Ultralight Quilt Comparison: Illuminated Gear Reveal vs. Katabatic Alsek vs. UGQ Bandit

ohver the past 10 years, hikers have adopted quilts en masse. In 2024, more than 57% of Appalachian Trail hikers used a quilt on their trip (see the 2024 Thru-Hiker Survey for more information).).

With the growing popularity, more and more niche options are emerging that can easily *ahem* deflector the new backpacker. As a serial quilt buyer and seasoned quilter, I present my top three quilts and what I like and dislike about each.

A few words about the justification of the tests

In an attempt to combine hard, practical data with personal experience, I include each quilt model’s starting weight, optional upgrades, special features, warranty information, and starting price.

For weight and price, I will show data for a standard 20° cut quilt for consistency (except the Katabatic, whose closest equivalent is the 22° Alsek). Typically, changes to quilts that involve more material use (more forgiving cuts, more down for warmth, windproof collars, etc.) will significantly increase the price, but this varies by manufacturer.

Here’s a quick note on overstuffing: People generally think of overstuffing as a mechanism for warming up a sleeping bag. In reality, too much stuff does little to increase the warmth of your bag because it doesn’t increase the overall thickness of the loft, which is what actually keeps the heat in your duvet. On the other hand, excess filling increases the resilience of your duvet against factors such as moisture, dirt and skin oils that would normally reduce volume.

Loft!!!

Some manufacturers claim that there is a certain percentage of overfill (5, 30, or 40% generally), but since there is no standard for what «standard fill» means, these figures are confusing and inconsistent. Instead, I have reported a subjective scale based on how densely I perceive each comforter to be filled.

The three quilts listed here are ones that I or my close friends have used extensively, and while I can fault them, they are still very good models and worthy of a space in your kit.

Roadmap

Illuminated Team Reveal

The revelation of the illuminated team. Note the unique U-shaped baffle structure and thin fabrics.

Quick facts:

• 20° Regular/Regular Weight: 21.4 ounces
• 20° Regular/Regular price: $345
• Warmth options: 50°, 40°, 30°, 20°, 10°, 0°
• Fill Down Options: 850FP, 950FP
• Overfill? Yes, medium density
• Characteristics: 1/4 length zipper, openwork collar ($), some customizations available
• Warranty: 3 years, defects only

The Revelation was my first quilt and remains my go-to for my solo backpacking and trail guiding work in Colorado. I hiked the Colorado Trail with this quilt, carried it up the side of a 19,101-foot volcano in Peru, and used it as the core of my winter camping setup.

The Revelation was one of the first ultralight quilts to gain widespread popularity and remains the number one quilt model and brand in our 2024 Thru-Hiker survey.

The footrest of the Apocalypse. It includes a 1/4 length zipper that allows you to open the quilt and turn it into a blanket on warm nights (although I never use it for this purpose).

Despite all this, it’s still my least favorite quilt of the bunch. While Enlightened Equipment paved the way early on with their custom model handmade in Minnesota, they have since moved quilt cover production overseas, which has coincided with an increase in sewing defects in the baffle structure.

Enlightened Equipment also does not have a good reputation for honoring warranty claims for seams after initial use. Notably, it is still possible to get a 100% Minnesota-made quilt through custom orders, which may address the quality control issue to some extent. Still, it is a topic worth considering.

Revelation has a similar elastic pad attachment system as most other quilts out there.

For me, the Revelation is a good quilt, but for the price, it lacks the features and construction quality of the quilts below. Other quilts include more durable fabrics, pull collars, or elastic binding, which significantly increase a quilt’s usability and are either paid upgrades or not available with Revelation.

TLDR

Good: Custom quilts are still made in Minnesota; pioneers in ultralight quilt technology
Bad: Stitching quality inconsistent with original quilts; reported difficulty with warranty claims; fewer features than the competition
In a nutshell: The Revelation’s high popularity speaks to its functionality as a hiking quilt, but for the price, I think you can find other options with more features and better build quality.

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The Katabatic elite series (this is the Sawatch) has an interesting mummy-shaped cut that increases weight efficiency. The differential cut means that the casing on the outside side of the quilt is larger than the inside, allowing for a good overall look and loft.

Quick facts:

• 22° Alsek Regular (6′) weight: 23.3 ounces
• Price 22° Alsek Regular (6′): $399
• Warmth options: 40°, 30°, 22°, 15°, 5°
• Fill Down Options: 850 FP (hydrophobic), 900 FP (hydrophobic)
• Overfill? Yes, high density; additional overfill available (+$)
• Characteristics: Stitched footrest, differential cut, elastic trim, pull collar, overstuffed footrest, durable and soft materials, pocket for electronic devices
• Warranty: Life

I first discovered Katabatic, based in Salida, CO, when I was hiking the Colorado Trail. At the heart of Katabatic’s approach to ultralight duvets is the belief that duvets should be more comfortable than traditional sleeping bags, not less.

To that end, the Katabatic Elite line of comforters is built with a number of high-end features that most other comforter manufacturers charge for. The five Elite quilts: the 40-degree ones Chisos30 degrees Palisade22 degrees alsek15 degrees don’t lookand 5 degrees Grenadier — share a common design and feature set, with the main difference between the models being the temperature rating.

My experience is with the Sawatch, but I’ve framed this part of the review in terms of the Alsek since the temperature rating is more comparable to the other two.

For me, the most impressive feature of this quilt is the elastic strips sewn along the bottom of the quilt that seal it very effectively against drafts. Coupled with the very fluffy collar, the differential cut (less down compression and cold spots), and the stupidly soft lining fabric, sleeping on this quilt is an experience that puts all the other quilts I’ve used to shame.

The Katabatic pad attachment system consists of simple cables with plastic straps, but it works surprisingly well. Also in this photo you can see the aggressive elastic cut and the down-filled collar.

On the other hand, unlike many quilt makers, all manufacturing is done internationally rather than in-house. In my limited experience, this does not lead to a less consistent product, but it is a factor to consider. The biggest drawback of Katabatic comforters is their lower warmth-to-weight ratio and higher price.

The bottom line for those looking for the most efficient quilt possible: Katabatic quilts are geared more toward comfortable features than minimal weight.

TLDR

Good: High-end features at no additional charge; exceptional fire control; exceptional comfort
Bad: International manufacturing could be a drawback for some; more expensive; heavy for weight
In a nutshell: Katabatic prioritizes a comfortable and reliable sleeping experience at the cost of a few more grams compared to the competition.

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UGQ solves the down migration problem with smaller, shorter baffles and zoned baffles that allow for greater overfill in the footwell, where loft is most likely to be an issue (130% material body, 140% footwell).

Quick facts:

• 20° Regular/Regular Weight: 23 ounces
• 20° Regular/Regular price: $335
• Warmth options: 40°, 30°, 20°, 10°, 0°
• Fill Down Options: 850FP, 950FP
• Overfill? Yes, high density; additional overfill available (+$)
• Characteristics: Handmade in the USA, super plush footrest, amazing customization (paid upgrades for draw collars, elastic bindings, footrest closures, cones, colors, fabrics)
• Warranty: Life

The UGQ Bandit is a wild card in this lineup. Each quilt is made to order and is completely sewn, stuffed and finished in Michigan by fairly paid employees. The level of customization possible with this quilt is enormous, making it difficult to compare it to any other quilt. There are so many possible configurations that the Bandit is more of a category than a product.

However, when I ordered a UGQ Bandit, it seemed like a good budget option that also supported a small business. This initial impression held up in testing, with the addition that the Bandit is also a very durable and well-constructed quilt.

The UGQ Deluxe Pad Attachment System is like Enlightened Equipment’s, but with twice the elastic straps. You can also see the optional elastic trim around the edge that helps cut out drafts.

While not as refined as my Katabatic, UGQ also offers elastic bindings around the bottom of their duvets for an upcharge of $15. To anyone looking at the Bandit, I highly recommend this feature…it helps seal out drafts and improves the overall sleeping experience.

Overall, the Bandit is a solid choice for anyone interested in customization and durability. Keep in mind that while the base price is significantly lower than other options on this list, the price ends up being about the same if you add upgrades or other features that come standard with the other options.

TLDR

Good: Highly customizable; durable
Bad: Despite the low starting price, the cost can add up quickly with custom add-ons
In a nutshell: For hikers who want a high degree of control over their sleep system, the Bandit is a solid choice; Just keep an eye on the price, as each customization will cost you more.

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The last word

In the end, sleep systems are very personal and customizable pieces of equipment. Some hikers may benefit from the well-built and feature-rich Katabatic Elite series, while others may prefer the high degree of customization that UGQ offers. I hope this breakdown helps you find the best night’s sleep possible.

Cover image: Graphic design by Chris Helm