[pct-l] Quilt vs individual sleeping bags

[Rebecca Wilcox]

JH,
Like Mark below, my boyfriend and I used a 2-person Jardine quilt last year
on the PCT. It was definitely a weight saver, but we had a similar
experience of it being super drafty, especially since we are both side
sleepers. There are plenty of cold nights on the PCT and it's no fun have
those drafts come in from the sides, and especially through the gap between
you, if you are laying on your sides. Eventually we switched to separate
bags.

We are thinking in the future of sewing a draftstopper onto the quilt that
can hang between our heads, and/or switching to a quilt that zips to the
side of a sheet/pad cover - Western Mountaineering makes one like that.

Maybe try to go out for a weekend and use an unzipped single bag over the
two of you to simulate the experience before buying?

Rebecca



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>
> Message: 23
> Date: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 16:01:53 -0500
> From: Mark Hyams <markhyams at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Quilt vs individual sleeping bags
> To: pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID:
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> LHBQjxoE_d_yTmJfk-Vg at mail.gmail.com>
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>
> For the past four years my wife and I have been using a Jardine 2-person
> quilt. It's the "alpine" insulation, I sewed it to fit my 6'2" height, and
> it weighs in right at 3 lbs. We've used it on many multi-day trips,
> including a 20-day thru-hike of the JMT.
>
> All along we have had mixed feelings about it. It has kept us warm down to
> low 30s, used with a Jardine tarp and net-tent, and it is very functional,
> but it has also led to many sleepless nights. I toss and turn a lot, and it
> is hard to keep the warm air in when doing so, and also hard not wake up my
> wife. Since we are quite different heights, that makes it awkward too.
>
> After considering everything for over a year, we have decided to go with
> individual quilts. I'd sew the Jardine ones, but don't have the time these
> days, so we are going with Katabatic ones.
>
> Hope my story helps you decide.
>
> Mark
> On Jun 21, 2013 4:33 PM, "John Herrin" <johndavidherrin at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > My wife and I are considering just sharing one large/lightweight down
> quilt
> > rather than bring two sleeping bags on our 2014 PCT adventure. I am a
> > fairly big guy and hate mummy bags. On top of that I am a side sleeper
> who
> > loves to hang an arm or leg out of the bag as I usually over heat in a
> > zipped up sleeping bag. This is a problem with a both a mummy bag and I
> > relaize hanging part of my leg out won't always work with a large quilt
> (I
> > used a single quilt when we backpacked the JMT a couple of years ago).
> >
> > We are snugglers and connect our neo-airs with large rubber bands. We
> use a
> > lightweight dbl fitted sheet over both mats to keep them together and as
> I
> > was using a quilt, to keep me from having to sleep directly on the mat.
> >
> > I am thinking this idea may even save us a little weight. Are there any
> PCT
> > couples out there who have tried this and any other folks who may have an
> > opinion?
> >
> > I hate to spend the money on a large lightweight down quilt if it's a
> dumb
> > idea. Also, any ideas who makes/offers a real two person ultra light down
> > quilt?
> >
> > Thanks, JH
> > _______________________________________________
>
>
>