Katabatic Alsek 22 Quilt (250+ Nights)

Be aware: Katabatic’s Vacation Sale is working till December 2. All quilts are 15% off, whereas Jackets and Bivys are 20% off. 

I picked up the Katabatic Alsek 22°F quilt in 2018. During the last six and a half years, I’ve used it in all kinds of environments and have repeatedly taken it past its listed consolation score with out difficulty (see Subject Expertise under).

The Alsek is the third Katabatic quilt I’ve owned. The primary two – Palisade 30°F and Sawatch 15°F – accompanied me on the 12 Lengthy Walks journey of 2011/12 and are nonetheless going sturdy after 14 years and a cumulative 900+ nights of use. Suffice it to say, they’ve lengthy since earned a spot among the many most dependable gadgets in my backpacking equipment.

As to the whys and wherefores, they go one thing like this………….

Product Particulars

Description & Worth (November, 2024):

• I’ve the 6’6″ Elite common width mannequin (Be aware: For reference, I’m a 6’1″ medium-build aspect sleeper that ideas the scales at round 80 kg/176 lbs. I don’t have a tendency to maneuver round rather a lot in my sleep).

• For a comparability of the Elite Vs Flex 22°F mannequin, see the FAQs under.

Materials:

• Fill energy – 900 FP with Expedry Goosedown
• Shell – Pertex Quantum Ripstop .85 oz/yd.

Sustainability: All supplies utilized by Katabatic are bluesign authorized and Accountable Down Customary (RDS) licensed.

Whole Weight: 23.6 oz (0.67 kg)

Fill Weight: 15.2 oz (0.43 kg)

Subject Expertise

Since 2018, I’ve used the Katabatic Alsek 22°F greater than 250 nights within the backcountry. Throughout most of those journeys, I slept on a Thermarest NeoAir XL Sleeping Mat and wore a buff or light-weight beanie together with gentle or medium-weight Merino Wool base layers (Be aware: On the temperature scale, I’m an “common” sleeper—neither sizzling nor chilly).

Journeys with the Alsek have included the Scottish Highlands (2018), Lofoten Islands (2018), Dolomites (2019), fall journeys within the Austrian and Slovenian Alps (2019), prolonged treks via Denali Nationwide Park and Brooks Vary (2021), a number of winter journeys in Mexico’s Sierra Madre, and most just lately (Sept.2024), a 300-mile (483 km) hike via Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, which integrated an extended model of the glacier-crossing Bailey Vary Traverse.

Click on right here for full gear lists from a few of the journeys talked about above.

Design

• Differential minimize – The inside lining is sewn smaller than the outer shell to permit the down optimum area to loft.

• Neck collar. The Elite mannequin has two buttons and a drawcord. Overstuffed. Toasty.

• Foot field: Additionally overstuffed. Trapezoidal form.

• No hood (although you possibly can order one individually): The shortage of a hood is typically cited as a motive for not utilizing quilts. Nonetheless, for my part, it’s no biggie. Why? Likelihood is I’m carrying a beanie more often than not anyway, and when added to the hoods I have already got on my jackets (i.e., windshirt, down and rain), that is usually greater than sufficient to maintain my noggin heat.

• Attachment system: Every Katabatic Quilt has two choices:

1. Cords: Twin cords will be wrapped round your sleeping pad and clipped at roughly shoulder and hip degree. These clips have two settings: a free mode, which is adjustable, and a good mode, which will be locked in for when temps get nippy (see YouTube clip under).

2. Webbing Straps: Three in complete. The highest two are detachable, and the underside one is fastened. The straps are skinny, unobtrusive, and simply adjustable; they lie straight beneath the sleeper quite than wrapped across the pad.

• What units the Katabatic attachment system aside?: When studying critiques of Katabatic quilts, you’ll usually hear people converse glowingly about their attachment system. What makes it so good? In a phrase – versatility. The power to regulate the girth based on the dictates of the situations by which you’re sleeping. The Katabatic attachment system addresses the three major elements to search for in quilt design: 1. Minimizes/eliminates bracing drafts; 2. Retains useless air area to a minimal, and; 3. Permits for freedom of motion.

Click on right here for an outline of why I usually desire sleeping quilts to baggage.

Temperature Rankings

• Katabatic quilts have a long-established status for conservative temperature scores.

• Throughout my time with the Alsek 22°F, I’ve been snug at temperatures six to seven levels colder than its listed score whereas carrying a lightweight or medium-weight Merino wool base layer and a beanie or Buff.

• Be aware 1: Sleeping bag scores are subjective. Totally different folks sleep hotter or colder at totally different temperatures. As I discussed above, over time, I’ve discovered myself to be a median sleeper. For folk who’re cool/chilly sleepers, the Alsek’s temperature score is probably going shut to identify on.

• Be aware 2: When utilizing a tarp quite than an enclosed shelter, I’ll usually mix the quilt with a light-weight bivy (e.g., MLD Superlight or Katabatic Bristlecone), which provides an additional 5 to seven levels of heat.

Sturdiness / Lengthy-term Loft

• There hasn’t been any noticeable lower in loft or heat in the course of the six years and 250-plus nights I’ve been utilizing the Alsek.

• I usually wash my quilts a minimum of annually with down wash (e.g., Nikwax or Rivivex).

• Once I’m not utilizing the quilt, I maintain it saved in a big cotton bag (offered by Katabatic). For extra care directions, see the Product Care web page on the Katabatic Gear web site.

Worth for Cash

Katabatic Gear makes use of high-end supplies and their workmanship is first-class. Whereas their quilts will not be low cost, their aggressive worth level and wonderful sturdiness make them good worth for cash. Working example, the Alsek hasn’t missed a beat in over six years and my Sawatch and Palisade are nonetheless going sturdy after 13+ years.

Professional Tip: As a rule of thumb, in relation to down merchandise – whether or not it’s quilts, baggage, jackets, pants, booties, or vests – you get what you pay for.

Comparable Quilts & Baggage

Though I’ve used Katabatic Quilts on most of my backcountry journeys since 2011 (the exception being journeys in sizzling/humid climates once I’ll usually take the artificial Mountain Laurel Designs Spirit Quilt 38), there are a handful of different producers that make high-end quilts or sleeping baggage which can be in the identical class (or a minimum of the identical ballpark) as Katabatic Gear. Right here’s a fast rundown of some sleeping quilts and baggage which can be akin to the Alsek 22. For a extra complete breakdown, see Sleeping Baggage for Through-hikers:

Quilts 

Baggage 

FAQs & Quilt-Associated Musings

• Elite Vs Flex: Which One Ought to I Purchase?:  Katabatics’ Elite and the Flex strains supply the identical vary of sizes and fill choices, use the identical shell supplies, and are identically priced. Concerning variations, the most important is that the previous has a sewn-in foot field, whereas the latter can both be opened up like a blanket or closed shut when the temperatures warrant (by the use of a zipper, drawstring, and bolstered snap/draft blocker). Different design variations are smaller and fewer vital – for instance, the Elite mannequin weighs round an oz much less and has two buttons on the neck collar quite than one, which minimizes motion of the collar in case you are likely to toss and switch. So which mannequin must you get? It comes down to non-public choice. If you wish to maximize versatility, go together with the aptly-titled Flex. If you would like the snugness of a Mummy-style sleeping bag with the adjustability and weight financial savings of a quilt, go for the Elite. 

• Ought to I am going for Large or Common Width?: Katabatic’s wider fashions are a few ounces heavier and $17/18 dearer, however they supply an additional 4″ of width within the shoulder, hip, and foot field. In case you’re a much bigger particular person and/or toss and switch in your sleep, the broad fashions are seemingly your best choice. In case you’re comparatively slim and/or don’t transfer round an excessive amount of in your sleep, chances are you’ll wish to save a few ounces and some bucks and go for a daily. In my very own case, I’ve the Elite fashions of the Alsek, Palisade 30, and Sawatch 15. I picked up the latter two earlier than the introduction of the Flex line in late 2015. If and when the time comes that I must retire both of the unique fashions, I’ll seemingly keep on with the Elite model of the 15°F quilt and go for the Flex mannequin of the 30°F model for elevated versatility in hotter temps (Be aware: For an in depth breakdown of the Common Vs Large query, see Katabatic’s FAQ web page).

• Horizontal Vs. Vertical Baffles: Which is Higher?: Neither. A quilt’s toastiness primarily comes all the way down to stuffing, workmanship, and high quality of supplies. “However I’m confused; some commenters on Gear Boards are adamant that Vertical is finest, whereas others preserve that Horizontal is the best way to go.” Ultralight gearheads tend to overanalyze. Some even have a penchant for drawing definitive conclusions concerning their most popular manufacturers. The fact is that in relation to quilts and different backpacking gear, usually there isn’t a “better of the most effective.” Likelihood is, in case you decide up a Katabatic Quilt with horizontal baffles, you’ll be glad along with your buy for a very long time. The identical holds true in case you purchase a Nunatak Quilt, which sports activities vertical baffles. “Why?” As a result of each firms use prime quality supplies, have wonderful consideration to element, and correctly stuff their well-designed baffles (i.e., Understuffed and/or outsized baffles are those that are likely to have vital migration points). The identical holds true for sleeping baggage – in case you shell out huge bucks for a Western Mountaineering or Feathered Buddies mannequin, odds are (in case you maintain it) you’ll have a dependable piece of equipment for a few years to return. 

• The Insulation Bundle Deal: Getting a great evening’s sleep could make or break your backpacking journey. So as to take action, it’s vital to have your sleep system dialed in earlier than you hit the path.  Whereas an appropriately rated sleeping quilt (or bag) is important for mitigating convective warmth loss, it’s equally vital to have a sleeping mat with an R-value (resistance to warmth move) ample to deal with conductive warmth loss from the bottom. Each gadgets work collectively so as to maintain you heat. Certainly, as many a hiker has found over time, you possibly can have the warmest, puffiest quilt/bag available on the market, however in case you don’t have the suitable insulation beneath you, likelihood is you’ll be colder than a mother-in-law’s kiss.

Suggestion:

If I had to decide on only one quilt, it might be the Alsek 22°F or the Flex 22°F. Why? As a result of it’s the “Goldilocks” of the Katabatic secure – not too heat, not too chilly, excellent for porridge-gobbling trespassers and versatility-seeking hikers. It hits the temperature candy spot for multi-month thru-hikes and/or journeys by which hikers are repeatedly oscillating between totally different elevations and environments. In case you haven’t gone too far down the mountaineering gear rabbit gap (i.e., you personal a number of quilts and baggage) and easily need one quilt/bag that meets lots of your backcountry wants, the Alsek represents a wonderful selection.

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Disclosure I acquired the Alsek 22 (900 fp Expedry) freed from cost in alternate for suggestions from the sphere. I used to be underneath no obligation to put in writing a assessment, and the opinions expressed are my very own. 

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