Your sleeping system — bag or quilt, sleeping pad — is the second biggest weight and cost investment after your shelter. It also has the highest impact on sleep quality, which determines how you feel on day 2 and 3 of a section. Here is the product-level comparison to get you to the right system.
Step 1: Choose temperature rating
The most common mistake is under-rating a sleeping system to save weight. Mid-Atlantic AT temperatures:
The 20°F rating covers 90% of mid-Atlantic AT use cases including unexpected cold nights in September. The extra insulation costs 2-4oz compared to a 30°F system. The cost of under-rating: a miserable cold night that you remember for years. Always rate down.
Step 2: Bag or quilt?
Read the full sleeping bag vs quilt comparison for the complete analysis. The short version:
- Choose a quilt if you are a still sleeper and want to save 6-10oz at equivalent temperature ratings
- Choose a sleeping bag if you move around in your sleep and find yourself uncovered in the night
Best quilts
Step 3: Choose your sleeping pad
The sleeping pad comparison is a three-way choice: inflatable versus foam, and within inflatable, noise vs insulation.