Enigma APEX

ADK ULer here, The ADk is a wild and magical place for North east standards. 1. Since you're new to overnighting just go the budget route and definitely get a double wall tent for the Adirondacks. If you find you like it and start pushing bigger miles then you can upgrade down the road. 2. For your sleeping bag concerns I have both down and synthetic. It really only matters what time of the year you're using them. If its more in the summer I'd go synthetic (40F EE apex quilt) as the Daks is a really wet place and condensation can easily build up. But in the more shoulder season (late september early october) I bring my down 20F quilt as it can easily get into the 30s at night and I'd rather be warm then cold. If you're going with a double wall tent then there are less concerns with your down bag as it'll get less condensation on it. 3. Buy both and sleep on them in your house. Figure out what you like better then return the other. This is what I'd do if I started out all over again. 7. The adirondacks can be a tough area and it sounds like you have done a decent amount of day hiking in the park. Just remember that the "Adirondack Mile" is a really thing. Just because you know you can do a specific hiking speed somewhere else doesn't mean it'll hold up in the adirondacks. The place is rugged, can be steep and is muddy as all help. With a overnight pack this can also slow you down even more. So know your capability, have a solid plan to get to a camp site (definitely make a more reasonable plan on your first trip) and enjoy the experience. I think more information on what your overnight . weekend trips int he adirondacks will will help many of us to provide suggestions. As there are many easy trails in the adirondacks that aren't boulder scrambling or mud trudges. Many of the trips I do are 2 nights with a good amount of those trips set up at a base camp so I can bag a ton of peaks. A great place to start your shake down overnight could be the pharaoh lake wilderness. Its a beautiful lake with a lot of amazing campsites along it. Plus you could day hike up to the top of pharaoh mountain for some excellent views.

I think it's because they were good value back then, but their price has crept up to Katabatic, Nunatak, etc. Still worth it if you them on sale though. I had one of their Karo baffle quilts that was severely underfilled and it would not keep the down in place. Replaced it with an Enigma and it ways also underfilled for the rating and sent it back to get down added. Eventually replaced the Enigma with a Nunatak Sulo and had zero probems with it. They are also the company Defense Mechanisms making tactical gear, and some people might not like that.

I agree. After being really cold most of my PCT section hike in 2019, I don't use my EE enigma below freezing. I got a western mountaineering versalite in 2021 and love it for cold weather.

I switched to an EE Enigma quilt this year to try to cut weight (Christmas present), Already used it in the low 30's and also at about 50f. Very happy with the switch.

I just custom ordered an Enlightened Equipment enigma that's Xwide, measurements says the Xwide is 68in wide. Might be what you're looking for.

Highly recommend Enlighten Equipment quilts. They may be a little stretch on your budget for the temperature rating and fill power you’d need but they are excellent and extremely lightweight.

i have a 7' backpacker friend who has been able to make this work without breaking the bank. packs: hanchor doesn't charge for custom sizing, they carry loads better than the HMG tents: if you are set on a BA tent, the copper spur HV comes in an XL version that works for them. flat tarps are easy to get in 12' sizes which is definitely enough at your height. quilts: agree with other posters that enlightened equipment quilts go to 7' for the XL size range. clothing: LL Bean makes sun hoodies in tall sizes