Hey Guys! I have a review here of, as the title suggests, the Katabatic Flex 22 Quilt. I bought a 6 foot, 900 fill HyperDry Goose Down, 22 degree Fahrenheit quilt in a superbly awesome teal blue color they call “Lyons Blue” (I love the color of this thing!). Check out the video below if you like videos or move on below for the text review 🙂
What’s Included and For How Much
Cost:: $350 (with blemish)
Weight:: 22.7oz
Pack Size:: 7 X 12.5 inches (7.5 liter bag)
I would have preferred to get the Flex 15, but my AT trip was coming up too quick, so luckily for me they had this guy sitting around by mistake. This one is a “non-perfect” sleeping bag. I could not find any blemishes on this thing, but they found some when they made it. So it got pulled off the line and sold for cheaper – normal, non-blemish, price was $400.
Remember that they typically make to order and it can take 4 weeks from order to door. So plan ahead when getting a great quilt or sleeping bag 🙂
It comes with all this:
– Quilt
– Compression Bag for backpack
– Large Storage Bag for closet
– 2 sets of 2 – pad attachment threads/strings/cables
– 1 set of 2 – thin belts to close the quilt without a pad
Let’s Take a Closer Look
Foot Box and Neck Wrap
There are many ways to wear this quilt, so I found it worked for me throughout all temperature ranges from the heat of summer to the flash freezing colds of autumn.
The toe box can be zipped up half way to keep the heat in for the legs, but allowing your feet to stick out. Or you can close the middle button of the foot box for greater heat retention, but still feet out. Or you can cinch it all up and close it tight making it more like a closed mummy bag.
For added warmth again, Katabatic has a button at the head of the sleeping bag locking in the top of the sleeping bag around the neck – locking in the heat from the body.
Pad Attachmend
You loop the string around the pad. Tighten it against the pad (it has a one way tightener); when you want to loosen it you pull up on both sides and it slides loose easy-peasy.
Now, there are two places to lock in. There is a more open slot first, which allows the quilt to move around a bit. And a tighter second slot, which holds the quilt firmly in place.
The more mobile slot allows you a little bit more freedom if moved around under the quilt, but a little less warmth as it is easier for air to seep out and cold air to whoosh in.
The more fixed slot allows for less freedom, but more warmth. I personally didn’t notice too much different in my freedom of movement between the two. I mostly chose just to use the fixed slot.
They both worked well for me depending on the situation. One of my favorite bits of the flex is the numerous ways it can be cinched, zipped, and flexed.
If you don’t have a pad but want the additional warmth of a closed sleeping bag, you can use the clip straps provided. Next to each pad strap clip, there is a loop. Run the clip straps through the loop on both sides, clip it together, and then pull it tight. Now you have a warm and cozy quilt!
How About that Temperature Rating?
I felt as though the rating held up well. The 22 degrees is the survival zone, and not the comfort zone. But I was fortunate enough to find myself in 26 degree weather (waking up with a crispy, crunchy, frozen tent in the morning).
I wore a bunch of layers, but was sleeping warm and sleeping sound all night. I felt no discomfort. I wore all of my layers but felt good. That includes: base layer shirt, hiking shirt, down jacket, rain jacket, warm hat, neck gaiter/scarf, base layer pants, hiking pants, two pairs of socks.
Final Thoughts
This is my second favorite piece of gear I had out there with me (number one being my Mountain Hardware Long-sleeve Shirt). I really enjoyed all of the multitude of warmth levels the Katabatic Flex has. I was comfortable in a tent or in a shelter or in a hostel – wherever I used it.
When it gets colder you will definitely need a pad for insulation from the cold ground.
It is lightweight, packs small, the stuff sack it comes with is thin but durable. The price is expensive but it should last you a number of years and it is from one of the best quilt makers out there.
The only thing I’d recommend is getting the Flex 15 if you get any – just help yourself stay warmer when you need to.
The last thought I’d share is that if you do plan on going into very cold temperatures, like 20 or under consistently every night. I would recommend a mummy bag instead of a quilt because they will surely hold warmth more reliably.
Check it out here at the Katabatic Website 🙂
With that I hope you found this helpful and informative. Good luck finding your perfect quilt or sleeping bag. And keep having fun out there!
