[pct-l] Backpacking Quilts

[Wayne Kraft]

Almost all quilts made for backpacking have a sewn-in flap at the bottom for 
your feet.  Look at the Arc Alpinist at http://www.nunatakusa.com/.  The 
insulation on the bottom of your sleeping bag is useless because it is 
squished flat by your body.  A quilt eliminates this unnecessary insulation 
and fabric. It is true that a quilt can be drafty if you sleep without a 
shelter (although I've been able to stay toasty in mine in wind strong 
enough to blow the quilt completely off just by tucking it in a bit) or in a 
drafty tarp, you might want to consider a bivy bag over your quilt which is 
a better windbreaker than a sleeping bag and adds a lot of flexibility to 
your outfit.  For most three season conditions using an enclosed tent a bivy 
shouldn't be necessary.  I use a hammock quite a bit and quilt is far better 
than a sleeping bag in a hammock.

Wayne Kraft