Enlightened Equipment - Revelation APEX

I just ordered a Katabatic Alsek 22 because I got cold in my EE Revelation 30\* at around 40\* which really sucked (I was wearing all my clothes and hat). I think EE's temp rating is at least 10\* below a comfort rating, whereas Katabatic is a comfort temp rating. If you with EE plan ahead and order 10\* lower than what you think you'll want/need. I'm not sure the zipper/drawstring foot box is worth the extra $$ unless you really want to unzip and use the quilt as a blanket. I opted to go closed footbox this time around. I've used mummy bags primarily in the past and the EE was my first quilt. I think quilts are the way to go for 3 season backpacking.

For tents AmpexGear has the best bang for your buck both quality and weight wise. Featherstone comes in second but are bit heavier. For sleeping bags you’ll have a hard time getting something light and quality for under $100. The Enlightened Equipment Revolution Apex quilt gets the job done in a lot of areas. It’s $210 but if you look out for sales on their site you can grab it for around $170. You can save a few bucks and look into Kelty down sleeping bags but they’ll be around $140-$150 and not nearly as useful.

I have used a Rumpl throw before but this year I bought the Enlightened Equipment Apex synthetic 40° quilt. I’m short so mine only weighs 17 oz. It’s on sale right now for 20% off which I think brings it to $176 ish. But if you’re need more budget friendly than that then I’d just go with a Rumpl.

Splurge? 6 years ago, 2 EE convertible quilts. One xl/xw Apex 30° and a 950 down 10°. - my Best. Investment. Ever.- They work independently or together as quilts or sleeping bags... Can be zipped together to make one giant 2p sleeping bag. The Apex is an xl and the down bag will fit inside of it, added a liner for full 4 season in most of North America. Basically have 7 different systems with these two pieces. All together for around 4 lbs.

I have both an EE Revelation 20F and EE Revelation Apex 20F. The synthetic (Apex) takes up noticeably more room in my pack. But I don't really notice the minimal weight difference. Only time I take the synthetic is when I am heading out to the coast since it is always moist air there - day in and day out. Down just doesn't keep you as warm under those conditions. For trips where there might be rain I don't really consider taking the synthetic. I can be pretty cautious about unpacking the down quilt from my pack without exposing it directly to the rain. If it is going to be raining the entire time then I'll take synthetic because it is pretty much the same as being on the coast. Another thing I've found helpful is, if you can find a very thin fleece blanket to lay over your down quilt when you know you are going to face condensation that might end up soaking your quilt it really can help with moisture management. I have one that is just barely big enough to cover my quilt and is about 100 weight (gsm?) synthetic fleece. It catches the condensation from rubbing your quilt on the tent walls or it dripping on your quilt. And the synthetic does a great job at causing it to evaporate. The combination of the down quilt + the fleece still weight less than an apex quilt alone. And I only take it when I know there will be condensation.

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’ve 0F, 20F, 40F down quilts and a 30F Climashield APEX synthetic quilt. The synthetic is bulkier but good. It definitely does have its place when it’s wet or on a long multi-day hike where it could be wet. Also, I’m allergic to down and enjoy not waking up stuffed up when I use the synthetic

we like the enlightened equipment revelation bag, its 0, and it packs down very good. We've now taken it out in cold conditions and it performed like a champ. I just got the email for the 20% for black friday too its normally 370 on for 290

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

I also got an EE quilt and have thoughts on rating - I opted for a 0° bag but this was motivated by spending some uncomfortable nights right around 35° in my Sierra Designs down bag that was rated at that. With a quilt the zero seems overkill but the design has meant I've been comfortable in much warmer temps despite being a warm sleeper generally. I can open it up, hang a leg or arm out, or be just partially covered. They key with the quilt style is having a pad that is matched for the temps you're in. On my last trip i still took my Sierra Designs bag as it packs slightly smaller than my ee quilt but this setup works for me to cover a wide range of temps. Admittedly I missed the mobility of the quilt compared to the mummy but I've spent most of the last 30 years in mummy bags so it's not unfamiliar.