UKC

On the lightweight sleeping bag thread, someone linked to thesehttp://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=133
It looks interesting, and I am more than happy to use belay jackets etc as part of my sleeping system in summer, so I am wondering about it as a summer sleeping bag. Anyone got any experience with them?

In reply to girlymonkey:

I've never heard of those but when I'm belaying I prefer one of these:

http://shop.theslanket.com/the-slanket/TS-PEACE-KEEPER.html

In reply to girlymonkey:

Its one of these you want.

http://www.irishtartanshop.com/feileadh-mhor.html

At the end of the day simply lie down in the heather and wrap it around you. Job done

Your original link is pretty similar to the Rab top bags ain't it? Some discussion here:
http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/top_down

In reply to girlymonkey:

PhD and Western Mountaineering do quilts. I'm not prepared to spend 300 notes to find out whether it's better or worse than a bag.

D

In reply to girlymonkey:


I use a GoLite Ultra 20 quilt. It is absolutely fine much of the year in the Lakes but is nowhere near as warm as the manufacturer reckons.

It comes into its own when I can add it to my Rab sleeping bag so that in the cold of winter, I effectively have a much warmer bag.

I paid less than £100 for the quilt and consider it a worthwhile buy.

In reply to gdnknf:

I have a quilt which I made out of a PHD Minim 400 and also a synthetic quilt I bought from enlightened equipment. I have quite broad chest and shoulders and find most sleeping bags too tight for me. I also move around when asleep. I find quilts light and comfortable and would not go back to using a bag.

In reply to girlymonkey:


Thanks to those who reported their personal experiences.

Two (good friends!) sharing a light synthetic quilt would seem a possible option for a bivi on long semi-alpine rock routes. Anyone done something like this?

Most quilt manufacturers seem to be niche, which is great, but US-based. Any suggestions for UK climbers other than buy something from d*c*thl*n and take a pair of scissors to it?

In reply to flaneur:



UKhammocks make custom quilts in the UK. They are mainly aimed at the bushcraft hammocking crowd but as they are custom made I assume they would alter the design if you wanted.

Backpackinglight are supposed to be launching UK made quilts as well but I don't know when they will become available.

In reply to girlymonkey:

I own the one in the link. Well made, only used it in summer (alone) thus far - but my summer may be notably different to yours. Plan is to layer it over a down bag in winter, partly for warmth partly for moisture management.

I've gotten into the habit of sleeping with bags fully unzipped, so quilts seem a logical progression for me.

MLD was pretty responsive fielding emails if you have any spirit specific questions.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Ultralight-Sleeping-Bag-Reviews may interest you.

In reply to girlymonkey:

ME do one that I'm keen to try this summer:

http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/helium-trekker

In reply to needvert:

Great, I have ordered one, and am looking forward to trying it out

In reply to galpinos:

It's an odd one that, seems much for what they suggest, like people camping in their van and the like than the quilts that all the UL backpacking types seem to favour. There is a long section in the Ray Jardine Ultralight backpacking book about making your own. Him and his missus used a homemade synth quilt when they skied to the south pole for example!

In reply to girlymonkey:


From what i have heard quilts are great for ultralight backpacking and hiking but they dont work so well for alpinism because if you have to stand or sitting bivy they are unusable for that i would get an equal 50/50 fill sleeping bag.