Backpacking is becoming more and more popular as a method of travel and tourism.
In today’s world, the idea of leaving behind the stresses of daily life and heading out into the wilderness with nothing but a backpack of essentials is an appealing one.
However, before you embark on your adventure, it’s important to make sure that you have the best possible equipment to make your backpacking trip a success. So, if you’re thinking about just cramming your old sleeping bag into your backpack and setting off, think again.
Whilst the sleeping bag might be the most commonly used form of outdoor sleeping equipment, all the evidence actually points to the backpacking quilt as the best option for sleeping comfortably in the great outdoors.
Backpacking quilts are generally lighter, cheaper, more compactable, and more versatile than sleeping bags, whilst remaining equally warm, making them the best choice for both convenience and comfort.
We’ve listed the 5 best backpacking quilts on the market to make your backpacking experience as comfortable as possible. If you’re having trouble choosing, we’ve also put together a buyers guide and an FAQ section to help you out!
Ready and raring to go? Take a look at our top picks:
Top 5 Best Backpacking Quilts
OUR TOP PICK
Horizon Hound’s Down Camping Blanket has been designed to satisfy all your essential backpacking requirements, both in terms of comfort and practicality.
Weighing just 1 lb 1 oz and folding neatly from its full size of 77 x 50 inches into the provided 11 x 5.5 x 16-inch storage sack, you can be sure that this quilt won’t weigh you down or take up too much space on your travels.
This quilt is perfect for the eco-conscious backpacker due to its use of sustainably-sourced down and feather filling. Moreover, this filling strikes the ideal balance between providing superior insulation whilst remaining extremely lightweight.
The ripstop nylon cover material is strong, durable, and completely machine washable, so this quilt will easily withstand both outdoor use and laundering without any problems.
This quilt is also versatile. It is suitable for use as a regular throw blanket, but can also clip together at the front to form a warm poncho which is ideal for sleeping wrapped-up on colder nights.
Pros
- Lightweight and compactable
- Insulating
- Clips for versatility
- Durable ripstop nylon material
- Sustainably-sourced feather down
- Machine washable
- Storage sack included
Cons
- No footbox feature
EDITORS CHOICE
This backpacking quilt from Get Out Gear is fantastic for staying warm and comfortable whilst sleeping outdoors.
Made of durable ripstop nylon, this quilt makes an effective shield from the wind while the 650 fill power down provides thorough insulation. The material is also finished with a water repellent coating, making it resistant to food or drink spills as well as rain showers.
This quilt only weighs 1.1 lbs and can be compressed from its original dimensions of 80 x 54 inches to a meager 5 x 12 inches in the provided stuff sack.
Perhaps best of all, this quilt incorporates premium snap fastenings, allowing it to be worn around the body like a poncho and provide all-over warmth during the night.
Pros
- Durable ripstop nylon material
- 650 fill power down for insulation
- Water repellent coating
- Snap fastenings for versatility
- Large 80 x 54-inch maximum dimensions
- 5 x 12-inch stuff sack included
Cons
- No footbox feature
BEST VALUE
PUFFER WOLF’s Extra Large Double Insulated Outdoor Camping Blanket makes a great quilt for backpacking.
Measuring 80 x 54 inches at its largest, and 77 x 51 inches when fully lofted, this quilt is easily compressed to fit into the 5 x 5 x 12-inch stuff sack.
Weighing just 1.5 lbs, this quilt may be just a little heavier than some of the others on this list, but it is still very lightweight. Moreover, the extra weight is more than justified by the use of PW700 Featherlight Insulation, which gives the quilt its high heat-to-weight ratio, ensuring superior warmth during outdoor sleeping.
The ripstop nylon material is water-resistant as well as dustproof, windproof, and stain-resistant, so you can trust that it will fare well against the elements. The quilt is also machine washable for easy cleaning.
Pros
- PW700 Featherlight Insulation
- Durable ripstop nylon material
- Large 80 x 54-inch maximum dimensions
- Water, wind, and stain resistant
- 5 x 5 x 12-inch stuff sack included
Cons
- No fastening features
RUNNER UP
This quilt from OneTigris has been specially designed to provide the most comfortable outdoor sleeping experience possible.
The durable ripstop nylon material, combined with the lightweight polyester pongee lining, makes this quilt a long-lasting, convenient, warm, and comfortable piece of backpacking equipment.
Weighing just over 2 lbs and measuring 6.6 ft x 2.8 ft, this quilt compresses down to a very reasonable 13.8 x 8 inches, so it will fit easily alongside your other essentials in a good-sized backpack.
The design of the OneTigris quilt facilitates a comfortable night’s sleep through its incorporation of a hook-and-loop sealed footbox which fastens the quilt around you fully like a regular sleeping bag, keeping out any unwanted draughts.
The footbox can be unfastened as needed, so the quilt can also be used as a top quilt if preferred. The hollow back design also allows for the insertion of a sleeping mat for maximum comfort.
Pros
- Durable ripstop nylon material
- Lightweight polyester pongee lining
- Hook-and-loop footbox
- Hollow back design for sleeping mat compatibility
Cons
- No storage bag
RUNNER UP
Outdoor Vitals has definitely created a vital product in its Down TopQuilt.
Containing premium treated, 800+ fill powder down, you can be sure that this quilt will allow you to sleep warmly and soundly on your backpacking trips. Meanwhile, the extra-durable nylon outer material is Outdoor Vitals’ lightest material to date.
This is a highly portable quilt, weighing just 1.1 lbs at its regular size (although a long/wide model is also available) and compressing easily into the included 12 x 7-inch stuff sack.
Outdoor Vitals’ innovative design included clasps and buttons for fastening and pad straps for attaching to a sleeping pad or hammock. It also distributes the weight of the down so as to maximize warmth and simultaneously reduce seam weight.
The quilt is also waterproof, so you won’t need to worry about it getting waterlogged in the rain.
Pros
- Durable, lightweight nylon outer material
- Premium treated, 800+ fill powder down
- Warmth-retentive and seam weight-reducing design
- Regular and long/wide sizes available
- Water-resistant
- Fastening buttons and clasps
- Pad straps included
- Includes 12 x 7-inch stuff sack
Cons
- Some reports of uneven down distribution
Best Backpacking Quilts Buying Guide
As you can probably tell from the selection of quilts above, backing quilts can be very diverse in terms of their structures and included features. Whilst this means you have a lot of choice, it might also leave you confused as to which backpacking quilt will best meet your needs.
Luckily, we’ve put together this buyers guide to take you through everything you’ll need to consider before making your decision.
Material
The most important factor to consider when purchasing a backpacking quilt is the material.
Generally speaking, there will be two kinds of material that make up your backpacking quilt: the outer material and the filling.
Nylon is a great material for the outer cover of a backpacking quilt because it is highly durable, lightweight and easily machine washable.
The use of a water-resistant coating is ideal on the outer material of the quilt to prevent it from becoming waterlogged in adverse weather conditions.
Down is a very popular material for backpacking quilt filling because it is naturally occurring, eco-friendly, and can be sustainably harvested. It is also extremely warm and comfortable, making it an ideal insulator.
High-performance synthetic down alternatives include polyester and PW700 featherlight insulation, so if you’re vegan or, for any other reason, opposed to animal-derived down, these options may be more suitable for you.
Size
It is also important to check the size of your potential backpacking quilt before purchase to make sure that will cover you properly during the night.
An ill-fitting backpacking quilt may leave you exposed to the elements, leading to an unpleasant sleeping experience.
Most backpacking quilts will measure somewhere between 77 x 50 and 80 x 54 inches unfolded or are advertised as suitable for individuals up to 6’5. This should be fine for the majority of backpackers, but if you are taller than 6’5, be sure to opt for a larger size option where possible to make sure that your desired quilt is large enough to provide you with sufficient warmth and comfort.
Portability
As with any item you anticipate taking backpacking, it’s crucial to make sure that your backpacking quilt is portable enough to fit easily in your backpack and not weigh you down while you’re on the move.
The heaviest quilt on this list weighs just over 2 lbs, so all of them are lightweight enough to carry quite easily. However, the size of your backpack will determine how much you need your quilt to compress.
If your backpack isn’t particularly large, you should opt for a more compressible quilt that includes a stuff sack. This way, you can rest assured that your quilt can be neatly and securely packed away in a 5 x 12 space when not in use.
Footbox
Whether or not you want your backpacking quilt to include a footbox is your own personal choice.
Some backpackers prefer to be encased in their quilt at night, sleeping-bag-style, while others appreciate the lack of restriction provided by an open top quilt, especially in the warmer seasons.
If you plan to use extra layering and a sleeping pad along with your quilt, an open quilt with simple fastenings for wearing may be right for you. However, if you plan on backpacking during the colder months or don’t want to have to layer up too much before bed, the ability to fasten your quilt into a footbox is likely to benefit you.
Additional Features
Any additional features included with your backpacking quilt can make your trip a whole lot easier!
The inclusion of a stuff sack or storage bag will improve the portability of your quilt, allowing you to store it neatly and securely in your backpack without having to worry about packing straps, clasps, or carrying contraptions.
Included pad straps can help to make your sleeping experience more comfortable by allowing you to strap your quilt to an air mattress or sleeping pad for extra support and warmth.
Some quilts are designed with a hollow back to allow for the insertion of such a pad, which is extremely useful as it means your pad will stay securely in place underneath your quilt throughout the night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a quilt and a sleeping bag?
A sleeping bag is a very specific product, designed exclusively for floor or outdoor sleeping. Whilst a sleeping bag will generally feature a zip to form the ‘bag’ structure, and an attached hood. These features allow the sleeping bag to essentially function as an all-in-one sleeping system.
A backpacking quilt, meanwhile, does not feature a zip or a hood and is designed to be used with a sleeping pad for added comfort.
While the quilt’s lack of zipping and hood may, on the surface, seem to make it a less desirable product, in fact, the opposite is true.
By forgoing a zip, the backpacking quilt reduces the risk of material getting caught and accidentally torn. A zip can also cause discomfort by digging in or rubbing during the night, which the backpacking quilt eliminates.
Additionally, while a hood may seem like a useful feature, it often causes more trouble than it’s worth. A hood decreases versatility, takes up more space in terms of portability, and can even be obstructive for side-sleepers.
Therefore, a backpacking quilt is essentially a more streamlined and versatile version of a sleeping bag.