☰

Enlightened Equipment Support > General FAQs > How to use

% Search

Articles in this section ▾

How to layer quilts for sub-zero camping

Tyler
Updated 11 hours ago

Anyone who enjoys cold weather camping can tell you about its many benefits: no bugs, no
crowds, and an extreme peacefulness and beauty that is difficult to experience any other time. But
of course these benefits don’t come free, and the primary challenge in winter camping is the
simple necessity of keeping warm, especially while sleeping. At Enlightened Equipment, we like to
rely on a very simple yet versatile method to hit sub-zero temperatures: layering multiple sleep
systems.

For those who only occasionally do winter trips, the first benefit is simply cost. By using two sleep
systems (typically one for summer and one for shoulder seasons) you actually get three
temperature ratings. For example, if you have a 40°F quilt for summer use and a 20°F for the
shoulder seasons, you can use each independently, and then in winter combine them for a -10°F
rating. Both sleep systems combined would often still come in at a lower price than a sleep system
rated to -10°F.

For reference, below we’ve included a chart to calculate the approximate ratings of combined
sleep systems. Note that these ratings are limit temperatures, and cold sleepers should adjust
their sleep systems based on their own needs. See more about our temperature ratings. 

Quilt Ratings 50ºF 40ºF 30ºF 20ºF 10ºF 0ºF

50ºF 30ºF 20ºF 10ºF 0ºF -10ºF -20ºF
40ºF 20ºF 10ºF 0ºF -10ºF -20ºF -30ºF
30ºF 10ºF 0ºF -10ºF -20ºF -30ºF -40ºF
20ºF 0ºF -10ºF -20ºF -30ºF -40ºF  
10ºF -10ºF -20ºF -30 -40    
0ºF -20ºF -30ºF -40ºF      

Use below 0ºF should be limited to experienced users. Any time a sleep system is used, you MUST
include adequate sleeping pad and head insulation. Please use caution when spending time outdoors in
very cold temperatures.

Keep in mind that using either quilts or sleeping bags below -10°F requires some experience using
them and requires well-thought-out insulation for your head and face and a very efficient sleeping
pad insulator underneath you. See more information about sleeping pads. When camping in the
cold, bring warm baselayers, plenty of insulating clothing, and hot food. Make sure you have quick
access to your vehicle if something should go wrong, and inform friends or family of your
whereabouts.

While any two of our solo systems can be used, one of the most popular combinations is to use a
Revelation APEX as the outer quilt, and a Revelation or Enigma as the inner quilt. The reason for
having a synthetic quilt on the outside is that whether we're awake or asleep, we’re always
releasing a certain amount of moisture. In very cold weather, this moisture cools very quickly,
allowing the water to condense into droplets, perhaps even before it is able to pass all the way
through your insulation. A synthetic outer quilt can manage this moisture much better than a down
quilt and can continue to offer a higher level of insulation when damp. You can learn more about
the differences in insulation type here.

However, most of the time, the heat you create in your sleep system will be enough to push the
moisture out and keep your down dry. If you do find that you need some help keeping
condensation off of you, try using a vapor barrier to help block the moisture (such as a plastic or
foil blanket, a rain jacket, etc…).

When using two quilts, keeping everything in place couldn’t be simpler. In order to keep everything
held together in cold weather, EE offers the Sub-Zero Strap, which allows you to attach two EE
sleep systems to your pad at once. Keep in mind that a tight-fitting quilt may not loft as fully as it
should be to hit its temperature rating, so the quilt used on top may need to be somewhat larger to
allow a good fit for the quilt below it. We typically advise folks to go up one size for the top layer.

This style of sleep system doesn’t necessarily need to include two quilts. Using a sleeping bag or
mummy bag along with one of our quilts is also a very effective way to add some versatility to your
kit. 

Many users may find it surprising to even consider using one or more sleep systems in cold
weather at all, typically for concern about drafts. A well-fitted quilt should offer enough coverage
to keep drafts blocked out and leave some extra space for insulated clothing layers. Because
there’s no zipper (which can be very frustrating to use with gloves on), getting under and out of
the sleep system, or even two is as simple as using a blanket at home. This makes late-night trips
much less clumsy than when you’re using a tight-fitting mummy bag in cold weather, and if you’re
wearing a Hoodlum or something similar, you have the added benefit of taking your head insulation
with you.

Ultimately your gear kit should serve the specific trips you find yourself on. For some, that will
mean having a dedicated sub-zero bag, but for many of us, the layering system will be completely
effective to reach those temperatures when we find we need to.

The advice you’ll find on Enlightened Equipment support pages is just that—advice—and isn’t a
substitute for proper preparation before you go into wilderness areas. Know your limits, do your
research, and test your gear in safe locations before you thru-hike. Outdoor activities, while
awesome, are undertaken at your own risk.

Was this article helpful?

✓ Yes ✕ No

1224 out of 1255 found this helpful

Return to top ⬆

Related articles

About our temperature ratings

How to choose a sleeping pad

Stuff Sack sizes and Compression

Tips for choosing a temperature rating

Fabrics, insulation, and design

Enlightened Equipment Support