Nunatak Alpinist Quilt???

Anyone have any experience with this quilt?

I have always used sleeping bags but am considering going to a quilt. I recently got a cutom made summer quilt off the for sale board and from testing it in my house it seems like it may be the perfect solution for me.

I don't sleep on my back so I have always found a mummy bag to be a PIA as I get all turned around in it and get little to no use out of the hood.

From messing around with the quilt I have now it seems to be quite good for some one like me who changes position a lot since it stays strapped in place on my mat. The one I have has webbing straps that connect underneath the pad and provide for adjustable girth. I assume that is the way the Nunatak models are as well.

I also like the fact that it provides some extra girth which may allow you to wear extra layers to bed.

I have heard that quilts can be drafty. This one does not feel like it would be when it is strapped down.

My only concern about a quilt for the winter is that it may not seal up well enough to keep me warm.

I would like to use it down into the teens. The Alpinist is rated to 20 but I would think that with a light jacket and some other garments on that it would make down lower than that.

Matt

I've been using homemade quilts for years. I love the freedom. It all started for me as an easier way to hammock camp, but then carried over into 3 seasons of use. There are few downsides to quilts and many good reasons to use them.
I limit quilt use to temperatures above 30* mainly because I have a 20* Western M bag that I spent a huge amount on and because I like a solid safety margin. It all goes back to one night that the temperature fell 10* below predicted temps. It was 20* at 5 pm and fell to 10* in less than 4 hours. It stayed that way all night. I was nervous. It was hard to get to sleep, I lay there shivering and shaking, but finally got the bag temp to warm up enough that I fell asleep. I awoke several times during the night to adjust my bag and to eat some M&M's. Sealing the hood to retain warmth was critical.
Had I been caught in that weather with a quilt I am not sure that I would have been able to sleep at all. Its an individual decision, but I limit my quilt use to 30*.

I have a Nunatak Arc Alpinist. It is my "go to" shoulder season and winter bag. It is a legitimate 20 degree bag, but I had 4 oz of overstuff added because the down tends to migrate to the edges when you sleep on your side. The extra down prevents the migration.

My straps have watch band clips on both sides and I can completely remove them. I carry them but have only used them a couple of times.

In the winter I sleep in a coat, the Arc Alpinist and add a Jacks"R"Better large quilt on top.

The foot box is a little small for my size 12s.

I used a sleeping bag in my hammock at the start, but quilts make life better.

After a little research...seems like the Jacks R Better quilts may be a better value than the Nunatak...a lot cheaper and probably similar quality I would think....

Upon looking closer at the Jacks R Better quilts I am not sure that they have the same webbing straps that will secure the quilt to your sleeping pad around you.

This would seem to be a critical feature to me.

I will have to call them and find out but that would be deciding factor for sure.

Matt

How about this:
http://www.freewebs.com/bigfoot2pictures/thebigfootquilt.htm

I guarantee that it's cheaper than a Nunatak! I am thinking of producing a small amount for sale here on TLB forums, with a portion to go towards the site. Good idea or not?

BF
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The standard Jacks'R'Better quilts are only 48" wide but the Acr Alpinist is 55".

The webbing straps are critical, but can be simulated by added some simple grosgrain ribbon loops to the Jacks quilt. I have not needed them often, but it was a critical need when I did.

Both products have excellent craftsmanship, state of the art materials and the companies give great customer service. I hope you decide on the one that fits YOUR style best.

I have two JRB quilts and love them. I haven't used them on the ground though. They sell "pad converters" which are what you're looking for, I think.