Ultralight Winter Quilts Rated to Zero Degrees
An ultralight 0 degree quilt is the best way to stay warm in sub-freezing temps without compromising on how much you have to carry. Yes, you can use a quilt in the cold, and no, it’s not drafty! Pairing a winter quilt with a high R-value sleeping pad yields an incredibly high warmth-to-weight ratio system. Even the value-tier quilts in this guide are more efficient than the literal best of the best sleeping bags, and for less than half the price!
This is a data-based gear guide. We ditch subjective analyses like perceived warmth and scattershot backcountry testing. Instead we evaluate each ultralight 0 degree quilt as neutrally as possible, primarily based on its uncompressed down volume per ounce of total weight stat. This measurement has a strong correlation to warmth-to-weight ratio, and allows us to assess which winter quilt uses its mass to insulate most effectively. As such, we are very confident in our objectively selected assortment.
Complete your system with our guides to winter sleeping pads and dry bags. Or go the traditional route with a 0 degree sleeping bag, or a lightweight 4 season tent. And don’t forget to pick up a pair of lightweight down booties and down pants.
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Ultralight 0 Degree Quilt Quick Picks
- Editor’s Choice: Enlightened Equipment Enigma 0, Optimal Configuration
- Best Value: Enlightened Equipment Enigma 0, Value Configuration
- Best Budget: Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Down 0
- Warmest: Hammock Gear Burrow 0, +4oz Overfill
Ultralight Winter Quilt Comparison Table
Mobile users rotate sideways for complete table view
| Model | Price ($) | Weight (oz) | Fill Weight (oz) | Fill Power (in³/oz) | Down Vol (in³) | Down Vol/Total Weight (in³/oz) |
| EE Enigma, Optimal | 550 | 25.1 | 19.3 | 950 | 18335 | 730 |
| EE Enigma, Value | 405 | 27.7 | 21.6 | 850 | 18360 | 662 |
| OV Stormloft | 380 | 27.9 | 21.5 | 800 | 17200 | 616 |
| HG Burrow wide +4oz | 470 | 34.1 | 28.4 | 850 | 24140 | 700 |
How To Read This Table
- Fill Weight: Measures in ounces the total weight of all down insulation used in the quilt
- Fill Power: Measures in cubic inches the volume per ounce of uncompressed down
- Down Vol (in³): Measures the volume of all down in the quilt if were to be extracted and put into an uncompressed pile. It is derived by multiplying fill weight times fill power. It strongly correlates with the insulative ability of a quilt. If quilt A has more Down Vol (in³) than quilt B, it is extremely likely that quilt A will be warmer.
- Down Vol/Total Weight (in³/oz): Measures the uncompressed down volume in cubic inches per ounce of total quilt weight (counting the shell fabric, zipper, trim, etc). This measurement strongly correlates with relative warmth-to-weight ratio, and allows for comparison of different quilt chassis with different fill weights of different fill powers. From an ultralight backpacking perspective, this is the most important statistic, and the one we value most.
Best Ultralight 0 Degree Quilt
Enlightened Equipment Enigma 0, Optimal Configuration
Ahh, Enlightened Equipment Enigma. If you’ve read our coverage of summer weight quilts, then you won’t be surprised that Enigma wins our top pick for winter quilts too. Its combination of 950 fill power down in a 7d shell is simply best-in-class, and offers immaculate warmth-to-weight ratio at a reasonable price. The U-shaped baffles prevent down from drifting off of the top. And thanks to the sewn footbox, which is definitely preferable to zippered models in a winter quilt, makes it EE’s most minimalist ultralight model.
Aside from decreased durability if you choose a 7d nylon shell, the only potential drawback to this quilt is that it does not use DWR-treated water-resistant down like many other quilts. That being said, Enlightened Equipment has stated that their testing found the benefits of water-resistant down are mostly overstated/marketing hype, that situations where it makes a noticeable difference are few and far between, and that untreated down lofts better (thus is warmer) when not wet. We leave it up to you, the reader, to decide.
- Price: $550
- Total Weight: 25.1 oz
- Fill Weight: 19.3 oz
- Fill Power: 950 in³/oz
- Down Volume: 18335 in³
- Down Volume/Total Weight: 730 in³/oz
- Shell Fabric: 7d
- Pros: Ultralight. High warmth-to-weight Low bulk. U-shaped baffles. Optional draft collar. Made in USA.
- Cons: Does not use DWR-treated down (could also be a pro).
Measured Configuration: 950FP Down, 0F Rating, Regular/Regular size, no draft collar, 7d/7d fabric.
Enlightened Equipment Enigma 0, Value Configuration
Enlightened Equipment Enigma can also be configured with a less expensive 10d shell and 850 fill power down. Essentially, you save $145 in exchange for carrying an extra 2.6 ounces of weight. Not a bad deal! Otherwise, it’s the exact same quilt as described above, equally as warm, but marginally less packable.
- Price: $405
- Total Weight: 27.7 oz
- Fill Weight: 21.6 oz
- Fill Power: 850 in³/oz
- Down Volume: 18360 in³
- Down Volume/Total Weight: 662 in³/oz
- Shell Fabric: 10d
- Pros: Ultralight. High warmth-to-weight Low bulk. U-shaped baffles. Optional draft collar. Made in USA. Great value.
- Cons: Does not use DWR-treated down (could also be a pro). Better version exists for those willing to pay more.
Measured Configuration: 850FP Down, 0F Rating, Regular/Regular size, no draft collar, 10d/10d fabric.
Best Budget Ultralight Winter Quilt
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft 0
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft refreshed for 2024 offers an incredible value proposition for ultralight enthusiasts at just under $400. Despite the low price tag, you still get proper baffle alignment with a vertical channels transitioning to horizontal at the knee. The 10d nylon shell is ultralight and helps keep the total weight below 30 oz. The ExpeDRY down is treated with gold particles, and claims best-in-class water resistant lofting. However, we have not verified this in this field.
With everything else about this quilt ranging from good to great, there is one drawback. According to our calculations, it’s a bit less warm than is preferable. The combination of average fill weight (21.5 oz), with below average fill power (800), yields below average warmth. That being said, while it is the least warm 0 degree quilt on our list, it is still sufficiently warm for winter camping. But if you run cold or intend to push the temperature boundaries, we recommend looking elsewhere. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think of this as if it were the Stormloft 5, rather than Stormloft 0.
All said, this is probably the most cost-effective true ultralight winter quilt. And as an aside, we view the ultralight cutoff in this category to be 30 oz max.
- Price: $380
- Total Weight: 27.9 oz
- Fill Weight: 21.5 oz
- Fill Power: 800 in³/oz
- Down Volume: 17,200 in³
- Down Volume/Total Weight: 616 in³/oz
- Shell Fabric: 10d
- Pros: Ultralight. Great value. Comes with dry bag. Draft collar. ExpeDRY down. Made in USA.
- Cons: Slightly underfilled, not the warmest. Sub-par down fill quality.
Best Value/Warmth Winter Quilt
Hammock Gear Burrow 0, +4 oz Overfill
Hammock Gear Burrow is the warmest way to sleep in sub-freezing temperatures without breaking the bank. And thanks to its 850 fill power, it hardly even compromises on quality! When overfilled with four ounces of down, this 0 degree quilt is the warmest possible options, despite the economical price tag. Seriously, you get a total fill weight of 26.4 ounces, which is simple massive. In fact, it’s actually even warmer than Hammock Gear’s Burrow UL (also with 4 oz of overfill). Check the numbers, it actually has a higher total volume of uncompressed down – AKA more total warmth, despite the slightly lower fill quality.
While Hammock Gear formerly produced this quilt in a heavier and even less expensive taffeta fabric under the name “Economy”, the down is now properly encased in 10d nylon. While the price went up significantly, it’s still a killer bargain for such a warm winter quilt. Lastly, please remember that even slim campers should size up to the wide width quilt, because HG’s standard width is designed specifically for hammock campers and won’t offer enough drape to form a seal around a ground-based sleeping pad, especially if you have to wear a puffy jacket to bed.
- Price: $470
- Total Weight: 34.5 oz
- Fill Weight: 26.4 oz (w/ +4 oz overfill)
- Fill Power: 850 in³/oz
- Down Volume: 24,140 in³
- Down Volume/Total Weight: 700 in³/oz
- Shell Fabric: 10d
- Pros: Exceptionally warm. Lightweight. Made in USA.
- Cons: Light-not-ultralight. Bulky. No option for premium down fill.
Measured Configuration: 10d/10d nylon shell, 0F temperature rating, standard length, wide width, sewn footbox, 4 oz overfill, no ground pad attachment, no draft collar
Supplemental Gear For Using A Quilt In Winter
Using a quilt in conditions well-below freezing requires some specialized gear that sleeping bag users and summer quilt campers might not need.
First, as quilts are inherently backless, it’s absolutely critical to use a designated cold weather sleeping pad that keeps your back warm on top of frozen ground. Even if you have a zero degree quilt on a 25 degree night, you will not be warm or comfortable with a 3 R-value sleeping pad. For intended use in overnight temps ranging from 0-30F, we recommend a sleeping pad with R-value 6+, ideally 7+. You may also combine a closed cell foam pad with an inflatable, because R-values stack. However, multiple pads are bulky, and a dedicated winter pad is the better option.
Secondly, you will need a down or insulted modular hood to keep your head warm. In summer, you can skate by with your fleece hood and/or a hat; basically what you already carry. But in truly cold temps, that’s not enough, and your head will get cold and your quilt won’t solve the issue no matter how warm. If you expect temperatures below 20-25F, you should carry a modular down hood. You can of course use your down jacket’s hood, but then your torso may become too warm or bulky. It’s better to have a dedicated sleeping hood, and they weigh only 1-2 oz.
- Preferred Sleeping pads with R-Value 6+
- Preferred Supplementary Insulated Hood
Conclusion to 0 Degree Quilt For Winter Backpacking
Thank you for reading our guide to ultralight 0 degree quilts! We’re quite confident in this assortment and know you will love whichever model you settle on. When it comes to winter backpacking, we usually bring a quilt instead of a sleeping bag, and for the ultralight crowd, we strongly recommend you do too. Please drop us a line in the comments if you have questions or feedback. Happy camping and stay cozy!
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Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!
Are drafts and other quilt-pad sealing issues significant at 0F? I see some horror stories online but not sure if it’s just user error.
Any experience with the Katabatic Grenadier? Nominally 5F but has very similar loft on paper as the EE Enigma. Weighs a few more ounces but reviews suggest its pad attachment system seals better and thus warmer in the field. So I’m split between the Enigma and Grenadier.
Most quilts come with some kind of strapping system that makes more sense to use as you get into extreme cold temps. I would just make sure to a super high R-value sleeping pad, and a quilt that is generously long/wide to make sure the drape naturally seals off gaps, even if you bulk up your body by wearing a puffy jacket to bed. The katabatic Grendier looks great. I will have to add that one into the round-up. Thanks for pointing it out!
Great review, I’ve been experimenting with stacking an oversized synthetic quilt (50*f) on top of a down quilt. Here’s what I’ve discovered:
1) No cold spots; a two layer system has zero cold spots I have slept barefoot at 5+ and been toasty warm.
2) Breathablility goes down way down, if you overheat you will know very quickly and absolutely have to make changes. The easiest, for me, is removing a down hood and keeping the merino beanie.
A. loose the beanie keep the down hood 5-7 degrees cooler
B. Loose the down hood keep the beanie 10- 15 degrees cooler.
C. Totally bare head 18-25 degrees cooler.
3) A vapor barrier liner added to a layered quilt system (3 layer system?) adds 10-15 degrees and really helps promote deep restful sleep on super cold nights.
All my experiments used a MLD 50*f overbag, cowboy camping (no tent) at 1,000 feet elevation in the New Jersey Highlands. Down inner bags included a Katabatic palisade with 2oz overfill a Katabatic Alsek with 5 oz overfill and a 32 degree vesper with no overfill. The vesper which I absolutely love in late spring/early fall as a stand alone quilt is NOT ideal for layering it’s just too light to hold up the overquilt and collapses.
PS if the over quilt has a poncho slit you can layer it over a down jacket while sitting up to cook, eat, etc. If the neck collar of your down “inner quilt” fits around your waist you will be toasty warm with no cold spots, In sub zero temps I wear my down sleeping hood inside the down parka hood while melting snow, cooking meals, or just enjoying a sunrise. All with no tent or tarp.
Thanks for your testing, valuable insights! The modularity is super nice. I wonder if breathability would go up with two down quilts instead of 1 down and 1 synthetic; though I suppose either way doubling the shell fabric decreases breathability. Another thought that comes to mind is putting the down overtop of the synthetic, since it keep the baffles more lofted if there isn’t a secondary layer compressing it. Fascinating experiments!