You don’t have to be a thru hiker named Patches to lighten up your backcountry overnight pack or bikepacking set-up. The 15 oz Vesper down quilt is a step in the right direction. A quilt cuts weight by eliminating the bottom of a traditional sleeping bag and zipper. Team it up with an ultra-light Therm-A-Rest mattress, like the NeoAir UberLite, and use the quilt’s built-in connector to keep the mattress attached; you won’t miss your sleeping bag or the additional weight you use to carry. The 900 fill Nikwax hydrophobic down keeps you warm even in damp conditions, and the whole package packs up to about the size of a water bottle. Need more warmth? Go with the 20F version. MSRP: $319.95. Thermarest.com.
