[pct-l] who has experience with quilts?

[Scott Williams]

I built two Jardine quilts years ago for use when ocean kayaking so they
are only built for temps into the upper 30's to 40's as the coasts from CA
to BC never get much colder outside of winter.  I've used them many times
in the High Sierra in summer and they are so comfortable I've never liked
sleeping zipped up ever since.  I learned to tuck them in well on all sides
to negate the potential drafts, and would wake up at times and readjust
when necessary.  I just got used to that and it didn't inordinately mess up
my sleeping.  The constriction of a mummy bag is much worse to me and I
find myself awake more often when zipped up tight.

For an early spring transit of the deserts and June in the High Sierra on
my hike in 2010, I bought a 20 deg. Western Mountaineering, down bag, but
except for the early part of the trip I always used it as a quilt.  I'm
spoiled and just like the freedom of a quilt.

Yesterday I got into a friend's sleeping bag/quilt made by Joe Valesco at
ZPacks.  It's basically a quilt with a zipper for those nights when tucking
in is necessary.  It was so beautifully made and comfortable that last
night I ordered a 20 deg bag/quilt for this year's hike.  At half the
weight of my current sleeping bag, I'm looking forward to carrying it.

To me, the bit of tucking in and an occasional draft is well worth the
comfort of being able to sprawl out and really sleep soundly without the
constriction of a true mummy bag.

Shroomer