Hello again,
On a previous post I had looked at several quilts for my upcoming PCT in 2011 and I have narrowed my choice down to Four quilts.

Katabatic Palisade or Katabatic Sawatch $330-370

Tigoat Cyanocitta Bag - $380

Nunatak Arc Alpinist $440

Tigoat UL Sierra Sniveller $290

I am really leaning toward the Katabatic Palaside or the Togiat Cyanocitta Bag. Any recomendations to push me over the edge? Mind you that this is for my PCT trip and it has a chance to get cold I am told. The Tigoat Cyanocitta Bag is the main quilt I have my eye on; anyone want to give some advice for or against?? I would apprechiate it and feel free to make some posts of what your would recommend if its not on my list. Bless you all!

Edited by Jdthomas on 12/27/2010 21:19:59 MST.

Hello Wise men of the backpacking world...Will the Togiat Cyanocitta Bag be good down to 20F temp for the PCT? If not, is the going price for Javan Dempsey $400? Maybe he could just make a custom quilt that is warmer for the PCT... but if the Tigoat Cyanocitta bag will take me down to 20F then I will most likely go with that quilt unless anyone has any other advice. Any suggestions??

If you're going to spend that much money, get a WM bag. I know they weigh a bit more, but I can tell you that they're actually comfortable at their rating. The ultralite is under 2 lbs and is far more versatile. Trust me, you will NOT want to be cold out there...

Sorry for leeching on this post.

Peter- I'm planning my PCT through next year as well and am still debating my bag or quilt. I was originally gonna go with a WM Highlite then decided to possibly get a Katabatic Palisade. I'm going to be using my TiGoat Ptarmigan bivy so I wasn't going to get a bag any warmer than 30*.

Can anyone tell me why I should use one over the other? I want the Katabatic because of the versatility of the quilt style but I also don't want to buy a quilt because I feel I would actually be more comfortable in a bag.

Thoughts?

I'm hiking the AT (early start) this spring and probably the PCT next year and I wanted a great bag/quilt for both. I chose the Sawatch. So far I haven't done thorough testing, but I would compare its warmth (when properly sealed, with a hood or down baclava) to my marmot helium at a weight savings of 9oz. Its a true 15 degree quilt at 25 oz (long). Thats only 4 oz more weight than a summerlite (L) and whole lot more temp range. I haven't used a nunatak alpinist, but seems like most people are layering more at these temps. Aaron says the sawatch is designed to be comfy in base layers at 15. I've found this to be true so far. I'm 6'1 175, back and side sleeper and it fits me fine. Just FYI, I have heard some complain that its not wide enough though.

Here's my reasoning for going for a 15 or 20 degree bag or quilt over a 32 degree. Obviously this is just my 2 cents and related to my own hiking style. I like to hike for most of the day. I aim for a quick start with meals usually had during short hiking breaks so I don't do a lot of hanging out at camp outside my bag during the coldest hours. There is more efficient warmth/weight in a few extra oz of down in a sleeping bag/quilt then in full on puffy camp cloths. The bag can also be worn as a garment around camp if needed. For short and fast trips, I don't mind sleeping a little cold, but for longer trips when my energy gets more depleted and a full nights sleep is more important, those extra oz really pay off. Seems like plenty of people get away with a summerlite or 32 deg quilt on the PCT, so in the end probably either would work.

Will review the sawatch when I get through those first cold weeks on the AT....

have fun on the PCT and let us know what you decide!

Not to make your life harder, but you might also consider Jacks R Better products. One of their wearable quilts might be nice for example:
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm#Sierra

On the PCT I used a WM 20F rated bag for the first 1000 miles or so, I think at Sonora Pass I swapped for a WM 32F rated bag. These with a thermawrap jacket were fine choices for me. A full-zip high quality bag is a nice alternative to a quilt; on colder nights I do like having the hood and main body of the bag to be all one piece, but I have no quilt experience so factor that in (!).

Keep JRB in mind. I'm using a Sierra Sniveller on my PCT thru this year. So far, I've been really pleased using it. I know the TiGoat Sniveller is JRB, then TiGoat beefs it up somehow. There's a reason TiGoat chose it! :)

Enjoy the process of figuring it all out! :)

Dug
http://thf2.wordpress.com

"A full-zip high quality bag is a nice alternative to a quilt; on colder nights I do like having the hood and main body of the bag to be all one piece"

That's what BrianLe, a PCT and AT veteran said. I agree. I did the PCT last summer and I'd say that if you've used quilts enough to know it's the best choice for you, go for it, but if you don't know for sure, get a light, good quality sleeping bag.

Thanks for all the advice. I have never used a quilt before so my experience is extremely limited. I think that is why the Cyanocitta Bag appeals to me so much. It is much like a sleeping bag in many ways. I will be sleeping on the neoair so I am not sure if that will have a great impact on witch way to go. I am not a gram counter, but looking to be more lightweight than ultralight at this point.

Like was said above, don't overlook JRB. The Hudson River is now on sale (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Rectangular%20Quilts.htm). This is the quilt I've been using on the PCT for 3 years now.

Shout-out to Colter!

I have both a Nunatak Arc specialist and a Katabatic Gear Sawatch. If I had to pick between the Arc Aplinist and the Sawatch, I'd probably go with the Arc Alpinist, mainly because of its 55" width.

I'd also highly consider a WM bag as another poster had mentioned. I like the Alpinlite, and Megalite, with the Megalite being a better choice for slightly warmer conditions. (30 deg lows)

Edited by mfog1 on 12/28/2010 17:13:59 MST.

Peter,

FWIW, every one of my quilt customers has reported the temp rating being accurate or conservative.


Since the Cyanocitta style eliminates draft concerns, it should be even more so.


If anybody is concerned about the rating, I'll happily target a lower temp, but it may turn out much too warm.

My personal 30deg (target) quilt, nearly cooks me at 30 unless I'm naked, or without gingerly draping it over me, and it weights 13.5oz. ;)


Cheers!