A summary of (almost) every down and synthetic camping quilt available in the UK
What is a down camping quilt and why should I get one?
Camping quilts are an alternative to sleeping bags.
Quilts are popular with ultralight enthusiasts as they can be lighter than sleeping bags. They are also used by people who just don’t like the constricted feeling of being in a sleeping bag. Some people recommend them for kids too, as they can be folded to the appropriate size and more closely resemble sleeping under a normal duvet.
Camping quilts come in a range of different designs. Some are simple rectangular blankets, like your duvet at home only much lighter. Others look exactly like a sleeping bag only with the back section removed. So, instead of cocooning you right the way around, they provide insulation on the top and sides, then leave your camping mat to keep you warm underneath. Many more are somewhere in between these two extremes: still able to be flattened out like a simple duvet, but tapered rather than rectangular, so that they are narrower at the feet and wider at the shoulders.
Most quilts come with some combinations of straps and cords so that you can fasten them to your camping mat or tighten it around your back. Some also have a “footbox”, a stitched or zipped section at the bottom into which you can tuck your feet.
They are often referred to as “down” quilts and the majority do indeed use goose or duck down as insulation. However, it is perfectly possible to fill quilts with synthetic insulation (e.g. Primaloft) and a few such products are included in the review below. There just aren’t very many of them.
The remainder of this article compiles data from most of the quilts available in the UK and provides basic comments on each.
Key
Below is a data table comparing the stats of most quilts available in the UK. Here is a ‘key’ to explain what the different terms and columns mean.
- Shape:
- ‘Rectangle’ means a straightforward rectangular blanket. It probably still has straps and clips so you can wrap it around yourself and/or mat, but it can also be completely unfolded into a simple, flat duvet.
- ‘Mummy’ means it is like a sleeping bag with the back removed. You can probably unfold it a bit but it won’t be completely flat (some have a permanently stitched footbox) and it will probably be a lot narrower at the bottom.
- ‘Tapered’ is somewhere between the two above. It will be narrower at the bottom than it is a the top (an isosceles trapezoid rather than a rectangle) but you can usually still unfold it completely flat.
- Weight: How much does the bag weigh in grams?
- Fill weight: How much down filling does it have in grams?
- Fill power: How fluffy is the down? The number means how many cubic inches will 1oz fill. Higher numbers mean warmer.
- HP: Is the down “hydrophobic” i.e. has it been treated to resist water a little?
- E: Has the down been certified as ethically/responsibly sourced?
- L: Is there a longer/larger version available? Larger models will be bigger and heavier than quoted here.
- D: Is it a double quilt?
- Size: Dimensions of the quilt in centimetres. Height x width for rectangular quilts. ‘Height’ x ‘width at shoulder’ / ‘width at foot’ for tapered/mummy bags.
- Cost: Per stockist’s website.
Quilt comparison table
Data on almost all of the quilts currently available in the UK. Click column headings to sort the table.
The information comes from the manufacturers or, where not available, third party websites. In particular, the excellent Ultralight Outdoor Gear website, which stocks and details a wide range of quilts.
| Brand | Model | Shape | Weight | Fill | HP | E | L | D | Size (cm) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paria Outdoor | Thermodown 30 | Tapered | 900 | 450 | N | N | Y | N | 198 x 142/106 | £130 |
| Paria Outdoor | Thermodown 15 | Tapered | 990 | 620 | N | N | Y | N | 198 x 142/106 | £150 |
| Cumulus | Quilt 150 | Tapered | 380 | 150 | N | Y | N | N | 195 x 130/100 | £149 |
| Cumulus | Quilt 250 | Tapered | 490 | 250 | N | Y | N | N | 195 x 130/100 | £165 |
| Cumulus | Quilt 350 | Tapered | 600 | 350 | N | Y | N | N | 195 x 130/100 | £185 |
| Cumulus | Quilt 450 | Tapered | 710 | 450 | N | Y | N | N | 195 x 130/100 | £205 |
| Cumulus | Comforter M400 | Rectangle | 560 | 400 | N | Y | N | N | 210 x 120 | £165 |
| Cumulus | Comforter L500 | Rectangle | 695 | 500 | N | Y | N | N | 227 x 140 | £179 |
| Cumulus | Comforter XL700 | Rectangle | 990 | 700 | N | Y | N | N | 227 x 210 | £269 |
| Thermarest | Corus 32F / 0C | Mummy | 560 | 340 | Y | Y | Y | N | 183 x 128/122 | £170 |
| Thermarest | Corus 20F / -6C | Mummy | 730 | 530 | Y | Y | Y | N | 183 x 128/122 | £185 |
| Thermarest | Vesper 45F / 7C | Mummy | 340 | 180 | Y | Y | Y | N | 183 x 147/94 | £202 |
| Thermarest | Vesper 32F / 0C | Mummy | 440 | 240 | Y | Y | Y | N | 183 x 147/94 | £275 |
| Thermarest | Vesper 20F / -6C | Mummy | 550 | 360 | Y | Y | Y | N | 183 x 147/94 | £325 |
| Thermarest | Vela Double 32F / 0C | Mummy | 990 | 510 | Y | Y | N | Y | 203 x 254/208 | £265 |
| Thermarest | Vela Double 20F / -6C | Mummy | 1270 | 890 | Y | Y | N | Y | 203 x 254/208 | £270 |
| Thermarest | Stellar | Rectangle | 610 | 220 | N | N | N | Y | 191 x 183 | £70 |
| Thermarest | Argo | Rectangle | 720 | 300 | N | N | N | Y | 198 x 183 | £68 |
| Thermarest | Ramble | Rectangle | 1310 | 700 | Y | Y | N | Y | 224 x 224 | £213 |
| Sea to Summit | Ember EbI 4C | Mummy | 420 | 200 | Y | Y | Y | N | 179 x | £280 |
| Sea to Summit | Ember EbII -1C | Mummy | 600 | 350 | Y | Y | Y | N | 179 x | £328 |
| Sea to Summit | Ember EbIII -10C | Mummy | 725 | 500 | Y | Y | N | N | 179 x | £380 |
| Sea to Summit | Traveller TrI 10C | Mummy | 420 | 200 | Y | Y | Y | N | 183 x 148/98 | £185 |
| Sea to Summit | Traveller TrII -1C | Mummy | 645 | 350 | Y | Y | Y | N | 183 x 148/98 | £224 |
| Western Mountaineering | AstraLite | Mummy | 454 | 298 | N | N | Y | N | 180 x 172/96 | £400 |
| Western Mountaineering | NanoLite | Mummy | 312 | 184 | N | N | Y | N | 180 x 172/96 | £340 |
| Alpkit | Cloud Cover | Tapered | 520 | 200 | Y | Y | N | N | 180 x 130/95 | £100 |
| Big Agnes | Kings Canyon UL | Tapered | 425 | 227 | - | - | N | N | 183 x 152/114 | £125 |
| Mountain Equipment | Helium Quilt | Tapered | 510 | 200 | N | Y | N | N | 203 x 150/ | £150 |
| Rab | Neutrino 200 | Mummy | 460 | 200 | Y | Y | N | N | 190 x 150/65 | £240 |
Quilt reviews
Information on individual quilts. I will add comments to these over time as I gather feedback and get my hands on more quilts.
Paria Outdoor Thermodown 30
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 900 grams (32oz)
Dimensions: 198 x 142/106 cm (longer version available)
Down: 450 grams of 700 fill power down
Pack size: 23 x 17cm (391cm³)
Price: £130
Paria Outdoor Thermodown 15
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 990 grams (35oz)
Dimensions: 198 x 142/106 cm (longer version available)
Down: 620 grams of 700 fill power down
Pack size: 25 x 18cm (450cm³)
Price: £150
Cumulus Quilt 150
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 380 grams (13oz)
Dimensions: 195 x 130/100 cm
Down: 150 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced down
Pack size: 18 x 11cm (198cm³)
Price: £149
Cumulus are a Polish company with a reputation for top quality down bags at very reasonable prices. I have a Cumulus Comforter M400, which is excellent. Note that, post-Brexit, you will have to pay import duties if you get one posted to the UK.
Cumulus Quilt 250
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 490 grams (17oz)
Dimensions: 195 x 130/100 cm
Down: 250 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced down
Pack size: 19 x 15cm (285cm³)
Price: £165
Cumulus Quilt 350
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 600 grams (21oz)
Dimensions: 195 x 130/100 cm
Down: 350 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced down
Pack size: 22 x 16cm (352cm³)
Price: £185
Cumulus Quilt 450
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 710 grams (25oz)
Dimensions: 195 x 130/100 cm
Down: 450 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced down
Pack size: 25 x 17cm (425cm³)
Price: £205
Cumulus Comforter M400
Shape: Rectangle
Weight: 560 grams (20oz)
Dimensions: 210 x 120 cm
Down: 400 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced down
Pack size: 25 x 17cm (425cm³)
Price: £165
Cumulus Comforter L500
Shape: Rectangle
Weight: 695 grams (25oz)
Dimensions: 227 x 140 cm
Down: 500 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced down
Pack size: 26 x 18cm (468cm³)
Price: £179
Cumulus Comforter XL700
Shape: Rectangle
Weight: 990 grams (35oz)
Dimensions: 227 x 210 cm
Down: 700 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced down
Pack size: 19 x 19cm (361cm³)
Price: £269
Thermarest Corus 32F / 0C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 560 grams (20oz)
Dimensions: 183 x 128/122 cm (longer version available)
Down: 340 grams of 650 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 25 x 17cm (425cm³)
Price: £170
Thermarest Corus 20F / -6C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 730 grams (26oz)
Dimensions: 183 x 128/122 cm (longer version available)
Down: 530 grams of 650 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 29 x 19cm (551cm³)
Price: £185
Thermarest Vesper 45F / 7C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 340 grams (12oz)
Dimensions: 183 x 147/94 cm (longer version available)
Down: 180 grams of 900 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 15 x 11cm (165cm³)
Price: £202
Thermarest Vesper 32F / 0C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 440 grams (16oz)
Dimensions: 183 x 147/94 cm (longer version available)
Down: 240 grams of 900 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 15 x 13cm (195cm³)
Price: £275
Thermarest Vesper 20F / -6C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 550 grams (19oz)
Dimensions: 183 x 147/94 cm (longer version available)
Down: 360 grams of 900 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 20 x 14cm (280cm³)
Price: £325
Thermarest Vela Double 32F / 0C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 990 grams (35oz)
Dimensions: 203 x 254/208 cm
Down: 510 grams of 650 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 33 x 20cm (660cm³)
Price: £265
Thermarest Vela Double 20F / -6C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 1270 grams (45oz)
Dimensions: 203 x 254/208 cm
Down: 890 grams of 650 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 41 x 23cm (943cm³)
Price: £270
Thermarest Stellar
Shape: Rectangle
Weight: 610 grams (22oz)
Dimensions: 191 x 183 cm
Filling: 220 grams of eraLoft Polyester Hollow Fiber (synthetic fill, not down)
Pack size: 36 x 28cm (1008cm³)
Price: £70
The Thermarest Argo, Stellar and Ramble are straightforward blankets: no straps, no buttons, no tapering, no footbox. Just a big rectangular sheet duvet.
Thermarest Argo
Shape: Rectangle
Weight: 720 grams (25oz)
Dimensions: 198 x 183 cm
Filling: 300 grams of eraLoft Polyester Hollow Fiber (synthetic fill, not down)
Pack size: 43 x 36cm (1548cm³)
Price: £68
The Thermarest Argo, Stellar and Ramble are straightforward blankets: no straps, no buttons, no tapering, no footbox. Just a big rectangular sheet duvet.
Thermarest Ramble
Shape: Rectangle
Weight: 1310 grams (46oz)
Dimensions: 224 x 224 cm
Down: 700 grams of 650 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 38 x 28cm (1064cm³)
Price: £213
The Thermarest Argo, Stellar and Ramble are straightforward blankets: no straps, no buttons, no tapering, no footbox. Just a big rectangular sheet duvet.
Sea to Summit Ember EbI 4C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 420 grams (15oz)
Dimensions: 179 x cm (longer version available)
Down: 200 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 15 x 12cm (180cm³)
Price: £280
Sea to Summit Ember EbII -1C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 600 grams (21oz)
Dimensions: 179 x cm (longer version available)
Down: 350 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 18 x 15cm (270cm³)
Price: £328
Sea to Summit Ember EbIII -10C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 725 grams (26oz)
Dimensions: 179 x cm
Down: 500 grams of 850 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 20 x 18cm (360cm³)
Price: £380
Sea to Summit Traveller TrI 10C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 420 grams (15oz)
Dimensions: 183 x 148/98 cm (longer version available)
Down: 200 grams of 750 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: cm
Price: £185
Sea to Summit Traveller TrII -1C
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 645 grams (23oz)
Dimensions: 183 x 148/98 cm (longer version available)
Down: 350 grams of 750 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: cm
Price: £224
Western Mountaineering AstraLite
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 454 grams (16oz)
Dimensions: 180 x 172/96 cm (longer version available)
Down: 298 grams of 850 fill power down
Pack size: 25 x 15cm (375cm³)
Price: £400
Western Mountaineering NanoLite
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 312 grams (11oz)
Dimensions: 180 x 172/96 cm (longer version available)
Down: 184 grams of 850 fill power down
Pack size: 25 x 15cm (375cm³)
Price: £340
Alpkit Cloud Cover
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 520 grams (18oz)
Dimensions: 180 x 130/95 cm
Down: 200 grams of 750 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 27 x 20cm (540cm³)
Price: £100
Big Agnes Kings Canyon UL
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 425 grams (15oz)
Dimensions: 183 x 152/114 cm
Filling: 227 grams of PrimaLoft Hi-Loft Ultra Silver insulation
Pack size: 15 x 10cm (150cm³)
Price: £125
Mountain Equipment Helium Quilt
Shape: Tapered
Weight: 510 grams (18oz)
Dimensions: 203 x 150/ cm
Down: 200 grams of 700 fill power, responsibly-sourced down
Pack size: 24 x 11cm (264cm³)
Price: £150
Rab Neutrino 200
Shape: Mummy
Weight: 460 grams (16oz)
Dimensions: 190 x 150/65 cm
Down: 200 grams of 800 fill power, responsibly-sourced, hydrophobic down
Pack size: 30 x 18cm (540cm³)
Price: £240
What have I missed?
If I’ve missed any quilts that are available in the UK then please do let me know. Equally, if you think any of the stats are wrong then please do add a comment below and we can cross reference.
