Reader Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5

Fantastic instructions ... I had never used a sewing machine before. I ordered the Ray Way stow bag kit and made it as my first project. The Quilt was a great second project.

The instructions were very clear and concise, very easy to follow, and a very nice end product is the result.

The 40 degree temperature rating was right on given that the quilt is a bit drafty. Using the hold down options listed free on the ray way web site would most likely improve the temperature rating down to the mid to low 30's with the right head gear.

Rating: 3 / 5

I have mixed feelings for & mixed results with this product. I think one of the biggest reasons people like it is that it is often one of the first major do-it-yourself projects that they have completed so they feel perhaps excessively loyal to this product.

I'm no stranger to making my own gear so it was not a major project. I'd say that average is probably 8 hours of sewing, I think it took me 5 to 6, but the largest time consideration was constantly aligning the multiple layers of fabric and insulation.

As far as a sewing project goes, it is a good beginner project as it isn't too complicated, but you still get a large sense of acheivement.

The instructions were excellent.

The quality of the materials is of course top notch.

The finished product weight is good, but not excellent compared against better down alternatives.

I have to be honest, with modern finishes on down bags and the new ultra light waterproof stuff stacks, breathable bivy sacks and such I simply don't feel that synthetic is superior to a quality down bag even in damp conditions.

As to the bulk, I feel that for a winter bag, it is a poor choice unless you are willing to dedicate a lot of space in your pack. Equivalent down weights less but even more noticable packs down to a small fraction. This is probably less of an issue when using the 40 degree versions of the quilt but it's bulk is very noticable in the 10 degree configuration.

The customer support is hard to gauge. While Ray seems great at inventing & Jenny is good at cranking out the orders they intentionally isolated themselves from any other questions beyond those that have an order number.

I purchased the quilt with the extra layers of the thickest insulation to make a 10 degree bag.

After several trips I found that it does offer supperior venting options over a standard bag. However, with those venting options also come the problem of staying warm if you move at all during the night.

In 14 degree weather every time I so much as shuffled my feet slightly I usually received a large chill as the draft gaurds had slipped off my sleeping pad. While the rating was dead on if I didn't move, this quilt design simply isn't for the person that tosses and turns inside a bag or likes the snug feeling of a close mummy bag. Perhaps if paired a bivy sack this would compensate for the constant drafts.

Overall, it earns a 3 in my mind. While being innovative, it is best suited for people who never move in their sleep and for summer or hammock camping. Also, people trying to keep minimal bulk in their packs should approach it with caution.

Rating: 5 / 5

I have used my 40 degree Ray-Way quilt for the past several years as the mainstay of my 3-season quilt. I do move around a lot and that's why I LIKE the quilt! As long as you keep the draft collar tucked you'll have no issues. I have also used it as an over-bag in the winter. Works great! Doing most of my hiking in the southern AT, synthetic is my first choice. I love my quilt!

Rating: 5 / 5

I had to have a seamstress put mine together, but it was worth it for a bag that is less confining but still plenty warm. Does seem rather bulky, but I'll just take a Golite Gust instead of a Jam next time I hike to a High Sierra Camp.

Rating: 3 / 5

I purchased the Ray Quilt after reading several reviews on the internet and felt at the time for the money this was a good choice in my UL attempt.

I found the hardest part of the project, like others, was aligning all the layers of the material while trying to sew it together.

The instructions were great and easy to follow which was a bonus, and they have taught me many tips for my future sewing projects.

Three areas which I feel a little let down.

Firstly is the compressability of this, there basically is none. With my current pack this takes up more than half of it.

Secondly, really not as warm as I expected it to be. At 7 C I was cold, too cold to get a comfortable sleep. I was layered up, as Rays book suggests, with thermals, socks, jumper, beenie.

Third area is the weight of it, at over 900g this isnt light at all.

Overall not unhappy but not happy either. I will more than likely use it for a short period until I find something else.

Cheers
**EDITED to fix typo

Edited by markmclauchlin on 03/17/2009 06:19:37 MDT.

Rating: 4 / 5

I use the quilt as a long double with my g/f. While it's very true that the quilt isn't at all as compressible as a down alternative it is significantly less expensive.

As to the comment posted about Ray and Jenny's customer service I could not be happier with how they've worked with me. Communication with them is through the Guest Book on their website. Posts to them are kept private while posts that may be beneficial to others are publicly posted.

They've both responded at numerous questions I had while making the Tarp and Quilt kits. As with everything YMMV but in this camper's experience they go above and beyond in helping their customers.