Sleeping Bags and Quilts for Thru-Hiking (2019 Edition)

When it comes to thru-hiking its important to have a sleeping bag (or quilt) that meets both your individual needs, as well as the dictates of the environment/s into which you are venturing. The challenge is finding a model that is versatile enough to keep you comfortable in a wide variety of conditions because that’s exactly what you are likely to encounter over the course of a multi-month thru-hike.

The following article is a compilation of trail-tested lightweight sleeping bags and quilts, recommended by some of the most accomplished long distance hikers in the US; with a token Australian and Englishman thrown into the mix. Following the recommendations there is a Q&A, in which I address the principal queries aspiring thru-hikers may have in regards to purchasing a sleeping bag or quilt.

The Usual Suspects

As with the Thru-Hikers Gear List, Backpacks for Thru-Hiking, and Tents for Thru-Hiking articles, in putting together this post I wanted to create a resource that was relevant to a wide range of hikers. With that goal in mind, the recommendations below are derived from a diverse group of very experienced ramblers (i.e. with a cumulative total of more than 300,000 hiking miles), ranging in age between mid-twenties to late seventies. Though the chronological spectrum may be sizeable, all of them backpack in an ultralight to lightweight fashion and have multiple long distance hikes under their belts:

The usual suspects for this article include:  Justin “Trauma” Lichter, Chris Townsend, Billy Goat, Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva, Liz “Snorkel” Thomas, Nancy “Why Not” Huber, Paul “Mags” Magnanti, Christy “Rockin” Rosander, Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa, Kristin “Lost” Gates, Clint “Lint” Bunting, John “John Z” Zahorian, Amanda “Not a Chance” Timeoni, Renee “SheRa” Kirkpatrick, Erin “Wired” Saver and Heather “Anish” Anderson.

Long Term Investment

Quality, lightweight sleeping bags aren’t found at the bottom of the REI Bargain Bin. A well-made goose down model with high-end fill power (i.e. 800 +) will usually set you back somewhere in the neighbourhood of $350 to $550. Synthetic models and quilts with equivalent materials generally cost less.

That said, if you are going to splash out on one item in your backpacking kit, sleeping bags/quilts are a very good choice. It’s hard to put a price on a good night’s sleep. And trust me, when you’re hiking through the Smoky Mountains in March or California’s High Sierra in June, and temps have dropped down to the mid-teens, I guarantee that you will be very glad you spent the extra $100 to $200 on a quality bag/quilt. The alternative is freezing your you-know-what’s off, while simultaneously admonishing yourself in no uncertain terms for being such a tightwad – yes, I am speaking from personal experience on this one (New Zealand, 1994)!

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the bags (quilts to follow) that are used by some of the world’s most experienced thru-hikers.

Sleeping Bags

Bags are listed in alphabetical order. Temperature ratings are from the manufacturer’s websites, and weights given are for regular-sized models unless otherwise stated:

Most Recommended

• Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20 (-6.7°C)
• Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 (-6.7°C)
• Marmot Helium 15°F (-9°C)
• Montbell Down Hugger 900 #2 25°F (-4°C)
• Montbell Down Hugger 800 #1 15°F (-9°C)
• Patagonia 850 Down Sleeping Bag 19°F (-7.2°C)
• RAB Mythic 400 (19.5°F / -6.9°C // 900 Fill)
• Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20°F (-6.7°C)
• Western Mountaineering Megalite 30°F (-1.1°C)
• Western Mountaineering Badger 15°F (-9°C)

Budget Options

• REI Igneo 17 (-8.3°C)
• REI Co-op Magma 15F (-9°C)
• Kelty Cosmic Down 20F (-6.7°C)

Feathered Friends Hummingbird UL 20 – 1 lb 9 oz (0.71 kg) /  900+ Fill / 20°F (-7°C)

Mummy-shaped, 900+ down, two-way zipper with locking sliders, semi-water resistant Pertex shell, and like all FF products, superior workmanship. Due to the bag’s relatively slim cut (58″ / 52 “/ 38”), if you’re a tosser and turner or someone that likes to spread out when they sleep, you may want to consider going with the wider Swallow UL 20 (60″ / 56″ / 38″) or Swift UL 20 (64″ / 58″ / 40″).

Triple Crowner and veteran outdoorsy type, Paul “Mags” Magnanti has owned his Hummingbird for more than two decades and had the following to say about this trail-tested classic :

“A high-quality bag or quilt is an investment that will serve a backpacker well for many years and nights out in the backcountry The more you use it, the overall cost of the bag becomes more than justified. The Feathered Friends Hummingbird I purchased back in 1997 was, and still is, such a bag.” 

Another long-time fan of the Hummingbird is Kristin “Lost” Gates, who has used the Nano version of the FF bag (i.e. same as the UL, but with a different fabric technology) on multiple thru-hikes, including her traverse of Alaska’s Brooks Range in 2013.

Note: For folks interested in Feathered Friends Bags, note that the “Nano” (short for Nanosphere) models are cheaper than the Pertex versions by almost 20%. The catch is that they are a little heavier and not quite as water resistant.

Marmot Helium – 2 lb 1 oz (0.94 kg) / 15°F (-9°C) / 800-Fill

This bag has been around since cocky was an egg. I used an early version of it periodically between 2003 and 2009. It’s not the lightest or most compressible bag in this compilation, but to my way of thinking it has always represented good value, run’s close to its temperature rating (maybe a few degrees on the high side), and thanks to a generous girth and taper, seems to be one of those bags that fits most hikers. If the Helium’s 15°F rating seems a little too toasty for your thru-hiking needs, Marmot also do a well regarded and competitively priced 30°F bag; the 800-Fill Hydrogen.

Erin “Wired” Saver used the Helium on her PCT hike of 2011. Although she has subsequently made the switch to quilts, Wired describes the bag as “heavenly” and that she still enjoys “the luxury of it on trips where pack weigh isn’t a primary concern.”

(Note: Getting down to brass tacks, the Helium and Hydrogen are good bags, but they are a step down in quality from the other models on this list from Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends and Montbell. That said, they will definitely do the job, and if you are on a budget, it’s worth noting that you can often pick them up at REI or other online retailers at a significantly discounted price (e.g. Low $300’s), which to my way of thinking makes them excellent value).

Montbell Down Hugger 900 #2 – 1 lb 8 oz (0.68 kg) / 25°F (-4°C) / 900 Fill 

Now for something a little different. Montbell bags are known for their Super Spiral Stretch Technology. In layman’s terms, a patented stitching system that allows the bag to stretch/move/give with the natural movements of the user. This has been a real boon for hikers who toss and turn or simply like to spread out when they sleep. It is common to hear long-time users rate the Down Huggers as the most comfortable bags they have slept in.

Two such hikers are the very accomplished Justin “Trauma” Lichter and Heather “Anish” Anderson. The latter uses her ZPacks 35°F bag during the height of summer, but prefers the Montbell Down Huggers “during edge or shoulder season hikes. (During this period) I use either a 0 or a 20 degree depending on conditions, and find them to be properly rated for a very cold sleeper like me.”

As for Trauma, he has used Montbell bags all around the world for close to a decade, including on his 2014 Winter PCT Traverse with Shawn “Pepper” Forry. He had the following to say about the Down Hugger series:

“I find them warm beyond their rating. I do sleep warm and I also roll around a lot in my sleep. I got used to the Super Stretch bags and didn’t realize how much I actually used the stretch system until one night I slept in a regular sleeping bag and felt confined.”

Patagonia 850 Down Sleeping Bag – 1 lb 9 oz (0.71 kg) / 19°F (-7.2°C) / 850 Fill

Patagonia’s first-ever sleeping bag has been receiving largely positive reviews since its release in 2017.  Serial long-distance hiker and prolific backpacking writer, Chris Townsend, rated the Patagonia 850 as one of his favourite pieces of gear in 2018:

“I particularly like the centre zip for ease of getting in and out and sitting up in the bag and also for using your hands with the hood up. The zip has three sliders, which means short sections can be opened anywhere – for ventilation and to stick your hands out to cook or read.”

Western Mountaineering Ultralite – 1 lb 13 oz (0.82 kg) / 20°F (-6.7°C) / 850+ Fill

Over the past few decades, Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends have represented the gold standard in regard to high-quality down sleeping bags produced in the United States. I used their Summerlite model between 2007 and 2011, and it was one of the finest bags I have owned; lightweight, didn’t clump, and true to its 32°F rating.

Hundreds of people have used WM bags on their thru-hikes, and they consistently receive glowing reviews. Two such accomplished hikers are Renee “SheRa” Kirkpatrick and Liz “Snorkel” Thomas. The latter used the WM Ultralite on all of her Triple Crown hikes (so far!). Take it away, Snorks:

“The Ultralite is a classic. It’s versatile, well made, and WM has some awesome customer service. It’s a painful price to cough up, but it’s one of the best gear investments I’ve made as it grew with me as my skills got better and my trails got harder. It’s one of the only gear decisions I made early on that I never regretted later on.”

“Which WM bag should I choose for my upcoming thru-hike?” 

For most thru-hikers the Ultralite hits the temperature sweet spot. Warm sleepers may want to look at the Megalite (30°F) or Summerlite. For cold frogs, you guys are probably better off opting for one of Western Mountaineering’s 10 or 15°F bags, such as the Versalite or Badger.

Quilts

The following compilation is by no means exhaustive. Other companies that aren’t mentioned in detail below, but who nonetheless have a reputation for making well regarded lightweight quilts include UQG and Loco Libre:

Most Recommended 

• Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20°F (-6.7°C)
• Jacks R’ Better Sierra Sniveller 25°F (-4°C)
• Katabatic Alsek 22°F (-5.6°C)
• Katabatic Flex 22°F (-5.6°C)
• Nunatak Arc UL 20°F (-6.7°C)
• ZPacks 20°F (-6.7°C)

Enlightened Equipment Enigma – 20°F (-6.7°C) / 18.9 oz (0.54 kg) / 850 Fill

In recent years, Enlightened Equipment has earned a reputation for making some of the best value-for-money quilts on the market.  For thru-hiking purposes, most folks seem to be fine with either the Revelation (zippered footbox) or Enigma (sewn footbox) 20°F models. However, if you’re a cold sleeper you are better off opting for one of the 10°F versions. For thru-hikers that would prefer synthetic rather than down fill, EE also produces some well regarded made to order quilts that sport CLIMASHIELD™ APEX insulation (i.e. Revelation Apex 30°F & 20°F).

In regards to Enlightened Equipments temperature ratings, according to most of the reports I’ve heard over the years, they tend to be a tad optimistic. By a tad I mean anywhere between five and ten degrees Fahrenheit for an “average” sleeper. (Note: In November, 2017, EE announced that they are “adding 5% more down to all of their top quilts and bags.” Feedback since then seems to confirm that EE quilts are now a little warmer than what they previously were). 

A long-time fan of Enlightened Equipment quilts is serial thru-hiker Clint “Lint” Bunting, who may well have put more miles on their products than anyone else in the hiking world:

“I’ve been using Enlightened Equipment quilts for many years now. The vertical baffles keep more down on top of your body instead of letting it fall off to the sides like a regularly baffled quilt. At least in my experience. I have four EE quilts now, including a two person model for when I camp with my partner. Nothing is quite as snuggly as sharing body heat and the occasional flatulence with the ones you love.” 

Jacks R Better Sierra Sniveller – 24 oz (0.68 kg) / 25° (-4°C) / 800 Fill

The Sierra Sniveller is a well made multi-purpose quilt that can also be used as a poncho/serape (see photo below). It features hydrophobic down and comes in regular and long sizes. According to Paul “Mags” Magnanti, who has used the Sniveller since 2012, it runs true to it’s temperature rating and at less than $300 represents good value (Note: Mags is a warm sleeper). When it comes to backpacking gear, Mr. Magnanti is about as meat and potatoes as they come, and sums up the Sierra Sniveller as follows:

“If you want the absolute lightest quilt, there are others brands. Many of fine quality. But if you want a good, solid and well-made quilt with a few ounces weight penalty that won’t break the bank, the Jacks ‘R’ Better Sierra Sniveller is working very well for me.” 

Cold sleepers may want to look at the High Sierra Sniveller model, which weighs in at 29 oz, but is good down to 5-10°F. This model still comes in at less than $300, which strikes me as being excellent value for something so warm.

Katabatic Alsek – 21 oz (0.6 kg) / 22°F (-5.6°C) / 900 Fill

Over the past decade, Katabatic quilts have become the yardstick by which other light and ultralightweight quilts are measured. The reason? A combination of high-end materials, differential cut, overstuffed neck collar, roomy foot box, conservative temperature ratings, draft-busting attachment system, and a meticulous attention to detail. It is no coincidence that in recent years some of the most accomplished ramblers in the US hiking world, such as Ryan “Dirtmonger” Sylva, Liz “Snorkel” Thomas, John “John Z” Zahorian, Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa, Shawn “Pepper” Forry, Amanda “Not a Chance” Timeoni and Joshua “Bobcat” Stacy, have all made the switch to Katabatic quilts.

Over the past five years, John Z has hiked more than 12,000 miles on long distance trails around the US. He had the following to say in regards to the quilts he has tried during that period:

“I have used EE, Zpacks, and Katabatic quilts. The Zpacks is real constricting when zipped up and the footbox was flat and especially cold. The rating is pretty optimistic when you look at the loft height and in practice. The reason it seems so light in comparison is because of the inaccurate temp rating and slender size. The EE I used was in their early days with open baffles and that system just didn’t work with all of the down falling from the top to the sides within a few hours (Ed’s Note: Since redesigned). Katabatic just sort of does everything right. Footbox is shaped well and the down is where it should and the fit feels perfect to me.”

Which Katabatic quilt should I choose for my upcoming thru-hike?

I have listed the Alsek above, because I feel like it hits the sweet spot for most long distance hikers. That said, I could just have easily gone with the Palisade 30°F, which I myself took on the PCT and CDT in 2012 (Note: I’m an “average” sleeper). By general consensus, Katabatic temperature ratings are conservative, so in reality, the Alsek is more like a 15 -17°F quilt, and the Palisade should keep most folks warm down to low to mid-twenties. Cold sleepers may want to upsize to the Sawatch 15°F.

“What about the Katabatic Flex series?”

In recent years, Katabatic have introduced a line of blanket style quilts, known as the “Flex” series. These models have a zippered rather sewn footbox, and run about 20% cheaper than the Elite series. Amanda “Not a Chance” Timeoni’s, a serial thru hiker that has hiked some 14,000 miles on long distance trails since 2009, has used the Flex 22°F model extensively in recent years. Take it away, Chance:

“I love my Katabatic! It has proven its worth on warmer desert hikes in Arizona and Death Valley, and in colder mountainous terrain like on the Great Divide Trail or the San Juans in Colorado. If it’s a warm night I can use it as a blanket, if it’s a cold night I can wrap myself in it like a burrito. I haven’t had a sleepless night since I got it because I can regulate my temperature more with a quilt.”

MLD Spirit Quilt 28°F – 21 oz (0.6 kg) / 28°F (-2.2°C) / ClimaShield Apex Synthetic Insulation

In the FAQ section below I examine the for’s and against’s of synthetic Vs down bags. For thru-hikers that prefer the former, there are some solid, well made lightweight options on the market, including the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Apex 20°F (see above)  and the MLD Spirit 28°F. Both of these bags use ClimaShield Apex insulation.

In regards to the MLD model, uber-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas has taken on it various long distance trails over the past five years, and had the following to say about the Spirit 28°F:

“A great balance of quality, weight, and price. I got it at a time when I couldn’t afford to buy the same quality ultralight bag in down, but having one synthetic bag has become a handy tool in my gear quiver. A soaking wet Allgood, POD, and I opened it into a blanket and huddled under it during a snow storm on the Sierra High Route when their down bags would’ve wetted out or at least taken a while to dry.” 

Nunatak Arc UL 20 – 22.9 oz (0.65 kg) / 20°F (-6.7°C) / 900-950 Fill 

Since being founded in 1999, Nunatak have established a reputation for producing premium lightweight down garments and sleeping bags. Along with Katabatic Gear, their quilts are consistently rated top of the class by the Ultralight backpacking community. They receive high marks for their workmanship, accurate temperature ratings, material quality, and in particular, their customisability.

The Arc UL is available in four different temperature ratings – 40, 30, 20 and 10°F. For thru-hikers that are “average” sleepers, the 20°F model is your best all-around option. For cold frogs, or folks that enjoy heading out for late season or even mild winter excursions, it is recommended to go with the 10°F version.

Zpacks 20 degree – 19.2 oz (0.54 kg) / 20°F (-6.7°C) / 900 Fill

Zpacks sleeping bags are not exactly sleeping bags. They’re not exactly quilts either. What they are is a hoodless hybrid with a zipper.

In regards to performance, they seem to evoke the full gamut of opinions in the long distance hiking community. Some hikers love them, others not so much. Personally I’ve never used one, but over the years I’ve noticed that impressions seem more or less divided along the following lines: a lot of females, smaller sized guys, and people that don’t move around much in their sleep give them a thumbs up, whereas other folks often find them a bit too restrictive; particularly in the footbox area (see John Zahorian’s comment above). The moral of the sleeping bag story seems to be that if you decide to go with a ZPacks bag, you may want to consider sizing out (width), sizing up (warmth) or both.

Accomplished ramblers that have rocked the Zpacks bags on multiple thru-hikes include Billy Goat, Joshua “Bobcat” Stacy, Heather “Anish” Anderson, Nancy “Why Not” Huber and Christy “Rockin” Rosander.

Note: As of 2019, there are now only three options in regards to ZPacks down bags – 35°, 20° and 5°. In regards to the validity of these temperature ratings, the consensus seems to be that they are a little exaggerated for an “average” sleeper. For the purposes of thru-hiking, their 20 degree bag – probably more like 25 to 30 in real terms – is a good bet for most folks. For cold frogs, you are better off up-sizing to the 5°F model, which tips the scales at 23.8 oz and in real terms is more like a 13 – 15°F bag.

Q&A – Sleeping Bags and Quilts for Thru-hikers

Below are some of the principal questions that aspiring thru-hikers have in regards to purchasing a sleeping bag or quilt:

Down or Synthetic?

Synthetic bags are cheaper than their down equivalents. They also perform better when wet. However, down models have a superior warmth to weight ratio, as well as being lighter, more compressible and more durable.

“So when should a thru hiker consider picking a synthetic model over a down bag?”

People who choose synthetic models usually do so for ethical, budgetary, or environmental reasons. In regards to the latter, if your thru-hike is mostly during the summer months, and there is a real possibility of a good deal of rain (e.g. Appalachian Trail, Te Araroa, Pacific Northwest Trail), then synthetic insulation is not a bad way to go.

Personally speaking, I like synthetic models for warm and humid environments or even to double up with a down bag in extreme cold, however for everything else I think down is a better option.

“But aren’t down bags useless when wet?”

I’ve always felt this backpacking “truism” to be overly dramatic. The fact is, it takes quite a lot to completely soak the insulation of a sleeping bag. We’re talking getting slam-dunked during a river crossing. The occasional bit of transferred moisture from the inner wall of your tent or tarp doesn’t do too much harm, and will generally dry out pretty quickly if  you lay your bag out in the sun during a midday break.

The key is simply to take some basic precautions in order to keep your bag dry. Line the inside of your backpack with a garbage/trash compactor bag. If you know you have some pretty serious river fords coming up, put your down items (along with electronics) in a separate dry bag inside your liner. Prevention is better than cure.

If you are still concerned about your down bag wetting out, considering going with a model that has hydrophobic down fill.

What about temperature ratings?  

Most hikers attempting the Triple Crown Trails in the US, will be fine with a sleeping bag or quilt accurately rated between 15 and 25°F. That being said, warm sleepers can probably get usually get away with a 30°F model, whereas cold frogs might need to go down to a 10°F bag in order to be comfortable (Note: As a general rule of thumb, women normally sleep 5 to 10 degrees colder than men.

“How will I know where I stand (or lie) on the sleeping warmth spectrum?”

Before shelling out big bucks on an expensive sleeping bag, it pays to have an idea where you are situated on the scale of warm to cold sleepers. Your own experiences will be your best guide. For example, if winter is approaching and you are still sleeping in shorts and t-shirt while everyone else around you has broken out the heavy-duty thermal underwear, chances are you are a warm sleeper.

“How will I know the accuracy of X company’s stated temperature ratings before I purchase?”

Do your research. This article is a good place to start, but there are other websites such as the Ultralight sub-reddit and Backpacking Light, from which you should also be able to derive a good idea of the veracity (or lack thereof) of the principal bag/quilt manufacturers’ temperature ratings.

Should I bring a sleeping bag liner?  

No. Utilize your beanie and layers when needed. You’re carrying them anyway, you may as well put them to use at night, as well as during the day.

What’s the deal with “Fill Power”?

One factor that provides a clue as to a sleeping bag or quilt’s quality is its fill power. Basically, a high fill power (e.g. 800+) equates to better quality down, which means superior insulation and warmth to weight ratio. In real terms, upgrading from a down bag with 600 fill-power to one with 800 fill-power, both of which have the same temperature rating, can mean a weight saving of up to 300 grams (10.6 ounces). The catch? Bags with higher fill powers are more expensive.

How important is insulation from the ground?

Irrespective of how warm and toasty your sleeping bag/quilt may be, if you don’t have sufficient insulation from the ground you are going to be cold and uncomfortable. For a regular season thru-hike of one of the US triple crown trails, a sleeping mat with an R-Value of 2 to 3 should suffice for most hikers. For late shoulder season or winter excursions, you will probably want something with an R-Value over 5 (e.g. Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm). See the Sleeping Mat section of the website for more details on choosing a pad that’s right for you.

Should I go with a bag or a quilt?  

Quilts are lighter, more versatile, take up less space and usually cost less than sleeping bags. However, they aren’t necessarily for everyone. If you decide to give quilts a try, make sure you pick one that isn’t too narrow, has a warm neck collar and a good attachment system. For more information about quilts, see Why Choose a Quilt over a Sleeping Bag?

Conclusion

In closing, I’d like to thank all the hikers who were kind enough to contribute to this article. I realize that these days the internet is full of blogs and Youtube videos extolling the virtues of all sorts of gear (“these are the top backpacks of 2019!”, “these are the best sleeping bags for the Appalachian Trail!“), and it can be difficult for folks that are relatively new to long-distance hiking to separate the wheat from the chaff, the BBC from the BuzzFeed.

And that, in a nutshell, is the primary reason I am putting these gear posts together. To create a credible resource for aspiring thru-hikers, based on the opinions of a diverse range of experienced ramblers, all of whom have literally walked-the-walk (and used the gear) for thousands and thousands of miles.

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means ‘The Hiking Life’ receives a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. This comes at no additional cost to the reader and helps to support the website in its continuing goal to create quality content for backpackers and hikers.