Thermarest Vesper first impressions

Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but it looks promising.
​Here it is on Thermarest's site​​​

20°F quilt
Weighs 19oz
900 fill Nikwax Hydrophobic down

(The 32° weighs only 15oz)

Here are some photos of how I'll likely use it down to about 0° (down puffy w/hood, wool beany, and sea to summit reactor extreme liner)

There is a small button that connects the two top corners behind your neck, and a drawstring that cinches tight around your neck, sealing out any drafts. The drawstring works very well.
The one issue is that the button is a bit finicky, and I have already had the button come undone on accident while trying to get everything situated.

It comes with two sets of loops for an included stap to secure the quilt to the pad, however they only include one strap instead of two. Bungee cord fixed this.

You know that there are several companies making these quilts?

FrankPS wrote: You know that there are several companies making these quilts?

Absolutely. And they are all pretty rad, but it's interesting that a non-cottage company seems to be doing a better job than the other, half hearted efforts put forth by other large companies that we have seen thus far (Sierra designs and others that usually weigh as much as an average mummy bag).

Obviously not a new category on the market by any means, but interesting none the less.

I guess if you need a quilt in a hurry it's nice that you'll be able to order this from Backcountry with ActiveJunky discounts, coupons etc.. and get free 2 day shipping.

Otherwise, I'd rather support the small US companies who make excellent quilts than buy Thermarest's Chinese product. It's not even cheap. 

Thanks for sharing! Fairly good info here as well: ​https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-ultralight-sleeping-bag/ratings

The highest rated is 19.1 lbs and made in USA. (Feathered Friends) Only to 40 degrees. The next choice is an ounce more and goes to 20 degrees.

Billcoe wrote:The highest rated is 19.1 lbs and made in USA. (Feathered Friends) Only to 40 degrees. The next choice is an ounce more and goes to 20 degrees.

Shit Bill, 19 lbs to be comfortable on a summer night?!? Seems a little heavy. I think carrying in a cord of wood would be lighter, since you wouldn't have to pack it out, and no geese would need to be pucked.   

Mike Mellenthin wrote: Your liner (14 oz) and quilt (19oz) together weigh 33 oz. That's the same weight as a lot of 10 degree bags. Is this going to be that much warmer?

The idea is to use only the quilt for most things down to just below freezing, being as light as possible.  Then if it gets closer to zero, I can add the liner and puffy (as shown). It mostly comes down to the cost of owning two bags. This setup will allow me to be ultralight in the higher temps, while still being moderately lightweight down to 0°.

Most of what I'll be doing will be between 25-45°F overnight, with occasional 0°F night thrown in. This set up (hopefully) will do it all.

Caleb Schwarz wrote:

Absolutely. And they are all pretty rad, but it's interesting that a non-cottage company seems to be doing a better job than the other, half hearted efforts put forth by other large companies that we have seen thus far (Sierra designs and others that usually weigh as much as an average mummy bag)

On that note, I have a Sierra designs backcountry bed, it's seen some miles- does anyone know of a company that would re-stuff it with down for me? All my climbing is car camping, weight and packability means basically nothing. 

adeadhead wrote: On that note, I have a Sierra designs backcountry bed, it's seen some miles- does anyone know of a company that would re-stuff it with down for me? All my climbing is car camping, weight and packability means basically nothing. 

I don't know if a company specifically, but you can buy a down pillow off of Amazon and cut a small incision on the side of each baffle, then stuff it and hand stitch it and patch it with tenacious tape. Not elegant, but if weight and beauty aren't a priority...

Briggs Lazalde wrote:Just curious how much u paid for the 20°?      

Not retail... Haha

 Only concern is the product page has a warning saying you can be exposed to chemicals known to cause cancer in the state of California...interesting

Inside the lumber department in Home Depot, it has a massive sign saying that sawdust is known to cause cancer in the state of California lol got to love bureaucracy.

Doug Hutchinson wrote:

Shit Bill, 19 lbs to be comfortable on a summer night?!? Seems a little heavy. I think carrying in a cord of wood would be lighter, since you wouldn't have to pack it out, and no geese would need to be pucked.   

LOL, it's those damned decimals that got me again Doug! Dohhh!