Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt: Unboxing and Initial Review | Aside Zpacks Full Zip

Categorised lists of all the gear I use that can be found on Amazon:
www.amazon.co....
(Inc. Hiking, Filming & Dog gear)
We received a wee parcel in the post today: The Enlightened Equipment Revelation. Here we do a quick unboxing of the quilt and go over our initial thought on it.
We got one from stock in long and wide, rated at 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It was shipped the next day after ordering and came the quickest out of anything I have ever ordered from a US cottage company.
After having a quick look over it and try it on for size we compare it to my Zpacks Full Zip sleeping bag 10, the Thermarest Corus HD and my cheap Aegismax sleeping bag that Darwin Onthetrail mentions in one of his 'gear to lighten your load on a budget videos' gets a mention too.
Enlightened Equipment are one of the best known ultralight quilt makers in America and I though it ought time to get my hands on one of their quilts and put it to test for my 3 season lightweight backpacking/hiking adventures in Scotland.
Stay tuned for my full review once I have spent some time putting it to the test.
All the best,
John & Moss

[@OldStag72]

I've not watched this yet, but you get a thumbs up for that thumbnail pic alone.

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Hahaha, some of my best work right there! 🙂🐾👍

[@WanderFreeWithBarb]

Laughing so much at you just surrounded by different bags/quilts and !plucking" feathers. Just bough the vesper -6 and looking forward to trying it out. Great channel!

[@morgs4mountains]

I have exactly the same quilt having bought it this year. I've used it twice and on one night was very warm. Really comfortable and so much nicer sleeping under a quilt as opposed to feeling trapped in a sleeping bag. Excellent quality and I love the straps that keep it attached to the thermarest. Good review too!

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Thank you! 🐾👍 That's good to hear that it has been a winner for you. Cheers! 👍

[@smoggiewalks578]

Interesting review John. Look forward to review after use. Ps think you need a wider van Moss is disappearing under the quits

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Thanks Martin! 🐾👍 Haha, I know. Can't wait to have some room for gear storage!

[@3WalkingPoles]

Welcome to club. I have custom made exactly in the same colours and I like it, especially synthetic version. Interesting comparison. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Seb

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Thanks Sebastian! 🐾👍 Are you happy with yours? And they synthetic version?

[@3WalkingPoles]

@@HoundsofHowgate I have down one for -1C and I'm using in in winter time and 5C APEX for warmer months. It's overkill for summer but if I do summit camps it's OK. My experience is that temperature rating is accurate. And of course I can regulate both ends how tight they are. It's very versatile and my only regret is that I discovered quilts so late. I'm curious what your experience will be and would like to see your review.

[@HoundsofHowgate]

@@3WalkingPoles thanks for the info. 🙂 For sure, once I get it out I'll defo post a full review. 🐾👍

[@peterwrigley1434]

Love the thumbnail. Looked at first glance like you got religion. I have a EE Enigma 20F wide in the same colours. Fantastic quilt. I was on the fence about the sewn footbox but got it anyway. It's not an issue in the heat, I just stick a leg out. It's the sweet spot for an all rounder type bag. Very versitile, silky smooth fabric and pretty light and compact. I think you'll be happy with it.

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Hi Peter! I used it for 2 nights last weekend and was really pleased with it! First night I used it, my sleeping mat deflated and when repairing it at 4 in the morning I got super glue all down my new quilt! Arrrgh! 😱 Haha, oh well. Cheers! 🐾👍

[@HoundsofHowgate]

@@rick.smith1 yeah, in my sleeping clothes. So that's a lightweight thermal long sleeve top, under armour tights, socks and my lightweight down jacket and beanie if it's colder. I'd rather do that than use a liner or anything as my sleeping clothes also make for a backup set of clothing should my hiking clothes get messed up in any way or for layering if it's super cold. Totally different in winter right enough as I use a vapour barrier liner and a UL bivi bag designed to be use inside tents (not seam sealed) to keep my down bag good.

[@peterwrigley1434]

@@rick.smith1 yep, usually just thermals sometimes with a puffy if it's cold and breezy.

[@stephenashworth1951]

Great video, I was disappointed to find out that Enlightened Equipment uses 850 fill duck down in my stock revelation.

[@Tweets122]

I have the thermarest vesper 32 degree -6 c quilt and I have used it down to 0 degrees c with complete comfort and warmth. I am converted to a quilt :-) .

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Aye, that's such a better quilt than the Corus HD. The Vesper is 900 fill down while the Corus HD is only 650. 900 is really good while 650 is poor for the money it costs. Great to hear that they have some decent stuff in the line: thanks for letting us know! For sure by the way, quilts are the new sound! Cheers! 🐾👍

[@davidpaterson8779]

Nice video John. I ordered the Zpacks 30F quilt last week. Hopefully good for 3 season Scotland.

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Thanks David. 👍 Aye, it will be. I'm a cold sleeper, hence the 20F and I needed it to merge into my 10F Zpacks number. Besides, the best thing you can do to keep yourself warm is be active right before getting in (like no sitting aboot too much outside when the chill creeps in) and then tan a dose of food. That keeps you warm as anything! During the winter I learned that and ended up eating the vast majority of my food right before I went to sleep: I was roastin' all night! Not the best advice for normal like but it made a huge difference camping in colder conditions. Sleeping systems are so different for everyone and I bet you considered everything. Let me know how you like it! Was it the full Zip, classic or quilt you ordered? 🐾👍

[@davidpaterson8779]

It was the quilt. Was swithering between 20F & 30F but figured if needed I could top up with my 370ish g Spark sleeping bag. My next purchase is going to be one of them camping mattresses like the guy had when you were filming the tents at Loch Awe 😀

[@BravingTheOutDoors]

I mean... it would be great to see a comparison like you suggested at the end but as it's not apples for apples it'll have to be about the quality rather than the degrees it's meant for. Great video. You just have the rhythm. You should consider doing stand up comedy. Honestly. You have the beat for it. ;-)

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Thanks! Haha, oft, ah don't know about doing stand up comedy though! Ahm more of a farts and crappin' yersel man. 💩🙈😂

[@BravingTheOutDoors]

I haven't actually got to try it for myself just yet but I got the Zippo Hand Warmer after watching a video by Maff T UK where he says that he uses it inside the sleeping bag to warm up his feet throughout the night. Just a suggestion in case that wee hole lets in cold air.

[@HoundsofHowgate]

I actually have one of those brand new in storage. Not quite sure where I got it from (think I might have got it for the ex-gf, or her I) and it's been left. It might be an idea. Not sure if I'm too keen on the risk of a lighter fluid spillage though...not so much for the combustion risk if I was to light something the next day, but more it smelling up/damaging the down. Could be an idea for my winter stuff though cos then it would be inside my vapour barrier liner. Ha, yass! 🐾👍

[@BravingTheOutDoors]

@@HoundsofHowgate I know what you mean. I have the same reservations but he addresses it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/moSwh56EbtKfm5Y

[@jimwaugh94]

I'm looking at grabbing a new bag and as I'm down in Galloway wandering the Southern uplands. I'm interested to see how you are finding this quilt performs under Scottish conditions. Id hate to spend big and find out my sleep level status turned out to be " Frozen Snoater".

[@HoundsofHowgate]

When you fancyin' goin' oot? Season wise that is? This is my 3 season number that I plan to take into shoulder seasons with a vapour barrier liner and lightweight outer. For proper winter I have my winter bag that I rock with the VBL and PHD lightweight outer. I ask as moisture management becomes more an issue in these seasons... Personally I wouldn't use a quilt in winter but I do use a hoodless bag and wear a down hood separately. Let me know what you need out of it and I'll try and give ye mah thoughts at least good sir! 🙂🐾👍

[@jimwaugh94]

@@HoundsofHowgate Im looking for a 3 season Job. going out April to October . I tend to jest day walk in the winter but carry a bag incase plan A goes wrang. Im looking to get my auld bones aff the floor wi a thermarest blaw up pad so no heat loss through the ground. its a toss up whether to go for this in 20F or 10F or alternativley the Zpacks 20F or 10F classic bag . im no keen on a draft or frost !

[@HoundsofHowgate]

@@jimwaugh94 I can tell you about my Zpacks 10F full zip bag. Basically at 0°C I was roasting hot and had to use the bag in quilt mode. Below Zero I was toasty warm in it in conjunction with a vapour barrier liner and waterproof outer. If you are planning on using it at any other time than winter then I think a 10F is way too hot, even in quilt mode. Plus when it's packed up it takes up a huge amount of pack volume, so I wouldn't carry it unless I defo needed the warmth, as in winter. In winter you just have to accept everything is bigger and heavier. There is often still snow in April with night time temperatures often around 0°C. In October it is unusual that it gets down to 0°C but sometimes it can for a wee bit, but it's usually around the 7-12°C mark. Of course the temp. ramps up between those times over summer. So to start with, personally, I'd get the 20F. If I'm looking at temps down to 0°C then I'd just wear my down jacket and use my vapour barrier liner and waterproof outer to boost the temp. rating. I'd be using them around freezing anyway to deal with the moisture issue around those temperatures. As I'd be wanting a bag that handles the shoulder seasons I'd be tempted by a bag that can fully zip up as even the slightest wee gap at zero degC can let heat escape and cold air in. In summer I'd open it up in full quilt mode or if real hot just sleep on top of it. Personally in the cold I like a bag I can full zip up as freezing draughts can sneak in. But in the summer I like a bag that can fully open up (including the footbox) to a true quilt. So on that basis, for me personally, looking for one bag that does everything apart from winter, it would rule out the Zpacks full zip bag as that doesn't open out at the bottom to a true quilt which is a feature I like in warmer temperatures. It would also rule out the likes of the EE Revaluation etc as that doesn't zip full up which is a feature I like in the colder temperatures. What does tick that box is the Enlightened Equipment Convert. The Convert can be used fully zipped up, in half quilt mode or in full quilt mode. So I would be interested in that bag. One thing I would say though is that people are all different and want different things from their kit, so I'm not saying that would be the best choice. But I hope this has given you some food for though. 🐾👍 P.s. When it is real cold at night I pitch camp and get into my dry sleeping clothes and bag as soon as possible. I then proceed to cook and eat most of my days food. Seriously, within 20mins with a fully stocked furnace you'll be toasty warm and packed out with enough calories to keep you generating plenty of heat all through the night. I do this as when it's really cold out generally it is lighter later and darker sooner so the days are shorted. As the days are shorter light wise then there is less time to hike big miles. If you are not hiking big miles the you don't need as much food through the day and you are generating heat from moving. So I tend to get up and pack quickly and then snack through the day when moving and then eat the majority of my food before going to sleep. Totally not what you want to do normally but it works for winter long distance trails I've found. Best thing I ever figured out for keeping warm at night.

[@jimwaugh94]

@@HoundsofHowgate Thanks for that comprehensive rundown big fella. I appreciate it. I think your right re the Convert Its the way to go . I'm all for using multi-function Kit. I have started saving for one as I need long and wide its not a cheap item, but im not a fan of buying cheap because you end up buying twice. Top tip re scoffing up before kip. Its nice to have someone doing reviews on kit thats fit for our Scottish climate keep up the good work sir! Oh and my wife wants to adopt your wee dug.

[@MuddyDuck...]

Any chance of an update video soon, on how you have found the new quilt - and comparisons to your other bags...

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Yeah, I need to get round to that. 👍 Any specifics you would like to know? I mean I can say this as I wrote this before: 'Yeah, I really like my Zpacks sleeping bag. I have the 10F (-12°C) 'full zip' version. I've slept in it at about -9°C with a vapour barrier liner and UL waterproof outer and was plenty warm. At 0°C I was too warm and had to open it up and use it in half quilt mode. The version I have is normal down and they have since upgraded their down to water resistant stuff. For the other 3 seasons I have an Enlightened Equipment 20F Revelation quilt. I like that because you can fully open it up into a flat quilt for summer use. When it's a bit colder the strap system they have works well with the foot and neck closures to keep any draughts out. I also have the AegisMaxUL down bag which is no use whatsoever. I think I'd be cold in that even in a house. It might be okay for USA summer night temperatures but I was frozen in it. Then I also have a Thermarest CorusHD quilt. That's the older Corus version. Now that's rated at 2°C and I was frozen in that too. In the end I started carrying about the AegisMaxUL AND the Thermarest CorusHD and using them together: I was still not warm. Plus the attachment points you stick to the Thermarest mat to secure the quilt suck big time and just rip off. That Thermarest quilt was over £200 and the AegisMaxUL was about £70. Upsettingly that's more or less the price of an Enlightened Equipment or Zpacks quilt anyway! Should have got the proper thing first. I was really shocked about how crap the Thermarest quilt was though: really bad. Anyway, you live and learn. So you have the likes of: US- Zpacks Enlightened Equipment Katabatic Gear Nunatak UGQ Feathered Friends UK- PHD EU- Cumulus All- Western Mountaineering Those brands get decent reviews. Defo best to research specific bags and quilts though but those brands are a place to start.'

[@MuddyDuck...]

@@HoundsofHowgate That's a really good (detailed) answer John - much appreciated ! Like many I had been looking to go down the Aegismax route, but with some nervousness. But I think the old saying 'buy cheap, buy twice' applies well here - and so I am now looking to save up for a better (but more expensive) alternative. The EE's have a very good reputation, but sadly outside my price range at present - especially as I would have to pay extra for Long and Wide (being a chunky chap). Probably I will just have to narrow my options to a few, then keep an eye open for any possible end of season sales - although this year a lot of good gear is likely to be in short supply. Anyway thanks again for your detailed reply. ATB

[@crummybadger]

Good interesting video mate, would love a proper review after you've had some nights with it in various conditions

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Thanks Sam! Aye, I'll for sure get a proper-bo review up once I've got it sussed! Cheers! 🐾👍

[@bigcorky4687]

The worst night camping I ever had was one Easter many years ago,when we left the weather was summer like, a few days later is turned Artic and the £12 Argos sleeping bag I was in turned into a cool bag 😑

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Ha! It's always a pure joy when that happens and you canne believe yer gear isne coping! 😬❄😱

[@bigcorky4687]

@@HoundsofHowgate You still in the caravan? Howgate manor not near completion yet?

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Aye. The cottage is built and completely finished if you look at it from the outside but inside it's still a skeleton. Gotta put all the insulation in and all that noo: hoping to be feenished and in for winter. Touch wood and all that! 🤞

[@bigcorky4687]

@@HoundsofHowgate Just fill the walls with all those sleeping bags, save you a fortune on glass wool👍

[@HoundsofHowgate]

@@bigcorky4687 hahahahaha! Totally! 😂👍👍👍

[@dogblackprincehoney]

John, I also love the thumbnail. You look like a saint monk ;-) In the video about ticks you looked like a professor on the thumbnail. What programme do you use?

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Thanks Dina! I use all sorts. Windows paint that comes free on windows machines and also Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. I'm a pure beginner with them all! 😬 Hope your CWT prep is coming along nicely! All the best! 🐾👍

[@dogblackprincehoney]

@@HoundsofHowgate Thank you. I'm waiting for better weather, but it looks like no luck this summer. Your thumbnails look like you are a pro.

[@HoundsofHowgate]

@@dogblackprincehoney aye, something like the CWT merits a good weather window for sure! You don't want to be out that long over that terrain when it is horrendous. 😬 Thank you on the thumbnail...I defo don't think it's pro style though! 🙂 thank you very much though. 🙂🐾👍👍👍

[@pete7872]

Hi John, any further thoughts on this quilt after using it for a few months? Looking at them on their site and thinking of getting one for the TGO next year. Cheers!

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Hi Pete, yeah, I really like it! I particularly like the strap system as I turn a lot in my sleep and it keeps the quilt from slipping off and stopping draughts. The footbox closure, bottom zip and neck closure combined with the straps gives you great versatility when it can also be fully opened up into a flat quilt. I really like having to option to have it as a flat quilt as it's perfect if it's warm, to open out and lay on or to wrap around your shoulders as a shawl while in your tent or camp. Being able to lay it flat in the sun also increases drying time should it get damp. I've found the build quality to be really good too and the down lofts really well. I got the 20°F and I was plenty comfortable at 10°C. I sleep cold so that was good. You could sleep lower if you used a lightweight liner or wore more clothes. You could probably push it lower too if you used a VB Liner and a UL tent bivvy like those from PHD. 10°C and lower through I break out my Zpacks 10°F full zip sleeping bag though, so I've not tested it lower than 10°C. With the Zpacks 10°F sleeping bag I have to open it up at 0°C +. Below freezing I always use a VBL and UL bivvy, as a rule, to manage moisture and that combo has me toasty at -6°C. So yeah, for me personally, in May I would be bringing my Revelation 20°F for sure. For some sort of comparison I also have the 2018 Thermarest Corus HD which is a 35°F (1.5°C) quilt and I would be super cold in that at 10°C. In fact even in the summer I took an Aegismax UL sleeping bag to pair with the Corus HD as I wasn't confident the Corus was enough alone at night in a tarp. Both of those together weighed way more than the Revelation and still weren't as warm. Plus combined they cost about £260 which is more or less the same price as the Revelation including VAT etc (£235+£47=£282) and the Revelation is such better quality. I really wish I hadn't messed about with the Thermarest and Aegismax and just got a Revelation in the first place! The only negative thing I could say about it is that a couple of times I felt the footbox was slightly moist. Not damp but not dry on waking (but that was a feeling rather than knowing for sure which I'll get to in a bit). Now that's probably more to do with campsite selection and weather conditions rather than anything else and most likely and down bag would have been the same. On the plus side is that after 10 mins in the sun it felt bone dry again and another time if felt completely dry again when I unpacked it. After those two instances I suspected it was more to do with the outer fabric feel rather that actual moisture. The fabric is a kinda weird feeling stuff. I think if there is moisture in the air sometimes it might give the feeling of being more damp than it actually is. Maybe it's the DWR coating having moisture sitting on the outer that you feel as being damp rather than the quilt itself being damp. Anyway, it was all good. So yeah, I've been real pleased with it and I'd defo buy from Enlightened Equipment again. Usually if I get something and it's not quite right it bothers me to the point where I need to switch it out (like the Corus HD) but I'm totally happy with the Revelation. All this is subjective of course. Like how I'm a cold sleeper usually, I move about a lot in my sleep and how I now eat a lot of calories and (in colder conditions) fatty foods before going to sleep which fires up the furnace and generates heat all night. So it's different for everyone really. There are a lot of options out there too like EE here but also Zpacks, MLD, Katabatic, UGQ etc. In fact there was a UK quilt company I came across recently. I'll have a look to see if I can find them...

[@HoundsofHowgate]

It might have been 'Cumulus' from Poland I think. I just bought from a company in Slovakia called 'Outdoorline' and the service was excellent. Next day delivery too! They sell Cumulus and Katabatic quilts plus other UL stuff from HMG and such. I was well impressed with the guy. Instant live chat, super fast delivery, great tracking etc. The products he sells from the US are basically 10% more that the US list price and that's it. As he sells from Europe there is not the 20% VAT, import duty, handling fee or more expensive postage. Plus next day delivery! That's a good deal for sure! There is also a similar company in Germany. 'Backpackinglight'. I'm sure you'll know of these companies already though. 🙂 Anyway, hope all that's been of some help! 🐾👍

[@pete7872]

@@HoundsofHowgate awesome, I'll check them out before brexit 😂 cheers for the help!

[@HoundsofHowgate]

@@pete7872 haha, no worries! 🙂🐾👍

[@RaP22]

Bit late to the video, I'm after a quilt and the Thermarest vespa quilt -6 is shortlisted coupled with sea to summit ether lite xt. Would you recommend the Thermarest or another good lightweight quality one.

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Hi Rich, hope I'm not too late to give you some thoughts! So I have the old style Thermarest Corus HD that was meant to be a 0°C quilt I think. Now I'm a cold sleeper but I was honestly frozen in that thing even at 10-15°C. The stick on attachments for your sleeping mat that keep it snug eventually all pulled off too. So basically that put me right off Thermarest quilts. BUT, that was an older design (all the range has been updated) and the fill power was 650, if I remember. The one you talk about is 900 fill power and would be the new model. So there is that. I have this EE quilt you see and it is just on another level compared to the Thermarest. The attachment system is much simpler and foolproof too. I eventually got this quilt as even with the Agis Max UL bag paired up with the Thermarest (like I had on the CWT) I still wasn't nice and warm at night. Those two together added bulk and combined were about the same price as my EE quilt anyway. I wish I had just bought to EE quilt in the first place! But it's one of those things. Kind like I have loads of pairs of boots kicking about that I don't like for one reason or another. Some of those boots would work a treat for someone else I'm sure, know what I mean. So I don't know...I'm personally put off Thermarest quilts due to the one I had; I do like their sleeping pads though. If you have bought this let us know how you find it to update my thoughts on their quilts. If not, then let us know and I'll make some suggestions. I'll get back to you in a min about the pad. 🐾👍

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Yeah, so I thought I had heard about that mat from someone I know. I looked through some messages and it turns out it was Ray from Renegade Scot. So he's actually made a video about that mat: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKemhYeFlLaErM0

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Yeah, so just watched that vid I linked and Ray seems to like it. I'd trust what he says. He's also good at replying to comments so maybe ask him if you have any specifics about it. I do know he is still using it and plans to use it in the future too so he must rate it. I now use a Thermarest NeoAir in small, which basically is shoulder to knee on me. I put my pillow at the top and my bag at the bottom for my feet to lie on as my quilt closes knee down. Essential I've chosen to sacrifice some practicality and comfort to save a bit of weight doing that but I wouldn't recommend it off the bat. You don't save much weight overall especially when it's kinda narrow compared to the mat you are looking at. So aye, looks like a good warm comfy mat for sure. If Ray has been liking it I'd say thumbs up. Send him a wee message though. Hope that helps! 🙂🐾👍

[@RaP22]

@@HoundsofHowgate thank you so much for the great reply..I went for the sea 2 summer ember in the end, very good so far. Bit heavier weight. I'm just trying to lighten my gear as I'm struggling with a old injury. So I need to be ditching my favourite fjallraven rucksack, it weighs a ton. Looking forward to more video's, I've nearly watched all yours. Great stuff, thanks again.

[@HoundsofHowgate]

No worries. I was worried you would say you had got a Thermarest quilt after all I'd said! Who knows though, the new ones might be decent. 🙂 Yeah, Ray was looking at quilts and got a Sea to Summit bag in the end too. Seems you may have similar gear thoughts: might be worth getting in touch. Cheers! 🐾👍

[@nilesdelta8636]

These are not the roids you are looking for !

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Where can they be found? 🤔

[@LezleysAdventures]

guiness? lol

[@HoundsofHowgate]

How do you know me so well? 🤔😉🐾👍

[@LezleysAdventures]

@@HoundsofHowgate weeelll you talk real fast and sound like a kid in a candy store lol

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Haha! 🤟👍

[@fraserconnell21]

Hope you're still mustache auld chap. 🦧🙏👍👍

[@HoundsofHowgate]

Of course min! 😄🐾👍