I hate sleeping on my back and I'm trying to transition from a mummy bag to a quilt. With no local sources of LW/UL quilts around, I am having a hard time making the choice with no "try it on" opportunities. I use a small ExPed air pillow on the trail.

When I sleep on my stomach, one arm is up under the pillow and my head. So for belly sleeping quilt folks, how do you size the quilt so that your arm and shoulder are (somewhat) covered? Obviously you can't just lay face down with your arms at your sides.

I thought maybe the thing to do was to get a quilt sized for a much taller person, hopefully yielding enough "slack" to get the top edge of the quilt up behind my head and covering my pillow arm (to a degree; I realize it can't be completely sealed in under the quilt). I'm 5'11" so I thought I'd get a quilt sized for a 6'4" person, because if the quilt ends at the base of my neck I don't think it will work for me. I have a large 46" chest and big shoulders so I doubt the 6'4" size would be too much volume. But dangit I hate having to make a custom order just to find out.

Advice?

Edited by El_Canyon on 10/30/2011 19:24:25 MDT.

James, I am a belly sleeper (mostly). I don't size up the quilt at all. But I may sleep differently than you. With a quilt and on my belly I reach up pull the top around my neck and under my chin. I then let curl my arms under me with my hands in a slight fist resting in my neck. My head is turned to the left. My arms are bent sharply and at each side. The quilt sides stay tucked under my arms. This way I typically don't use understaps.

I don't sleep like this at home since sleeping efficiency is not a concern, but on the trail it works well. I did spend time teaching myself to sleep on my back. I know this sounds strange, but I did this at home to increase my trail sleeping efficiency. It took awhile but now when I need to I can sleep fine on my back, it is just not my preferred way to sleep.

Jamie

Edited by jshortt on 10/30/2011 19:58:04 MDT.

When it is cold, I usually just tuck the quilt around me, whether I am on my side, back, or stomach. I do have a drawstring that runs across the top of the quilt so I can shorten it to get more of a curve at the top which seals better around my neck if needed. If you put 1 hand underneath the pillow, then that sort of gives a space for a draft.

It's nice to have some extra length. I'm 6'1" and a medium build and I was very happy to have a long size golite quilt on the PCT. It's also handy to cover the back of your head when it's really cold. You won't regret getting a longer quilt. ~3 ounces extra is well worth the functionality. If you want to practice, pin up some bed sheets to the sizes you are considering to see about how they will feel.

>pin up some bed sheets to the sizes you are considering to see about how they will feel

That's a great idea. I will see if I can get some dimensions on some quilts.

James,

I sleep similar to you, except my arm is on top of the pillow. I generally prefer a bag, but I run into the same issue with quilts. With a bag, I'm thinking of going to a long size to allow me to sink deeper into the bag. Otherwise, I wear a hat and my insulating jacket to bed, which generally keeps me warm enough.

I'm also able to sleep on my side sometimes with my arms mummy style and a shoulder-depth pillow.

Perhaps the hood of a bivy would provide enough arm coverage beyond the quilt, at least to keep breezes at bay. Then the trick is to keep exhalation from loading up the bivy with condensate.