Straps, Cords and Pads;
and how they interface
with the Quilt.
A backcountry quilt is an open bottom comforter style sleeping bag.
We offer various methods to help seal the quilt when temperatures drop.
Except the neck closures, these are optional features that can be omitted for weight savings and a desire for simplicity.
Always use an adequate ground pad with your sleeping bag or quilt!
1: The neck closures (yellow graphics above)
A transverse cord is used to cinch the quilt's top edge down either around the user's neck or near the head. In combination with our Draft Collar this seals the top opening when needed.
2: The Edge Tension Control or ETC (blue graphics)
This low profile user adjustable concept easily adapts the quilt from the warmest nights to near its low limit.
As seen on the illustration below, the edges are tensioned around the user only, not around the sleeping pad too.
The ETC is currently available on the Arc UL and the minimalist SULO.
3: Quilt strap systems to supplement the ETC
The Standard Straps are the only ones to incorporate the sleeping pad.
Supplied with the quilt is a Simple Strap passing under the user's body only, shown shaded nearest the head opening on the illustration to the right
The Pad Attach Strap centers the quilt to the sleeping pad via two adjustable sliding points, and shown the right towards the foot as both a bold and shaded graphic.
The Simple Strap and the Pad Attach Strap can be interchanged front and rear. Additional parts are available for purchase if you want to tinker further.
Standard Straps are made up of thin ¾" stretchy and webbing and flat, unobtrusive plastic buckles. On the quilt edges are the four female buckles (5g total). These cannot be removed. The straps themselves (20-25g) have the male component, and are removable and can be trimmed if needed. The supplied length will accommodate pads up to 26" wide.
It is not recommended to loop the straps under a sleeping pad, except our Pad Attach Strap. Doing this will drag delicate quilt edges down onto hard surfaces and will dramatically decrease the life. Also, doing so can entrap too much air volume inside the quilt, making it under-perform at colder temperatures.
Additionally, we strongly discourage trying to insert any part of a sleeping pad into the semi-closed foot box area of our quilts. Again, doing so will greatly accelerate the wear of the shell fabric, and cause the quilt to under perform in various ways.
Tl;dr - do not try to strap the quilt to a pad, unless using the Pad Attach Strap.
The total weight of our quilts, as shown on the product pages, include only the sewn-on components of either the UL Straps or Standard Straps. Removable webbing/cords are not included in weight.