Game-Changer or Hype? Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20-Degree Down Quilt Review
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Can the Revelation 20-Degree Quilt Replace Your Sleeping Bag? Let's Find Out
When it comes to backpacking quilts, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20-Degree Down Quilt stands out for its blend of warmth, versatility, and ultralight design. Whether you’re an experienced thru-hiker or transitioning to ultralight backpacking, the Revelation replaces traditional sleeping bags, offering a lighter and more flexible alternative in non-extreme weather conditions.
With 850 or 950 fill power down, synthetic filling options, and customizable features, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation offers a weight that is significantly lower compared to the best lightweight sleeping bags for backpacking. This has made it a staple in many backpacking essentials kits. But is it really the best choice for you, and can it truly compete with the best backpacking sleeping bags? In this in-depth review, we’ll break down what makes this quilt great, discuss its limitations, and explore how it performs in the field.
Why it's great:
- Ultralight and Packable
- Avoid “Forced Carry”
- Warmth and Comfort
- Versatile Design
- Endless Possibilities for Customization
- Cottage Company with Great Support
Limitations:
- Drafts Can Be an Issue
- Durability
- Down’s Susceptibility to Moisture
- Neck Cinch Placement
- Price Point
- Requires Thoughtful Sleep Pad Pairing
Why It’s Great
Endless Possibilities for Customization
Ultralight and Packable
Weighing around 20 ounces for the regular size, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation quilt is perfect for those looking to cut down on pack weight. For any hiker focusing on keeping their base weight low, the 20-degree Revelation stands out among the best backpacking quilts. It compresses easily into a small stuff sack, saving valuable space without sacrificing warmth. In comparison, an all around favorite of comparable warmth: NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise Down Sleeping Bag—one of the best backpacking sleeping bags—comes in at around 45 ounces (2.8 pounds), more than double the weight of this quilt.
Avoid “Forced Carry”
Although this could fit into the previous section, it’s important enough to merit its own point. I use the term “forced carry” to describe carrying extra, often unnecessary weight simply because it’s attached to the gear. For example, on warmer trips, the hood of a sleeping bag may not be needed, yet you’re forced to carry it. Similarly, many quilt users agree that the back portion of a traditional sleeping bag loses much of its insulating properties when compressed under body weight. This means you’re carrying more weight without gaining much warmth—a key point in the backpacking quilt vs sleeping bag debate.
Warmth and Comfort
In the backpacking quilt vs. sleeping bag debate, quilts often win hands down for non-extreme weather conditions—provided you have your sleep system dialed in. The Enlightened Equipment Revelation offers an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio with options of 850 or 950 fill power down, as well as synthetic insulation. Regardless of which insulation you choose, the quilt provides excellent warmth, even in temperatures close to its 20-degree rating. Paired with a high-quality sleeping pad with a reasonable R-value—like one of the NEMO Tensor pads, which I consider among the best sleeping pads for backpacking—it strikes a fine balance between warmth and weight, making it perfect for high-altitude adventures and shoulder-season camping.
Versatile Design
The open-back design and adjustable straps make the Revelation more versatile than many traditional sleeping bags. It pairs well with different sleeping pads, allowing you to adjust warmth depending on the season. The foot box can be cinched closed or opened up, adapting to both warm and cold conditions.
While customization can sometimes lead to analysis paralysis, especially when unguided or uneducated choices are made, the Revelation offers an array of options. You can choose the length and width to fit your body type, ensuring the quilt is tailored to your needs. We’ll dive into these options further below.
Cottage Company with Great Support
Crafted by a small cottage company in Winona, Minnesota, Enlightened Equipment stands by its products, offering a level of customer support that larger brands often can’t match.
Limitations
Drafts Can Be an Issue
While quilts appeal to minimalists, their open-back design can allow cold drafts if not properly sized or set up. This is a downside compared to some of the best lightweight sleeping bags, which often feature a full zipper and hood for added warmth.
Durability
Although my quilt has held up well over time, the lightweight 10-denier fabric requires more care than sturdier options. Enlightened Equipment also offers 7-denier fabric for ultralight enthusiasts and 20-denier fabric for those seeking more durability.
Down’s Susceptibility to Moisture
Like any down gear, this quilt is vulnerable to moisture. While a bit of condensation on the foot box is usually not a concern, excessive moisture can cause the down to lose its insulating properties. Quilts lack a hood, so pulling the quilt over your head might be tempting in colder conditions. However, this can lead to moisture from your breath saturating the down overnight. Much of this concern can be mitigated by treating the down feathers with a hydrophobic down-specific wash, like Nikwax Down Proof Wash-In Water Repellency. In cold weather I bring my Outdoor Vitals Lofted Hybrid Balaclava with synthetic insulation it will retain it’s warmth even when wet from moisture from breath or other reasons. So yeah, never pull your sleeping bag over your head!
Neck Cinch Placement
This may be a minor drawback, but the neck cinch is located at the top center of the opening. If you sleep on your back, the cinch string might flop onto your face, which can be annoying. I resolved this by making a cinch flap with some Tenacious Tape.
Price Point
Quality ultralight backpacking gear often comes with a higher price tag, and the Revelation is no exception. Starting at around $280 (depending on customization), it is more expensive than some budget options. However, when compared to the best sleeping bags of similar quality and warmth, like the NEMO Disco 15, the Revelation is competitively priced.
Requires Thoughtful Sleep Pad Pairing
Since quilts are backless, they completely rely on your sleeping pad for insulation. Pairing this quilt with a pad of appropriate R-value is essential to stay warm. Transitioning from a traditional sleeping bag might take time, but once you’ve dialed in your sleep system, it can be a rewarding achievement.
In the Field
I’ve used this quilt on multiple cold nights in the backcountry. During my shoulder season two-day solo backpacking trip to Mount Whitney in late May, nighttime temperatures dropped into the mid-20s, and condensation from my breath froze into ice crystals on my tent walls (Gossamer Gear The One). Despite the cold, I stayed warm with the quilt, paired with a NEMO Tensor Ultralight Pad (4.2 R-value) and an Outdoor Vitals Lofttek Hybrid Balaclava.
In contrast, during summer trips in Yosemite, where nighttime temperatures rise into the 50s and 60s, the quilt’s versatility shines. By loosening the foot box cinch, you can ventilate and release heat. On hot nights, the foot box can be completely unzipped, turning the quilt into a backpacking blanket. One of my favorite ways to use it is draped over my shoulders in the early mornings while sipping coffee and watching the sun rise over Half Dome.
I generally sleep warm, so I recommend this backpacking quilt primarily for warm sleepers, colder sleepers who are experienced hikers, or newer ultralight backpackers willing to fine-tune their sleep systems. I chose the 20-degree quilt because it suits most of the weather conditions I encounter. For anything colder, I prefer a dedicated mountaineering sleeping bag.
Real-World Flexibility: Customizing in Action
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation is not only lightweight and warm but also highly customizable. You can select a warmth rating ranging from 0 to 50 degrees and choose from various sizes—tall, short, extra-short, wide, slim, extra-wide, or regular—to suit your body type. If you tend to move around in your sleep, opting for a wider quilt will provide extra room without increasing the risk of drafts.
Fill Power
I chose the 850 fill power down, which offers impressive loft and warmth. Fill power refers to the volume in cubic inches that one ounce of down will occupy. For those seeking lighter options, the 950 fill power down is available but at a higher cost. Enlightened Equipment also offers synthetic CLIMASHIELD APEX filling for those concerned about moisture, though it doesn’t compress as well as down feathers.
Fabric Choice
You can pick the fabric’s color and denier. Denier is a measurement of the fabric’s thickness, indicating the weight and durability of the fibers used; lower numbers mean lighter, more delicate material, while higher numbers offer increased strength and durability. I went with the lightweight 10D fabric, which is less durable than their 20D option. If you’re aiming for the absolute lightest setup, the 7D nylon is available, although the fabric can be slightly transparent (not the bag) in some colors.
Additional Features
You can add a draft collar for extra warmth or opt for the sewn-closed foot box version (the Enlightened Equipment Enigma) for a lighter quilt.
Handcrafted Quality from a Cottage Company
When I received my custom quilt, it came with a handwritten tag indicating its exact weight: 23.37 ounces. Once the quilt fully lofts after decompressing from its stuff sack, it appears overstuffed—a valuable feature for down of this quality (and not all down lofts to this degree). For reference, my quilt is the Revelation 20-degree, 850 fill power down, regular length, wide width, with a blue 10D exterior, gray 10D interior, and no draft collar.
On another occasion, I had an issue with an Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket that developed a slight tear. Their customer support team was prompt and helpful, advising me to apply a piece of Tenacious Tape (never go backpacking without it!) and send the jacket back. Since the tear wasn’t due to misuse, they replaced it with a new one, which has been my go-to workhorse for over two years now.
Conclusion: Is This Backpacking Quilt Right for You?
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt has earned its reputation among ultralight backpackers for its blend of warmth, weight savings, and versatility. Its open-back design and customizable features make it adaptable to a range of conditions and personal preferences. While it has some limitations, such as the potential for drafts and the need for careful pairing with a sleeping pad, its benefits can outweigh these downsides for those willing to dial in their sleep system. Whether you’re a seasoned ultralighter or just beginning to explore the world of quilts, the Revelation offers a well-balanced approach to comfort and weight savings in the backcountry.
Bottom Line tl;dr
Why you might want to think twice
Quilts can come with a learning curve, especially for those used to traditional sleeping bags. If you’re not ready to invest the time in fine-tuning your sleep system or are concerned about draft issues, this may not be the best fit for you. Additionally, its higher price point may be a barrier for budget-conscious backpackers.
Why you’ll love it
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation is a game-changer in the world of ultralight backpacking. Its customizable design, lightweight build, and adaptability make it a versatile option for various conditions. Plus, the support from a small cottage company means you’re getting a product made with care.
Overall, the Revelation is ideal for hikers looking to reduce pack weight without sacrificing warmth, provided they are ready to invest in quality gear and understand its proper use in the field.
