Sold a 55" wide quilt. Its replacement is wonderfully thick but only 48" wide. I always wake up on my back, but turn from side to side when going to sleep. What are the lighter possibilities for reducing the draft from the more narrow quilt?

Currently I'm hauling too much weight in extra clothing. A bag would be much lighter than my quilt plus head-to-toe insulated night clothing. I hike where the daily temp swings are commonly 35 degrees, so 20-25 degree nights are followed by warm, sunny afternoons. A pound of quilt inside a spacious, already owned Megalite may be my new cool weather setup, but that is bulky to haul. Anyone got a better idea?

Edited by heyyou on 11/23/2010 11:19:43 MST.

I use a bivy to reduce drafts.

you could try sewing a piece of light nylon to form a bottom, so that you would effectively have a sleeping bag but without insulation on the bottom.

I would sew some 6 inch wide nylon "skirts" to either side of the quilt to tuck under you.

I like sleeping bags better at colder temps for this reason. Quilts are too drafty alone when temps approach freezing. Even a skirt on the edge didn't help enough for me.

As suggested already, you could also use a breathable bivy.

My solution to the drafty quilt problem can be found here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=31690

bag or top bag

bivy will only help so much ... youll stll feel the cold if a body part slips out

Eric's correct: you'll still get cool feeling and sometimes the equivalent of a draft - even with a bivy. I assume wings will be the same.

To solve this issue (& still use a quilt) I reluctantly had to part with my beloved JRB No Sniveller and go with a tapered quilt. The Sierra Sniveller will work, but I found a good deal on a golite Ultra20 and couldn't be happier. We'll see if it handles low temps as well as the NS, but so far, so good.

Todd

I agree wings would be the lightest option that might help. I've seen where people put "laces" on the open side too, though it seems that would negate some of the benefits of a TQ.

A hammock would solve it. Seems most of the 48" wide ones are for hammockers(of which I'm one). 48" does me just fine in a hammock. Never had draft problems. (or "draught" problems for that matter - sorry, couldn't resist).

Jbo

A bivy will definitely help, as will fitting some straps to close the bag around you. All in all though 48 wide just seems a bit too narrow for some people. This is why I will be getting rid of my JRB No Sniveller some day.

This look sweet -http://www.titaniumgoat.com/Cyanocitta.html