Note: Katabatic’s Holiday Sale is running until December 2. All quilts are 15% off, while Jackets and Bivys are 20% off.
I picked up the Katabatic Alsek 22°F quilt in 2018. Over the last six and a half years, I’ve used it in a wide variety of environments and have regularly taken it beyond its listed comfort rating without issue (see Field Experience below).
The Alsek is the third Katabatic quilt I’ve owned. The first two – Palisade 30°F and Sawatch 15°F – accompanied me on the 12 Long Walks trip of 2011/12 and are still going strong after 14 years and a cumulative 900+ nights of use. Suffice it to say, they have long since earned a place among the most reliable items in my backpacking kit.
As to the whys and wherefores, they go something like this………….
Product Details
Description & Price (November, 2024):
- I have the 6’6″ Elite regular width model (Note: For reference, I’m a 6’1″ medium-build side sleeper that tips the scales at around 80 kg/176 lbs. I don’t tend to move around a lot in my sleep).
- For a comparison of the Elite Vs Flex 22°F model, see the FAQs below.
Material:
- Fill power – 900 FP with Expedry Goosedown
- Shell – Pertex Quantum Ripstop .85 oz/yd.
Sustainability: All materials used by Katabatic are bluesign approved and Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified.
Total Weight: 23.6 oz (0.67 kg)
Fill Weight: 15.2 oz (0.43 kg)
Since 2018, I have used the Katabatic Alsek 22°F more than 250 nights in the backcountry. During most of these trips, I slept on a Thermarest NeoAir XL Sleeping Mat and wore a buff or lightweight beanie along with light or medium-weight Merino Wool base layers (Note: On the temperature scale, I’m an “average” sleeper—neither hot nor cold).
Journeys with the Alsek have included the Scottish Highlands (2018), Lofoten Islands (2018), Dolomites (2019), fall trips in the Austrian and Slovenian Alps (2019), extended treks through Denali National Park and Brooks Range (2021), multiple winter trips in Mexico’s Sierra Madre, and most recently (Sept.2024), a 300-mile (483 km) hike through Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, which incorporated a longer version of the glacier-crossing Bailey Range Traverse.
Click here for complete gear lists from some of the trips mentioned above.
Preparing for dinner at the glacier-encircled Camp Pan, Olympic National Park (mid-September 2024).
Design
- Differential cut – The inner lining is sewn smaller than the outer shell to allow the down optimum space to loft.
- Neck collar. The Elite model has two buttons and a drawcord. Overstuffed. Toasty.
- Foot box: Also overstuffed. Trapezoidal shape.
- No hood (though you can order one separately): The lack of a hood is sometimes cited as a reason for not using quilts. However, in my opinion, it’s no biggie. Why? Chances are I’m carrying a beanie most of the time anyway, and when added to the hoods I already have on my jackets (i.e., windshirt, down and rain), this is generally more than enough to keep my noggin warm.
- Attachment system: Each Katabatic Quilt has two options:
1. Cords: Dual cords can be wrapped around your sleeping pad and clipped at roughly shoulder and hip level. These clips have two settings: a loose mode, which is adjustable, and a tight mode, which can be locked in for when temps get nippy (see YouTube clip below).
2. Webbing Straps: Three in total. The top two are removable, and the bottom one is fixed. The straps are thin, unobtrusive, and easily adjustable; they lie directly underneath the sleeper rather than wrapped around the pad.
The three webbing straps on the Alsek 22°F.
- What sets the Katabatic attachment system apart?: When reading reviews of Katabatic quilts, you’ll often hear folks speak glowingly about their attachment system. What makes it so good? In a word – versatility. The ability to adjust the girth according to the dictates of the conditions in which you are sleeping. The Katabatic attachment system addresses the three main factors to look for in quilt design: 1. Minimizes/eliminates bracing drafts; 2. Keeps dead air space to a minimum, and; 3. Allows for freedom of movement.
Click here for an overview of why I generally prefer sleeping quilts to bags.
A memorable bivouac with the Alsek on top of Hermannsdalstinden Peak during the Long Crossing of the Lofoten Islands (2018)(Note: The camera angle is a bit deceiving; the rock was actually pretty flat).
Temperature Ratings
- Katabatic quilts have a long-established reputation for conservative temperature ratings.
- During my time with the Alsek 22°F, I’ve been comfortable at temperatures six to seven degrees colder than its listed rating while wearing a light or medium-weight Merino wool base layer and a beanie or Buff.
- Note 1: Sleeping bag ratings are subjective. Different people sleep warmer or colder at different temperatures. As I mentioned above, over the years, I’ve found myself to be an average sleeper. For folks who are cool/cold sleepers, the Alsek’s temperature rating is likely close to spot on.
- Note 2: When using a tarp rather than an enclosed shelter, I’ll often combine the quilt with a lightweight bivy (e.g., MLD Superlight or Katabatic Bristlecone), which adds an extra five to seven degrees of warmth.
Mid-October in a winterraum in the Austrian Alps. Given the backups on hand, there was little chance I’d be cold on this particular evening.
Camped out during a 15-day hike in the Brooks Range, August/September 2021, where temps dropped down to a low of -7°C/19°F (Shelter is the Tarptent Aeon Li).
Durability / Long-term Loft
- There hasn’t been any noticeable decrease in loft or warmth during the six years and 250-plus nights I’ve been using the Alsek.
- When I’m not using the quilt, I keep it stored in a large cotton bag (provided by Katabatic). For more care instructions, see the Product Care page on the Katabatic Gear website.
In late August/September 2023, I took the Alsek 22F° on an extended trip through Iceland. The trip included a loop hike around the Hornstrandir Peninsula and a north-to-south traverse of the island (the Tent pictured is the Tarptent StratoSpire 2). By the end of the trip, evening temperatures were regularly in the low 20sF (-6°C).
Value for Money
Katabatic Gear uses high-end materials and their workmanship is first-class. While their quilts are not cheap, their competitive price point and excellent durability make them good value for money. Case in point, the Alsek hasn’t missed a beat in over six years and my Sawatch and Palisade are still going strong after 13+ years.
Pro Tip: As a rule of thumb, when it comes to down products – whether it be quilts, bags, jackets, pants, booties, or vests – you get what you pay for.
The Katabatic Sawatch 15 over the years. Counter-clockwise from top: 1. Combined with the Katabatic Bristlecone Bivy in late Feb.2012 on the Colorado Plateau (Southwestern Horseshoe/1,782 mi); 2. Cowboy camped at 4,692 m (15,394 ft) on the slopes of Volcan Tunupa (Altiplano traverse, 2017), and; 3. Oqaatsut Trail, Greenland’s west coast, September 2022.
Comparable Quilts & Bags
Although I’ve used Katabatic Quilts on most of my backcountry trips since 2011 (the exception being journeys in hot/humid climates when I’ll generally take the synthetic Mountain Laurel Designs Spirit Quilt 38), there are a handful of other manufacturers that make high-end quilts or sleeping bags that are in the same class (or at least the same ballpark) as Katabatic Gear. Here’s a quick rundown of some sleeping quilts and bags that are comparable to the Alsek 22. For a more comprehensive breakdown, see Sleeping Bags for Thru-hikers:
Quilts
Bags
Mike “The Gambler” Towne and his trusty Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20 (combined with an MLD Superlite Bivy) in a cave on the Colorado Plateau in late February 2012 (Note: On this particular night, temps dropped down to single digits Fahrenheit (around -13°C)).
- Elite Vs Flex: Which One Should I Buy?: Katabatics’ Elite and the Flex lines offer the same range of sizes and fill options, use the same shell materials, and are identically priced. Regarding differences, the biggest is that the former has a sewn-in foot box, while the latter can either be opened up like a blanket or closed shut when the temperatures warrant (by way of a zipper, drawstring, and reinforced snap/draft blocker). Other design variations are smaller and less significant – for example, the Elite model weighs around an ounce less and has two buttons at the neck collar rather than one, which minimizes movement of the collar if you tend to toss and turn. So which model should you get? It comes down to personal preference. If you want to maximize versatility, go with the aptly-titled Flex. If you want the snugness of a Mummy-style sleeping bag with the adjustability and weight savings of a quilt, opt for the Elite.
- Should I go for Wide or Regular Width?: Katabatic’s wider models are a couple of ounces heavier and $17/18 more expensive, but they provide an extra 4″ of width in the shoulder, hip, and foot box. If you’re a bigger person and/or toss and turn in your sleep, the wide models are likely your best option. If you’re relatively slim and/or don’t move around too much in your sleep, you may want to save a couple of ounces and a few bucks and go for a regular. In my own case, I have the Elite models of the Alsek, Palisade 30, and Sawatch 15. I picked up the latter two before the introduction of the Flex line in late 2015. If and when the time comes that I need to retire either of the original models, I’ll likely stick with the Elite version of the 15°F quilt and opt for the Flex model of the 30°F version for increased versatility in warmer temps (Note: For a detailed breakdown of the Regular Vs Wide question, see Katabatic’s FAQ page).
- Horizontal Vs. Vertical Baffles: Which is Better?: Neither. A quilt’s toastiness mainly comes down to stuffing, workmanship, and quality of materials. “But I’m confused; some commenters on Gear Forums are adamant that Vertical is best, while others maintain that Horizontal is the way to go.” Ultralight gearheads have a tendency to overanalyze. Some also have a penchant for drawing definitive conclusions regarding their preferred brands. The reality is that when it comes to quilts and other backpacking gear, often there isn’t a “best of the best.” Chances are, if you pick up a Katabatic Quilt with horizontal baffles, you’ll be happy with your purchase for a long time. The same holds true if you buy a Nunatak Quilt, which sports vertical baffles. “Why?” Because both companies use high quality materials, have excellent attention to detail, and properly stuff their well-designed baffles (i.e., Understuffed and/or oversized baffles are the ones that tend to have significant migration issues). The same holds true for sleeping bags – if you shell out big bucks for a Western Mountaineering or Feathered Friends model, odds are (if you take care of it) you’ll have a reliable piece of kit for many years to come.
Paul “Mags” Magnanti, riding out a storm in his Feathered Friends Hummingbird 20 (photo courtesy of pmags.com). As with the Gambler’s Western Mountaineering bag pictured above, Mags enjoyed a good two decades of regular use with his Hummingbird before passing it along to friends (and switching to a Katabatic Alsek).
- The Insulation Package Deal: Getting a good night’s sleep can make or break your backpacking trip. In order to do so, it’s important to have your sleep system dialed in before you hit the trail. While an appropriately rated sleeping quilt (or bag) is essential for mitigating convective heat loss, it’s equally important to have a sleeping mat with an R-value (resistance to heat flow) sufficient to handle conductive heat loss from the ground. Both items work together in order to keep you warm. Indeed, as many a hiker has discovered over the years, you can have the warmest, puffiest quilt/bag on the market, but if you don’t have the appropriate insulation underneath you, chances are you’ll be colder than a mother-in-law’s kiss.
Cowboy camping at over 14,000 ft during the Altiplano Traverse. On this particular night, temps dipped down to -15°C (5°F). My sleep system for the trip consisted of a Katabatic Sawatch 15 quilt, Bristlecone bivy, and the Therm-a-Rest XTherm sleeping mat (Click here for the full gear list).
Recommendation:
If I had to choose just one quilt, it would be the Alsek 22°F or the Flex 22°F. Why? Because it’s the “Goldilocks” of the Katabatic stable – not too warm, not too cold, perfect for porridge-gobbling trespassers and versatility-seeking hikers. It hits the temperature sweet spot for multi-month thru-hikes and/or trips in which hikers are regularly oscillating between different elevations and environments. If you haven’t gone too far down the hiking gear rabbit hole (i.e., you own multiple quilts and bags) and simply want one quilt/bag that meets a lot of your backcountry needs, the Alsek represents an excellent choice.
Related Articles:
Disclosure I received the Alsek 22 (900 fp Expedry) free of charge in exchange for feedback from the field. I was under no obligation to write a review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
This post contains affiliate links, which means The Hiking Life receives a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. This comes at no additional cost to the reader and helps to support the website in its continuing goal of creating quality content for backpackers and hikers.
Discover more from The Hiking Life
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.