Cumulus Quilt 350 or 450?

Gabrill

Hiker
This thread has been super helpful! Thanks all :)

I'm looking at getting a 450 Cumulus quilt with the Neo-air X-lite women's. Will be using it for three season camping going down to max -3 Celsius. Despite the rain here in the UK I've decided to go non-hydrphobic based on the discussion above.

What are your thoughts on the overstuff? Will I need it or do you think I'd have better flexibility just layering up on the colder nights, potentially using a liner too.
 

Enzo

Thru Hiker
Max -3 I'd think 450 should be fine. If anything puffy and warm something for your legs allows you to hang about outside more.
 

Gabrill

Hiker
I would like my mess of a thought process post on hydrophobic treatment pinned to a church as a conclusive resolution to the debate, please. No further research required.

Based on your thorough procrastination...I mean research - it was a very convincing argument.
 

GroenHike

Backpacker
Would the X-Lite 400 be sufficient for -5 C, without additional layers besides sleeping clothes?
 
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Baldy

Thru Hiker
Would the X-Lite 400 be sufficient for -5 C, without additional layers besides sleeping clothes?

I would say you’re taking a chance.

There is an interesting review on youtube. The zip is 3mm and is prone to snag and tear.
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
I would say you’re taking a chance.

There is an interesting review on youtube. The zip is 3mm and is prone to snag and tear.
Do you think you'd be taking more of a chance with a Cumulus -5 rated bag than a PHD -5 rated bag like a minim 400?
 

Baldy

Thru Hiker
Do you think you'd be taking more of a chance with a Cumulus -5 rated bag than a PHD -5 rated bag like a minim 400?[/QUOTE)

No, i’d rather the Cumulus than PHD anytime.

The ifs and buts are endless. What are ‘sleeping clothes’? I should think everyone here has their own preference. Taking a chance on being cold and miserable is not wise in my humble opinion.
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
I agree I hate being cold and miserable. I'm quick to put on layers when the temperature drops below zero or it is draughty. I recon the ratings are in perfect no draught conditions and would sooner be a bit too warm than too cold at all. Plus we are all different.
 

cathyjc

Thru Hiker
Do you think you'd be taking more of a chance with a Cumulus -5 rated bag than a PHD -5 rated bag like a minim 400?

No.
I'd be happy to swop a couple of my PHD bags for their Cumulus equivalent.

Depends on the features on offer with the bags you might be considering.
 

GroenHike

Backpacker
Well, currenly I´ve got a quite warm Cumulus Taiga with 480 gram of 900FP down. Its rated untill -9C. However, since I might be sleeping in -5C quite often, I might want to switch back to a sleeping bag, because I´m afraid of drafts. The X-Lite is so light that its attractive, but it has 400 gram of 900FP down, and part of that is under me, compressed, thus not providing warmth, so I´m wondering if I should just keep my Taiga which is most likely warmer than the X-Lite 400, or if I should switch to the X-Lite 400 bag.
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
Well, currenly I´ve got a quite warm Cumulus Taiga with 480 gram of 900FP down. Its rated untill -9C. However, since I might be sleeping in -5C quite often, I might want to switch back to a sleeping bag, because I´m afraid of drafts. The X-Lite is so light that its attractive, but it has 400 gram of 900FP down, and part of that is under me, compressed, thus not providing warmth, so I´m wondering if I should just keep my Taiga which is most likely warmer than the X-Lite 400, or if I should switch to the X-Lite 400 bag.
If you are worried about draughts why not keep the quilt and add something like a Borah Ultralite bivy. That will keep out draughts, keep your sleep system together, protect if from condensation (might be controversial as some people say they get condensation in it but I think that depends on your shelter and conditions because some say the opposite) and add a couple of degrees to the rating of the quilt.

https://www.outdoorline.sk/en/bivys-and-liners/borah-gear-ultralight-bivy
 

GroenHike

Backpacker
If you are worried about draughts why not keep the quilt and add something like a Borah Ultralite bivy. That will keep out draughts, keep your sleep system together, protect if from condensation (might be controversial as some people say they get condensation in it but I think that depends on your shelter and conditions because some say the opposite) and add a couple of degrees to the rating of the quilt.

https://www.outdoorline.sk/en/bivys-and-liners/borah-gear-ultralight-bivy

Thanks for the tip! However, I´d also like to cut some weight, so in that sense the X-Lite would be better than the Taiga (and much better than the Taiga + bivy).
 

kvragu

Ultralighter
2k65SAs

Finally a**ed to try and upload some semi-informative photos. Shoddy focus but the loft is around 70-80mm.
2k65SAh




 
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nobleynoble

Summit Camper
Is this a good time to buy a Cumulus quilt given the Brexit announcement? - or should I wait to see how it all pans out.

Great thread BTW.
 

mr_snuffles4

Backpacker
Is this a good time to buy a Cumulus quilt given the Brexit announcement? - or should I wait to see how it all pans out.

Great thread BTW.
I'm likely about to order a quilt from gramxpert - EU, and I'm putting the order in after the 1st. If you do it before, I believe you'd be changed vat from the eu and then again on entry into the UK, as it won't arrive before the 1st.
With the deal being announced, the pound has improved against the euro, so that's another possible consideration.
 

Michael_x

Section Hiker
Myself I'd wait a bit but not too long. I'm thinking the pound will get stronger for a little while before it tanks and if you can get it posted out vat free there's a chance it won't get charged vat in the post. Then again who knows. If I actually could predict these things for real I'd be writing this from my £35,000,000 super yacht in the Caribbean.

What I do know is the Cumulus 350 is lovely, cosy, even at -5c with medium merino base base layer.
 
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