Summer sleeping bag? There's a better option (and it's half the weight).

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat in your sleeping bag in the middle of the summer road? That moment when you wake up sweating, trapped in a down cocoon designed for winter conditions and not for a mild July night. It's happened to all of us. And that's when you ask yourself: do I really need to carry this? Today there is an alternative that divides the weight by two and multiplies the comfort: the quilt or ultralight duvet.

Traditional bags are designed to retain heat, which in winter is vital, but in summer becomes torture. Their structure with zips, hoods and gussets adds unnecessary weight (minimum 800g) and bulk that takes up half a rucksack. Worse still, its bottom insulation is redundant if you use a good mat.

What is a quilt and why can it replace the bag?

A quilt is essentially a technical duvet designed for outdoor activities. No zips, no hood, no reinforcements. It is placed over the body, on the mat, like a thermal blanket that traps heat... without trapping sweat.

The most brutal difference: the weight. Compared to the classic down jacket at -6 °C, which weighs around 800 g-1 kg, a good down jacket can be used for quilt 850 fill power down can barely weigh 420 g. In other words, the half.

Do you lose thermal capacity? Not necessarily. If you use a well insulated mat (high R-Value) and place the quiltyou can maintain equivalent thermal comfort. The key is in the rest system as a whole, not just in the piece that covers you.

Real benefits of the quilts

• Weight and volume: Ideal for fastpackingfor those looking for a backpack under 5 kg, for routes with little thermal gradient or for those looking for a backpack under 5 kg.
• VersatilityUse it as a blanket while dining out of the tent, as a pillow, or as an emergency coat on a trip.
• ModularityYou can combine it in winter with a light jacket and gain up to 10°C extra comfort without buying a heavier jacket.

👉 Example On a summer hike in the Pyrenees, you can go from carrying 0.9-1.2 kg in a sack to using a quilt of 430 g. With an R-Value 3.5 mat, you can sleep without any problems up to 2,000 m above sea level.

A substitute for the jacket or a complement?

In summer, the quilt can easily replace a sleeping bag for most routes (except for high altitude hikes with cold nights). And in winter, it can be added to your bag for that extra warmth without adding bulk.

Going for shelter? A simple sleeping bag or even a mini-sheet Are you going tented or bivouacking? Then the quilt is king.

Keys to successful use

1. Combine it with a GOOD STRETCHER:
   • The R-value (thermal insulation) must be high (≥3.5 for <5°C).
   • Without this, the cold of the ground will make for a "difficult" night.
2. Fastening systems:
   • The best quilts include ribbons or clips to fix them to the mat, avoiding draughts.
3. Temperature limits:
   • Optimal between 10°C and 25°C. For nights >30°C, a pillow or light layer will suffice. Sometimes something to cover the belly or stomach will suffice.

Disadvantages? Only two

• ❌ Possible heat leakageOn windy nights or if you move around a lot, air can be sucked in. Some models include clips or straps to attach it to the mat to minimise this effect.
• ❌ It is not autonomous: It depends on your mat. No bottom insulationYou need a good mat as it does not completely envelop your body. If the ground is cold, body heat is lost through conduction.

Less culture of quilt in SpainWhile in the U.S. they are almost standard on routes such as the Pacific Crest Trail, Here they still get funny looks in the shelters.