Quilt Vs. Sleeping Bags

Introduction

One outdoor activity that is fun and easy to participate in is camping. Camping is an enjoyable activity, and all you need are a few friends, adequate gear, and a safe location. One thing that all campers must do before going out into the wild is to plan properly. As a camper, you have to consider external factors like weather before embarking on your trip. You also have to make sure you are well-packed and have everything you need for the camping session. If you will be sleeping over a day or more, then one important arrangement you should make is your sleeping system. You should know the kind of tent you want to build and most importantly, you should know where exactly you would lie at night. There are many alternative sleeping systems for campers. However, in this article, we want to look at two of the most common sleeping systems for campers; quilts and sleeping bags. If you plan to go camping and are unsure if you should go with a camping quilt or a sleeping bag, then reading through this article will help you narrow down your decision. Enjoy!

Camping Quilts

Quilts are multi-layered textile composed of three layers of fiber, and they are combined using the quilting technique. Camping quilts are essentially lightweight sleeping bags designed for warm-weather camping. The parts of sleeping bags that make them heavy (full-length zippers, hoods, extra layers) are absent in quilts, making them a perfect tent alternative for folks that prioritize lighter sleep systems.

Advantages of camping quilts

• Lightweight structure

Quilts are designed with a lightweight structure that campers love. When you sleep in quilts, your body doesn’t feel the bag’s weight; rather, it feels like a very light blanket wrapping you around.

• Easy to pack and carry

Quilts are made with fewer materials than other sleeping systems, and this makes them more compact. They can be compressed easily, and they take up less space in your luggage. Quilts also loft faster when you are ready to use them.

• Versatile

Quilts are primarily a sleeping system, but they can be adapted for other purposes because you can unbutton the foot box. This means you can turn your quilt into a blanket and wrap it around you anytime you want.

• Affordable

Quilts are generally more affordable than other sleeping systems. You can often get them for low prices at any online or offline store.

Disadvantages of camping quilts

• Not designed for extreme cold weather camping

If you are going camping during the cold season, it would not be appropriate to bring along a quilt. Although quilts are lightweight and comfortable, they are not built for extreme weather, and you will feel really cold if you sleep in them.

• They are not designed with hoods

Quilts are not designed with hoods. Although this is meant to allow it to have a reduced weight, your head will not be protected at night. You will have to wear a headcover of some sort if you are to be fully prepared.

• Requires a sleeping pad

Quilts are made with lightweight materials, and if you sleep in them directly, it would feel as though you are sleeping on the ground. For this reason, all campers planning to use quilts must also come along with one (or two) sleeping pads.

• Designed with attachment systems

Quilts are made with attachment systems, and these systems vary from quilt to quilt; if you buy with an overly complicated system, you won’t enjoy using it.

Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bags are camping gear designed to wrap you up and keep you comfortable at night. Most campers opt for sleeping bags because of their improved warmth on cold nights. Another factor that makes camping bags attractive to campers is their flexibility and versatility. Sleeping bags come in different shapes, sizes, and designs. You can always pick the one that suits you best.

Advantages of Sleeping Bags

• Designed for cold weather camping

If you are going camping in a cold season, then a sleeping bag will serve you well. Sleeping bags are sealed around the sides, and they come with a hood.

• Doesn’t come with attachment systems

When you want to use your sleeping bag, all you have to do is roll it out and step into the bag. There are no complicated attachments, and all you have to handle is the zip.

• Affordable and consistent

Sleeping bags don’t vary from bag to bag. The design is pretty much the same regardless of the manufacturer, and the average bags come at affordable prices.

• Doesn’t require a sleeping pad

Although some campers use sleeping pads with their sleeping bags, it is not a necessity. You can get into your sleeping bag and go to sleep straight away.

Disadvantages of Sleeping Bags

• Utilizes a slightly heavy structure

Sleeping bags are made with extra materials, hoods, and full-length zippers. This adds weight to the bag and gives it a puffy structure.

• Takes up space in your bag

Since we have already established that sleeping bags have a puffy structure, this automatically means you have a piece of puffy luggage, and you should be ready to strap up when you go camping.

• Designed to trap moisture

Breathing down into your sleeping bag is common among campers, which tends to trap moisture within the bag. This means you have to deal with less warmth at night and a wet bag in the morning.

• Requires periodic maintenance

Sleeping use zippers, and everyone knows zippers will eventually get damaged. You have to be ready to replace the zipper anytime it gets damaged.

Conclusion

As a camper, your gear should meet two requirements. Your gear should be adequate for the existing conditions and also perfectly suited and comfortable for you. When your gear strikes a balance between these two requirements, you will enjoy your camping session better. If you plan to stay overnight in the woods, then the most important gear in your package should be your sleeping system. If you don’t pack the right gear for sleeping, you open yourself to several negative factors such as body heat loss, sleep deprivation, and so on. This article has presented you with adequate information on two of the most common types of sleeping systems. If you were trying to decide between quilts and sleeping bags for your next camping session, we hope that the article has helped you conclude. Enjoy!