A few readers have been asking me about the GoLite Ultra 20° quilt and how I like it, and I told them I would like to sleep a few more nights under it before I write an initial review. I slept a few more nights under it, and am now ready to let you know my first impressions.
Ready for sleeping!
Lets start off with the important bits and pieces, which UL backpackers find interesting. My GoLite Ultra 20°, which is 175 cm long, weights 561 g including its packsack. Its filled with 270 g of 800-fill goose down, the turquoise outer is made of a very thin yet durable and down proof material, and in the grey foot and head area GoLite used Pertex Endurance, which is a waterproof material. The inside is very soft and feels comfortable on the skin - the outer as well.
The turquoise outer.
There were two bands which are supposed to go under the mattress, but I found this not practical and just took them off, and stuff the sides under my back when I go to sleep, that arrangement lets no warmth escape. Totally at the top there's a button, so you can close the collar around your neck and with the draw cord you can zip it tight - a smart system which functions very well for me. The quilt has a footbox, which means your feet are completely surrounded by down and will be toasty. Its a smart idea, because it adds a bit more insulation to the bottom, considering that the majority of UL backpackers sleep on a torso sized mattress. It also fixates the quilt. Finally, I got a bit extra space in the foot box, so I can dry stuff there or keep batteries and other equipment warm.
Button and draw cord = trapping all warmth inside.
Speaking of a mattress, I have been sleeping on a small NeoAir with my Ultra 20° and found it a very fine combo. The NeoAir did reach it limits on colder nights, though, so I'll combine it with a Z Lite for the next nights. The solution I used without the Z Lite with me was to put my Rab Momentum Jacket with the outside down under me. That worked excellently, and kept me also from underneath very warm. Multipurpose all the way!
Lets talk about pack size. The Ultra 20° packs very small, as you can see from the photo. That's for me a huge plus, because I do not like a big pack size (I'm looking at you, dear winter sleeping bag of colossal proportions). The packsack itself is waterproof to some extent, it leaks in at the seam so if you don't use a packliner or similar I recommend using a waterproof packsack for it. Forgot to weigh the packsack and am currently not at home, so let me guesstimate its weight at ~10 g.
Small, isn't it?
The Ultra 20° is supposed to keep one warm till about -7°C (or 20° Fahrenheit). I haven't yet experienced that low temperatures, given that it is September and we have night temperatures of about 5°C. Until those temperatures I was toasty warm, and could have done without the merino base layer I was wearing. I'm going to sleep under it tonight, and temps might drop to around 0°C (I'm a bit further up north and at the coast for the next few days), so I'll see how it goes and let you know tomorrow.
The bed is made for tonight!
So, what do I think? I had a few nights with quite a bit of condensation in the Scarp 1, and in the morning the areas with Pertex Endurance where nice and dry, but the turquoise material was wet and the down under it sticked to the outer material. Nothing that a while in the sun can't fix, though I think a complete shell outer of Pertex Endurance would be nice - this might make it more heavier, though. That's the only thing I can think of which could be improved. I'm really satisfied with the quilt so far, it doesn't lose down, it has plenty of space for movement, its warm and very practical in regards to weight and pack size. For people who are considering the switch from sleeping bag to quilt, the Ultra 20° is the perfect quilt as it is both high quality and affordable - 180€ including shipping from Ultralight Outdoor Gear is a very good price, much cheaper then other high quality UL quilts. I'm actually already thinking how I can make the Ultra 20° useable in deep Winter, because I like it so much!
A few readers have been asking me about the GoLite Ultra 20° quilt and how I like it, and I told them I would like to sleep a few more nights under it before I write an initial review. I slept a few more nights under it, and am now ready to let you know my first impressions.
Ready for sleeping!
Lets start off with the important bits and pieces, which UL backpackers find interesting. My GoLite Ultra 20°, which is 175 cm long, weights 561 g including its packsack. Its filled with 270 g of 800-fill goose down, the turquoise outer is made of a very thin yet durable and down proof material, and in the grey foot and head area GoLite used Pertex Endurance, which is a waterproof material. The inside is very soft and feels comfortable on the skin - the outer as well.
The turquoise outer.
There were two bands which are supposed to go under the mattress, but I found this not practical and just took them off, and stuff the sides under my back when I go to sleep, that arrangement lets no warmth escape. Totally at the top there's a button, so you can close the collar around your neck and with the draw cord you can zip it tight - a smart system which functions very well for me. The quilt has a footbox, which means your feet are completely surrounded by down and will be toasty. Its a smart idea, because it adds a bit more insulation to the bottom, considering that the majority of UL backpackers sleep on a torso sized mattress. It also fixates the quilt. Finally, I got a bit extra space in the foot box, so I can dry stuff there or keep batteries and other equipment warm.
Button and draw cord = trapping all warmth inside.
Speaking of a mattress, I have been sleeping on a small NeoAir with my Ultra 20° and found it a very fine combo. The NeoAir did reach it limits on colder nights, though, so I'll combine it with a Z Lite for the next nights. The solution I used without the Z Lite with me was to put my Rab Momentum Jacket with the outside down under me. That worked excellently, and kept me also from underneath very warm. Multipurpose all the way!
Lets talk about pack size. The Ultra 20° packs very small, as you can see from the photo. That's for me a huge plus, because I do not like a big pack size (I'm looking at you, dear winter sleeping bag of colossal proportions). The packsack itself is waterproof to some extent, it leaks in at the seam so if you don't use a packliner or similar I recommend using a waterproof packsack for it. Forgot to weigh the packsack and am currently not at home, so let me guesstimate its weight at ~10 g.
Small, isn't it?
The Ultra 20° is supposed to keep one warm till about -7°C (or 20° Fahrenheit). I haven't yet experienced that low temperatures, given that it is September and we have night temperatures of about 5°C. Until those temperatures I was toasty warm, and could have done without the merino base layer I was wearing. I'm going to sleep under it tonight, and temps might drop to around 0°C (I'm a bit further up north and at the coast for the next few days), so I'll see how it goes and let you know tomorrow.
The bed is made for tonight!
So, what do I think? I had a few nights with quite a bit of condensation in the Scarp 1, and in the morning the areas with Pertex Endurance where nice and dry, but the turquoise material was wet and the down under it sticked to the outer material. Nothing that a while in the sun can't fix, though I think a complete shell outer of Pertex Endurance would be nice - this might make it more heavier, though. That's the only thing I can think of which could be improved. I'm really satisfied with the quilt so far, it doesn't lose down, it has plenty of space for movement, its warm and very practical in regards to weight and pack size. For people who are considering the switch from sleeping bag to quilt, the Ultra 20° is the perfect quilt as it is both high quality and affordable - 180€ including shipping from Ultralight Outdoor Gear is a very good price, much cheaper then other high quality UL quilts. I'm actually already thinking how I can make the Ultra 20° useable in deep Winter, because I like it so much!
Gear Talk: GoLite Ultra 20° Initial Review
I suspect that the good thing about winter in Finland ( as it is in Denmark and Sweden) is that the air is much drier (less humidity) and therefore issues of condensation in tents and quilts will be less of an issue. Thus I think that the quilt will work very well. By the way my quilt has an Epic outer.
ReplyDeleteYour set up using the neo air in conjunction with the zlite sounds like a great idea. I use my neo air with the Gossamer Gear Thinlight pad.
I look forward to your comments on the quilt as the temperatures approach negative numbers (in celsius).
I've had my ultra in -2C temperatures and for me it was fine although I did have base layers on. I too didnt like the straps underneath the quilt but other than that small thing its a really versatile and lightweight bag/quilt
ReplyDeleteMy ultralite 20 just arrived. Can't wait to try it in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteI'm still unsure about quilts although I get the idea. When it gets nippy I like the fact that I've got a hood to pull up over my head.
ReplyDeleteNo minus temps from Friday on Saturday, it was a comfortable 9°C in the morning.
ReplyDeleteRoger, I would get a GG Thinlight if I wouldn't need to pay so much for shipping and maybe customs. Just getting a thinlight (or any other CCF pad from GG would be very affordable if they wouldn't need to be shipped over the Atlantic. I'm also looking forward to seeing your Nunatak quilts in the future.
Dave, I believe with a baselayer on it should be comfortable in the Ultra 20° till more than -2°. I also got a Silk inlet which adds between two and four degrees to the temp rating. Its going to be my sleeping bag if I go travel to a friends place as well, great piece.
Philip, I wish you warm, comfortable nights in your Ultra 20°!
Baz, a hood is nice. I wear my beanie when going to sleep, but I'm getting a very beautiful down pullover hopefully in the next few days, which has a very nice hood - problem solved, and multipurpose!
Hendrik, Like it. Still wary of quilts but like the sound of them. Will follow your comments as the winter deepens:-)
ReplyDeleteGood news: Winwood outdoor (great independent supplier of gear in the UK, good service, well worth supporting!) import GG gear including thinlite pads. If you want to avoid import taxes then buy from the UK. I would guess shipping costs would be acceptable for such a light product.
http://www.winwood-outdoor.co.uk/acatalog/Ultralight_Sleeping.html
Thanks Dave, that's useful information! Got to check Winwood out some day this week =)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Hendrik. So the straps are not practical then...? I was kind of hoping they would keep everything in place. That said, I have just returned from a touring trip to Scotland and used my mummy bag open 'quilt style' and found the tucking-under method to be more than adequate.
ReplyDeleteNorthern Walker, glad you find it useful. I found the straps not practical because the sides of the quilt went under the NeoAir, as maybe this link to a photo illustrates well:
ReplyDeletehttp://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gnxykwZ-8bvWeAjDpv3l8A?authkey=Gv1sRgCIWEu5ORkfvD1gE&feat=directlink
I find it more comfy if the sides are under me, adding a bit of warmth and softness. But that's just me, and you might find the straps practical =)
Ahh... I see. I guess this feature makes more sense if you are using a thinner pad. Thanks again, Hendrik.
ReplyDeleteI guess a quilt of this kind (any kind?) means that you have to use a full length mattress to at least get some insulation under your legs, which would negate some of the weight savings compared to a sleeping bag.
ReplyDeleteHei Yeti, you can use a torso sized mat and use your backpack under your legs for insulation. I use for example a full length Multimat Adventure, which is 130 g and is thus pretty light. That gives me, summer as winter, usually enough insulation. Also, the quilt has a footbox so there is a tiny bit of insulation there.
ReplyDeleteIs this quilt size in Small/ Regular or large for 175 cm long, weights 561 ?
ReplyDeleteCheers Eevanc, it is the medium model, and yes, it is 561 g including its packsack. For me, who is 175 cm tall, it is a perfect length as I can store eg my camera in the footbox, comfortably behind my feet.
ReplyDelete