Guide · Sleep
Quilt or sleeping bag?
Updated October 5, 2026
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Drafts are the whole risk
A quilt is open at the back. On a still, warm night that is a feature. On a windy, cold night it is a gap. Straps or a sheet that clips to the pad close the gap. If you will not use them, you bought a blanket.
The hood is not optional for some people
A bag hood stops heat loss from your head and blocks a breeze. Quilts do not have one. A separate hood or a warm hat is the patch, and it is worse than a hood that is part of the system if you move a lot.
Do not buy a quilt to save money
A good quilt costs as much as a good bag. The savings, if any, are in weight and in how you sleep on mild nights. The Magma-class mummy is the simpler purchase. The Revelation-class quilt is the specialist purchase.
Gear for this guide
FAQ
Can I use a quilt in winter?
Some people do, with a high R-value pad and a lot of skill. It is not the recommendation here.
What about a zippered quilt?
It narrows the gap between the two styles. You still have to close it.