As a tossing-and-turning aspect sleeper, I’ve struggled to dial in a sleep system that caters to my physique’s wild temperature swings all through a whole thru-hike. Regardless of beginning with my share of doubts in regards to the ultralight quilt hype, I’ve come to just accept that it’s greater than only a fad, and will in reality be the reply to my backcountry sleep woes.

At first look, the UGQ Bandit Quilt is like every other — till you notice that no two backpacking quilts are alike. Specializing in high-quality, ultralight, and customizable backpacking quilts, UGQ is a cottage gear firm that takes the philosophy of personalization to a different degree, providing infinite choices for even the pickiest of hikers. 

UGQ Bandit Quilt At a Look

Because of the excessive customization provided for the Bandit, these specs are solely primarily based on the quilt I examined for this evaluation.

hiker poses with green and pink ugq bandit quilt wrapped around shoulders in desert landscape

Cozying up in my UGQ Bandit whereas making dinner in Canyonlands.

Worth: $419.95
Weight: 22.17 oz 
Fill Energy: 950
Temperature Ranking: 20°F / —6°C
Size/Width: Common (72″) / Common (55″)
Supplies: M10T (inside materials) and MRS20 (outer materials)
Additions: Zipper & drawcord foot field, dynamic stress management, full taper, and deluxe pad attachment (I opted for no overstuff and no draft collar)

Meant Use

Designed for the discerning backpacker who is aware of exactly what they need from their sleep system, the Bandit affords unparalleled customization and high quality for these keen to spend money on gear that matches their actual specs, even when it means paying a premium. 

Circumstance of Overview

I used the Bandit throughout a spread of circumstances all through Utah this spring. On a prolonged backpacking journey in Canyonlands Nationwide Park, this quilt saved me heat and dry on a wet stint within the desert, with temperatures fluctuating between the low 30s and 40s at night time.

I additionally put the quilt by means of its paces throughout rigorous testing on 50-60 diploma evenings in Moab and 30-40 diploma nights at larger elevations within the La Sals, sans rain this time round.

UGQ Bandit Quilt Options

Dynamic Pressure Management System

A game-changer for chilly nights, UGQ’s Dynamic Pressure Management permits for exact adjustment, making certain a cosy match across the sleeper to reduce drafts. The quilt options adjustable elastic bands that, when taut, compress the quilt’s edges to seal out drafts and maximize thermal effectivity. On hotter nights, customers can launch the elastic, permitting the quilt to put flat.

Seamlessly built-in into the quilt’s inside, the DTCS is appropriate with the pad attachment system, permitting sleepers to tailor the Bandit’s heat relying on circumstances. For an additional $15, I’d extremely encourage any quilt customers to decide in.

Non-obligatory Full Taper for Weight Financial savings

I chosen the complete taper type, which permits for the quilt to lower barely in width from shoulder to foot field. The non-tapered model of the quilt is basically a rectangle.

In distinction, the tapered design prioritizes heat whereas lowering weight (much less cloth), and making a extra comfortable foot field. I observed minimal chilly spots within the foot space when temperatures dropped.

The total taper of the Bandit permits for roomier shoulders and a extra slender foot field to reduce chilly spots.

Pad Attachment Techniques

At only a barely larger weight penalty, I opted for the deluxe pad attachment system, which incorporates three units of elastic straps with wafer clips. UGQ additionally affords an ultralight attachment system with loops and shock wire, or you’ll be able to forego the attachment system altogether.

I discovered the wafer buckles a lot simpler to regulate, whereas the static wire and toggle system could be tougher to control and alter when you’re mendacity on high of a sleeping pad. The deluxe attachment was intuitive and straightforward to regulate in a crowded tent, supreme for chilly nights once I most well-liked my quilt to behave extra like a sleeping bag. 

light green ugq bandit flipped upside down inside tent to show neon pink interior and black pad attachment straps

I opted for the deluxe pad attachment system: flat, elastic bands with wafer clips.

Ultralight, However Sturdy

UGQ has struck the quintessential stability between weight and sturdiness, making it supreme for ounce-counters who don’t need to sacrifice high quality. The outer materials of my quilt is made out of MRS20, an ultralight 20-denier nylon with DWR end that maintains breathability and is extremely sturdy. The inside materials is made out of M10T, a 10-denier nylon that’s recognized for its satiny softness.

Zippered Foot Field

Like all points of this quilt, UGQ affords a number of choices for the foot field, akin to a sewn field, totally insulated, or zipper-and-drawcord. My quilt has a zipper-and-drawcord foot field, which opens fully flat like a comforter or zips closed and cinches like a sleeping bag. It is a nice possibility to increase the utility of a 20-degree quilt for hotter climate in case you can solely afford to buy one quilt as a catch-all.

Many foot containers go away a small gap within the middle that may let drafts in, however UGQ consists of an additional snap on the finish to allow most warmth retention. 

close-up of light green ugq bandit footbox cinched tight by two black drawcords with black zipper running up one side

The zipper-and-drawcord foot field is sweet and toasty when all bundled up!

Rainbow of Colours

With practically 100 colours to combine and match, I cherished having the ability to categorical my character by means of my quilt. I opted for a neon scorching pink inside because of its uniqueness and utility if ever I wanted a rescue (additionally as a result of look good, sleep good, proper?), and green-tea inexperienced for the shell. 

Absolutely Baffled

Not like sewn-through quilts, the totally baffled Bandit prevents warmth loss by means of seams, additional rising its heat. UGQ rigorously designs horizontal baffles within the foot field space and vertical baffles elsewhere to stop down migration, retaining insulation the place it’s wanted most.

The vertical baffles permit for intuitive draping to remove lifeless air house, and the quilt strategically concentrates down in essential areas to maximise heat with out including pointless weight. Moreover, the baffles are fabricated from an ultralight mesh, maximizing loft whereas sustaining weight effectivity.

close-up of perpendicular sets of baffles on light green ugq bandit

A better have a look at the horizontal and vertical baffles on the Bandit

Sleeping Baggage Vs. Quilts: The Want-to-Know

Whereas conventional sleeping baggage have lengthy been the go-to selection for thru-hikers (myself included), quilts have gained recognition lately for his or her light-weight design and flexibility. Most importantly, the underside of a sleeping bag is commonly thought-about lifeless weight, for the reason that down will get matted by a sleeper’s weight, rendering it ineffective. Relatively, it’s the standard and R-value of your sleeping pad that’s instrumental in warmth retention from beneath. 

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Advantages of Sleeping Baggage

Don’t get it twisted — I’ll nonetheless be holding onto my trusty sleeping bag for winter tenting, mountaineering goals, and nights once I need to snuggle deep down into my cocoon.

Sleeping baggage supply complete protection, that includes an built-in hood and full-length zipper. Baggage excel in trapping warmth and minimizing drafts, making them supreme for cold-weather tenting. For individuals who sleep chilly, prioritize heat and insulation, or just choose the sense of safety from a mummy bag, an ultralight sleeping bag could also be the popular possibility. 

Switching to Quilts

In distinction, quilts supply a extra minimalist strategy to sleep methods, shedding pointless weight and bulk with out compromising on efficiency. By eliminating the underside insulation of a sleeping bag, quilts are considerably lighter and extra packable, making them in style with ultralight thru-hikers. Quilts additionally present better freedom of motion, permitting you to ventilate as wanted all through the night time.

With so many customizations — foot field kinds, pad attachment methods, additions akin to hoods or draft collars, and extra —there are seemingly infinite quilt configurations in the marketplace. 

UGQ Bandit Quilt Professionals

Ridiculously Customizable 

The sky’s the restrict with the Bandit, as you’ll be able to customise nearly each nitty-gritty element, from the colour mixture to the form and closure of the footbox to the quantity and sort of down.

Dynamic Pressure Management

I might not have thought-about the Bandit if it didn’t have the DTCS function. Although you do pay additional for it, I might bodily really feel the distinction in warmth retention on chilly nights when the quilt’s sides had been limp versus tightened by the elastics. This technique was a game-changer, and it wasn’t one thing I discovered included into many different quilts. 

Ultralight AND Absolutely Featured

In the end, your quilt’s closing weight will depend on your customizations. Nonetheless, as I used to be enjoying round with doable additions to the quilt, I by no means felt like I had to decide on between options and weight.

Whereas I didn’t go for a draft collar or overstuff, I did choose different choices, such because the DTCS and deluxe pad attachments, however the closing product was nonetheless impressively light-weight.

Correct Temp Ranking

I discovered the temperature score with my UGQ Bandit to be pretty correct. The nights I slept chilly had been seemingly my very own doing, however the zipper-and-cord foot field made it absurdly simple to dump warmth and use it as a blanket on hotter journeys.

On the flip aspect, the pad attachment and dynamic stress management made the quilt really feel nearly like a standard sleeping bag in colder climate. 

Though it took some adjusting, I discovered the Bandit’s 20-degree temperature score correct.

You Get What You Pay For

Even the most cost effective base mannequin of the Bandit continues to be a superb-quality quilt that includes premium supplies, ethically sourced down, and superior development. UGQ rigorously designed every facet of the Bandit, and I had no regrets including extra options as a result of I anticipate this quilt lasting a very long time in my gear arsenal. 

Finest Array of Colours

I’m a sucker in relation to vibrant, distinctive gear, and UGQ caught my eye for that reason. The Bandit is available in each colour, design, and sample you may dream up. I’d guess my life that I sleep 86 % higher at night time as a result of the inside of my quilt is scorching pink.

UGQ Bandit Quilt Cons

Tremendous Customizable, Virtually to a Fault

I do know, I do know — the customizability was one in all my favourite issues in regards to the Bandit. Sadly, infinite customization is a double-edged sword. As a first-time quilt person, the variety of choices I needed to make was extremely intimidating. It took me hours of analysis on pretty restricted evaluations to dial within the excellent system.

It’s too simple to sabotage your individual quilt in case you don’t know what you’re doing. Because you’re the captain of your individual ship, it may be simple to sacrifice weight for consolation, or vice versa. Happily, I used to be total pleased with my decisions, however in hindsight, would have ordered a wider dimension, because the DTCS can slender room within the shoulders fairly a bit when tightened.

Rack Up the Invoice

Your Bandit quilt could possibly be very inexpensive … or very costly. I principally doubled my quilt price through the customization course of. The fee ballooned in a short time and really simply, regardless of leaving some add-ons off the ultimate product. If you happen to’re searching for a fully-featured UGQ quilt, you higher be ready for the value tag that comes with it. 

Prolonged Ship Time

As with all cottage firm, I anticipated to attend some time for my quilt. UGQ does supply a restricted variety of pre-made quilts with quicker ship occasions. In any other case, anticipate to attend a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks (mine took considerably longer than that to ship).

Be Affected person

Switching to a quilt takes some getting used to. Particularly as a first-time quilt sleeper, and in a sleep system with so many customization choices, I needed to actually put this quilt to the take a look at on many nights of backpacking to totally perceive it and work out my preferences. 

General Worth

The UGQ Bandit affords distinctive worth for thru-hikers searching for a personalized sleep system tailor-made to their actual wants. Whereas the preliminary price could be excessive, the quilt’s high quality supplies, superior efficiency, and supreme versatility justify the funding.

With progressive options like dynamic stress management, dependable temperature rankings, and a variety of personalised choices, I’m happy to confess that after my expertise with the Bandit, I’m formally a quilt convert.

Store the UGQ Bandit Quilt

Comparable Quilts

Enlightened Tools Revelation Sleeping Quilt

MSRP: $420

Weight: 19.18 ounces

Katabatic Gear Flex 22 Quilt

MSRP: $429

Weight: 21.3 ounces

Feathered Associates Flicker UL Quilt

MSRP: $529

Weight: 25.2 ounces

The UGQ Bandit Ultralight Quilt was donated for objective of evaluation.

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