10 Best Backpacking Quilts In 2020

Thanks to a high loft 850 fill power down insulation, the REI Co-op Magma Trail backpacking quilt boasts an exceptional warmth to weight ratio that will reduce your pack weight and still offer you the most comfortable night’s sleep in the wild. All the other essential features – pad straps, foot box, a soft yet rugged material, and an adjustable draft tube – are on point making the Magma Trail the best camping quilts hands down.

Weight and Packability

Besides warmth, the other advantage of the high loft down is the astonishingly low weight and compact packed size. At 1 lb. 3 oz., the Magma Trail is an ultralight quilt that will keep your pack light as you trek or climb. Packed size for the regular option is 13 x 4.75 inches, which is backpackable. 

Insulation and Warmth 

You will be blown away by how well this 850-fill-power goose down quilt lofts up once you unpack it. It’s rated for temperatures down to 30 degrees (F). The best thing is that this is a water-resistant down that won’t lose its effectiveness in wet weather. As for ethical issues, the down used has a Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification and Bluesign approval. 

Size and Features

With a length of 72 inches and a 56inches shoulder girth, this is a spacious sleeping quilt. Long and short options are also available depending on your preference. If you’re an active sleeper, the quilt gives you plenty of room to move while the pad straps ensure the quilt stays put. The insulated draft tube is adjustable to seal out the elements or allow airflow, while the trapezoidal foot box keeps your feet toasty warm. 

The combination of a baffled design and 22 ounces of 700-fill power down make the Paria Outdoor Products Thermodown sleeping quilt one of the warmest and most spacious backpacking quilts on the market. This quilt can keep you toasty warm even in sub-zero temperatures. The high quality standard at an excellent price point makes it our favorite quilt for both ground and hammock setups.

Weight and Packability

Compressed into the included compression sack, the quilt packs down to just 10 x 7 inches so you can easily stow it in your backpack. Due to the higher fill weight, the Paria Thermodown quilt is a little bit on the heavy side. The regular version weighs 2 lb. 6 oz., while the long version is somewhat heavier at 2 lb. 8 oz.  

Warmth and Insulation 

The quilt is rated for 15F (-10C) temperatures. Thanks to the baffled construction stuffed with 22 ounces of 700-fill power down (24 ounces for the long version), it lofts nicely and you can have confidence that it will keep you warm even in below freezing conditions. On top of this, the 20D ripstop nylon lining feels silky smooth to sleep on.

Size and Features

To cater to backpackers of all shapes and sizes, the Thermodown 15 comes in a regular size that measures 78 x 56 inches and a long version measuring 84 x 57 inches. By design, it comes equipped with 2 straps for holding the quilt in place when using it on a sleeping pad. Cinch cords at the foot box and collar allow you to close it into a mummy bag on chilly nights.  

Sierra Designs Nitro 800 backpacking quilt has the best warmth to price ratio on this list. For a very reasonable price, you get an incredibly warm hiking quilt filled with one of the loftiest and lightest down. Like all Sierra Designs gear, the Nitro 800 quilts are all about comfort. In line with this, they come equipped with hide-away hoods and hand pockets. 

Weight and Packability

Even though the Nitro Quilt has some extra features, it still manages to be an ultralight camping quilt suitable for backcountry adventures. The 1lb 9oz. weight is thanks to the ultralight 800 fill power down insulation, which also compresses amazingly. In the stuff sack it comes with, it contracts down to 13 x 7 inches - about the size of a mini basketball.

Insulation and Warmth

The 800 fill power makes the Nitro 800 quilts among the best backpacking quilts for warmth, while a DriDown treatment guarantees it won’t lose its loft in wet conditions. Sierra Designs offers a 20 and 35-degree quilt, and their quilts boast reliable EN temperature ratings. The 20-degree version has an EN limit rating of 21F and a comfort rating of 32F, while the 35-degree quilt has a 37F comfort rating and 27F survival rating. 

Size and Features

This is a top rated camping quilt when it comes to features. A full-length insulated hand/arm pockets and an integrated hood help to seal out drafts and seal in warmth when night temperatures take a dip. When the temperatures are higher, you can pull your feet out of the foot box. The quilt dimensions are 75 x 56 inches and it fits up to 6ft 3in frames.   

The OneTigris Night Protector quilt is hands down the best hammock underquilt. The biggest advantages it offers is that it’s designed to fit perfectly in all kinds of standard-size hammocks, and sized to envelope the entire underside and get the insulation all the way around keeping you warmly cocooned. Use of synthetic insulation covered by a water resistant shell material guarantees that you will stay warm even in the rain. 

Weight and Packability

The OneTigris hiking quilt weighs in at 28 ounces, which isn’t too hard to lug along especially when you consider the comfort and warmth you will get at night. While this is a synthetic quilt, it compresses well thanks to the included compression sack. The packed size is 13 x 8 inches, which will easily fit in a ruck sack. 

Insulation and Warmth

Equipped with SEE polyester filling, this three-season quilt has a comfort temperature range 40 - 68°F. This makes it ideal for warmer camping conditions, and the synthetic insulation will keep you warm even in moisture-ridden conditions. A winter version rated down to 23°F is also available if you need a warmer hammock quilt. 

Size and Features

No matter what brand or size of hammock you have, this underquilt is designed to fit snugly in all standard sized hammocks. Measuring 9.2 by 4 feet, it’s long enough to cover the entire hammock and envelope you in a warm cocoon. Split ends, shock cord loops, and carabiners come pre-assembled making it easy to secure the underquilt to a hammock

For an incredibly warm hammock underquilt at a budget-friendly price, the ENO Ember 2 backpacking quilt fits the bill perfectly. Featuring a synthetic polyester fill and a water resistant shell, it’s rated down to 50 degrees F and you can have confidence it will keep you nestled in toasty warmth even in wet conditions. Thanks to a hammock-specific cut, it provides excellent insulation in a hammock and a pleasant user experience.

Weight and Packability

The Eno Ember 2 is one of the best ultralight backpacking quilts. Bringing along this underquilt will only add 25 ounces to your pack, which isn’t too bad when you’re assured of a good night’s sleep at the end of the day. Packed size is fairly small - it measures 16 x 8 x 8 inches when stuffed into the compression sack it comes with. 

Size and Features

Measuring 95 x 45 inches, the Ember 2 underbuilt fits all ENO hammocks. Cut specifically for a hammock, it lays perfectly in a hammock, covers the backside, and surrounds the sides to ensure that you’re toasty warm even when night temperatures take a dip. Since each end has an adjustable shock cord, securing the underquilt to your hammock is a breeze.    

Insulation and Warmth

Featuring evenly spread synthetic polyester insulation, the ENO Ember lightweight backpacking quilt conforms to the shape of a hammock and won’t compress underneath your weight. This way, it reduces heat loss and you can count on it to keep you warm when hammocking in 50-degree weather. 

Filled with high loft 700 down insulation yet compressible to 9 x 6 inches, the Paria Outdoor Products Thermodown 30 ultralight backpacking quilt will keep you warm on chilly nights (down to 30F) without adding too much bulk in your pack. Add excellent materials and a lifetime warranty to the mix and you get the ultimate warm-weather backcountry quilt.

Weight and Packability 

To go with the impressively compact carrying size, the regular sized Thermodown 30 down trekking quilt comes in at only 2 pounds while the long version is only 3 ounces heavier. You can easily fit it in your backpack and it won’t add too much weight.  

Insulation and Warmth

To keep you toasty warm down to 30F, this sleeping quilt has a baffled design stuffed with 700-fill power down insulation. The regular version has 16 ounces fill weight while the longer size is stuffed with 17 ounces. This high loft down provides incredible insulation and warmth while the design is very effective at eliminating cold spots.   

Size and Features

While the Thermodown 30 is incredibly small when packed, it opens up into an impressive quilt that doesn’t limit comfort. The regular size is 78 inches long and 56 inches wide at the shoulders while the long size measures 84 by 57 inches when laid flat. For ease of use, the quilt comes equipped with a strap for securing it to a sleeping pad.  

The hollowed back design makes the OneTigris Featherlite Black Orca backpacking quilt ideal for use with sleep mats and air mattresses. It’s also one of the most versatile quilts for camping – you can wrap it around a sleeping bag and even use it as a hammock quilt. The Black Orca also boasts a perfect balance between down distribution and heat retention.

Weight and Packability

For a quilt filled with synthetic insulation, this Black Orca Series quilt is impressively lightweight and compact when compressed. It weighs 35 ounces and measures 13.8 x 8 inches when packed into the included compression sack. This is about the size of a football or a gallon jug so you can easily stow it in a backpack and take it with you wherever your adventures take you.

Insulation and Warmth

This is a 3 seasons camping sleeping quilt suitable for 41 to 59°F temperatures. The filling is a synthetic SEE polyester so you rely on it even in wet environments, and the design ensures a perfect balance between down distribution and heat retention so the feathers don't clog up at the back. 

Size and Features

When spread out, the Black Orca sleeping quilt covers a 6.5 by 2.8 feet space. It’s snug to keep your toasty warm while still roomy enough to allow freedom of movement. The foot box wraps around your feet to keep you warm, and you can also unclasp it if you wish to use the Featherlite Black Orca as a top quilt.

REI Co-op Hammock Underquilt is designed for use with the REI Co-op Quarter Dome Air Hammock. It also works well with other hammocks, and you can even pair it with a sleeping pad when sleeping on the ground. Featuring two layers of synthetic insulation and an offset-quilted design, you can count on it to keep you warm down to 30°F.

Weight and Packability

When going backpacking or camping, the REI Co-op hammock underquilt comes with a stuff sack you can compress it into. It compresses down to 12 x 7 inches, and weighs in at 26 ounces so you can pack it in your backpack and it won’t add too much weight.  

Insulation and Warmth 

This quilt has an amazing design that retains the heat your body produces incredibly well. The layers of 80g synthetic insulation are offset-quilted to eliminate cold spots and keep you toasty, while the sides have lighter insulation to improve comfort. As for temperature rating, it will keep you warm down to 30°F

Size and Features

Thanks to the shock-corded corner attachments, setup is a frustration-free process. All you have to do is hook the underquilt to the ends of the hammock and use the midpoint toggles to secure it. The internal draw cords make achieving the desired tautness easy. When opened, it extends 85 inches long and 51 inches wide to offer the coverage you need.

Spacious enough for two yet lightweight enough for backpacking, the Therm-a-Rest Vela Double 20 backpacking quilt is the best backpacking quilt for a couple. Thanks to high-quality down insulation with a 650 fill power and a box baffled construction that maximizes the loft, the Vela Double is the pinnacle of warmth and comfort. The down is hydrophobic so it won’t fail you in wet conditions. 

Weight and Packability

Another advantage of the 650 fill-power down insulation is the impressive packability. The Vela Double quilt compresses down amazingly small for its size and measures 16 x 9 inches when packed. Weight is on the higher side though. Given the spacious 2-person girth and 1 lb. 15 oz. fill weight, it comes in at 2 lbs. 13 oz.  

Insulation and Warmth

Boasting a tested comfort rating down to freezing (32 degrees F) and a tested survival limit of 20 degrees F, this is a true zero-degree sleeping quilt. 650 fill power down insulation and a box baffled construction that maximizes the loft are the secrets to the incredible warmth the Vela Double 20 offers. The down has a Nikwax® hydrophobic treatment that ensures clumping isn’t a problem.

Size and Features

This is the best camping quilt when space is a priority. It’s 78 inches long and 82 inches wide at the shoulder and hip. This provides enough space for two, and also makes this quilt ideal for active sleepers. The side baffles eliminate unwanted drafts, while the precisely shaped foot box keeps feet toasty.

Weighing a mere 15 ounces and packing down to 5 x 6 inches, the Therm-a-Rest Vesper ultralight quilt is the lightest and most packable quilt on our backpacking quilt reviews. This doesn’t mean that it offers sub-par comfort and warmth in the backcountry. Thanks to a 900 fill power down insulation, it can keep you toasty and cozy when temperatures dip to 41F.  

Weight and Packability

Due to the use of 900 fill power down, the Vesper 32 quilt is exceptionally ultralight and compressible which makes it the ultimate quilt for backcountry backpacking trips. It weighs a little less than a pound, and packs down to the size of a water bottle.

Insulation and Warmth

The greatest thing about the Therm-a-Rest Vesper 32 is the kind of insulation it’s stuffed with. It boasts high-quality down insulation with the highest fill power – 900. This kind of down provides the loftiest warmth at the smallest weight and compressed size. On top of this, the down has a Nikwax hydrophobic treatment so it doesn’t lose loft and warmth in humid, rainy weather.

Size and Features

The Vesper comes in a regular and long size. The long version can fit 6ft 6in and is 61 inches wide at the shoulders, while the regular extends 6ft long with a 58inches shoulder girth. For added warmth, it features a reflective lining that reflects your own body heat back keeping you toasty. Features include connectors that keep you centered on your sleeping pad, and a snap neck closure, insulated foot box, and perimeter side baffles to keep out drafts.