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Some ultralighters and thru-hikers opt for a sleeping quilt, which have an open-back design that wraps around your sleeping pad and therefore cuts even more weight. And quilts are the bread and butter of Minnesota-based Enlightened Equipment, so it’s no surprise to see their Enigma at the top of our list for 2022. It packs a serious punch with a whopping 12.4 ounces of down, which is all concentrated along the front and side of the body. Further, Enlightened Equipment quilts are handmade and can be customized into a wide variety of sizes (16 combinations of length and circumference), plus you have the option of 850- or 950-fill down along with a whole range of temperature ratings. Priced at a reasonable $310 for the 30-degree model, the Enigma is our top choice for a sleeping quilt.

We’re big fans of sleeping quilts for their versatility and weight savings, but they’re not the ideal pick for every backpacker. The backless design makes it hard to fully batten down the hatches in cold weather, and with no hood you’ll want to be sure to pack additional coverage for your head (a beanie or hooded down jacket will do). Added up, we’d hesitate to take the Enigma into true winter conditions, although we certainly know those who do (it’s offered in a 0˚F version). Finally, as is the case with most cottage-industry brands, be sure to factor in a wait time: Most Enlightened Equipment products are made to order, which is great for customization, but products from larger companies often are available quicker.See the Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt

Backpacking quilts are the bread and butter of Minnesota-based Enlightened Equipment (EE), so it’s no surprise to see their Enigma at the top of our list for 2022. This quilt packs a serious punch with a whopping 15.5 ounces of down—that’s more than all but one of the sleeping bags listed above—and it’s all concentrated along the front and side the body. Further, EE quilts are handmade, can be customized into a variety of sizes (16 combinations of length and circumference), and you have the option of 850- or 950-fill down, along with a whole range of temperature ratings. Priced at a reasonable $335, the Enigma is our top choice for quilt fans and skeptics alike.

Speaking of skeptics: we were squarely in that camp before testing the Enigma but now are bona fide believers. In fact, we haven’t had one cold night in the 20-degree quilt, despite taking it to Patagonia, deep into the North Cascades, and up to 12,000 feet in the Sierra. And we regularly opt for the Enigma over our ultralight Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 (above), as it’s far less constricting and vents better on warm nights. It's good to know that EE also makes the popular Revelation (which features the option for an open footbox), the zippered Convert and Conundrum, and the aptly named two-person Accomplice. And most Enlightened Equipment products are made to order, which is great for customization but not ideal for wait time (if you're not particular about colors, a stock version of the 20-degree Enigma ships within 2-3 days of placing your order).See the Enlightened Equipment Enigma

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The Kammok Firebelly is a versatile all-star. It's great enough as a regular blanket: it has generous dimensions with a high loft while maintaining its compressibility. However, it's all of the other modes that take this blanket to the next level. The bottom can be snapped and cinched closed to create a cozy foot box for keeping warm while sitting around a fire. A full set of snaps on each side can also convert this blanket into a full-on camping quilt when paired with the included sleeping pad straps. It triples as a hammock underquilt and quadruples as a poncho with a zipper opening in the middle of the blanket. As a bonus, it also comes with a watertight stuff sack and a large long-term storage sack.
For an otherwise exceptional blanket, there are just a couple of characteristics that we wish were different. The inner liner is the same ripstop nylon as the rest of the exterior. It's soft but not exceptionally comfortable; it can get pretty sticky against bare skin. These excellent features come at a premium price, so this quilt is for those who know it will benefit from its versatility. Having said that, the Kammock Firebelly is one of our absolute favorites as a basic blanket and a multi-purpose insulator. 
Read more: Kammok Firebelly review

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