As for the straps w/snaps, I never use them. I cinch down the bottom end and zip it up to create the "foot box" and once my feet are in there the rest of the quilt drapes over me like a bed quilt. I think the foot box does two things, it keeps the feet warmer becasue they are surrounded by down and also as you move around it keeps your feet contained and also keeps the quilt mostly centered. You could use the quilt unzipped and lying flat like a normal blanket but I don't think it would work well at all like that. So I guess really it's a hybrid, 1/2 quilt 1/2 sleping bag.