While thru-hiking the Jap Continental Path this previous yr, I made loads of gear modifications. Till then, I had been utilizing the identical mummy-style sleeping bag — the REI Joule — for my total thru-hiking profession. That bag labored nicely sufficient for me for 7,000 miles of mountain climbing. However between 2017 and 2023, I noticed loads of hikers switching over from mummy-style luggage to quilts. It made me curious.
Once I was about 4,000 miles into my thru-hike final yr, I had the privilege of making an attempt out the Katabatic Palisade 30-degree quilt. I used to be already thrilled earlier than even seeing it in individual. The quilt itself weighed simply 19.8 ounces. That meant I used to be shaving over a pound off of my base weight simply by switching to the Palisade. For comparability, my REI Jule weighed round 38 ounces. The distinction in weight was stark.
The katabatic palisade 30 diploma quilt in shade inexperienced.
Katabatic Palisade 30 At a Look
MSRP: $349
Fill Energy: 850 fill
Weight: 19.8 oz
Size: 6′
Shoulder Width: 54 inches (just like 63″ mummy bag)
Hip Width: 46 inches
Footbox Width: 40 inches
The again of the Katabatic Palisade 30. The quilt is open within the again however has a method so as to add straps if you wish to enclose the again.
Supposed Use
The Katabatic Palisade is good three-season thru-hikers who need a light-weight sleep system that may work throughout a variety of temperature situations. In case you hate the concept of swapping out your sleeping bag over the course of a thru-hike, this quilt is a superb alternative.
Circumstance of Overview
I examined the Katabatic Palisade as I hiked by means of Alabama and alongside the size of your complete Florida Path. It turned out to be every little thing I had hoped for and extra. It was extremely mild, however very prime quality. As a 5-foot-6 particular person, I discovered the 6-foot quilt spacious and cozy.
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Katabatic Palisade 30 Options
Hoodless design: Not like mummy model luggage, this quilt doesn’t have a hood or an enclosed again, which saves weight. Understanding this, I selected the longer model of the bag to offer a bit extra protection. Katabatic additionally makes a 5-foot-6 quilt, which could have simply match me, however I most well-liked the additional material.
Footbox: Regardless of the open-back design, the Palisade nonetheless has a footbox. The underside 2-3 toes of the quilt are enclosed like a mummy bag. I actually loved that characteristic as a result of it helped to maintain heat contained in the quilt.
Katabatic gave the footbox a trapezoidal design relatively than making it completely sq., which maximizes consolation and heat, and overstuffed the baffles on this a part of the quilt to forestall chilly toes.
Straps + Pad Attachment: You even have the choice to make use of supplied straps to surround your complete again of the quilt. If it was under freezing, that might be an effective way to remain heat. That easy characteristic helps make the quilt very versatile. In distinction, it’s also possible to hold the quilt open and use it as extra of a blanket for those who get too scorching.
Alternatively, it’s also possible to use Katabatic’s pad attachment system to maintain the quilt securely fastened to your sleeping pad, sealing out drafts. The pad attachment system wraps round your pad and connects to the quilt through the black clips pictured under.
Katabatic Palisade 30 Professionals
There are two straps sewn into the quilt itself towards the underside of the bag. Additionally notice the clips the place the pad attachment system will be linked.
Removable straps that include the quilt, permitting you to surround your complete again of the quilt if desired. When temperatures dropped under freezing, this was an awesome characteristic.
Versatile throughout a variety of temperatures: The Palisade 30 was perfect after I was on the Florida Path, the place temperatures different drastically. There have been nights that temperatures dropped nicely under freezing and I woke as much as my tent being fully frosted over. However solely every week or two later, temperatures would once more be a lot greater. I discovered that I used to be in a position to keep snug throughout that full vary of temperatures with this quilt.
On colder nights, I used the straps supplied with the quilt to surround it extra. There are additionally buttons across the neck of the quilt. These can help you cocoon your self into the quilt and use it as extra of a sleeping bag for those who need. On hotter nights, I eliminated these straps and used the quilt as a blanket.
Hydrophobic down: The quilt can also be made with waterproof down, which was an awesome asset on the humid Florida and Appalachian Path. Typically my sleeping bag would accumulate condensation over evening. The waterproof down resisted condensation and didn’t saturate as simply as my earlier sleeping bag.
There’s a button up in the direction of the neck of the quilt. Permitting you to button your self in to assist keep contained in the quilt over evening.
Conservative temperature score: I feel Katabatic’s in-house temperature scores are far more correct than most manufacturers and mirror a sensible consolation restrict.
I used to be very snug within the Katabatic Palisade 30 in below-freezing temperatures. The bottom it obtained whereas I used to be utilizing this bag was most likely round 25 levels. The quilt maintained consolation even in these temperatures.
Katabatic Palisade 30 Cons
Enclosed footbox can get scorching: Katabatic does promote quilts with a further zipper within the footbox, permitting you to open the quilt fully flat. The Palisade lacks this characteristic. Whereas that wasn’t one thing I personally missed, I may see why somebody would possibly need that characteristic. The enclosed footbox can develop into highly regarded if the temperature is nicely above 60 levels.
One other photograph to point out the again of the quilt and the adjustable straps which allow to quilt to be enclosed in colder temperatures.
Unsuitable for excessive chilly: If I used to be anticipating to be in temperatures nicely under freezing for a constant time frame, I might possible select a special quilt. (However for a variable path such because the AT or the Florida Path, the place temperatures can change drastically, this quilt was perfect.)
In case you are mountain climbing in cooler areas, you have to pack a hat or buff to cowl your head. This quilt doesn’t have a hood like a mummy bag. That mentioned, as a result of I obtained a barely larger-than-necessary measurement, there was sufficient size to cowl my face, simply not the highest of my head.
Total Worth
After switching from a mummy model bag to the Katabatic Palisade 30, I’ll definitely by no means return. This quilt is comparatively reasonably priced and is priced just like different quilts in the marketplace. And the burden, for my part, is tough to beat. Weighing simply 19.8 ounces, this bag is barely over a pound and will be comfortably utilized in each freezing temperatures and hotter.
I discovered it to be the right quilt as somebody who doesn’t prefer to repeatedly swap out gear over the course of a thru-hike. Having a quilt that may be enclosed to permit for freezing temperatures, but in addition will be opened up for use in hotter temperatures, is a should for me. I feel it’s the right design for one of many Triple Crown trails — particularly in case your objective is to hold just one quilt or bag for your complete size of the path.
Store the Katabatic Palisade 30 Quilt
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The Katabatic Palisade 30 was donated for goal of overview.
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