I'm going to give a try to sleeping under a quilt instead of in a mummy bag. Reasons are complicated (and boring) but it stems from a bad back. Mummy bag keeps legs in a position that hurts. Also could use some more curve at the spine (back sleeper).
Searches showed several threads over the years. Manufacturers that were given good marks:
1) Jacks R Better
2) Montbell
3) Feathered Friends
4) Western Mountaineering (?)
I sleep from 7-10k' + elevation, generally between June-October. I have a hunch that I'll give snow excursions (solo, unfortunately) at try soon, but may or may not like it. (The brochures look inviting though...)
I sleep warm. Initially I generally struggle with being too hot in my Marmot Atom (40F mummy) and lay it over me. As the night progresses I get cold and have to climb in, but am always fussing to stay warm but not get sweaty.
The possible benefits of a quilt for me are:
1) I can use like a blanket at home: stick body parts under/out as needed to regulate temperature
2) I can splay legs to any position (that fits in the tent) for more options for comfortable back
3) When with wife, if two quilts can be zipped together on one side that could add some more warmth (sharing body heat)
I still do cinch up the mummy drawstrings occasionally when it gets cold. When I use the mummy bag without zipping it, the cold air seeping in seems to make a big difference. Concerns:
1) A quilt isn't warm enough, or air seeping in is a problem; having to lash it to a pad to keep the sides tucked in defeats the purpose of a quilt over a bag.
2) I know that compressed down doesn't provide warmth, but never really thought it through. Does that mean that other than being enclosed (from drafts) I'm wasting half the bag (the bottom) for no value?
3) I'm toying with using a full-length closed-foam (Z-rest?) pad and a half-length inflatable pad. The long foam to keep my heels/legs off the ground (warm) and the inflatable on top for even more insulation, and more comfort with greater flex/give.
I will buy all this and try it out before getting in the backcountry, of course. I may even look for a "down hat/hood" - if such a thing exists - to give the same head/neck/face warmth of a cinched mummy bag when using a quilt.
Finally, if anyone has suggestions on a light (inflatable?) item that I could use under my knees (flattening curvature of spine when on my back) that may help too. I've tried beach balls but the spherical shape makes it hard to keep in place. A cylindrical "roll" shape might work better. But it has to pack down small and light (can't be a typical foam physical therapist type of thing).
Am I missing something? Any particular advantages/disadvantages I've missed? Significant brand advantages? (I'd prefer to buy once - even at higher price - and enjoy the benefits and longer lifetime rather than replace).
Thanks in advance for any help.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2016 11:59AM by ags.