Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 Quilt Review

While traditional mummy-style sleeping bags remain the most popular option for backpackers, those who sleep hot or count ounces are increasingly moving toward more streamlined quilts. Enlightened Equipment was one of the first to offer ultralight, backcountry-ready quilts, and their flagship Enigma is a popular pick among thru-hikers and other minimalist backpackers. The design is highly customizable, from color to fill power, dimensions, and even the thickness of the shell. All in all, I came away thoroughly impressed by the quilt's warmth-to-weight ratio and versatility throughout testing, earning it high scores across the board. Below are my thoughts on the Enigma 20. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best ultralight sleeping bags and quilts.
 

Table of Contents

• Weight
• Packability
• Warmth and Insulation
• Comfort
• Features
• Build Quality and Durability 
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Weight

The Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 was my go-to for adventures last summer and fall, accompanying me on backpacking trips in the Yukon, multi-day bikepacks around Vancouver Island, and numerous overnights in the North Cascades. The Enigma is so light that carrying it has been a non-issue on the trail. As far as specifics go, I tested the Long/Wide version of the 20-degree Enigma with 850-fill down and a 10-denier (D) shell, which checks in at 1 pound 7.9 ounces. The quilt is also sold in 0, 10, 30, 40, and 50-degree versions that can be further customized with your choice of down fill power (850- or 950-fill), size, shell thickness (7D or 10D), and the option to add a draft collar. The Regular-size Enigma 20 with 850-fill down checks in at 1 pound 5.2 ounces, which is very competitive for the level of warmth when held up against other ultralight quilts.
 

If you opt for the Enigma 20 with loftier, 950-fill down, the quilt checks in at just 1 pound 3.3 ounces for the Regular size, which is almost a full ounce less than the 1,000-fill Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Degree Quilt. However, like the Hyperlite, the Enigma is decidedly minimalist. As I touched on above, you can add a 0.5-ounce draft collar for an additional $10, but the design is otherwise pretty barebones with no zippers and a fully enclosed footbox. Apart from two snaps for securing the neckline, a drawcord cinch for sealing out drafts, and two elastic straps for connecting the quilt to your sleeping pad, there are no features to speak of.
 

Packability

While the Enigma comes with a stuff sack for storage, it's too big to take full advantage of the quilt's compressibility. Enlightened Equipment states compressed size is 7.5 liters (7L for the Regular size), but you can get it even smaller in a 5-liter compression sack like Sea to Summit's Ultra-Sil. This is especially impressive considering I was using the Long/Wide model. When not in use, I keep the quilt in its larger cotton sack (also included with purchase) to maximize the down's lifespan, since keeping it compressed will reduce loft over time. 
 

Warmth and Insulation

Temperatures plummeted to below freezing during a fastpacking trip in the Yukon, and the Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 kept me warm and cozy. Fill weight is the specification used to gauge warmth, and the Enigma packs in a healthy 1 pound 1.6 ounces of 850-fill down in the Long/Wide size that I tested. Additionally, the 58-inch shoulder width allowed me to easily wrap the quilt around my body, and the neck cinch and pad straps kept the open side snug, eliminating any draft issues. All told, as far as 20-degree quilts go, I was very impressed by the Enigma's level of warmth for the weight.
 

In addition to packing in a generous dose of down insulation, the Enigma comes with a few handy warmth-trapping features. The neckline can be snapped together with two closures—one right on the neckline and the other around 8 inches lower to ensure the quilt stays wrapped securely. Integrated clips farther down attach to the elastic straps, which are designed to hold the two sides of the quilt together or to secure it to your sleeping pad. You can also tack on a draft collar for an additional 0.5 ounces and $10 (I opted to forgo this add-on). Finally, the fully enclosed footbox (similar to a sleeping bag) is great for warming cold toes. Some may prefer the ability to open up the footbox to air things out, but I've found it easy to pull a foot out to cool down when needed. Together, these features help maximize heat retention, although those who sleep cold may still prefer the security of a fully zippered mummy bag, with the biggest trade-offs being an increase in weight and bulk.
 

With quilts, the warmth of your sleeping pad is particularly important since there's no insulation underneath you. The Long/Wide Enigma 20 is large enough that I'm able to wrap it fully around me, resulting in no gap underneath, but air can still seep in, especially if you're prone to tossing and turning throughout the night. However, I managed to stay perfectly warm by pairing the Enigma with my Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT (R-value: 4.5) and Big Agnes Divide Insulated (R-value: 4), both of which are popular 3-season options. For more on pad warmth, check out our article on Sleeping Pad R-Value Explained.
 

Comfort 

The Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 provides excellent warmth while retaining solid breathability thanks to its thin 10D liner (there's also the option to step down to an even more delicate 7D shell). The nylon is soft and comfortable against bare skin, avoiding the clammy feel you get with some glossy shells. It did get mildly damp while camping oceanfront with 90% humidity, but these were undeniably challenging conditions, and the quilt was dry by the morning. All in all, I found the level of breathability to be plenty for preventing overheating on balmy nights and when sleeping next to my wife, who runs warm. And if you do get hot, it's easy to quickly cool down by sliding your arms and upper body out of the quilt and slipping a leg out of the footbox.
 

With a 58-inch shoulder width and 42-inch footbox, the Long/Wide Enigma I tested offers plenty of room for me to bundle up and still move around comfortably. Like most quilts, the Enigma omits a hood, which I personally don't mind since I move around a lot during the night. I also use an inflatable pillow and find it easier to move the pillow around when it's not trapped inside a hood. You'll need to think ahead and pack a beanie or hooded, insulated jacket in colder temperatures, but I always have at least one of these options with me when backpacking.
 

Features

Like most ultralight sleeping quilts, the Enigma is a simple, no-frills design. As I mentioned above, it comes with two elastic straps and clips on each side, which keep it secured around a sleeping pad. One strap is used to attach the bag to your pad, while the other is used close the quilt when it's wrapped around you. Another feature that some will appreciate is the snap- and drawcord-equipped neckline. This helps seal out drafts at the top, and you can add the optional draft collar for even more warmth. I often prefer to keep my arms out of the quilt, but the snaps and drawcord are nice to have on especially cold nights. Finally, it's worth noting that my partner and I like to use a double-wide sleeping pad with separate quilts. Enlightened Equipment offers a Two Quilt Double Wide Pad Strap for $15, which allows you to secure both quilts to a single oversized pad at the same time.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Ultralight gear often utilizes thinner and more delicate fabrics and components to keep weight to a minimum, and the Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 is no exception. Specifically, my quilt features a 10D shell and liner, and Enlightened Equipment also offers the quilt with even more fragile 7D fabrics. In testing, I found the 10D nylon to be reasonably wear-resistant, but it's important to be careful when exposing the quilt to surfaces like rocks or sand. My quilt doesn't have any pinholes or signs of abrasion, but exercising caution will help maximize its lifespan. I have noticed that the down insulation tends to move around and bunch up in certain areas after longer periods of compression, but it's easy to redistribute by massaging the shell and shaking the quilt out.
 

Other Versions of the Enlightened Equipment Enigma

As I touched on throughout this review, the Enigma is a highly customizable design. In addition to the 20-degree model that I tested, Enlightened Equipment also sells 0, 10, 30, 40, and 50-degree variations that can be personalized further by selecting the down fill power (850- or 950-fill), size, and fabric thickness (10D or 7D). You also get the option to add a draft collar to any of these options for an additional $10. In the end, deciding which design is best for you will come down to preferences on comfort, weight, warmth, and roominess. It does take longer to ship custom orders (EE's estimate is 6 weeks at the time of publishing compared to just 7 days for the stock Enigma), so be sure to take this into account when making your purchase. 
 

What We Like

• High-quality down is exceptionally plush, offers great warmth for the weight, and regains its loft quickly after being compressed.
• Highly customizable with the option to select down fill power, temperature rating, size, fabric thickness, and an optional draft collar.
• Soft shell and lining fabrics offer good breathability and don't clam up on warm nights.
• Packs down very small for storage, especially if you purchase a dedicated compression sack.
• Comes with handy attachment straps that are easy to use and effective at securing the quilt to your sleeping pad.
   

What We Don’t

• Thin shell fabric requires care to avoid snags and tears.
• Some won't love the fully enclosed footbox.
• Customization can get expensive, and custom orders take much longer to ship than the stock Enigma.
• Those who run cold or aren't overly concerned about weight may prefer a less compromised mummy-style sleeping bag.
   

Comparison Table

*Editor's note: For the sake of comparison, we used the specifications for the regular/standard version of each quilt above.

The Competition

The Enigma 20 is a minimalist sleeping quilt that stands out for its impressive warmth-to-weight ratio and highly customizable design. In the same category is Nemo's Pulse Endless Promise, which checks in even lighter than the Enigma at 1 pound 4 ounces, packs in a respectable 12 ounces of ultra-lofty 1,000-fill down, and is 3 inches wider at the shoulders (comparing the regular versions). Both quilts feature a fully enclosed footbox for maximum heat retention and straps for securing them to your sleeping pad. The Nemo will run you an additional $230 and isn't fully customizable like the Enigma, but it's nevertheless a competitive option for ounce-counting minimalists and thru-hikers. Of note: The Pulse boasts a 23-degree Fahrenheit ISO Lower Limit rating and a 34-degree Comfort rating, while the Enigma's 20-degree rating is an estimate provided by Enlightened Equipment. In our experience, the two quilts offer comparable levels of warmth.
 

Another close alternative is Enlightened Equipment's own Revelation 20. At 1 pound 6.5 ounces for the Regular size packed with 850-fill down (you can also upgrade to 950-fill), the Revelation is a little heavier than the Enigma but features a drawcord-equipped footbox, which can be opened up to air things out or cinched close to seal in warmth. This does make it draftier than the Enigma on cold and blustery nights, but some will appreciate the ability to regulate temperature more easily. And for the ultimate in ultralight warmth, we also like Hyperlite's 20-Degree Quilt, which doesn't come cheap at $499 but checks in around an ounce lighter than the Enigma, packs in a healthy 14 ounces of 1,000-fill down for comparable warmth and better packability, and is 4 inches wider at the shoulders. The 7D shell is even thinner than the Enigma's 10D fabrics, so you'll want to take added care to maximize its lifespan.
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