Introduction

Brief Overview

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 is a versatile and innovative sleeping bag designed for serious outdoor enthusiasts who value lightweight gear without compromising on warmth and comfort. Known for its modular design, this quilt is a standout choice for backpackers, thru-hikers, and campers looking to optimize their sleep system for a variety of conditions. The Revelation Quilt 20 is rated to keep you warm down to 20°F (-6°C), making it suitable for three-season use.

Initial Impressions

Upon first encountering the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20, the sleek and minimalist design immediately catches the eye. The quilt comes neatly packed in a lightweight stuff sack, showcasing its impressive compressibility and portability. The craftsmanship is evident in the meticulous stitching and the high-quality materials used throughout. Holding the quilt, one can feel the balance between its lightweight nature and its robust construction.

Context of Testing

To provide a thorough evaluation, I tested the Revelation Quilt 20 during a week-long backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountains. This trip included a range of conditions, from mild, sunny days to cold, frosty nights, offering an excellent opportunity to assess the quilt’s performance across different weather scenarios. Additionally, I used the quilt in various setups, including tent camping and cowboy camping under the stars, to explore its versatility and adaptability in real-world settings. This comprehensive testing ensured that my impressions and insights are grounded in practical, hands-on experience.

Technical Specifications

Key Features and Technology

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 is packed with features and innovative technology designed to enhance the outdoor sleeping experience. Here are some of its standout features:

• Temperature Rating: Rated for 20°F (-6°C), this quilt is designed for three-season use, providing adequate warmth for a variety of conditions.
• Down Insulation: Filled with 850-fill power ethically sourced down, offering an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and superior compressibility.
• DownTek Treatment: The down insulation is treated with DownTek, making it resistant to moisture and maintaining loft even in damp conditions.
• Customizable Options: Available in multiple lengths and widths, allowing users to choose a size that best fits their body and sleeping style.

Design and Materials

The Revelation Quilt 20 is constructed with high-quality materials that ensure durability and comfort:

• Shell Fabric: Made from lightweight and durable 10D nylon, which is both water-resistant and breathable, protecting the down insulation from moisture and wear.
• Inner Lining: The quilt features a soft and comfortable 10D nylon taffeta lining that feels gentle against the skin.
• Pad Attachment System: Equipped with elastic straps and clips to secure the quilt to a sleeping pad, preventing drafts and ensuring warmth.
• Footbox: Features a zipper and drawcord footbox that can be closed for warmth or opened for ventilation, adding to its versatility.
• Weight: The quilt is impressively lightweight, with the regular size weighing approximately 19 ounces (539 grams), making it a great choice for ultralight backpacking.

Construction and Craftsmanship

• Baffle Design: The quilt utilizes horizontal baffles that keep the down evenly distributed, minimizing cold spots and maximizing warmth.
• Adjustability: The Revelation Quilt 20 includes adjustable straps and snaps that allow users to customize the fit and configuration, adapting to different sleeping positions and preferences.
• Ethically Sourced Materials: Enlightened Equipment is committed to ethical sourcing, ensuring that the down used in their products is responsibly harvested.

The combination of these features and materials results in a high-performance quilt that excels in providing warmth, comfort, and adaptability, making it a reliable choice for a wide range of outdoor adventures.

Performance Evaluation

Fabric Performance

• Breathability: The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 excels in breathability, thanks to its 10D nylon shell and lining. During testing, the quilt effectively managed moisture, preventing the buildup of condensation and ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep even in varying humidity levels. The fabric’s ability to allow moisture to escape while retaining heat is a significant advantage for maintaining a dry and warm sleep environment.
• Waterproofing: While not entirely waterproof, the quilt’s 10D nylon fabric is highly water-resistant. This characteristic is enhanced by the DownTek-treated down insulation, which repels moisture and maintains loft when exposed to damp conditions. During light rain and misty mornings, the quilt effectively kept the down dry, providing reliable warmth and comfort.
• Durability: The quilt’s construction with high-quality materials contributes to its durability. Despite being lightweight, the 10D nylon fabric shows impressive resistance to abrasion and wear. After several nights of use on various surfaces, including rough ground and sleeping pads, the quilt displayed minimal signs of wear, indicating its long-term durability.

Weather Resistance

The Revelation Quilt 20 performs admirably in different weather conditions:

• Cold Weather: Rated for 20°F (-6°C), the quilt provides ample warmth for three-season use. During a frosty night in the Rockies, the quilt retained heat effectively, keeping me warm and comfortable.
• Wind Resistance: The quilt’s design, combined with the ability to cinch the footbox and secure the edges with the pad attachment system, helps in minimizing drafts. This feature is particularly useful in windy conditions, ensuring that the warmth is retained inside the quilt.
• Versatility in Mild Weather: The Revelation Quilt 20 is versatile enough to handle mild weather conditions as well. By unzipping the footbox and using the quilt in a blanket configuration, it provided adequate ventilation and comfort during warmer nights.

Practical Features

• Pad Attachment System: One of the most notable practical features of the Revelation Quilt 20 is its pad attachment system. The elastic straps and clips allow the quilt to be securely fastened to a sleeping pad, preventing drafts and ensuring that the quilt stays in place throughout the night. This system enhances warmth and comfort by eliminating gaps between the quilt and the sleeping pad.
• Adjustable Footbox: The footbox can be zipped and cinched closed for maximum warmth or opened up for ventilation. This adjustability allows for better temperature regulation, catering to varying weather conditions and personal comfort preferences.
• Compact and Lightweight: The quilt’s impressive compressibility and lightweight nature make it an excellent choice for backpacking. It packs down small, saving valuable space in your pack, and its low weight reduces the overall burden, allowing for more efficient and enjoyable hiking.

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 stands out for its exceptional fabric performance, weather resistance, and practical features tailored for backpacking. These attributes make it a reliable and versatile option for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a high-performance sleep system.

Fit and Comfort

Sizing and Fit

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 is designed with versatility in mind, offering multiple size options to accommodate various body types and sleeping preferences. Available in lengths ranging from short to extra-long, and widths from slim to wide, users can select a configuration that best suits their needs. For reference, I tested a regular length and wide width version, which provided ample room for movement without feeling constricted.

The quilt’s design allows for a customizable fit, with adjustable straps and snaps that secure the quilt around the sleeping pad. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who tend to move around during the night, as it helps keep the quilt in place, reducing the likelihood of drafts and maintaining consistent warmth.

Comfort During Various Activities

• Sleeping Positions: One of the standout features of the Revelation Quilt 20 is its adaptability to different sleeping positions. Unlike traditional mummy bags, which can feel restrictive, the quilt’s open design allows for greater freedom of movement. Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or tend to switch positions throughout the night, the quilt provides a comfortable and accommodating sleep experience.
• Temperature Regulation: Comfort is significantly enhanced by the quilt’s ability to regulate temperature. The adjustable footbox can be unzipped and opened for ventilation during warmer nights, while cinching it closed provides added warmth during colder conditions. This flexibility ensures that you remain comfortable regardless of temperature fluctuations.
• Softness and Feel: The inner lining of the quilt is made from 10D nylon taffeta, which is incredibly soft against the skin. This material choice enhances the overall comfort, making it pleasant to the touch and conducive to a restful sleep. The high-quality down fill also contributes to a cozy and luxurious feel, enveloping you in warmth without the bulk.

Personal Anecdotes

During my week-long backpacking trip, the Revelation Quilt 20 proved its worth in terms of comfort. On a particularly cold night, the ability to cinch the footbox and secure the quilt around my sleeping pad kept me warm and snug, preventing any cold air from seeping in. Conversely, on a warmer evening, I appreciated the ease of unzipping the footbox to allow for better airflow, which prevented overheating and kept me comfortable throughout the night.

Final Thoughts

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 excels in providing a customizable fit and exceptional comfort, accommodating a variety of sleeping positions and personal preferences. Its thoughtful design and high-quality materials ensure a restful and enjoyable sleep experience, making it a top choice for outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize both versatility and comfort in their sleep systems.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

• Lightweight and Packable: Weighing approximately 19 ounces for the regular size, the Revelation Quilt 20 is incredibly lightweight, making it an excellent choice for ultralight backpacking. Its compressibility allows it to pack down small, saving valuable space in your backpack.
• Versatile Design: The quilt’s open design and adjustable features make it versatile enough to accommodate different sleeping positions and preferences. The customizable footbox and pad attachment system add to its adaptability, ensuring comfort in various weather conditions.
• High-Quality Materials: The 10D nylon shell and lining are both durable and soft, providing a comfortable sleeping surface. The ethically sourced 850-fill down insulation with DownTek treatment offers excellent warmth and moisture resistance.
• Temperature Regulation: The ability to adjust the footbox and secure the quilt around a sleeping pad allows for effective temperature regulation. This feature is particularly beneficial for three-season use, providing comfort in a range of temperatures.
• Custom Sizing Options: With multiple length and width options available, users can choose a quilt that fits their body size and sleeping style perfectly, enhancing overall comfort.

Drawbacks

• Learning Curve for New Users: For those accustomed to traditional sleeping bags, there may be a learning curve when transitioning to a quilt system. Properly securing the quilt to a sleeping pad and adjusting the footbox can take some practice.
• Potential for Drafts: While the pad attachment system and adjustable footbox help mitigate drafts, there is still a potential for cold air to seep in if the quilt is not properly secured. This can be particularly noticeable in very windy conditions.
• Price Point: The Revelation Quilt 20 is a premium product, and its price reflects the high-quality materials and construction. This may be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers.
• Not Fully Waterproof: Although the quilt features water-resistant materials and DownTek-treated down, it is not fully waterproof. Care must be taken to keep the quilt dry in wet conditions to maintain its insulating properties.

Conclusion

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 offers numerous advantages, including its lightweight, versatile design, and high-quality materials. While there are some minor drawbacks, such as a potential learning curve and susceptibility to drafts, these are outweighed by the quilt’s overall performance and comfort. For those willing to invest in a premium sleep system, the Revelation Quilt 20 is an excellent choice for three-season backpacking and camping.

Comparative Analysis

When comparing the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 to the Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 and the Nemo Disco 15, several distinctions emerge that highlight the strengths and trade-offs of each sleeping system.

The Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 is a traditional mummy-style sleeping bag known for its high-quality materials and exceptional warmth. It features 950-fill power down, which provides excellent insulation and compressibility. The Swallow UL 20 offers a snug fit that minimizes heat loss, making it ideal for cold weather conditions. However, its mummy design can feel restrictive for side sleepers or those who prefer more room to move. Additionally, while it’s lightweight and highly packable, it does not offer the same versatility in terms of temperature regulation and configuration as the Revelation Quilt 20.

In contrast, the Nemo Disco 15 caters to those who prioritize comfort and space. This spoon-shaped sleeping bag is designed to accommodate side sleepers, with extra room at the knees and elbows. The Disco 15 features 650-fill power down with Nikwax hydrophobic treatment, providing good warmth and moisture resistance. It also includes practical features such as a built-in pillow pocket and Thermo Gills for temperature regulation. However, the Disco 15 is heavier and bulkier compared to the Revelation Quilt 20, making it less ideal for ultralight backpacking.

Overall, while the Feathered Friends Swallow UL 20 excels in warmth and packability for cold conditions, and the Nemo Disco 15 offers superior comfort for side sleepers, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 stands out for its lightweight, versatile design that caters to a wide range of sleeping positions and weather conditions, making it an excellent all-around choice for three-season backpacking.

Verdict

The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 is an outstanding choice for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a versatile, lightweight, and high-performance sleep system. Its adaptable design caters to a variety of sleeping positions and weather conditions, making it ideal for three-season use. The high-quality materials, including ethically sourced down and durable 10D nylon, ensure comfort, warmth, and durability. While there is a slight learning curve for new users and potential for drafts if not properly secured, these are minor considerations compared to the quilt’s overall benefits.

The Revelation Quilt 20 offers excellent value for money, especially for ultralight backpackers and those looking to optimize their sleep setup for different conditions. Whether you’re a thru-hiker, camper, or backpacker, this quilt is well-suited to enhance your outdoor sleeping experience. It combines innovative features and thoughtful design, making it a reliable and versatile addition to your gear.