Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Down Topquilt
Probably 10 years ago the craze started for backpackers, especially long distance hikers, to shift from sleeping bags to sleeping quilts. The primary selling point was that quilts weigh less. There were other things as well, such as the down you sleep on and compress under you doesn’t have any significant insulation qualities. The rebuttal was that quilts are drafty and generally don’t insulate as well.
There’s no wrong side to take here. As with most backpacking gear, it depends greatly on personal preferences and priorities. If you don’t mind a few extra ounces and prefer a sleeping bag, great. If you prefer the less confining quilt and can manage the few extra degrees it may loose, great.
I have come to like my down quilts. On very cold trips, however, I am glad I have the sleeping bag option. I have nice gear for either scenario.
Today I want to review my quilt. It’s the Outdoor Vitals 15 degree Stormloft down topquilt. Here are the primary reasons I chose this quilt:
Design.
It’s wider at the top and has a tapered cut, like how our bodies are shaped. I’m a big fan of cloths that are shaped and cut to fit our bodies – shirts, pants, socks, and in this case, my sleeping quilt. Why does it make sense to do it any other way? The reason this is important is that a sleeping system that does not contour my body will have gaps, and gaps cause drafts and inefficiencies. Attach the included pad straps to make this quilt practically draft free.
They also designed in a collar specifically to addresses drafts around the shoulders and neck. This makes a HUGE difference with temperature control. I can loosen it or tighten it as needed.
And the third thoughtful design element is the footbox. The footbox shape matches the natural spay of our feet while we’re laying down. It creates the optimum air space for my feet to stay warm. My feet are usually the first things that gets cold at night. So, this is great for me.
Materials.
The primary material is 10D DWR, which is a PFC free treated fabric. It’s very light weight and perfectly durable, unless you plan on running through a brier patch with this... Which is strongly not recommended.
Most of us have heard of DWR-treated down. The next generation of treated down that performs better than DWR is ExpeDRY gold treated down. I know, that sounds like this is going to be ridiculously expensive. It’s not. It’s just a better down that has better water resistance and dries faster. If you've ever had a wet down sleeping bag, you will value this newer down technology.
The Company
Also, a bonus with this company is that they are constantly innovating. This means you are getting the most thoughtful gear you’ll be able to find on the market. They are a small cottage company of in-house designers, testers, and outdoor enthusiasts who are proudly dedicated to their craft. I think this is super important when facing a gear purchase decision. Whenever I can, I’m right there supporting companies just like this.
Negatives
Cottage companies typically can only afford to order small runs. What this means is that the gear tends to be more expensive. Indeed, that’s the case here. It’s what I’ve come to expect. However, try finding an ultralight top quilt that is not from a cottage company. So, for the lower cost, you’ll be carrying something (much) heavier than you’d like. But, for me, as long as my budget can support this kind of exchange – great people making great products for a little higher price – I’ll do it.
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