Should You Choose a Quilt Over a Sleeping Bag? (Pros & Cons)

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Camping after backpacking lets you recharge so you can hit the trails again the next day. However, you can only recharge and get a good night’s sleep if you are warm and comfortable overnight. So, backpacking quilt vs. sleeping bag: which is better?

Sleeping bags are more convenient than quilts when it comes time to sleep, but they take up lots of space when backpacking. Quilts have better ventilation than sleeping bags because they don’t encompass your body while sleeping. While sleeping bags are more widely available, quilts take up less space, often cost less, and are more comfortable than if you sleep atop a camping pad.

However, you may spend a small fortune if you order a custom quilt, and it will take longer to get than a sleeping bag. Backpacking takes lots of energy, so it’s important to get the best night’s sleep possible. Follow along as we compare backpacking quilts and sleeping bags to see which will be better for your next journey.

Backpacking Quilt Vs. Sleeping Bag

Weight

Sleeping bags and quilts vary when it comes to weight. Quilts and sleeping bags each way an average of 2 pounds. The weight difference is typically quite similar between quilts and sleeping bags, but it ultimately depends on how they are made.

Comfort

Quilts are typically more comfortable than sleeping bags, but that ultimately comes down to preference. Sleeping bags are quite snug which provides warmth, but they can restrict your movement. You can simply use a quilt as a blanket without restricting your body’s movement.

The key comfort advantage that sleeping bags have compared to quilts is that sleeping bags provide a cushion beneath your body. However, you can simply bring a sleeping mat to lay on top of if you’d rather pack a quilt than a sleeping bag. Quilts also offer more comfort when you go camping with a significant other so you don’t have to bring two sleeping bags or squeeze into one.

Warmth

Sleeping bags and quilts both offer plenty of warmth when camping. It ultimately varies based on the material the sleeping bag or quilt is made of. The warmest sleeping bags typically include a thick shell and synthetic lining material to keep people cozy throughout the night.

Canadian goose down quilts and cotton quilts also provide plenty of warmth. Ideally, you should look for quilts that don’t feature a high feather count as they aren’t the warmest. That said, high-end sleeping bags with thick shells and synthetic liners are often warmer than quilts, but it depends on the manufacturing process.

Photo by Martin Jernberg on Unsplash

Setup

The biggest advantage of sleeping bags over quilts is that you can simply unroll them and go to sleep. With a quilt, you must find a setup that provides the most warmth and comfort. Sleeping bags have convenient zippers that you can undo to quickly hop in and get comfortable.

Neither quilts nor sleeping bags are inconvenient, but the setup typically takes longer with quilts. That’s because you must lay something beneath you to provide comfort through the night. Whether it be a camping mat or another quilt, this often takes longer than simply unzipping a sleeping bag and crawling into it.

Price

Don’t let the cost sway you one way or the other between a quilt and a sleeping bag. There is essentially no difference between the price of sleeping bags and quilts. You can find sleeping bags for $20 to $300 or more, and the cost varies based on the size, materials, and design.

Quilts typically start at $20 as well, and go up in value based on the pattern, design, and how they were made. Handmade quilts cost the most, and manufacturers typically charge between 3 and 15 cents per square inch. If you can find a cheap quilt and sleeping bag, you may as well use them together for the ultimate comfort.

Space

Quilts take up much less space than sleeping bags. Sleeping bags don’t take up much space when you set them up, but they are bulky when they are rolled. Quilts take up less space than sleeping bags even when you fold them in most cases.

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Convenience

Sleeping bags are often considered more convenient than quilts, but it ultimately depends on the sleeping bag. Nothing is more frustrating when camping than dealing with a stubborn zipper on a sleeping bag. The zipper on a sleeping bag is vulnerable to rust caused by humidity and the breakdown of the material.

Metal zippers are considered the most durable, but they are also susceptible to rust and deterioration. Aluminum and steel zippers don’t rust as easily as copper zippers. However, you don’t have to worry about rust when it comes to quilts.

That said, sleeping bags typically last longer than quilts. The best sleeping bags last up to 15 years, whereas you must replace quilts every 7 years. It ultimately depends on how well you take care of your sleeping bag or quilt as well as the weather conditions you typically camp in.

Ventilation

Quilts undoubtedly offer more ventilation than sleeping bags. Sleeping bags surround your body which provides warmth, but sometimes it can be too much. You can easily overheat while sleeping, and the warm air will have nowhere to go.

That’s not a problem with quilts as they don’t surround your body. The last thing you want to do is sweat too much overnight while camping. Even if it’s cold outside, you can still sweat if you are in too warm of a sleeping bag. Cold sweat can lower your body temperature and make you feel quite uncomfortable.

This is especially true if you plan to hike in the clothes you slept in while backpacking the next day. You won’t likely bring too many changes of clothes while backpacking to conserve space. Because of that, it’s best to pick a quilt or sleeping bag with ventilation so you don’t overheat and sweat too much through your clothes. It can be quite uncomfortable to go backpacking in clothes that are damp with sweat from overheating while sleeping.  

Availability

Sleeping bags are more widely available than quilts in most cases. You can find sleeping bags at any outdoor recreation store, such as Cabela’s or Dick’s Sporting Goods. Many stores sell quilts, but you must typically find them at stores that sell bedding.

Because of that, sleeping bags are the best option if you are about to go backpacking and need something quickly. Otherwise, quilts are a great option if your backpacking trip is weeks or months away and you have time to find one in stores or online.

Sleeping Bag Pros and Cons

Pros

  • They are easy to roll and set up.
  • You don’t typically need an extra blanket when you pack a sleeping bag.
  • Sleeping bags are comfortable and don’t always require a pad to lay on.
  • They are quite warm.
  • Sleeping bags are often cheap if they are made of simple synthetic materials.
  • You can find them anywhere.

 Cons

  • They take up lots of space when backpacking.
  • High-end, warm sleeping bags are pricier than quilts.
  • Sleeping bags constrict your body which is uncomfortable after a long day of backpacking.
  • They can make you sweat overnight while sleeping.
  • Some sleeping bags are heavy if they contain a thick liner.
Image by Hans from Pixabay

Backpacking Quilt Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Standard quilts are light.
  • They don’t take up much space when backpacking, especially if you fold them well.
  • Quilts are often cheaper than sleeping bags unless you customize them.
  • They don’t restrict your movement when sleeping, and that makes them quite comfortable.
  • You won’t likely sweat as much as you would with a sleeping bag.
  • Large quilts can easily cover two people in most cases.

Cons

  • Custom quilts can be quite expensive depending on the material.
  • Quilts don’t protect you as well as sleeping bags from heavy wind.
  • They don’t provide any padding beneath your body while sleeping after backpacking.
  • It takes longer to get comfortable with a quilt than sliding into a sleeping bag.

Why Use a Quilt Instead of a Sleeping Bag?

The main reason to use a quilt instead of a sleeping bag is to conserve space. Quilts often run at the same price as sleeping bags, but standard quilts are cheaper than high-end sleeping bags. They also take up less space than sleeping bags if you fold your quilt well while backpacking.

Backpacking is all about conserving space so you don’t weigh yourself down, and quilts make that possible. However, sleeping bags are better than quilts if you don’t have a camping pad/sleeping bag to sleep on top of. Make sure to find a Canadian goose or cotton quilt to provide the most warmth possible while backpacking.

So, are Quilts or Sleeping Bags Better for Backpacking?

Quilts are better than sleeping bags for backpacking if you must conserve space. However, sleeping bags are more convenient because you can quickly unroll one, climb into it, and zip it up to stay warm all night. That said, sleeping bags offer less ventilation than quilts, so you may become overheated throughout the night compared to using a quilt.

57 thoughts on “Should You Choose a Quilt Over a Sleeping Bag? (Pros & Cons)”

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