Author: Casey Handley | Editor: Dave Collins 
Last Updated: March 7, 2023

We prefer to use backpacking quilts for most of our 3-season adventures because they’re typically lighter and more versatile than traditional sleeping bags. They’re also more roomy for side sleepers and tosser-turners, so many hikers find them more comfortable than a mummy bag.

Whether you’re a backpacking quilt aficionado or you’re in the market for your first one, the amount of seemingly similar choices can be tough to sift through. We’ve backpacked thousands of miles with dozens of different backpacking quilts, and we’ll use our knowledge in this guide to help you find the best one for your needs.

Quick Recommendations

Check out this quick list of our favorite backpacking quilts, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

• Best backpacking quilt overall: Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20

• Warmest ultralight backpacking quilt: Loco Libre Operator Series Ghost Pepper 20 

• Best stock ultralight backpacking quilt: REI Magma Trail Quilt 30

• Best budget backpacking quilt: Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 20 

• Most affordable custom backpacking quilt: UGQ Bandit 20 

• Lightest backpacking quilt: ZPacks Classic 20

• Versatile & warm ultralight quilt: Feathered Friends Flicker 30 UL

• Excellent value backpacking quilt with a versatile design: Katabatic Flex 22

• Most packable backpacking quilt: Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 

• Best two person backpacking quilt: Enlightened Equipment Accomplice 20

What’s Most Important to You in a Backpacking Quilt?

PRICE - Your quilt will likely be one of the most expensive items in your backpack, and it’s also one of the most important. We find that spending a little more on a high-quality quilt that has the exact features you want is well worth the cost. That said, we love our budget backpacking quilt picks just as much as our high-end custom favorites. You really can’t go wrong with any of our top picks below.

• Best value quilts: Enlightened Equipment Revelation, REI Magma Trail Quilt 30, Loco Libre Ghost Pepper 20 & Katabatic Flex 22

• Best budget quilts: Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 20 & UGQ Bandit 20

• Best high-end quilts: ZPacks Classic 20 & Feathered Friends Flicker 30 UL

WARMTH - Because backpacking quilts are hoodless and typically aren’t fully enclosed, they’re not always the best choice for chilly conditions. We typically use a quilt on trips where temperatures will stay above freezing for maximum comfort, but you can always turn up the heat by pairing your quilt with a warm hat or a down jacket. If you’re a cold sleeper or you want to use your quilt in shoulder seasons, go with one of these extra warm picks.

• Warmest backpacking quilts: Loco Libre Ghost Pepper 20, Enlightened Equipment Revelation, Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 20 & Feathered Friends Flicker 30 UL

WEIGHT & PACKABILITY - We were first drawn to quilts many years ago because of their exceptionally low weight and impressive packability. Keeping your pack weight low can make longer/tougher hikes more enjoyable, can help you meet loftier mileage goals, and will be easier on your joints in the long run. Many 3-season backpacking quilts weigh in at under a pound and a half. A lot of them can be customized to be even lighter and more compressible if you’re willing to pay more for a higher-fill-power down.

• Lightest & most packable backpacking quilts: ZPacks Classic 20, REI Magma Trail Quilt 30, Enlightened Equipment Revelation, Loco Libre Ghost Pepper 20 & Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20

CUSTOM VS. STOCK - Many backpacking quilts can be customized to your exact desired specs. This is awesome if you’re looking to keep your quilt under a certain weight or if you want specific length and width measurements. That said, custom quilts can often take much longer to ship (typically between 4-8 weeks), so a ready-made quilt is the better option if you need it right away.

• Best custom quilts: Enlightened Equipment Revelation, Loco Libre Ghost Pepper, UGQ Bandit 20 & Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 20

• Best stock quilts: Enlightened Equipment Revelation, REI Magma Trail Quilt 30 & Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 

Sortable Backpacking Quilt Comparison Table

*specs used: standard width, fits people up to 6’ tall, lowest-fill-power down

Best Backpacking Quilts of 2023

Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20

BEST BACKPACKING QUILT OVERALL FOR WEIGHT, VERSATILITY & PRICE

MSRP: $335

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 6.5 oz.

FILL POWER: 850 or 950

PROS: Ultralight, versatile, packable, affordable for the quality, includes pad connectors, stock & customizable options available, certified to Responsible Down Standard (RDS)

CONS: Pre-made Revelation models are available, but you’ll have to wait a few weeks to receive your quilt if you choose to custom order one

BOTTOM LINE: The flexible design of the Enlightened Equipment Revelation has been a game changer for our backcountry trips, and we love it's warmth-to-weight ratio.

This quilt can be left open like a blanket on warm nights or cinched up tight when the temperature drops. You can choose to custom order your Revelation to your desired color, size, and warmth, so we bumped up a size in length and width for full coverage on chilly nights. We’ve found that the 20°F model keeps us warm to right around freezing or just a little below.

Quality like this will usually set you back a pretty penny, but the Revelation comes in at an awesome price when compared to the competition. We’ve been using ours for years, and it’s still one of the best investments we’ve made in our backpacking setup.

For more info, check out our full review of the Revelation here.

Loco Libre Operator Series Ghost Pepper 20

WARMEST ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKING QUILT 

MSRP: $390

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 5.5 oz.

FILL POWER: 950

PROS: Ultralight, warm, highly customizable, highly packable, RDS certified

CONS: Custom ordering process can be confusing & can take a while to ship

BOTTOM LINE: Cold sleepers and winter wanderers, this one’s for you. We usually don’t recommend backpacking quilts for sub-freezing temperatures, but the Loco Libre Operator Series Ghost Pepper 20 is up for the challenge. This is our top quilt choice for ultralight adventures at or below freezing.

One thing that makes this quilt warmer than others is the unique chevron baffles. They’re very effective at preventing the down inside from shifting away from areas where you need that heat-trapping power the most. For those who go out in extreme cold, the Ghost Pepper is also one of the only quilts on the market that’s available in sub-zero temperature ratings. There are plenty of custom options available to dial in the best warmth-to-weight for your needs; we recommend going with the sewn footbox for the best insulation.

The plethora of customization options on the Ghost Pepper can be a little intimidating for first time quilt users, but we assure you it’s worth the effort to get exactly what you want out of this toasty warm quilt.

REI Magma Trail Quilt 30

BEST STOCK ULTRALIGHT BACKPACKING QUILT

MSRP: $329

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 3 oz.

FILL POWER: 850

PROS: Ultralight, affordable, packable, wide cut, includes pad connectors, RDS certified

CONS: Sewn footbox makes it slightly less versatile than other quilts, not warm enough for sub-freezing temps

BOTTOM LINE: The REI Magma Trail Quilt 30 is our top choice for trips where nighttime temperatures stay in the 40s or above. This pared down design will keep your summer base weight to an absolute minimum, and it compresses down small to leave room in your pack for other luxuries.

The Magma Trail Quilt has a fully-sewn footbox, which means it can’t open up fully like many of the other quilts on this list. This design limits versatility a bit, but it will be lighter, less drafty, and much easier to keep tucked around you to seal in the heat.

Since the Magma isn't custom, there's no long lead time, so you can get one right away if you need it quickly. Check out our full review of the Magma here.

Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 20 

BEST BUDGET BACKPACKING QUILT

MSRP: $245

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 7.9 oz.

FILL POWER: 850

PROS: Affordable, warm, durable, customizable, ordering process is simple & straightforward, RDS certified

CONS: Custom orders can take a while to ship, a little heavier/bulkier than some

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Hammock Gear Econ Burrow 20 is a much more basic option with an accessible price tag. Don’t confuse basic with low quality, though. This quilt is one of the warmest and most durable on our list, which makes the low cost all the more enticing.

The Econ Burrow doesn’t offer quite as much customization as many of the others on our list, but that can make things easier if you’re in the market for your first backpacking quilt. It’s made with 20-denier nylon taffeta, which is thicker than the low-denier ripstop used on most other quilts. This contributes to the slightly higher weight and bulk. But that’s also part of what makes it more affordable, and the Econ Burrow is still quite light and packable.

For those who’d rather spend a little more to save some weight, the Premium Burrow is a nice choice. It has the same user-friendly custom ordering process, but you can upgrade the down to 900 or 950-fill-power.

UGQ Bandit 20 

MOST AFFORDABLE CUSTOM BACKPACKING QUILT

MSRP: $265

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 6.3 oz.

FILL POWER: 800, 850, or 950

PROS: Affordable, highly customizable, lightweight, versatile, fluffy & comfortable, RDS certified

CONS: Custom ordering process can be confusing & can take a while to ship,  not as packable as some (unless you pay more for higher fill-power down), not warm enough for sub-freezing temps

BOTTOM LINE: With a weight that’s competitive with the higher-end quilts on our list but a much smaller price tag, the UGQ Bandit 20 is an incredible value. The base price of this quilt is more affordable because its base fill-power is 800, while most others start at 850+. This means it’s slightly less packable and not as lightweight as some of the other quilts on this list, but it’s still very high-quality.

If saving some space and a few ounces is really important to you, UGQ has an extensive list of custom options available - including an upgrade to 950-fill-power down. We recommend the Bandit for backpackers who want the luxury of a custom quilt without having to break the bank. 

Feathered Friends Flicker 30 UL 

VERSATILE & WARM ULTRALIGHT QUILT

MSRP: $499

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 6 oz.

FILL POWER: 950+

PROS: Lightweight, versatile, high-quality materials, warm, comfy, RDS certified

CONS: Bulkier than other UL quilts, cinch straps at the neck can be bothersome

BOTTOM LINE: The Flicker 30 UL Quilt from Feathered Friends is well-constructed, comfortable, and versatile. When completely unzipped, it functions as a cozy blanket on warm summer nights. On chilly nights, you can cinch the footbox and fully zip the quilt to create a draft-free enclosed system.

Feathered Friends is known for using some of the highest-quality materials around, which contributes to the larger price tag. But that price gets you 950+-fill-power down, a smooth zipper, and some of the nicest outer shell fabric available.

Feathered Friends’ temperature ratings tend to be pretty accurate in our experience, so we like the 30°F option for 3-season backpacking trips. If you don’t mind a little extra bulk and weight in favor of saving some bucks, the Flicker also comes in a YF model that’s more affordable.

Check out our full review of the Flicker here.

Zpacks Classic 20

LIGHTEST BACKPACKING QUILT

MSRP: $449

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 2.8 oz. 

FILL POWER: 900

PROS: Ultralight, excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, highly packable, high-quality materials, RDS certified

CONS: Expensive, not warm enough for sub-freezing temps, fully-sewn footbox limits versatility

BOTTOM LINE: Zpacks tends to be a leader when you’re in the market for the lightest gear possible, and their Classic Sleeping Bag is no exception. It provides ultralight warmth using high-quality and responsibly-sourced materials.

The ¾ length zipper and fully-sewn footbox slightly limit versatility, but this build is one of the best for keeping warm when temperatures dip. If you’re new to backpacking with a quilt, the design of the Classic can also feel like an easier transition than a fully open quilt.

The Classic is one of the more expensive quilts on this list, but there’s no better choice if saving weight is a top priority. For this reason, it’s a common pick for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers covering big distances.

Check out our full review of the Zpacks Classic here.

Katabatic Flex 22

EXCELLENT VALUE BACKPACKING QUILT WITH A VERSATILE DESIGN

MSRP: $365

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 7.9 oz.

FILL POWER: 850 or 900

PROS: Versatile, warm, excellent value, comfy, simple ordering process, good pad attachment system (included), stash pocket, RDS certified

CONS: Custom orders can take a while to ship, a little heavier than some

BOTTOM LINE: We love the versatility, warmth, and comfort of the Katabatic Flex 22, and we're impressed with its performance on the trail. It comes in several temperature rating options that are all organized in a more simple ordering process than many of the other quilts on this list.

For trips that won’t dip below freezing, the 22 is our top pick for warm sleepers and the 15 is our top pick for cold sleepers. The Flex is similar in design to the EE Revelation, but it costs a bit more. That said, we think the quality of the craftmanship on the Flex is a little better and Katabatic adds some value by including an effective pad attachment system, a storage bag, and a stuff sack. If warmth-to-weight is your top consideration, Katabatic’s closed-footbox Elite quilts might be a good fit.

Check out our full review of the Flex here.

 Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20

MOST PACKABLE BACKPACKING QUILT

MSRP: $460

WEIGHT: 1 lb. 3 oz

FILL POWER: 900

PROS: Ultralight, highly packable, includes pad connectors, RDS certified

CONS: Expensive, not warm enough for sub-freezing temps, narrow cut can be drafty

BOTTOM LINE: The Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20 is one of the lightest and most compressible quilts on our list, so it’s great for hikers wanting to keep their gear as dialed in as possible.

The narrow cut of this quilt can be a bit drafty if you side sleep or shift around a bunch at night. Petite hikers and those who sleep soundly on their back shouldn’t have much of an issue with this though - especially when using the included pad connecters.

If you’re looking for a stripped down backpacking quilt that will keep your pack weight and bulk to a minimum, the Vesper is a quality option worth considering.

Check out our full review of the Vesper here.

 Enlightened Equipment Accomplice 20

BEST ULTRALIGHT SLEEP SYSTEM FOR TWO

MSRP: $480

WEIGHT: 2 lb. 4.8 oz.

FILL POWER: 850 or 950

PROS: Ultralight for two, excellent value, versatile, includes pad connectors, RDS certified

CONS: Less versatile than some (impractical to use on solo trips)

BOTTOM LINE: The Enlightened Equipment Accomplice is our favorite shared sleep system for couples who like keeping weight to a minimum and snuggles to a maximum.

It’s one of very few double backpacking quilts on the market, and it’s a great value compared to heavier double sleeping bags - especially considering its top-notch materials.

It’s also worth considering for car camping if you’re looking for an unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio and plenty of roominess to move freely. The Accomplice has a customizable option too, so you can choose the exact temperature rating, size, and colors you want.

Critical Backpacking Quilt Considerations

CHOOSING A TEMPERATURE RATING - Choosing the right temperature rating isn’t an exact science. Many factors contribute to warmth, like sleeping pad insulation, clothing, hydration, nutrition, and altitude. For this list, we chose quilts with temperature ratings that we felt would be a good fit for most 3-season trips. Most of the quilts on this list will keep the average user comfortable when temperatures dip to freezing, or a few degrees below. If you know you’re a hot or cold sleeper, you’ll want to adjust your choice accordingly.

WARMTH - If you’re using your quilt in a tent rather than a hammock, it’s a good idea to purchase a pad attachment system when placing your custom order (if it’s not included) to cut down on chilly drafts that can sap warmth through the open sides. You should always have a warm hat or a down jacket with a hood to wear to bed since quilts don’t have hoods. You can also sleep in base layers, gloves, and down booties to boost warmth. Other tricks include eating a high-calorie snack right before bed, staying well hydrated, putting a hot water bottle inside your quilt by your feet, and sleeping with a warm sleeping bag liner.

SIZING - The length and width you choose is dependent upon your body measurements and your sleeping style. Make sure you pick a quilt that’s long enough to comfortably fit your body from your feet to your chin. Measure your shoulder girth to find the correct width; we recommend bumping up one size if you’re a side sleeper or a tosser-turner. If you’re a cold sleeper, it can be nice to also bump up one size in length so you can pull the quilt over your head on chilly nights. 

WHERE DOES DOWN COME FROM? - Down is the fluffy, small plumage found underneath the outer feather layer on waterfowl birds, mostly ducks and geese. These tiny filament fibers insulate the birds and keep them warm even in frigid conditions. Most down is a byproduct of the meat industry.

AVOIDING INFERIOR QUALITY AND POOR ETHICS - Sometimes affordable down bags are stuffed with materials other than down or contain only a small amount of down that’s blended with feathers or filler. For the best insulating value and warmth-to-weight ratio, look for backpacking quilts that’re made with 100% duck or goose down. If the fill power isn’t advertised, it’s likely the bag isn’t top quality and won’t compress very well. Inexpensive down bags are also sometimes made with materials that are unethically sourced. To be sure you aren’t supporting bad practices, like force feeding or live plucking, check whether a company uses traceable down or complies with the Responsible Down Standard. Companies that use good practices are generally proud of it and clearly state it for their customers to see. For us, it’s worth paying a bit more for the peace of mind.

DOWN FILL POWER - The fill power (fp) of a down quilt measures the quality of the down insulation in the bag. Higher-fill-power down is more expensive, but it weighs less and compresses more than lower-fill-power down. In general, 800-fill-power and up is considered high-quality down. Anything lower than that will be more cost effective, but won't have as impressive warmth-to-weight performance.

DWR - Durable water repellent (DWR) is a treatment that causes water to bead up on the outer shell of a quilt rather than soak in. DWR won’t make a quilt anywhere near waterproof, but it does add a little extra protection. It will wear off and need to be reapplied over time, but don’t worry, re-treatment is easy.

WASHING & STORAGE - Down is a durable material, but it loses some of its efficiency if it isn’t stored properly and when it gets oily or dirty over time. If properly maintained, a down quilt can last for many years. For details on down care, visit our How to Repair, Wash, Store, & Care For Your Sleeping Bag.

Need More Gear Advice?

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Shoes

• 10 Best Backpacking Tents

• 10 Best Sleeping Bags

• 10 Best Sleeping Pads

• 10 Best Backpacking Packs

• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves

• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Why Trust Us?

We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us:

• Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience.

• We’ve logged over 10,000 trail miles and test outdoor gear for a living.

• We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.

• We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations.

• We constantly update our guides when new products launch.

• We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends.

• We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to constructive criticism. If you think we’ve missed a product or got something wrong, we’d love to hear your feedback.

More Information

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation.

If you found this guide helpful, please give it a share on social media! Also, be sure to check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide to see all of our top gear picks.

Thanks for reading and happy trails!