Bottom Line
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 straddles the line between a sleeping bag and quilt, and it’s at the top of our list for the best lightweight sleeping bags for good reason. With its flexible design, best-in-class warmth-to-weight ratio, and customizable features, this quilt has become one of our favorites after hundreds of backcountry nights over the last five years during spring, summer, and fall. The quilt’s design is both comfortable and versatile, since you can lay it flat like a comforter or cinch the quilt tightly for added warmth, making it a great option for varying conditions.
The biggest downside of the Revelation? It can be drafty, so we don’t recommend it for temperatures below freezing. Also, like many quilts, the temperature ratings don’t always match user experience, so if you’re a cold sleeper we highly recommend going with a temperature rating that’s at least 10-20°F lower than the temperatures you’ll be sleeping in. However, the ultralight design and innovative features make this quilt one of our top recommendations for 3-season backpacking.
Quick Specs
Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20
Best Backpacking Quilt Overall
Price: $345
Weight: 1 lb. 6.5 oz.
Fill Power: 850 or 950
Pros
- Ultralight
- Well-priced for the quality
- Packable
- Opens fully like a blanket Includes pad connectors
- Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified
Cons
- Many won’t find it warm enough for sub-freezing trips
- Custom orders have a long lead time (order a stock quilt if you’re in a hurry)
Warmth
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 is plenty warm for most summer nights, especially if you choose the right temperature rating size. Enlightened Equipment offers temperature options from 50°F down to 0°F so you can decide on the right warmth based on the climate, weather, and if you sleep cold or hot.
The Revelation’s cushy fabric, tight drawstring footbox, and 1/4 length zipper make it excellent for heat retention. We also love the continuous U-shaped baffles that prevent the down fill from settling too much and allowing consistent insulation. Plus, included pad straps help secure the quilt around your sleeping pad to minimize drafts and keep you warm even if you flip-flop all night long.
That said, the Revelation falls short in temperatures below 40°F. Its temperature ratings – like many quilts – are not official EN ratings. For real world performance, we recommend adding 10-20 degrees to the quilt’s rated temperature. This means a 20°F quilt will keep you alive at that temperature, but it won’t be comfortable. For trips where the temperatures are around freezing, we strongly recommend the 10°F model for warm sleepers, and the 0°F model for cold sleepers.
Quilts are great for moderate cold, but fully enclosed sleeping bags are much better suited for temperatures at and below freezing to prevent drafts. If you’re planning to sleep in cold temperatures, consider looking at sleeping bags with features like zippers, mummy hoods, and draft tubes.
Comfort
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 excels in comfort due to its customizable options. With five lengths and four widths to choose from, you can select the perfect size for your height and build. Opting for a longer length allows full coverage, ensuring warmth on chilly nights, while a wider width provides extra room for layering clothes or wearing a bulky coat. The option to add 20D nylon stripes at the head and foot offers extra water resistance, enhancing comfort in damp conditions. These customization options make the Revelation Quilt exceptionally adaptable and comfortable for various sleeping situations outdoors.
However, the quilt’s customization can add to its complexity and cost. Choosing the right combination of length, width, and fabric can be overwhelming, especially for those new to quilts. The lighter 7D and 10D fabrics, while reducing weight, may sacrifice some durability and warmth compared to the thicker 20D options. Additionally, adding features like the 20D nylon stripes can increase the overall cost of the quilt. For those looking for a straightforward and budget-friendly option, these added features might not be necessary. Finally, despite the comfort and adaptability, the quilt may not provide the same draft protection as a fully enclosed sleeping bag, which can be a concern in extremely cold conditions.
Weight & Packability
Because it’s so lightweight and packable, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 is one of our top choices for backpackers. Weighing only 20 ounces for the 20°F version, 23 ounces for the 10°F, and 26 ounces for the 0°F, these quilts are at the top of their class for low weight. Additionally, you can choose from 7D, 10D, or 20D nylon fabrics, tailoring the quilt to your weight and durability preferences. This quilt also comes in 850 or 950 fill powers, so you can customize the quilt’s weight – and a bit more warmth – to match your needs and budget.
If you’re going backpacking, these very low weights are exactly what you’ll need to keep your pack as light as possible to go faster and further. The Revelation packs down very small to save valuable space in your bag, and even comes with a silnylon stuff sack for compact packing on trail – or, ditch the stuff sack and pack the quilt around your other gear to stabilize the contents and save even more weight. The Revelation also comes with a cotton stuff sack for storage to keep the down fluffy and fresh in the off-season.
What you give up for such a lightweight and packable quilt is durability. The materials are awesome for reducing weight, but we’ve found that such lightweight fabric and down doesn’t last as long as burlier options. Still, we think the Revelations’ impressive customizability and low weight cancel out its lower durability.
Features
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation comes with all the features we look for in a top performer in the backcountry. Two elastic sleeping pad clips allow you to secure the quilt to your sleeping pad so it stays in place even when you toss and turn all night. We especially love pad attachments on cool nights when keeping covered is critical for staying warm and blocking out drafts. The snap and drawcord neck closure provide an adjustable fit and help seal in warmth around the shoulders and neck. Plus, if you’re ordering a custom quilt, you have the option to add a draft collar for even more protection from cold air seeping in.
The downsides are few – the attachment straps help keep the quilt in place, but we’ve found they can be fiddly and cumbersome to use, especially when setting up camp after a long day of hiking. The snap and drawcord neck closure are effective, but it takes attention to adjust the closure to get it just right, which can be a hassle in the dark or when you’re already tired. And, Enlightened Equipment’s made-to-order approach means potentially long wait time, sometimes ranging between 3-5 weeks, which can be inconvenient if you need gear quickly.
Should You Buy the Enlightened Equipment Revelation?
The Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 20 is our top pick for backpackers who want a customizable, lightweight, and highly packable sleep system. If your top priority is weight savings without compromising on warmth and comfort, you’ll love the elastic pad clips, snap and drawcord neck closure, and draft collars. And with a spread of different lengths, widths, and fabric options, the Revelation caters to a range of body sizes and sleeping preferences.
The Revelation is not a great fit for folks who need gear fast, due to the 3-5 week custom order wait time. And, the complexity of its adjustable features and higher cost can be overkill and too complicated if you’re looking for a simpler budget-friendly option. However, we recommend the Revelation for dedicated hikers who want every part of their sleeping bag dialed in to fit their needs, and are willing to wait for it.
What Other Backpacking Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?
REI Magma Trail Quilt 20 Review: Similar to the Revelation, the REI Magma Trail Quilt 20 offers an impressively lightweight and versatile design with 850 fill power down for effective warmth. This one is worth considering because it’s more affordable, offers a slightly more generous cut, and is available off the shelf at any store.
Zpacks Classic 20 Review: The Zpacks Classic 20 is competitive with the Revelation thanks to its high fill power down and customizable options. But, this one is even lighter, so we recommend this model to anyone trying to cut down on every single gram without compromising on performance while keeping their pack weight as low as possible.
Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 Review: The Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 offers similar temperature ratings and high-quality down insulation as the Revelation. However, if you want a traditional sleeping bag for better draft protection and warmth retention, this one is our top pick for best backpacking sleeping bag.
