Camping Quilts Review – The best down quilts in the UK

A summary of (almost) every down and synthetic camping quilt available in the UK

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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.

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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.

1. 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.
2. Weight: How much does the bag weigh in grams?
3. Fill weight: How much down filling does it have in grams?
4. Fill power: How fluffy is the down? The number means how many cubic inches will 1oz fill. Higher numbers mean warmer.
5. HP: Is the down “hydrophobic” i.e. has it been treated to resist water a little?
6. E: Has the down been certified as ethically/responsibly sourced?
7. L: Is there a longer/larger version available? Larger models will be bigger and heavier than quoted here.
8. D: Is it a double quilt?
9. 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.
10. Cost: Per stockist’s website.

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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

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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

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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.