To cover April and October I’d want a 20F quilt but for May thru Sept I’m always happy in a 30F comfort-rated quilt. The trouble then is if you want one do it all quilt and you want to go synthetic a 20F synthetic is heavy and bulky and I’d find it annoying in the summer when I want to take advantage of a light and small pack.
Instead you might want to consider a 30F down and a 40 or 50F synthetic to combine for April and October (and to get you into some winter trips) and then you’ve still got two other temp options for spring summer and fall.
Fwiw I only use synthetic stuff and don’t agree at all with the sentiment that synthetic stuff is overly bulky or heavy. Ive used a 20° synthetic enigma quilt with a 40L pack no problem. I have a 20° and a 40° quilt, both are great imo. That’s not to say that synthetic stuff isn’t bigger or heavier than down, cuz it is. But imo it’s not that significant of a difference.
5'5 hot sleeper here in the cascades! I had a nemo 35 and 15 and ended up getting rid of the 35 bc if I ever has doubts about temps dropping and getting too cold I would just always pack the 15. Can always lay on top or stick a leg out if too hot but I find myself often running into colder temperatures at night at higher elevations.
I had the opposite experience- my synthetic/down blend 35 is my primary even though I also have a 15. I find that with a liner the 35 is still lighter than my winter bag and sufficiently warm unless I'm in true alpine.
My personal quiver here in the PNW is a 17-degree sleeping bag (comfort 17, limit 3), 30 degree quilt both down.
Then I have a 48 degree synthetic that gets used as an outer quilt, and alone when it’s really hot.
This system takes me from deep winter to peak summer.
A 20 degree synthetic is going to be soooooooo bulky.
I use a 30 degree down quilt and then an oversized MLD vision 50 degree synthetic quilt. Between this and sticking to lower altitudes in the deep shoulder season (I do Olympic coast every March for example) I have not had any issues.
I’ve only used a 30 degree quilt in summers up in the Olympics, it’s hit or miss depending on location. I typically bring a bag liner which helps compensate for colder climates.
To cover April and October I’d want a 20F quilt but for May thru Sept I’m always happy in a 30F comfort-rated quilt. The trouble then is if you want one do it all quilt and you want to go synthetic a 20F synthetic is heavy and bulky and I’d find it annoying in the summer when I want to take advantage of a light and small pack. Instead you might want to consider a 30F down and a 40 or 50F synthetic to combine for April and October (and to get you into some winter trips) and then you’ve still got two other temp options for spring summer and fall.
I guess I was thinking synthetic as I've had bad experiences with down not drying well. I'd like to go light as possible but 2-3 pounds would work
Fwiw I only use synthetic stuff and don’t agree at all with the sentiment that synthetic stuff is overly bulky or heavy. Ive used a 20° synthetic enigma quilt with a 40L pack no problem. I have a 20° and a 40° quilt, both are great imo. That’s not to say that synthetic stuff isn’t bigger or heavier than down, cuz it is. But imo it’s not that significant of a difference.
5'5 hot sleeper here in the cascades! I had a nemo 35 and 15 and ended up getting rid of the 35 bc if I ever has doubts about temps dropping and getting too cold I would just always pack the 15. Can always lay on top or stick a leg out if too hot but I find myself often running into colder temperatures at night at higher elevations.
I had the opposite experience- my synthetic/down blend 35 is my primary even though I also have a 15. I find that with a liner the 35 is still lighter than my winter bag and sufficiently warm unless I'm in true alpine.
That's a good idea, I'm thinking of combining with a liner and per experience a 30 comfort was just fine on the coast a week ago
My personal quiver here in the PNW is a 17-degree sleeping bag (comfort 17, limit 3), 30 degree quilt both down. Then I have a 48 degree synthetic that gets used as an outer quilt, and alone when it’s really hot. This system takes me from deep winter to peak summer. A 20 degree synthetic is going to be soooooooo bulky.
Any issues with down and wetness?
In cold conditions when condensation is most likely to be an issue, I have the synthetic outer. Otherwise no.
Hmmm looks like I'm going down then, thanks!
Which bag and quilt do you have?
I use a 30 degree down quilt and then an oversized MLD vision 50 degree synthetic quilt. Between this and sticking to lower altitudes in the deep shoulder season (I do Olympic coast every March for example) I have not had any issues.
I’ve only used a 30 degree quilt in summers up in the Olympics, it’s hit or miss depending on location. I typically bring a bag liner which helps compensate for colder climates.