Reviews

I am very happy with my purchase of the Alseck 22 deg quilt. The last 4 nights I slept in a tent with my quilt and slept very soundly. Though the temperature was only in the 50s I was not too warm. I can’t personally give an evaluaiton in colder temperatures but I purchased this quilt because of many reviews stating it kept them warm in cold weather. It is light weight and of high quality.

This is the second Katabatic Flex quilt I have purchased. I added 1oz of over fill to this one and I think that's pretty much perfect for the 40 - just to add a little extra warmth and longevity. I slept out recently in 45 degrees with just underwear and a shirt and was completely comfortable. With sleeping clothing I wouldn't hesitate to take this out into the mid to low 30s. I bought the wide version, which is plenty rooming for this stocky side sleeper. Can't recommend these quilts enough for their comfort, versatility and warmth.

I've used my Alsek every summer for 10 years in the Sierras. It's light, compresses well in my pack and has kept me nice and warm every single night I've spent in it, even sleeping out (no tent) above 11,000' (and above tree line) on nights that went below freezing. It's comfortable and cozy and I look forward to slipping into it every night, especially after long days on the trail. After 10 years, it still looks new with full loft, and I plan to use it for years to come. As others have said, the Katabatic system for attaching the quilt to a sleeping mat works great. It's worth taking the time to learn how to use it - just sliding the attachment clips in and out provides quite a bit of adjustability for temperature (slide in for colder weather). I do carry a Katabatic Windom hood for really cold nights, but rarely need to use it (the hood can also be used with a puffy jacket, enabling a lighter puffy without integral hood). The best endorsement I can give for Katabatic quilts is that I just ordered a second one, a Grenadier for trips I'm starting to take to the Sierras during Fall when temperatures can go into the teens (I like a margin for safety especially solo hiking at high elevations during shoulder seasons). Katabatic makes great gear of the highest quality at a reasonable price, considering what you get in terms of performance and longevity. Gear that is well worth it and a pleasure to own and use.

This replaced an older bivy so it’s almost half the weight with the added benefit of the bug screen. It may be a bit less insulative than the heavier fabric, but that is sort of offset by the ability to zip the whole thing shut which reduces drafts around your head. The 6’ regular is wide enough for an almost 6’ tall side sleeper, so much more comfortable than the slightly narrower and more constricting bivy it replaced. I like the full side to side zipper, which is much more convenient entry and exit than other designs with a one-sided zipper. Unfortunately the sleeping bag zipper got caught and tore the thin upper fabric, something that didn’t happen with the heavier fabric, but that’s the price of ultralight gear. All in all a big upgrade to my sleep system.

I wanted to finally review my Tarn Down Jacket after having a chance to use it on the JMT this year. Firstly, great quality, puffy, warm and upgrade from the MH Ghost Whisperer and the EE Torrid. I really researched this one. There are of course, countless obsessive reviews, charts, graphs and tables that rank and rate all sorts of gear. I chose the Tarn for a few main reasons: (1) I trust Katabatic (I have the Flex 22) ; (2) the slight weight increase to have a slightly thicker exterior fabric was worth it for me; (3) the quality of the down. I wore this below freezing at times with a senchi beneath and was not ever slightly cool.

As for the sizing, I am by all accounts a men's L in all gear. 195 pds just a pinch under 6 foot and outdoor athletic build. The body of the Tarn fits perfect. The sleeves are longish, not too long, not long, not weird. Just longish. At first I was like, hmm. Now dont even notice. TBH have a longish sleeve actually works well since it covered my glove area and was extra great.

THANKS Katabatic!

I love the versatility of this quilt, on hot nights I can poke my toes out the end and when it is super cold I just cinch up the end. Super light weight and just has a great feel about it!

Took my first trip in the Bivy/tarp combination recently in NM. Surprisingly was rained on 3/5 days. Everything worked great. Love the flexibility and weight savings. One tip I figured out is to wear a ball cap when sleeping and it keeps the netting off your face without having to tie it up.

I’ve ran many normal bags (Nemo, STS, Zack’s, etc) and this was the warmest, lightest system I’ve used. Couldn’t recommend more. The attachment system is intuitive and the quilt is roomy. I actually went into the shop and they were professional, knowledgeable and helped get the bag to me before my hunt!

I just returned from my first trip using this quilt and it was truly amazing! My first few nights were in the Guadalupe Mountains in far southern New Mexico followed by another few section hiking the Colorado Trail in the San Juan Mountains and the quilt was incredible for both spots. I got to enjoy the full range of the Flex quilt by using it fully unzipped in the desert mountains and having it zipped up with the footbox cinched tight on the Colorado Trail, and it was extremely comfortable in both conditions. I wasn't able to push below the quilt's rating but I'm confident you could go quite a bit below freezing with this 30F quilt. The inner lining is luxurious and was perfect against bare skin on the warmer nights. I didn't bother bringing either of the pad strap systems with me since the coldest temps were pretty mild, and I found that the quilt having a strong curve in its resting position (vs. resting flat) made it much easier to tuck under your torso as needed. I went with the wide which I also think helps with this (and which made blanket mode pretty luxe). Lastly, I found that stuffing the quilt in the silnylon stuff sack was quite easy and the stuff sack is nicely oversized so you're not worried about damaging the down when stuffing; the included big storage bag is also quite handsome. Don't hesitate and buy this quilt!

The Piñon Bivy was a charmer. I dreamed of butterflies and puppy dogs not bugs on the NW Pacific Coast. Contrary to myth, there just aren't mosquitoes on the coast in Olympic National Park, but at least I didn't have to worry; no spiders came in, either. The Piñon was very comfy and easy to use--roomy enough to have a book, phone and flashlight and shove a blanket at my side. We slept with our bivvies under a tarp. The feeling of not being closed in like in a regular tent was great.

We love our sleeping quilts, so comfortable and so light for our 10 day backpacking in the sierras.

Purchased this 15 degree quilt for the CT after decades of carrying heavy zero-degree sleeping bags. It was the perfect combo of warm for cold rainy nights in the San Juans after getting caught in a storm, and equally as great flattened out as a blanket on a warm evening in Sargents Mesa. Have used it on multiple thru-hikes now and can't imagine ever needing any other quilt. I love this quilt so much that I sometimes use it to sleep at home.

Plus, bonus points for supporting my local hometown Salida, CO Katabatic small business. Stellar customer service. 10/10 recommend.

Excellent quality, customer service is top notch. They were able to get my order out before a trip. Have since been on two multi day back country trips and it’s been my favorite piece of gear

I love this 2026 Flex 22F/950FP 6', my first quilt. I'm backpacking more nights now that I'm past 60 and just spent five nights with the quilt at 8,000-10,000', three without. Having only used down sleeping bags for 50 years, I'd say the quilt is an acquired taste, and I like it.

This quilt fits a lot of my needs that I could compromise with a 0F mummy bag when I was younger: side sleeping helps with snoreless-less nights, neck support is critical for pinched neck nerves, my night-to-morning metabolism is less regulated than before so I need to adjust sleeping bag/quilt more, I want to maximize the benefit of a wide (25") sleeping pad, and of course I wanted a light quilt. It took me three nights to get used to adjusting but the Flex will be first on my packing list.

Build quality is excellent. Materials are not fragile but require care. Feels more like a product you research/buy/appreciate for your own use but it's not the first item you'll lend out.

As a longtime mummy bag user, here's what I noticed: the Flex has no hood, but a buff worked well. Neck baffle worked well. I'm 5'9" 145lb so 6' non-wide was perfect. My feet range from cool to hot overnight so the foot drawstring was awesome for keeping a perfect temperature. The black interior dries quickly in the sun. I couldn't find the Flex's phone pocket until I looked carefully after I came home; will also look for a better way to keep water filter and batteries from escaping. The pad attachment cords worked better than expected, kept drafts out, and didn't bind or get loose. I moved around on the pad less than expected so think a wide mummy pad would have been a better fit for me than a wide rectangular. Setting up an inflatable pad, pillow, and quilt is slower than rolling out the foam and pulling out a bag but the sleep quality of a quilt is worth it. After a few days you get fast at the setup/break camp routine.

The 22F quilt was warm at mid-30s without problem, I'm sure it would work well for me into the mid-20s, and it can be opened up far better than a sleeping bag. I considered the Alsek/Sawatch but very happy I settled on the Flex for the full zip and foot drawstring.

Special thanks to Katabatic for confirming I'd get my new quilt well within the "4 weeks" estimate.

Just wrapped JMT NoBo from Horseshoe Meadow to Happy Isles with Whitney and other side trips. The Tarn was the perfect insulation layer for this trek! Light weight, durable, warm, versatile across a range of elevations, and dry after four days of thunderstorms. Love this jacket and highly recommend for long grinds like the JMT.

Very good quality quilt, very soft and very warm!

I felt compelled to share a review for this. First, it's super warm and exactly what I want for when it's too chilly for just a vest and alpha fleece. Second, the fit is great for me and definitely not too light like older versions apparently suffered from. Third, I think the length is ideal. Fourth, the color is super nice in person (renders ever so slightly different on my screen) as is the texture of the material. I wouldn't hesitate to wear this in town with denim.

This thing is so easy to carry into the backcountry AND it’s so comfortable to sleep under. Man am I glad I got one.

Needed this super last minute for a camping trip and Katabatic gear's customer service really came through. The quilt is amazing and I love sleeping with it - thanks Katabatic Gear!

Not used yet but I’m excited

First time ever using a Bivy and so far I love it. The mesh makes it extremely breathable, I have plenty of room on the sides to not feel cramped and even a little space at the head to put stuff I like to keep near me at night. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to get one!

I recently purchased this quilt before I set out for the PCT this year, and I can easily say that the Alsek was the MVP piece of gear I had with me for the entire trail. Specifically, I entered the sierras on May 1 and encountered three weeks of 20-degree nights and walked about 350 miles on snow. I can confidently say that for this section, and for every other section, I never woke up once in the middle of the night due to the cold. The quality of Katabatic was off the charts, and the pad attachment system was absolutely airtight and never let drafts in. Easily the best quilt I have ever used, and it's nice knowing I won't need to search for another brand again in the future.

So much better than I had expected. I have owned many many sleeping bags from the standard outdoor brands. But this is my first custom premium bag. And the difference is quite clear. 22F Alsek is warmer than my 15deg brand name outdoor bag. Well done.

I've only used it once on a frosty night at 11k. It fits well and is too warm above freezing temps

I have owned the Katabatic Flex 22 backpacking quilt for more than three years, and every time I use it, I am reminded that it is one of the best pieces of outdoor gear I have ever purchased. It manages to be both highly utilitarian and genuinely luxurious, which is not an easy balance to strike in lightweight backpacking equipment.

What stands out most is its versatility. I have used the Flex 22 in temperatures down into the mid-teens, and I have also used it during warm summer trips in Virginia. That range of use is exactly what makes this quilt so valuable. It is not a narrow-purpose piece of gear that only works in ideal shoulder-season conditions. With the right pad, clothing, and setup, it can be pushed into colder temperatures, yet it remains adaptable enough to use when conditions are much warmer.

The build quality is excellent. Compared with other quilts I have used or handled, the Flex 22 feels more substantial, loftier, and more carefully constructed. The materials, stitching, baffles, zipper, and overall design all give the impression of a product that was developed by people who truly understand backcountry use. It feels refined without feeling delicate.

The pad attachment system deserves special mention. In my opinion, it is world-class and unmatched by the competition. It gives you a tremendous amount of control over how closely the quilt seals around you, while still allowing freedom of movement. You can cinch it down for cold conditions, open it up when you want more ventilation, or configure it somewhere in between. That flexibility is one of the main reasons I keep reaching for this quilt trip after trip.

The design details also make a real difference in use. The neck baffle, footbox baffle, and generous zipper all allow the quilt to be configured in multiple ways depending on temperature, sleeping style, and personal preference. Fully opened, it works like a traditional blanket. Zipped and secured to a pad, it can feel much closer to a full sleeping bag while preserving the comfort and efficiency advantages of a quilt.

After more than three years of use, I still view the Flex 22 as an exceptional piece of equipment. It is warm, adaptable, beautifully made, and thoughtfully designed. There are lighter quilts and cheaper quilts, but the Katabatic Flex 22 stands out because it delivers such a complete package: warmth, comfort, craftsmanship, flexibility, and confidence in the field.

It is not inexpensive, but it is very much a buy-once, cry-once piece of gear that continues to pay off over years of use.

For anyone who wants one quilt that can handle a wide range of conditions while still feeling like a premium piece of gear, the Katabatic Flex 22 is easy to recommend. It remains one of the few pieces of backpacking equipment that I appreciate more the longer I own it.

It’s even frog proof.