Zpacks 20F Solo Quilt Review

JUMP TO: SPECS  /  PROS & CONS  /  HOW IT PERFORMED  /  FEATURES  /  ACCESSORIES  /  SUMMARY

Author: Steve Edgerton

Through an endless pursuit of the perfect ultralight setup for fastpacking in the Canadian Rockies, my sleeping bag and quilt standards became quite demanding. I needed something light enough to maintain a pack weight compatible with running but warm enough to withstand the below-freezing temperatures possible any month of the year.

Weighing only 18 oz. and boasting a temperature rating fit for most three-season conditions, the Zpacks 20F Solo Quilt is one of the best options for meeting these demands. I was excited to combine it with my Zpack Plex Solo tent and a Pa’lante Joey backpack for a “Big Three” combo clocking in at hardly more than 3 pounds.

The 20F Solo Quilt proved to be a perfect companion for fast and light multi-day running adventures and short backpacking trips. However, the build quality and overly optimistic temperature ratings of Zpacks quilts leave some concerns about their ability to perform reliably on longer trips.

Though it may not be my first choice when spending extended time on the trail in variable conditions, there is a lot to love about the Solo Quilt—especially if ultralight is your ultimate priority.

SPECS

HOW IT PERFORMED

WARMTH: Any experienced backpacker knows to take sleeping bag and quilt temperature ratings with a grain of salt, and that is especially true with Zpacks quilts. They are not externally tested for an International Standard Organization (ISO) rating—now the industry standard. Zpacks ratings are determined based on user feedback, and the 20F Quilt is estimated to be equivalent to the ISO “Transition Range.”

The 20F rating defines the performance limit, where, per the ISO definition, a “standard man” will be “fighting the cold, but not yet shivering.”

As someone fitting the definition of a “standard man” rather closely, I found the 20F rating overly generous. Testing the quilt in late fall, with nighttime lows of about 27F, I was near the edge of my comfort zone, and 20F would surely be far beyond that zone.

Sleeping with warm layers and using a high R-value sleeping pad will maximize the effectiveness of the quilt, but I would recommend upgrading to the Zpacks 10F Solo Quilt if you expect to be out in below-freezing temperatures frequently.

WEIGHT AND PACKABILITY: If the 20F Solo Quilt comes up slightly short in warmth, it more than compensates for that by being incredibly light and packable. Weighing just over a pound and insulated with 900-fill goose down, the quilt is nearly an afterthought when stuffing into my pack. It fits comfortably into my compact 24 L Pa’lante Joey alongside everything I need for 2-5 day trips in the mountains.

The quilt does come with a Dyneema stuff sack, but it makes the quilt awkward and bulky to pack. I prefer to stuff it right into my backpack, which I often line with a trash bag for the rain protection a stuff sack would otherwise provide.

DURABILITY: Filled with high-quality, water-resistant Down-Tek goose down, the quilt should retain its loft and warmth over many years. The dainty 7-denier nylon shell will likely fail long before the down insulation. It simply feels fragile, and you need to take extra care not to catch it on sharp or pointed objects in your pack or at camp.

Although I have seen fellow hikers complain about the build quality of Zpacks quilts—the stitching in particular—I experienced no such issues. Stitching along its combination of vertical and horizontal baffles is straight and clean, and the quilt held up well through some shorter late fall trips.

COMFORT: The thin nylon shell is soft and quite pleasant on bare skin, though if you run hot it can feel somewhat sticky in warmer temperatures. I found the standard width quilt fit wider than expected, which I love. It does not feel constraining as some quilts do, offering enough room to shift between your back and side. The rectangular foot box is also roomy and comfortable and stays warmer than the rest of the quilt.

NOTABLE FEATURES

SLEEPING PAD ATTACHMENT STRAP: One removable strap runs across the underside of the quilt to secure it around a sleeping pad and minimize shifting. It connects with a snap buckle and can be tightened as needed to fit snugly around pads of varying widths.

DRAWSTRING HEM: Forgoing a draft collar and hood to save weight, the Solo Quilt includes a simple drawstring at the hem to cinch out cold air. Like the quilt’s nylon shell, the thin, elastic cord feels fragile, but it performs well and remains inconspicuous around your neck when in the quilt. Secured by one snap buckle at the top of the quilt opening, the hem effectively protects against drafty breezes.

BAFFLE SYSTEM: Vertical baffles on the upper body prevent the down insulation from shifting unevenly throughout the quilt. The compartmental design and lack of “sewn through” seams minimize cold spots and down leakage. Horizontal baffles are used for the roomy foot box.

Every compartment is overstuffed with 30% more down than necessary to accommodate for the loss of loft and insulation that inevitably comes with compression and time.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

GOOSE DOWN HOOD: If you prefer the warmth and protection of a sleeping hood but want to eliminate the added bulk, the Zpacks Goose Down Hood is a lightweight middle ground. You can also size up to a longer quilt to cover your head if you’d rather avoid another piece of gear.

REPAIR TAPE: If you use a quilt this light with enough regularity, it is likely not a matter of if you tear the outer shell, but when. Tenacious Tape is an effective and long-lasting repair tool: I always keep a small roll of it in my pack for patching rips and tears immediately to minimize down leakage.

SUMMARY

Zpacks consistently produces the lightest high-performing backpacking gear, and their Solo Quilt line is no exception. Similar quilts from brands like Katabatic and Enlightened Equipment arguably offer better warmth and overall build quality, but they are also more expensive and several ounces heavier.

For me, trading some durability and warmth is often a sacrifice worth making. The Solo Quilt’s impressive weight-to-warmth ratio and packability are perfect for fastpacking: It has helped me inch toward an 8-pound base weight in a small running-friendly pack. It is also warm enough to withstand summers in the Rockies, where freezing temperatures are always a real possibility.

I found the Zpacks temperature rating to be overestimated, but am still comfortable relying on the 20F quilt from late spring through early fall in the mountains. If you run cold at night or regularly camp at high latitudes and altitudes, the 10F Solo Quilt will likely serve you better.

I’m eager to test out the quilt on longer hiking trips and am cautiously optimistic about its ability to endure the battering of prolonged trips. Either way, it is already a staple in my kit for shorter, fast and light adventures in the mountains.

DISCLOSURE

Zpacks provided me with a free sample for this review – but the views expressed here are all my own. The review also contains affiliate links, which help us keep churning out more content.

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for more information on hiking and backpacking? Be sure to check out some of our other tips and gear reviews:

• Best Backpacking Quilts

• Best Backpacking Tents

• Best Sleeping Bag Brands

• Which Baselayer Material is Best?

• Ultimate Backpacking Gear List

• Hiking vs Trekking vs Backpacking — WTF is the difference?

Or check out our entire Gear Reviews Page, our Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more hiking, backpacking, and outdoors related content.

Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!