up in a ball when I sleep so it works better for me as a quilt with no pad attachments.

I actually SEWED my quilt shut, for about two feet up from the foot-box toward my neck.

I may need to photograph what I did. but it worked great.

I am the kind of gear owner who feels totally content sewing, cutting and revizing my gear. I try never to complain about my stuff if it doesn't meet my needs, I simply fix it.

I used a needle and thread, and it took just a few minutes. Easy-Sneazy.

Am I the only one who wonders where Clelland got a 40 degree? Or is he making a sarcastic comment about the 20? Hmmmmm.........

Mike C,
It has 2 straps, easily removed from the 4 small loops on the side of the quilt (loops are like bag hanging loop on the foot of most bags)
Like I said,this is my first quilt and thought WTF with the straps!!!!
I sleep balled up under my other bags unzipped 4 seasons and thought of a rectangular bag so not to feel claustrophobic but found the Ultra 20 online for $157 shipped (backcountry.com)
I'm a very warm sleeper so if a get 25* out of it without a jacket all's fine.. for spring/late fall

Huh, you are right, the only quilt they sell is a 20.

Okay, that's the one I have, and I love it.

I used it less than 3 days ago on a BPL course here in Montana. Okay, I cut off the LOWER string, and sewed it up to alittle bit above that point. Then I replace the higher strap with a thin streachy cord.

Much better.

I'm a warm sleeper and found it cold with a thermawrap jacket on in a tent at 30. Hope I had an old stock bad one but just FYI.

Hi Ryan,

That has happened to mine too. I made contact with Go lite in the States and they said they were going to contact me in the UK, but I havem't heard anything. I think its really bad for it to come out like that.

Definately made me realise that I really like quilt though.

I took the straps off and set them aside from day one. The quilt is fairly wide so I never had any trouble keeping it tucked under me while sleeping without the straps. I even used my ultra down to 20 degrees with light supplimenting and was fine. I was extremely impressed with the quilt especially considering the weight. It really turned me on to using a quilt so much so that I have since purchased a JRB and a Nunatak.

I can only speak to the Golite Ultra I got. Mine had all baffles properly filled to 2.5" loft and had no trouble leaking down. It performed well.

My opinion:
Nunatak wins the overall performance award (if one ignores cost)
JRB is a great mix of value and versatility
Golite wins the best performance per dollar spent

To me performance is measured by low weight + warmth + quality.

Jamie

Has anyone had experience with both bags? I'd love an Arc Alpinist but no way is that happening anytime soon. The Golite can be found cheap now and then but is it significantly warmer than the WM highlite I already own and use?

I'm skinny and can wear my puffy jacket and pants in the highlite.

Not sure this helps, but I found the ultra 20 to be on par with my Marmot Hydrogen. The Hydrogen is a high quality bag rated to 30 degrees that I have easily used to 20 degrees (just like the Ultra 20).

I take ratings with a grain of salt and look more at how an item performs to my needs considering the weight & cost. Both the Hydrogen and Ultra were great bags/quilts. If quilts are your thing then I give the win to the Ultra 20 since it weighed 4.6 oz less (the older version hydrogen).

The hydrogen & ultra 20 have baffles vs the highlite which is sewn through. I suspect it would be real hard for a sewn through bag to be as warm as these two, but then again this is the legendary WM so who knows.

Jamie

Edited by jshortt on 07/15/2009 20:12:51 MDT.

This is what I did to my straps. I use a Neoair most of the time and only need the straps when it actually starts getting cold. Since the pad is a lot thicker the straps are needed to help keep the quilt down in cold weather while I roll around.

Jared's Adventure Blog

Edited by rooinater on 07/16/2009 17:33:47 MDT.

"That has happened to mine too. I made contact with Go lite in the States and they said they were going to contact me in the UK, but I havem't heard anything. I think its really bad for it to come out like that."


Well it sounds like not many other folks are having that problem, as far as the comments here, so maybe I will contact them. I'm with you on the second part, though, Paul. Definitely makes me realize how much I like quilts!