Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Degree Quilt Review

For backpackers who tend to sleep hot or value keeping their pack weight to a minimum, a quilt is an excellent alternative to a fully enclosed sleeping bag. Hyperlite Mountain Gear specializes in the ultralight space, and their 20-Degree Quilt impressed us throughout a full season of testing. Packed with a healthy dose of premium, 1,000-fill down, the quilt provides an impressive amount of warmth for its weight and has a very cozy feel that avoids the slippery, clammy feel of some competitors. If you're a cold sleeper or sensitive to drafts, a hooded sleeping bag is likely the better bet, but the 20-Degree Quilt is a great match for ultralight backpackers willing to sacrifice some creature comforts in the name of weight savings. Below are our thoughts on the 20-Degree Quilt. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check 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

Hyperlite Mountain Gear is a well known player in the ultralight space, and their 20-Degree Quilt checks in at a very respectable 1 pound 4.1 ounces for the regular size that I tested. The low weight is a result of the exceptionally lofty down (which we cover below), thin shell fabric, and minimalist feature set (including no zippers or hood). The only "extras" that Hyperlite included are a neck drawcord to help trap warmth and reduce drafts, along with sewn-in loops and clips to secure the quilt to a sleeping pad. For comparison, the 20-Degree Quilt's weight lines up well with most direct competitors, including Zpacks' 20F Solo Quilt (1 lb. 2.3 oz.) and Enlightened Equipment's Enigma 20 (1 lb. 3.3 oz. in the 950-fill version).
 

Packability

Unfortunately, the Hyperlite 20-Degree Quilt doesn't come with a stuff sack, although you do get a large bag for storage. Hyperlite recommends purchasing their 10-liter Side Entry Pod for $69, but I chose not to for a couple reasons. First, I believe a stuff sack should be include. Second, the quilt can be compressed much smaller (around 5L in a smaller compression sack like this one from Sea to Summit). I try to avoid keeping the quilt compressed for long periods of time in order to maximize the lifespan of the insulation (this is good practice for any down product), but I love being able to stuff it down for fast-and-light adventures. Along with its low weight, this has made the quilt my go-to choice for shoulder-season bikepacking adventures when space is at a premium but temperatures are low enough to warrant the warmth. In milder conditions, I instead reach for my Western Mountaineering SummerLite 32 because it packs down a little smaller.
 

Warmth and Insulation

Packed with 14 ounces of ultra-premium, 1,000-fill-power down (for the regular size), the Hyperlite 20-Degree Quilt is exceptionally warm and comfortable. The high-end down is extremely lofty and provides an impressive amount of warmth for the weight. In fact, the quilt puffs up almost immediately once removed from its stuff sack, and the interior is quick to heat up when you wrap yourself inside. And although the quilt isn't EN-or ISO-rated for warmth (a standardized method that some manufacturers adhere to), I found the 20-degree temperature rating to be spot-on. For more on the topic, check out our article on sleeping bag temperature ratings.
 

In addition to its lofty down fill, the 20-Degree Quilt employs a few other warmth-trapping measures. First is the baffle design, which combines vertical baffles along the body with horizontal baffles around the footbox to help keep the insulation in place. This isn't unique to the Hyperlite quilt—Enlightened Equipment's Enigma has a similar layout—but gets the job done. I've had no issues with down clumping up or migrating, and I appreciate that the footbox is fully enclosed to maximize heat retention (note: It's still pretty easy to kick one or both feet out of the quilt if you get toasty). The 20-Degree quilt doesn't have a draft collar, although there is a drawcord at the neck to help seal in warmth. You also don't get a hood, which is true of all sleeping quilts, but a toque or insulated jacket with a hood easily solves the issue. I don't consider it an inconvenience since I always carry those items, anyway.
 

If you're a cold sleeper, the open back and lack of hood and draft collar may feel significant, especially when compared with a traditional sleeping bag. For this reason, it's tough to directly compare the warmth between quilts and sleeping bags. And since quilts like the Hyperlite lack insulation along the bottom, the warmth (measured in R-value) of your sleeping pad is even more critical. We've been in situations where our sleeping pad failed, and it was almost impossible to stay warm despite having a sleeping bag that was adequately rated for the temperatures. For reference, I've paired the Hyperlite quilt with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT (R-value: 4.5) and Big Agnes Divide Insulated (R-value: 4) sleeping pads, and in both cases, the combination kept me perfectly warm and cozy in chilly shoulder-season temperatures.
 

Comfort 

I’ve always been a hot sleeper and hate feeling confined inside a mummy bag, so it's not too surprising that I'm a big fan of sleeping quilts—and this is one of the coziest I've tested. In fact, I accidentally slept in the quilt inside-out the first few times and didn't notice because the the outer shell and inner lining are equally soft and smooth. This also helps avoid the clammy feel of some competitors, allowing me to sleep comfortably without my legs sticking to the fabric. And I found the quilt to be cozy in a variety of conditions, including humid weather on a bikepacking trip on Salt Spring Island.
 

Dimensions go hand-in-hand with comfort. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Degree Quilt measures 72 inches long, 58 inches wide at the shoulders, and 42 inches around the footbox in the regular size that I tested. Hyperlite also offers the quilt in short and long sizes, which are 66 and 80 inches long, respectively. For reference, I'm 5'7" with a narrow frame and found the regular size to be quite roomy. I could easily secure the quilt around myself without feeling confined, and the footbox never felt even remotely restrictive. Added up, it's a highly comfortable design that made it easy for me to get a good night's sleep.
 

Features

The Hyperlite 20-Degree Quilt is an unapologetically ultralight design, meaning it lacks the features of heftier sleeping bags. In addition to not having a hood, which is true of all quilts, there is no draft collar or even a partial zipper. Instead, you get a single drawcord at the neck, which I found to be pretty effective at trapping heat. There are also four sewn-in loops that are designed to help secure the quilt to your sleeping pad, along with two pad attachment straps. I didn't end up using the loops because the straps worked fine on their own. The process is quick and easy: Simply slip the straps over your sleeping pad and line up the clips with their counterparts on the quilt (note: The quilt clips also allow you to secure it for wraparound coverage when the pad straps aren't in use). The resulting system is pretty secure—I used the feature in the Yukon while camping on elevated, perforated tent platforms that allowed cold winds to enter our tent from below, and the straps did a great job keeping the quilt in place. Finally, as I mentioned above, the quilt comes with a large storage sack but no compression sack.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Ultralight backpacking gear often sacrifices durability in order to keep weight and bulk to a minimum, and the 20-Degree Quilt is no exception. The shell is made from 7-denier (D) micro-ripstop nylon, which is on the ultra-thin end of the spectrum (most competitors are 10D or higher). This means it's a good idea to exercise caution with the quilt by being mindful about the surfaces you camp on and paying attention when stuffing it away. That said, I've been very impressed by how well my quilt has held up—it even survived being carried outside my tent and worn poncho-style while sitting on driftwood and beach rocks. There are no rogue down feathers poking out of the shell, the seams are all intact, and the clips—while noticeably thin—continue to operate smoothly and securely. 
 

Sustainability

We appreciate when brands go the extra mile by incorporating sustainable production practices, and the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Degree Quilt checks a couple of the boxes we look for. First, Hyperlite claims that the down insulation is responsibly sourced, although it's unclear if it meets the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which is the gold standard in the industry for ensuring animals are treated humanely (e.g., no force-feeding or live-plucking). The quilt also boasts a C0 durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, which is free from harmful "forever chemicals." With several states stepping up to ban PFAS, we appreciate that many outdoor brands are transitioning to more environmentally friendly water-repellent treatments. We'd love to see Hyperlite incorporate recycled fabrics in a future update, but the 20-Degree Quilt nevertheless strikes us as a thoughtfully built piece.
 

Other Version: Hyperlite Mountain Gear 40-Degree Quilt

We tested the 20-Degree Quilt for this review. Hyperlite also offers the quilt in a 40-degree version, which retails for $399, weighs 14.4 ounces for the regular size, and is packed with 8.9 ounces of 1,000-fill down. It also features a black rather than gray shell fabric. The 20-Degree Quilt is the more versatile option for 3-season backpackers, but the 40-degree model is a budget-friendlier alternative for those who only get out in the summer months.
 

What We Like

• Impressively light for its level of warmth at 1 pound 4.1 ounces for the regular size.
• 1,000-fill down is exceptionally plush and regains its loft quickly after being compressed.
• Soft fabrics throughout—in fact, we used the quilt inside-out by accident and didn't notice.
• While not EN- or ISO-rated, the 20-degree temperature rating felt spot-on. 
• Comes with handy attachment straps that are easy to use and effective at securing the quilt to your sleeping pad.
   

What We Don’t

• Extremely thin 7D shell fabric requires extra care to avoid snags and tears.
• No stuff sack included, although you do get a large storage bag.
• The sewn-in loops don't seem all that useful since the pad attachment straps do a great job on their own.
• If you're used to a traditional sleeping bag, the 20-Degree Quilt will likely feel very streamlined with its minimalist feature set.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Hyperlite 20-Degree Quilt is a minimalist sleeping quilt that's packed with premium, ultra-lofty down to keep weight and bulk to a minimum. Another similarly intentioned design to have on your radar is Nemo's Pulse Endless Promise 20F Quilt, which also uses 1,000-fill down for warmth (fill weight is 12 oz. vs. 14 oz. for the Hyperlite) and clocks in at a nearly identical weight (it's 0.1 oz. lighter in the regular size). The two also have very similar dimensions, with the Pulse's shoulder girth measuring 57 inches compared to 58 for the 20-Degree Quilt. One specification worth calling out is the Nemo's temperature rating: The Pulse underwent ISO testing, which is a standardized method to gauge warmth, resulting in a 34-degree Comfort rating. This indicates the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable, while the 23-degree Lower Limit rating denotes the temp at which a warm sleeper might feel comfortable. Final differences include a slightly thicker (10D) shell and the inclusion of both a mesh storage cube and dedicated compressions sack for storage. The Pulse will cost you $50 more, but we think that's a reasonable jump given these additions.
 

Cottage brands dominate the ultralight market, and Enlightened Equipment is one of the leaders in the quilt space. Their Enigma 20 Quilt gives the Hyperlite a run for its money with a generous 13.8 ounces of 950-fill down (you can also opt for 850-fill to save some cash), along with a slightly thicker 10D shell fabric. The Enigma also undercuts the 20-Degree Quilt in weight by 0.8 ounces while offering many of the same features, including an attachment system for securing the quilt to your sleeping pad, a drawcord closure at the neck, and a mix of vertical and horizontal baffles to keep the insulation in place. Finally, you get both a stuff sack and larger storage back with the Enigma—all for around $70 less than the Hyperlite. Given these advantages, we think the Enigma is the slightly more competitive design overall.

Next up is Zpacks' 20F Solo Quilt, which is another thru-hiker favorite. In this case, the Zpacks is packed with 13.7 ounces of 900-fill down, which translates to a slight step down in warmth compared to the Hyperlite, although both quilts strike us as worthy of their 20-degree temperature ratings. The Zpacks is lighter by 1.8 ounces, although the 55-inch width across the shoulders is 3 inches narrower than the Hyperlite (note: Zpacks does offer the quilt in a broad size, which is 60 in. wide). That said, we appreciate that the Solo Quilt comes with a roll-top dry bag for stashing in a pack, and Zpacks included a similar pad attachment system for ensuring the quilt stays in place throughout the night. If maximizing warmth is your primary objective, we'd spend up for the Hyperlite, but the Zpacks is a similarly competitive choice for $40 less.
 

A final alternative to consider is Feathered Friends’ Flicker UL, which is a nice middle ground between a quilt and a traditional sleeping bag. The biggest point of differentiation between the Flicker UL and the quilt options mentioned above (including the Hyperlite) is the full-length zipper. While some might complain that a zipper adds weight (5.7 oz. compared to the Hyperlite, to be exact), others will appreciate the versatility. In our experience, the Flicker is far less draft-prone than open-back quilts like the Hyperlite, and we appreciate the Pertex Endurance shell and YKK zipper for added assurance in wet weather (the 20-Degree Quilt has just a standard DWR coating). The Feathered Friends bag doesn't come cheap at $529, and true ounce-counters will likely want to stick with the feathery Hyperlite, but the Flicker stands out as a nice all-in-one option for those on the fence between a sleeping bag and a quilt.

Editor’s note: We usually provide a live price comparison table below our outdoor gear reviews, but the 20-Degree Quilt is sold exclusively by Hyperlite Mountain Gear. You can see the 20-Degree Quilt page here and support us in the process. Thanks!