Is there any better feeling than crawling into a sleeping bag at the end of a long hike? That’s a rhetorical question, but when an ultralight backpacker tries to answer it, we take notes.
“I’ve been exclusively using a backpacking quilt for the last couple of years,” says Justin “New Shoes” Tucker, Field Mag contributor and 2022 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. “I toss and turn a lot in my sleep, so a quilt allows for more freedom of movement than a sleeping bag since you aren’t fully enclosed. They also tend to be lighter and made with less fabric without sacrificing warmth, which makes them easier to carry.”
Once a niche item for ultralight hikers, highly-packable down quilts have been gaining mainstream popularity for years now thanks to the many benefits over traditional mummy-style sleeping bags—similar warmth without the bulk and weight, most notably. When choosing between a quilt vs sleeping bag, many simply find quilts simply more comfortable, regardless of their superior weight saving properties, whether backcountry camping or star gazing in your local national forest.
To fill in any remaining blanks and point those considering converting to a quilt themselves in the right direction, we’ve put together the following guide to the best backpacking quilts from both cottage industry standouts and longstanding outdoor brands.
