Got my Costco quilts last night. Great bargain and at 17 ounces each, mighty light. I'm 6 feet tall and the quilt
seems to be plenty long, but I too like my feet covered and so I'm looking forward testing it out soon.
For those who need a quilt with a footbox but do not sew, Big Agnes has a couple of options in the $150 to 250 (US) range. I'm curious to know if anyone has experience with any of their ultralight quilts or similar products from other vendors.
https://www.bigagnes.com/Gear/Sleeping-Bags/Travel-Bags-Liners-and-Blankets
I have have done gear testing for Big Agnes. What is it that I might be able to answer or help with? I do not consider their equipment to be in the ultralight category, except for a few of their tent models, but are mainly lightweight.
If you are considering ultralight backpacking gear cottage manufacturers, I would consider Enlightened Equipment, Katabatic, and Mountain Laurel Designs to have purpose built backpacking quilts that are lighter, state their warmth ratings more 'precisely' (honestly), are better built and more durable, and may or may not cost more money.
There are other manufacturers that one can consider as well, some I've experience with, others that I don't but appear to produce quality stuff.
The primary issue is one of cost. For someone like myself, who backpacks extensively, I do not look at the total price of a piece of gear. . .I look at the approximate 'per mile cost' of that gear. Three thousand miles of backpacking, with a backpacking quilt from Enlightened Equipment, which weighs 12 ounces for a 30 F warmth rating, will cost average about 10 cents per mile. I will only need to purchase one quilt and not have to keep replacing it.
If I am only using that same quilt for 500 miles of Camino walking, it now costs me 61 cents per mile. Now do the math for someone who is only walking from Sarria to SdC.
For those who are planning on doing thousands of walking miles on Camino, or who will also do backpacking, spending the money for quality gear that is the lightest possible kit makes a lot of sense. . it will be cheaper in the long run and easier to carry.
For those who are just walking a Camino one or two times, then the value of durable and ultralightweight gear, especially if on a strict budget, may be too high a cost.
There is little doubt that my Enlightened Equipment or Katabatic quilts are better quality and will last longer than a Costco down quilt/blanket. For most folks, the durability of their gear only needs to last as long as their Camino lasts.
