I am looking to update my sleeping system, trying to go a bit lighter as I will be attempting a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail this year. Originally, I was considering Western Mountaineering's Ultralite or Megalite bags. I'm a side sleeper, I don't mind mummy bags, but a good portion of the time I end up unzipping the bag and using it like a quilt (tend to sleep hot). Recently, I've been looking into quilts, more specifically Nunatak Arc Specialist weighing in at 1#2oz. It's a 32 degree bag, but these bags are completely custom, I'm requesting a little overfill, which should go a long way in the Sierra and combining it with a purchase of one of their down garmets to complement the system. The down jacket (Skaha pocket version) weighs 9oz. Putting my sleep system at roughly 5oz shy of 2 lbs. What do you guys think about this? Need your wisdom. Does anyone have experience with Nunatak?
Happy New Year.
Gaucho

Nunatak has an excellent reputation--I've never seen one as they're not in stores and what store would carry them, anyway?

Coincidentally, I spend last season using a Golite Ultra20 quilt and found it can handle a broad range of conditions, as well as ground and hammock sleeping. I really like the foot box (don't think I'd like a flat quilt) and I got a long, so I can actually cover my head if I need to. The only glitch is the adjustment straps are too thin and fold, making them hard to adjust during the night--they can be easily replaced.

I've had a WM UL for more than a decade and as a flexible, light sleeping bag it's hard to top. It's quite snug so not for everybody--the quilt is probably a better solution for those occasional warm nights.

Good luck!

I also have a Western Mountaineering Ultralite, which is my 3-season bag. If it's a warm night, I may start the night on top of the bag or use it completely unzipped as a quilt. Usually by 2-3 am I start zipping it up. At higher elevations it's usually completely zipped up by morning.

I plan to make my own quilts. Google Enlighten Equipment. I'm make quilt similar up his using same material, the prodigy that is.

I use a 30° overstuffed Enlightened Equipment quilt in the Sierra's and it has kept me toasty warm so far. I have heard a lot of good things about Nunatek and had made up my mind about buying until Tim Marshal started selling really great quilts at a much better price point. I am very happy with my purchase.

I have a 20 deg Enlighten Equipment rev x quilt and truly love it. Tim also makes synthetic quilts like your talking about. http://www.enlightenedequipment.com

A long walk like this will have all kinds of nights. OM, that's how I usually sleep in my old 20 degree bag. Rick, I'll check out the Go-lite. Pride, I'll also look into that link as well. Thanks for the support.

A heads-up on the Golite quilts, they carry them intermittently and are not currently listed on their website. I assume they'll be stocking up this spring and when they do, be ready to order quickly, as they can run out fast. I got mine last spring at what I considered a great price for an 800-ci fill bag, and probably wouldn't have given a quilt a try, otherwise.

There are a lot of reviews on line. One feature I really like is the waterproof foot and head-end fabric panels that ward off dripping condensation and moisture from your breath.

Cheers,

I'd also look at Katabatic Gear for quilts. I went from a narrow Rab sleeping bag > Katabatic Chisos 40* w/ 2 oz overfill > '12 Enlightened Equipment Revelation 30*, wide, overstuffed > currently a WM Versalite that I couldn't pass up that was on sale.

As a 3-6 times a night tossing side sleeper: Rab was too narrow for a bag, Chisos was too narrow a quilt, '12 Revelation was fine width wise, except the down would shift from the middle to the sides of the quilt, even overstuffed (the '13 models have smaller Karo baffles to prevent the down from shifting as easily), haven't tested the Versalite yet.

My favorite bag was probably the Chisos, and would be perfect as a heavy back sleeper. 52" wide shoulder girth is just too narrow, and a hassle when you turn over and have to retuck the quilt beneath you. I'd probably look at a minimum of 56" wide shoulder girth.

Using a down hooded jacket with the quilt works perfect, I took the Chisos to a little below freezing wearing my Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket (12.5 oz), hiking pants, and socks. And you don't get the cold shock during the night or morning when you have to pee.

Another vote for Katabatic. I don't have one, but it's the bag I'm planning on buying as soon as they get the Palisade back in stock. What sold me was the OutdoorGearLab review.

I love my ZPacks 30deg quilt. Extremely lightweight. 900 fill down (with a free option for water resistant down).