Tlisted below are few issues I hate greater than being chilly within the backcountry. After I first began backpacking, I prioritized value over every thing else and suffered a sleepless, depressing November evening within the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
After this, I made a decision to dwell by the phrase “purchase as soon as, cry as soon as” and invested in a correct backpacking quilt. I strongly advocate for hikers to prioritize the standard of their sleep system — however with so many good choices on the market, it’s laborious to slender down your selection.
This winter, I examined out the Enlightened Gear Revelation quilt. It’s a tried-and-true ultralight choice, however is it well worth the hefty price ticket? Let’s discover out.
Enlightened Gear Revelation At-a-Look
I ended up discovering this quilt heat, comfy, and huge sufficient to accommodate my facet sleeping habits.
MSRP: $345*
Weight: 22.32 oz
Fill: 850-fill Duck Down
Temperature Ranking: 20°F
Measurement: Common/Common
*The quilt is extremely customizable, and the worth ranges from $260-$560 relying on temperature score, measurement, and added options.
Circumstances of Evaluation
The quilt joined me for a number of snowy nights up in Winter Park, Colorado. I examined the heat and luxury each in a tent and whereas sleeping in my automobile. I needed to get a really feel for the accuracy of the temperature score of the quilt, in addition to if the dimensions and match prevented drafts of freezing air.
Meant Use
Quilts are an ultralight choice for backpackers, with the design counting on thermal effectivity research exhibiting compressed right down to be a poor insulator. Quilts take away the underside portion of a sleeping bag (the half that you simply compress as you lay on) and rely as a substitute in your sleeping pad to insulate the underside of your physique.
Enlightened Gear Revelation: Supplies and Options
On the finish of the day, the ultralight backpacking quilt is a reasonably dialed piece of substances. The primary differentiators between manufacturers stem from the small options and supplies that may find yourself making a big influence for the person. I’ve listed beneath the primary options for the Revelation, and have additionally indicated if this can be a characteristic shared by few, some, or most comparable quilts.
Options
1) Steady U-Formed Baffles (Few)
Baffles are sewn-in buildings that work to maintain the down inside your quilt from shifting round and creating chilly spots. The Revelation’s vertical baffles across the physique of the quilt forestall down from shifting to the edges, whereas the horizontal baffles across the footbox preserve the down well-lofted and distributed round your ft.
Whereas a number of comparable quilts make the most of a perpendicular baffle design alongside the physique and the footbox, the Revelation is the one quilt I do know of using steady U-shaped baffles. Enlightened Gear proposes that the continual baffles give the down extra room to loft which, in flip, retains you hotter.
Enlightened Gear’s steady baffles (high) in comparison with the non-continuous perpendicular baffles from a Hammock Gear quilt (backside).
2) Zipper, Footbox Cinch Twine, and Neck Cinch Twine (Most)
These three options come pretty normal in most quilts —although a conventional sewn footbox continues to be a typical different to the zipper-and-cinch design discovered within the Revelation.The Enigma, as an illustration, is the Revelation’s closed-footbox counterpart from Enlightened.
The zipper and footbox cinch wire mixture permits you to create the standard closed footbox you’d discover in most sleeping luggage, whereas providing you the pliability to unzip the quilt to make use of as a blanket in hotter environments. The wire across the neck provides you the flexibility to attract closed the highest of the quilt in cooler environments, stopping heat air from escaping and chilly air from getting into.
The largest variation between manufacturers comes from the size of the zipper, which impacts the dimensions of the footbox you’ll be able to create. The Enlightened Gear Revelation has a 20-inch zipper, which spans simply over 1 / 4 of a Common sized quilt’s size.
The footbox cinches shut utterly, eliminating the pesky footbox draft that I’ve seen earlier than with quilts.
3) Elastic Pad Attachment System (Some)
At no further price, Enlightened Gear features a pad attachment system with the quilt, which helps you join your quilt to your sleeping pad and prevents shifting in the course of the evening. Whereas I personally don’t discover this attachment needed, it’s a superb addition for stressed sleepers or hikers in search of methods to chop down on drafts within the evening.
Most different comparable quilts additionally supply some model of a pad attachment system, however these programs can differ from firm to firm.
Supplies
1) 850fp Gray Duck Down and 950fp Gray Goose Down (Few)
The down fill is arguably an important a part of a quilt, as that is the driving issue behind insulation and heat on the path. The Revelation does differentiate itself right here. Whereas most comparable quilts supply an 850fp duck down choice, Enlightened Gear’s 950 pure Goose Down providing stands out.
All down utilized by Enlightened Gear is ethically sourced from an RDS (Accountable Down Customary) licensed provider, a certification that ensures the down and feathers used within the product come from geese and geese which have been handled humanely and never subjected to pointless hurt or mistreatment.
Selecting 950fp over 850fp, no matter whether or not it’s duck or goose down, permits your quilt to entice extra air pockets per ounce. In a quilt, this implies you possibly can preserve your temperature score the identical whereas utilizing fewer ounces of down. For the needs of this evaluation, please keep in mind that I’m utilizing an 850-fill duck down quilt.
2) Ultralight Nylon Material with a DWR End. Obtainable in 7D, 10D, or 20D cloth (Some)
Material handled with Sturdy Water Repellent (DWR) is extra in a position to repel water and stop saturation when uncovered to moisture. Whereas this doesn’t make the quilt waterproof, the down is extra prone to keep dry when uncovered to small quantities of water, such because the condensation in your tent in a single day.
10D cloth emphasizes weight financial savings and breathability, whereas being barely much less sturdy and wind resistant than 20D cloth. The 7D cloth is the lightest and most breathable of the three however has lowered sturdiness in consequence.
Coloration Customization Solutions
As somebody who turns into paralyzed with indecision within the face of selection, I’ve put collectively some shade mixture concepts to assist jumpstart your creativity. Get pleasure from.
The Superhero
Utilizing a combo of the Navy and Pink 10D cloth, you can sleep in a quilt reminiscent of Spiderman’s iconic go well with. Equally, the Forest and Purple 10D materials will depart you with an Unimaginable Hulk-esque sleeping setup. Select your favourite superhero shade mixture, and have enjoyable with it.
The White Blazer Threat Taker
White Blaze 10D interior cloth and White Blaze 10D outer cloth is a really daring transfer, however think about the flex if you happen to’re really in a position to preserve this quilt clear. This daring selection screams “I dwell on the sting.”
The Sea Foam
There are actually loads of varied shade choices if you happen to’re a fan of the colour blue. Utilizing Midnight Blue 7D, Navy 10D, Robin Egg Blue 10D, or Aegean 20D, you possibly can create a two-toned quilt that appears like a wave breaking onto land.
The Mullet
A Black 10D exterior provides you peace of thoughts with regards to cleanliness, in addition to making you seem like a sensible and straight-forward hiker of thriller. Pair that with a daring inside shade, like Yellow 10D or Robin Egg Blue 10D, and immediately your quilt is extra enterprise within the entrance, get together within the again.
What I Liked: Enlightened Gear Revelation Professionals
Heat
I sleep chilly, and have a tendency to succeed in for sleeping luggage rated for temperatures about 10 levels colder than the temperatures I anticipate to come across. On my journey with this quilt, the recorded low of the night was 27°F. I discovered this 20-degree bag to be true to the temperature score, and stayed heat all through the evening.
The quilt was vast sufficient to snap closed below me and stop drafts of chilly air with out making me really feel claustrophobic or restricted. The U-shaped baffles stored the down properly unfold, and I didn’t discover any cool spots or uninsulated sections within the morning.
I used to be more than happy to find I can sleep on my facet and the quilt will roll with me with out letting in any chilly air.
I did take the quilt out a second time with the recorded low temperature of 12°F and did discover myself somewhat chilly. However to be honest, the quilt is rated to twenty°F! My remaining verdict is that the quilt is appropriately rated, however I didn’t discover it to be appropriate for temperatures beneath the listed score. This isn’t a knock on the quilt, and I do are inclined to sleep chilly.
I don’t assume it is possible for you to to discover a quilt of the identical caliber because the Revelation at a considerably cheaper value level. For its heat alone, it’s well worth the value.
Coloration Choices
One in every of my favourite stand-out options of the Revelation is the massive pool of colours from which to choose. I feel we are able to all agree that this characteristic is fairly cool. No want for extra notes.
Subsequent-to-Pores and skin Consolation
One factor I actually favored was the interior cloth. The interior nylon has a taffeta end, that means the grid sample from ripstop nylon is eliminated, resulting in a softer, silkier really feel. This isn’t marketed on their web site, so I used to be pleasantly shocked on the consolation of the material.
Customizable Insulation
I like the flexibility to customise the down, with goose down being barely lighter and softer than duck down. Each are sturdy, heat, and long-lasting, however having the choice is good for these making an attempt every thing to decrease their pack weight.
No one’s Good: Enlightened Gear Revelation Cons
On the finish of the day, a backpacking quilt’s job is to maintain you heat, secure, and cozy within the backcountry. The Revelation did precisely this. I’ve no qualms with recommending this quilt, and it’s a unbelievable choice for thru-hikers and weekend warriors alike.
Nonetheless, when recommending you spend such a big chunk of change on a chunk of substances, I need to be very clear in regards to the methods by which I discovered the quilt missing. As I mentioned earlier, the variations between ultralight quilts come right down to the small particulars. Most of my gripes with the Revelation stem not from the efficiency itself, however from lacking options I’ve seen with different manufacturers.
Lacking Draft Collar
A draft collar is a tube across the neck of the quilt that helps forestall drafts, insulate, and keep a comfortable atmosphere. Enlightened does supply the choice so as to add a draft collar for a further $20, however contemplating the already-steep value of the bottom quilt, I might have favored to see that be included as a characteristic. Different manufacturers, reminiscent of Hammock Gear and Katabatic, do embrace this horizontal collar as part of their base pricing.
There’s the choice to snap the quilt beneath you to stop drafts, and to cinch the quilt round your neck to maintain the nice and cozy air in.
No Overfill Choice
Overfill in a quilt refers to further insulation added past the usual quantity. Corporations usually supply overfill choices to extend the heat of the quilt with out considerably growing its weight. It’s a tremendous choice if you happen to’re in search of a temperature score between two selections, as the additional insulation can improve the quilt’s potential to maintain you heat in colder circumstances. It will be good to see this supplied as a customization choice for the Revelation.
Inventory Quilts Sewn Abroad
The overwhelming majority of the work accomplished to Enlightened Gear quilts occurs in Winona, Minnesota. Nonetheless, the stitching of the inventory quilts occurs abroad earlier than heading to Minnesota to be crammed and have the ending touches added. Should you dwell within the US and prioritize gear made domestically, that is one thing to concentrate on. If you buy a customized quilt, they’re nonetheless made 100% domestically.
U-Formed Baffles Are … Meh?
For my part, I didn’t discover the continual baffles any hotter than the non-continuous, perpendicular baffles of different manufacturers. They’re loads heat, I simply personally don’t imagine that is as giant a differentiator as I had anticipated.
Over time, this form could prolong the quilt’s lifespan by stopping misplaced loft and down shifting. I haven’t had the quilt lengthy sufficient to have the ability to see the way it performs long-term.
I like the little snap that goes proper behind my neck that does act as a pseudo-draft collar.
Last Ideas on Quilt Worth
Having examined it, I perceive why this quilt is well-liked amongst thru-hikers. When it comes to heat, consolation, and flexibility, it performs extremely properly, whereas providing loads of customization choices. Should you so select, you can cease your seek for a backpacking quilt right here and possibly be extremely blissful together with your buy.
TLDR: Professionals & Cons
Professionals:
- Heat/correct temperature score
- Many shade choices
- Silky taffeta inside
- Choice to improve to 950fp goose down
Cons:
- Draft collar prices additional
- Down just isn’t water-proof
- Inventory Quilts usually are not sewn within the USA
- No overfill choice
Would I Suggest This Quilt?
Heat, comfy, and trendy!
Sure. And, no.
Possibly.
It’s a beautiful quilt. It’s simply not the one good choice on the market.
The quilt is well worth the value, because it stored me heat within the backcountry, which is the place I place many of the worth of a quilt. Nonetheless, I’m barely confused by the Revelation’s cult following amongst thru-hikers. Whereas it’s a unbelievable quilt, it’s neither hotter, lighter, nor cheaper than comparable quilts by different cottage firms.
If in case you have a private desire for the Revelation, go for it! it’s a beautiful selection that meets all the necessities of a quilt. The Revelation is well-made and provides a very good temperature score, however its distinguishing options could not justify the upper value in comparison with comparable choices.
The brief reply is that this: I don’t suggest the Enlightened Gear Revelation if a comparable quilt is on sale for a greater value. If all of the quilts are presently full-price, the Revelation is a superb selection. I’m thrilled to have mine and anticipate bringing it together with me for a lot of future adventures.
Store The Enlightened Gear Revelation
Comparable Quilts
I checked out quilts from different firms to see how the Enlightened Gear Revelation stacked up. Listed here are the three quilts I discover to be most corresponding to the Revelation:
Specs: 20˚ Quilt, 850fp Duck Down, Common Width, Common Size, 10D Inside and Exterior Material
Enlightened Gear Revelation
- Weight: 22.32 oz
- Value: $345
Hammock Gear Burrow
- Weight: 20.55 oz
- Value: $325
UGQ Bandit
- Weight: 22.27 oz
- Value: $334
Katabatic Gear Flex 22° Quilt
- Weight: 23.90 oz
- Value: $359
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The Revelation Quilt was donated for the aim of evaluation.
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