View Full Version : Actual experience with a golite ultra 20
Man its light and stuffs extremely small but I dont see it being good to 20dF.
First off mine has barely 2" of loft not 2.5" as advertised. 2.5" would be perfect, but at 2" it should only be good to about 25-30dF which is less than what I want.
I really need/want a 15dF bag or quilt that I can extend down to 0dF with some insulated clothing/ vest jacket etc.
Anybody have any real experience with this quilt in the 0-15dF range ??
Thanks
Wrangler88
10-27-2009, 20:33
I have one and I wouldn't want to be out in anything less that 30. Maybe 25. And I surely wouldn't want to try and take it between the 0 - 15 degree range. It doesn't usually get that cold here so I probably won't get a chance to test it out but it doesn't seem to me like I'd make it comfortably through the night. Good thing about it is that I can use this quilt almost year round around here.
I plan to build a summer 2.5 oz climashield XP top quilt soon and that should take it down to 10-15, but I had hoped it would have an honest rating.
I also though I might be able to add some down, but after looking at how its constructed, it would be very hard to add down to the middle section.
Thanks
brooklynkayak
11-01-2009, 19:30
I often find that a so called 20 degree bag can be uncomfortable below freezing, especially when wind and humidity come into play. Wearing extra clothing can make a huge difference.
A fleece top, long underwear and socks add 20 degrees or more of comfort. Add a down jacket and another layer on the legs can take it down to 0F.
Since you carry the clothing anyway, you might as well sleep in it when needed.
It also makes it easier when you have to get up to pee in the middle of the night:)
It is generally accepted that the Golite Ultra 20 is more of a 30* quilt than a 20* quilt. The Ultra 20 only has 9.5 oz of down. I would think you would need 12 or so ounces of down to go to 20* (The Nunatak Arc Alpinist has 11oz). I actually recently bought a Ultra 20 to play around with, and either add down or get another quilt somewhere down the road. I just wanted to make sure the concept worked for me.
kayak karl
11-01-2009, 19:43
Man its light and stuffs extremely small but I dont see it being good to 20dF.
First off mine has barely 2" of loft not 2.5" as advertised. 2.5" would be perfect, but at 2" it should only be good to about 25-30dF which is less than what I want.
I really need/want a 15dF bag or quilt that I can extend down to 0dF with some insulated clothing/ vest jacket etc.
Anybody have any real experience with this quilt in the 0-15dF range ??
Thanks
are we talking the ultra 20 quilt. i use mine in my hammock and its just fine. i wouldnt want to be a ground sleeper with it.
Ronnwell
11-01-2009, 20:06
Check out the Jacks R Better Rocky Mountain No Sniveler. Unfortunately, I haven't had an opportunity to get it down past freezing yet. I think it could probably get you down to 15 or so with extra clothes (I'm a cold sleeper). though Advertised 3.5 inches loft. Plus, it has the extra benefit of being wearable around camp.
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Wearable%20Quilts.htm
I've used the JRB RMS quilt as an underquilt down to 20*. My back was cool until I added a pad underneath.
It is generally accepted that the Golite Ultra 20 is more of a 30* quilt than a 20* quilt. The Ultra 20 only has 9.5 oz of down. I would think you would need 12 or so ounces of down to go to 20* (The Nunatak Arc Alpinist has 11oz). I actually recently bought a Ultra 20 to play around with, and either add down or get another quilt somewhere down the road. I just wanted to make sure the concept worked for me.
If you can figure out how to add some down to the center section let me know.
The Ultra 20 is as warm as a full sleeping bag in my opinion.
Yeah, I must have gotten a good one as mine has 2.5" of loft.
The temp rating has a lot to do with the setup. If you have it inside of a bivy on top of a good pad, and dont pump air in it every time you move it makes sense it would be as warm.
Shutterbug
11-03-2009, 15:00
Man its light and stuffs extremely small but I dont see it being good to 20dF.
First off mine has barely 2" of loft not 2.5" as advertised. 2.5" would be perfect, but at 2" it should only be good to about 25-30dF which is less than what I want.
I really need/want a 15dF bag or quilt that I can extend down to 0dF with some insulated clothing/ vest jacket etc.
Anybody have any real experience with this quilt in the 0-15dF range ??
Thanks
Last week, I used a Golite Venture 40 degree Sleeping Bag in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I didn't have a thermometer, but the temperature dropped to just above freezing. I stayed comfortably warm in the bag.
I got mine in the mail yesterday and it actually lofts pretty well. With the loft doubled it has the advertised 5" and it looks just as poofy as my Western Mountaineering Ultralite when spread out beside it. I obvoisly haven't gotten a chance to use it in the field yet, but I was pleasantly surprised with the loft after pictures of some peoples that I have seen. Perhaps they don't get them filled consistently (the way mine lofts, I would think it has over 9.52 ounces of down like they advertise.)
Chance09
11-04-2009, 21:51
I thru hiked this year with a golite 20 deg quilt. I spent two nights in the Smokies where it had to be under under 32 degrees. It snowed for about 1 1/2 days straight and I was fine the first night. Then my quilt got wet from snow that blew into the shelter and I was actually quite worried but even as damp as it was I made it through the night ok. The biggest problem i found with it was that i move around to much and have a tendancy to let cool air in when i do.
Sounds like you need a tyvek bivy.