Trying to find the perfect 20 degree quilt

Nunatak Arc UL 20 - 58" shoulder, 40" foot, differential cut, ETC, 15.3oz of down, 22.4oz total weight $448
Gryphon Gear Aries 20 - 54" shoulder, 36" foot, differential cut, ETC, 17.5oz of down, 24.25oz total weight $390 (really more of a 15 degree bag)
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 - 54" shoulder, zippered foot, 16.08oz of down, 22.54oz total weight $290
Feathered Friends Tanager CFL 20 - 62" shoulder, 38" foot, differential cut, 13.3oz of down, 19.7oz total weight $399 (Note: This is not a quilt and arguably shouldn't be included in this video. It's a very different tool. Quilts are optimized for comfort wheres the Tanager is optimized for efficiency)
Katabatic Gear Alsek 22 - 52" shoulder, 38" foot, differential cut, 13.4oz of down, 21.9oz total weight $420
With comfort and efficiency in mind, I really think the best option for me (with my 5'11" height and 160lb weight) might be a custom Nunatak Arc UL 15 with a 54" shoulder, 38" foot, differential cut, ETC, 17.6oz of down, 24.9oz total weight. That final weight might actually be a little less considering the smaller dimensions. The total cost would be $468. I'll post an article soon explaining why I have (maybe) landed here.
I am not affiliated with any of these brands and am under no obligations to say anything at all about any of these bags.

[@2002guy]

I realize this is an older video but still helpful. It's a relief to see that I'm not the only one who's struggled to find the perfect quilt. I started with WM Megalite, then switched to the Ultralite, then experimented with MYOG down quilt. I still have both the MYOG and Ultralite bags. Then I bought a Nunatak Arc UL 25. While I really liked the quality and workmanship of the Nunuatak, in my experience they tend to be slightly overstated on the temp rating. I really like the narrow baffle design of the Nunatak, as I think you get better control of the down and it really stays put better. But since the Arc UL wasn't warm enough for me, I sold it and ordered a False Bottom Wren from Timmermade. In the 72" 20* version in a 15D outter, mine comes in at 22oz. I like the snug fit but wish it had a little more room in the knees. Out of all the bags I've tried, the Ultralite is about the perfect fit for me. I just wish it was lighter (32.6oz). Now I'd really like to try the Katabatic in the new 58" version or possibly the 54" width, so getting your take on it was helpful. Thanks!

[@slush714]

Nice video. Especially like the comparison between the Nunatak and Gryphon. I'm basically stuck between those two options as well. Nice to see some of the details more in depth. Looking forward to see what you end up with.

[@benkilbourne3937]

how'd you end up choosing between those two? Likely I will sell them both and get the Arc UL with correct dimensions. Just such as hassle. I guess that's partly the purpose of making the video. Help others not go through the hassle.

[@slush714]

@@benkilbourne3937 Basically settled in on quilt makers with a differential cut. Originally was only looking at Nunatak because of the vertical baffles but the 80% overfill on the GG intrigued me. I'll probably go with Nunatak at 20 or 25 degrees. That's the other hard part dialing in the temp.

[@benkilbourne3937]

@@slush714 right. 20 has been good for me but I might consider 15 to push it into march and november. just be aware that their 56" shoulder is really 58". If i go that route, i may order it 52" so that it's really 54"

[@zacharykuhns6060]

Nice video, it's super helpful to see these side by side! I'm still on the hunt for a perfect quilt as well. I landed on the Nunatak Sastrugi 28F and am pretty stoked on it (for now haha...). It seems way bigger than the Tanager. I tried the Katabatic Flex 22 for about 30 nights but it was laughably small and drafty in regular width. Thanks for the video!

[@benkilbourne3937]

Yeah the sastrugi is really tempting for me too. The shape looks excellent. wider in hips and knee and narrow in foot.

[@zacharykuhns6060]

@@benkilbourne3937 I'm curious, did you miss the draft collar when using the FF Tanager?

[@benkilbourne3937]

@@zacharykuhns6060 I was about to sell that thing but now i think i'll keep it for a bit and give it another test. I will report back on the draft collar thing. I haven't used enough to answer that at this point

[@alexl8328]

I have a Sastrugi now and used to have a Tanager. I really liked the Tanager but it was also a bit tight for me. The Sastrugi solved the issue. I never missed the lack of a draft collar on the Tanager. I also have a Nunatak 3D. I find these designs much better than traditional quilts with pad attachment straps.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Well done! Good choices right there. ✌️

[@middleearthchronicles2269]

By the looks of it you aren't really in need of an additional quilt, however, if you get the opportunity to try another check out Warbonnet's Diamondback. They are similar in features to the Nunatak and are fully customizable via the website.They also offer a differential cut as an upcharge. I have an older one from 2018 before they were giving that option, but it still has tons of loft. Price point wise I feel like it is a little better than some of the others and they always have a holiday sale that offers some really good savings. 👍 Great comparison.

[@barondavis5692]

Nice comparison. Shone helpful to anyone looking for a quilt. I ended up w a UGG bandit, X long and wide.

[@benkilbourne3937]

Nice!

[@adventureswithfrickandfrack]

My favorite 20 degree quilt is the Thermarest Vesper. It is 900 fill treated down. The regular size weighs 19 ounces and costs $430.

[@benkilbourne3937]

I'll see if I can get one of those to test.

[@aaronfuentes5919]

If you opt for draft collar on ee revelation, they'll put one on both ends. Lol. I only wanted to buy one, for hot & cold seasons & regions. Super happy... Cool viddy!

[@benkilbourne3937]

Oh interesting. Does the foot end collar help with drafts when footbox is cinched closed?

[@aaronfuentes5919]

I bought the ten degree & only tested it around minus twenty degrees twice, for a few hours at a time inside bivy w/ thick wool socks & hooded sweatshirt. I could feel cold seep in around other areas if it wasn't tucked in, but not the footbox. Guess it works 👍

[@arthurvino]

I like wider nunatak to allow for movement at night as I toss and turn

[@janefreeman995]

The new outdoor vitals quilt is 56" wide, 800 treated down fill, 10 denier ripstop nylon in and out, a feature to keep the down from shifting, draft collar, stylized foot box for room, 15 degree, 23 oz, $245 I made my own and it's okay. 15 degree, down shifts alot. 19 oz. But made to fit me and I'm small.

[@benkilbourne3937]

good price!

[@janefreeman995]

They do get great reviews too. Comfort degree rather than survival apparently. I made my quilt...it does have the treated 950 down but even so not sure you could make one at home for that price. A bunch of thought went into their design. I forget the details now.

[@keithcharles2113]

Well you finally sold me on the Nunatak Arc and I went to place my order and they are closed for a move. No more production till fall of 22. Geeeez

[@benkilbourne3937]

Well shoot. Which temp were you gonna get?

[@keithcharles2113]

@@benkilbourne3937 15 degree, overstuffed. Which one is yours?

[@benkilbourne3937]

@@keithcharles2113 Head over to my website and send me a message. I might be letting go of one. But chances that it's the dimensions you want are probably low. Still, worth a try. benkilbourne.com/contact

[@seanwilliamson9375]

Have you looked at Timmermade? Dan will customize anything to your liking and his craftsmanship is top notch. Seems like you could get the features of the Nunatak with the sizing of the Gryphon Gear combined into one in the Newt Hybrid.

[@benkilbourne3937]

Yeah those look pretty fantastic. Probably getting another Arc UL though at this point

[@adamw6343]

I’ve been considering going with either Katabatic or Nunatak. Did you notice if having horizontal vs vertical baffles made any difference? What about the Alsek made you look elsewhere?

[@benkilbourne3937]

With horizontal baffles, the down does shift to the side but I don't really mind. Just shake it to the middle before bed. The Alsek was just a bit small. In my opinion, Katabatic Gear could make their Elite quilts perfect by adding two inches to the shoulder width and making the footbox about 6" less deep, or in other words, making the opening beneath you 6" longer. They have the best draft collar. So close to perfect. I just wish they'd make those changes.

[@benkilbourne3937]

@@mickj5295 I've been thinking the same thing, that the Elites with Flex dimensions would be perfect. It makes zero sense to me why they wouldn't just makes those quilts a little more usable for folks larger than say 140lbs. Would be just as warm. Weigh marginally more, and be more comfortable

[@benkilbourne3937]

@@mickj5295 Interesting. I wonder how the amount of baffles translates to overall footbox depth. Or if they just made their baffles wider? When you get it, measure that whole length and lemme know?

[@benkilbourne3937]

@@mickj5295 Looking at the pics now. You could be onto something...

[@four-x-trading5606]

Best quilt I found so far for the price is Garage grown gear AlphaLite 900 Quilt by El Coyote $358 1.4 pounds 10 degree short it's 900 fill power treated down I did find another company The economy premium custom quilt they have a 900 fill power cheap same price range also 10 degree but you can get further down to 0 degree where with the ALPHA only goes down to 10 degrees for some reason but the down is not treated

[@Bandare]

Great video. Not keen on the title though as you are unlikely to find perfection in anything. FOr a 20 degree quilt, I'd definitely include ZENBIVY. A brilliant sleep system (apart from their heavy sleeping pad.

[@benkilbourne3937]

It's true. It's completely impossible to find something perfect and therein lies the real issue here, something I've come to refer to as the "Improvement Game." Striving for perfection as a distraction from life. I need to write about this more. I'll look into Zenbivy.

[@streiklauzis87]

Pad straps like these is yesterday's technology. A quilt with a pad sleeve and zippers makes a draft free sleep system