Katabatic Flex 22 Overview

Backside Line

We discovered the Katabatic Flex 22 to be impressively versatile, heat, and cozy. It presents a number of temperature choices, making the ordering expertise extra easy in comparison with many different quilts we examined. 

Katabatic provides further worth with a dependable pad attachment system, a storage bag, and a stuff sack. Essentially the most spectacular characteristic is its extremely water resistant down fill. Because of the ExpeDRY handled down, the Flex maintains its loft even in damp circumstances and dries sooner, making it a robust alternative for backpackers in wetter climates.

Nevertheless, the Flex has some drawbacks in comparison with related fashions, primarily its increased worth, weight, and bulk. Additionally, the Flex’s horizontal steady baffles could make it tough to maintain the down fill in place should you toss and switch. That mentioned, hikers who have a tendency to remain nonetheless whereas sleeping in all probability gained’t discover this to be an enormous drawback.

To see all of the backpacking quilts we examined, see our finest backpacking quilts gear information.

How We Examined

Our gear analysts examined the Katabatic Flex 22 in late spring throughout in a single day journeys within the Cascade foothills and the coastal Pacific Northwest.

Heat

As is widespread within the business, we discovered the Katabatic Flex 22’s heat score to be slightly beneficiant. Most small producers shouldn’t have their merchandise EN examined (try our finest sleeping luggage and finest backpacking quilts gear guides for more information). 

We used this quilt on spring journeys the place the temperatures have been usually within the 40s Fahrenheit and felt comfy. One evening, the temperature dipped into the higher 30s, and we observed it was tougher to remain heat. These anticipating cooler temperatures or who sleep chilly will wish to select the 15-degree model. 

Because it options steady horizontal baffles, on chilly nights, you may transfer the right down to the middle of the quilt, guaranteeing it’s the place you want it most: on high of your physique. On hotter nights, you may shift the right down to the edges to forestall overheating. This can be a bit of a professional transfer, however it may be useful should you’re conscious of it.

Nevertheless, the hyperDry down fill helped us keep hotter on chilly, moist nights within the Pacific Northwest. Those that hike primarily in moist climates, or who routinely have condensation points will discover this to be a boon that can assist them keep hotter than untreated down.

Consolation

The Katabatic Flex 22 is without doubt one of the most comfy quilts we examined. Its spacious design and fluffy loft made it a comfortable nest to look ahead to on the finish of the day. The Flex 22 presents three size choices and two width choices. The size selections are designed for hikers as much as 5’6”, 6’, or 6’6”. Width choices can be found in each the 6’ and 6’6” lengths.

In the event you’re doubtful, we advocate selecting an extended and wider dimension for full protection throughout chilly nights. That is particularly useful if you might want to put on further clothes like a cumbersome puffy coat or wish to pull the quilt over your head.

The closure cords maintain the quilt securely closed sufficient to eradicate gaps when rolling round in our sleep. Nevertheless, the slender spherical cords are barely uncomfortable if used with out inserting a pad; in any other case, we had no vital complaints in regards to the total consolation and efficiency of this quilt.

Weight & Packability

The Flex is heavier and bulkier than different quilts on this vary. Whereas we worth the roominess and loft, it may be tough to suit into an ordinary ultralight backpack. This won’t be a dealbreaker for these with a extra conventional pack, but when area is restricted in your setup, another choice could also be higher.

Relying on the scale you choose, the Flex 22 weighs between 21-28 oz, which could be very gentle for a sleeping bag or quilt. This can be a massive win for us and an essential issue to think about for any backpacking journey.

Options

The Flex 22 quilt might be opened fully like a comforter on hotter nights or you may zip and shut the footbox fully when temperatures drop. You can too use the included pad attachment straps to carry the quilt securely over your physique on chilly nights. We love this design and flexibility.

The footbox has a zipper that runs about 1/3 the size of the quilt and helps create an enclosed place in your ft on chilly nights. To completely enclose the footbox: zip up the zipper, snap the footbox enclosure, and pull the drawstring.

The Katabatic Flex 22 has one of many safer quilt pad attachment techniques we’ve examined. It comes with two light-weight yellow cords that you simply tie round your sleeping pad and fasten to the quilt. Moreover, it comes with two stretchy elastic straps with clips that may cross by loops on the quilt to maintain the underside opening from widening.

Ought to You Purchase The Katabatic Flex 22?

We expect the Katabatic Flex 22 quilt is a wonderful possibility for backpackers looking for a flexible three-season quilt. These on the lookout for a lay flat quilt who sleep heat (or gained’t be out in beneath freezing temperatures) can be happy with this feature. 

Nevertheless, it isn’t the lightest or most cost-effective backpacking quilt available on the market and gained’t be one of the best match for everybody.

What Different Backpacking Quilts Ought to You Contemplate?

If the Katabatic Flex 22 isn’t for you, there are lots of different choices in our finest finest backpacking quilts gear information.

Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt Overview:  Our Editor’s decide for the Finest Total Backpacking Quilt has one of the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any quilt we examined, weighing in at a mere 16 ounces.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear 20-Diploma Quilt Overview: This Editor’s Decide for Warmest Ultralight Backpacking quilt presents distinctive heat with out the added weight and bulk. It achieves this with 1000 fill energy down.

Loco Libre Operator Collection Ghost Pepper 20 Overview:  Our high decide for versatile sleeping bag hybrid presents a barely roomier lower that can accommodate extra room to maneuver with out making it arduous to warmth. Nice for these on the lookout for an adjustable foot field.