Do you like to stuff things in your footbox at night? I throw electronics, water filter, and spare clothes down there. I’m 6’1” and the long gives me just enough space for all that. I have a friend that is 5’11” and does the same thing, he prefers to size up to the long version as well
Does your friend ever feel that sometimes there is too much extra fabric? I just dont want to drown in the quilt because it is too long. The only time I really stuff the footbox is in the shoulder seasons or winter. For longer backpacking trips I dont really have extra clothing to stuff down there. I can see the case for the water filter and electronics though.
I’ve never felt like there’s too much fabric. The hip and leg cut is comfortably narrow, it hugs but doesn’t constrict. The torso opens up like any quilt, but the pad attachment system Katabatic uses works really well when you need it cinched up. It’s also so light, if there is too much fabric you’d never feel it kicking around at night.
I have an Alsek long regular width from a few years ago. I haven’t felt the need for the extra width, I’m primarily a side sleeper, occasionally back. The quilt moves and works well in every position I’ve found myself in.
I’m very picky about campsites, sleep with my puffy and fleece on most nights, and use a tarp/bivy. Those factors definitely create some favorable conditions for the quilt, but isn’t that kind of the point of UL? Learn how to maximize the use of your gear so you can carry less.
Totally agree. being 6'1" that does give you a much better fit for the longer size. I feel like 5'11" is just an awkward size for Katabatic's sizing scale. Based on the responses it doesnt seem like I can go wrong.
That is a good note about the hip and leg cut. I dont know if it is just the images but it does seem significantly more narrow than say, EE or HG quilts.
I am right at 5'10" and my 6' alsek comes up to the top of my forehead if I pull it all the way up with my toes just barely touching the end of the footbox.
Never really tested how far it goes up. I usually put it around my neck if it's super cold or lower if I need to let some air in. My feet have never touched the bottom. I'm going out this weekend, so I can check.
5'10"-5'10.5" here, and the 6' length was plenty, even with the draft collar cinched down. Just make sure you have a warm hat and/or hoody to insulate your head.
5'11" side sleeper with current model Alsek regular/regular I have to scrunch the quilt be my mouth down a bit to keep from breathing into it too much. Feet have enough room without too much extra space to try to warm.
I have used a longer custom 6'6" quilt before and had problems with either too much foot box flapping around or constantly trying to keep the quilt from going over my head. Longer sounds better in theory but I hated it because the big ball of unused down in the foot box would cause issues in my Protrail tent like pushing out beyond the sided and getting wet.
Really your big decision is normal or wide. Well that and down FP & overstuff or not. I pimped out with 900fp expedry with 1oz overfill. Actual weight is 23.55oz. Not the lightest but it is going to last long enough for my kid to inherit it.
I am 175 lbs and wear a large shirt, and though I went with a standard width, a wide might be a good choice if you aren’t used to sleeping with a quilt or want a roomier envelope for your torso.
I find the pad “straps” work really well with controlling drafts and once I got used to the clips I really really like the system over buckles. Much easier to adjust and I don’t have to worry about breaking somewhat fragile buckles.
I went 900 because it is goose down rather than duck down. Goose down is less likely to have an odor and is generally considered higher quality. Otherwise if they offered 850 dry goose down that would have been my choice for cost savings.
I live in the south east where it is generally pretty humid so I wanted an extra level of protection. Fluffy snow is a rarity, our typical winter weather is rain, freezing rain, sleet, and similar.
I'm short, just scraping 5'7", and think my 6' Katabatics(a Flex and an Elite) are just right. I like having some room to put clothes, electronics, and filter in the foot. They do come all the way to the top of my head with my feet all the way at the bottom, but I fail to see the problem.
5'7", 6' Flex 40:
https://imgur.com/a/X8YbHly
My friend who is 5'11" went with a long when he bought a Sawatch, but we've only talked about temps and width, so I don't know how he feels about the length.
Do you like to stuff things in your footbox at night? I throw electronics, water filter, and spare clothes down there. I’m 6’1” and the long gives me just enough space for all that. I have a friend that is 5’11” and does the same thing, he prefers to size up to the long version as well
Does your friend ever feel that sometimes there is too much extra fabric? I just dont want to drown in the quilt because it is too long. The only time I really stuff the footbox is in the shoulder seasons or winter. For longer backpacking trips I dont really have extra clothing to stuff down there. I can see the case for the water filter and electronics though.
I’ve never felt like there’s too much fabric. The hip and leg cut is comfortably narrow, it hugs but doesn’t constrict. The torso opens up like any quilt, but the pad attachment system Katabatic uses works really well when you need it cinched up. It’s also so light, if there is too much fabric you’d never feel it kicking around at night. I have an Alsek long regular width from a few years ago. I haven’t felt the need for the extra width, I’m primarily a side sleeper, occasionally back. The quilt moves and works well in every position I’ve found myself in. I’m very picky about campsites, sleep with my puffy and fleece on most nights, and use a tarp/bivy. Those factors definitely create some favorable conditions for the quilt, but isn’t that kind of the point of UL? Learn how to maximize the use of your gear so you can carry less.
Totally agree. being 6'1" that does give you a much better fit for the longer size. I feel like 5'11" is just an awkward size for Katabatic's sizing scale. Based on the responses it doesnt seem like I can go wrong. That is a good note about the hip and leg cut. I dont know if it is just the images but it does seem significantly more narrow than say, EE or HG quilts.
I’m 5’10.5” and my 6’ alsek is great. I’m sure you’d be fine with the 6’. I have the wide version.
amazing thanks! Where does the quilt land when you are inside?
I typically cinch it around my neck, but if I want my head covered I can bring it up over my eyes
I am right at 5'10" and my 6' alsek comes up to the top of my forehead if I pull it all the way up with my toes just barely touching the end of the footbox.
huge relief to hear aside from havign to wait for the 6foot version to come in stock haha
I'm 5'11-6 and the regular wide works perfectly for me.
When you are in the quilt, how high up does the top come to?
Never really tested how far it goes up. I usually put it around my neck if it's super cold or lower if I need to let some air in. My feet have never touched the bottom. I'm going out this weekend, so I can check.
Let me know!
Do you use a wide pad too? Or normal?
Regular wide tensor. I didn't like how 20" pads don't support my elbows while on my back.
Cool I have the same exact setup, I’m debating switching to a regular width tensor since I’m never on my back, and I could use the space in my pack.
5'10"-5'10.5" here, and the 6' length was plenty, even with the draft collar cinched down. Just make sure you have a warm hat and/or hoody to insulate your head.
Love that. Thanks for the note!
5'11" side sleeper with current model Alsek regular/regular I have to scrunch the quilt be my mouth down a bit to keep from breathing into it too much. Feet have enough room without too much extra space to try to warm. I have used a longer custom 6'6" quilt before and had problems with either too much foot box flapping around or constantly trying to keep the quilt from going over my head. Longer sounds better in theory but I hated it because the big ball of unused down in the foot box would cause issues in my Protrail tent like pushing out beyond the sided and getting wet.
This is a perfect answer for my concerns, especially about the tent walls. Thank you so much!
Really your big decision is normal or wide. Well that and down FP & overstuff or not. I pimped out with 900fp expedry with 1oz overfill. Actual weight is 23.55oz. Not the lightest but it is going to last long enough for my kid to inherit it. I am 175 lbs and wear a large shirt, and though I went with a standard width, a wide might be a good choice if you aren’t used to sleeping with a quilt or want a roomier envelope for your torso. I find the pad “straps” work really well with controlling drafts and once I got used to the clips I really really like the system over buckles. Much easier to adjust and I don’t have to worry about breaking somewhat fragile buckles.
Definitely set on wide. Given it is already a big purchase I might follow you with the 900fp as well.
I went 900 because it is goose down rather than duck down. Goose down is less likely to have an odor and is generally considered higher quality. Otherwise if they offered 850 dry goose down that would have been my choice for cost savings.
how did you decide to go with expedry vs untreated? thanks !
I live in the south east where it is generally pretty humid so I wanted an extra level of protection. Fluffy snow is a rarity, our typical winter weather is rain, freezing rain, sleet, and similar.
I'm short, just scraping 5'7", and think my 6' Katabatics(a Flex and an Elite) are just right. I like having some room to put clothes, electronics, and filter in the foot. They do come all the way to the top of my head with my feet all the way at the bottom, but I fail to see the problem. 5'7", 6' Flex 40: https://imgur.com/a/X8YbHly My friend who is 5'11" went with a long when he bought a Sawatch, but we've only talked about temps and width, so I don't know how he feels about the length.
5'7" and my regular Katabatic Flex could easily cover my head. Not an elite quilt but figure they aren't incredibly different lengths.