At Enlightened Equipment, we offer many sleep system options, because the gear you’ll like best is the gear that’s just right for you. The myriad choices in quilt models, sizes, temperature ratings, and insulation types are there so you can find a quilt that's finely tuned to your specific needs. To get started, use the chart below for a quick overview of the differences between the Revelation, Enigma, Convert, and Conundrum, or keep reading for more detail on each of the main differences.
Insulation type
Most often, one of your first choices when selecting a quilt or sleeping bag is what insulation type you prefer. At Enlightened Equipment, we offer down insulation and Climashield APEX synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulation is less expensive than down, so for those with a tighter budget, our APEX offerings will be the obvious choice. Synthetic insulation is also easier to clean and performs better than down in damp or humid conditions.
Down is, however, the more popular choice. Down has a longer lifespan than synthetic insulation and compresses smaller. Down also weighs less than our synthetic APEX offerings in similar sizes and ratings. For more information about choosing insulation, check out our Insulation and Loft article.
Footbox versatility
There are two footbox types used in our gear. The most common is the zipper and drawcord footbox, used on the Revelation (above left) and Convert (above right). An elastic drawcord at the foot allows the footbox to be partially opened on warmer nights when some ventilation would be appreciated, and the 20" zipper from the heel up to about the back of the knee can be opened to allow these quilts to be opened totally flat, like a blanket. This is best for adapting to a range of conditions, from frigid temps to milder summer nights, and makes these most popular for 3-season use.
Some people never find the need to open the footbox on their quilt. For these folks, our Enigma quilt (above left) leaves off the extra adjustments on the footbox for a small reduction in weight and an overall increase in simplicity. The Conundrum also features a closed footbox.
Zipper options
While a lot of people love the versatility and weight savings of a quilt, some folks still prefer a full-length zipper, and our Convert sleeping bag (above) has you covered. The Convert is great for people who like the idea of a quilt but still want the ability to close up tight, snuggled into a warm sleeping bag. The Convert shares the same buckles and straps as our quilt-style sleep systems, and adds new vertical baffles, a full-length zipper, double draft blocking tubes, and a reinforced zipper backing more common to a sleeping bag. The zipper can be used down the center or on the left or right side, so it's always accessible. Want to sleep next to your partner? Multiple same-length Converts can be zipped together to form a larger sleep system. The Conundrum combines the closed footbox of the Enigma with the zipper of the Convert, resulting in another sleeping bag-like option.
Buckle and strap system
One of the great things about quilt-style sleep systems is their more natural feel. Because the quilt doesn't wrap completely around you, it feels more like the blanket you use at home, allowing you to sleep the way that works for you. Our quilts and sleeping bags are designed to be used in tandem with a sleeping pad, which provides necessary insulation between you and the ground. So all our quilts and sleeping bags have buckles and straps attached to help keep them in place on your sleeping pad, while still allowing you to move freely within. Read more about sleeping pads.
All our quilts come with buckles and straps for pad attachment, except the Itasca. The Itasca is a comforter with no extra buttons, buckles, straps, or extras. For more information on our strapping system, check out our Pad Straps article.
Still got questions? Check out some guidance on selecting specs, or read some FAQs regarding fabrics, insulation, and design.