Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt 2021, First Look (And Long-Term Review)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2024
- Here's a look at the new 2021 Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt, as well as a comparison with my old 2015 Enigma to show the significant changes that have been made to re-design the Enigma, making it now one of the best ultralight down quilts on the market. I share with you my thoughts about why these changes are so important, and discuss some downsides to the Enigma too.
Enlighted Equipment Enigma: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...
The above link is an affiliate link, which means I will receive a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on the link. This comes at no extra cost to you and will help this channel to continue producing videos with the goal of inspiring people get out and enjoy the wilderness. Thanks for your support! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![CAMPปลิ้น | EP.77[1/2] ก็ไม่ได้ชอบเอาชนะ แต่เรื่องอะไรต้องแพ้!!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JraaBYOd7I0/mqdefault.jpg)
![ภาพนี้ก็ฮาเหมือนกันนะเนี้ย #1 SS8 [ พากย์นรก MEME.EXE ] | easy boy](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ytc50m91QK8/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for the great breakdown. I am researching a replacement quilt and this was very valuable information.
Glad it was helpful!
Thansk for the info, Dan. I too have an older EE from 2017 - never been totally satisfied with it tbh. Nice to hear there's big improvements!
Night and day difference so far. I was sleeping at 9000' in the White Cloud Mountains of Idaho this weekend and didn't even need to sleep with a hat or my 'puffy' layer, just polypro tops and bottoms and the quilt laying loosely over me. Thanks for watching!
Thx for a really good review, and the point of taking a red(inside or outside) for security is a good one!
Wondered how many people caught that tip. Thanks!
In 2021 I bought a flex 30 from katabatic gear, I always wear light thermals or light liner to keep clean. Sometimes both depending on temperature. I got regular-wide. Normally with the cut I don’t use straps at all. Fits great,180-5”9. I had it this December down in mid 20’s no problem. (also r1 hoodie).The flex is my first quilt so I have nothing to compare it to. Great review as always.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Flex. Katabatic is good gear, for sure!
Thanks for your input. After thorough research I ultimately bought The UGQ Bandit same size but 850 fill 20 degree quilt because their cinch cord was on the back plus a few other clever designs persuaded me to choose UGQ over EE. Cheers!
Appreciate you sharing this information! Hope the UGQ works out for you.
I really like the way REI has sewn in a little strip of fabric down below the draft collar on the inside of their Magma quilt which holds the cinch cord and lock down out of the face over the chest. Keeps it ready to access but also out of the way. I'm considering an enigma myself and would probably look to modify it with doing something like that myself with it to solve the cord lock in your face problem. UGQ also does a great job with it by putting it on either end so that when you snap the collar together, the locks end up behind your neck, hopefully cushioned by the draft tube so you don't feel it.
Seems like a great, and relatively easy, solution! Sounds like you have some sewing skills (which I lack) that would make this an option. Thanks!!
Thanks
You're welcome!
Well, based on this review and one or two other trusted YT sources, I've decided to move away from my LLB 20 degree down bag that's served me well for nigh on 15 years and placed my order for an EE Enigma down quilt, 20 degrees, 950 fill, long/regular width with 10D fabric inside and out. For me, one thing I've discovered as I've gotten older is that I tend to sleep colder now than before. I plan to use the Enigma with a Sea to Summit liner (which I already have) if the temps are forecast to be outside my comfort range using the Enigma. Thanks for a good review! Oh BTW, I still have my very first down bag, an Eddie Bauer Kara Koram (circa 1974) that weighed in at about 7 pounds. How far we have come!
Gear has really changed over the years! Hope you're very comfy with the new quilt, I know I'm still thrilled with mine.
I don't see how temps of 28 degrees F is a good test for a bag rated to 0 degrees F. At those temps I would expect a 20 degree rated bag would be fine with light long underwear and a very warm hat (or down hood). You must be a very cold sleeper! That being said, I am glad you're enjoying the quilt!
Yes, I have always chosen bags/quilts that were rated about 30 degrees colder than the expected temps, which convinced me that I am a VERY cold sleeper . . . or the rating systems just suck. Technically, you're supposed to be comfortable with polypro underwear at the stated temperature (if it's a 'comfort' temp and not 'survival' temp, another loophole in the system), but I have never experienced that. My point here is that the Enigma is performing as well, if not better than what I typically experience.
Nice!! I use the ee apex quilt on my last trip👍 ee makes nice gear, the second clip around the neck is for when you move in your sleep it won't create a gap so air don't get in👍👍 take care my friend!!
Thanks for the info! Loving your excellent trip videos in Sweden! Stay safe brother.
@@ShastaBubba thanks the same to you! I will upload a new video in a couple of hours, I speak English or swenglish this time😅👍 stay safe!!
@@JohanGartner I'll be sure to check it out!
I always wondered if the center placement of the drawstring was an attempt to make it easier to reach. Anyone who has ever used a bag or quilt with a center-pull drawstring knows how it can get in the way. My 0-degree quilt works this way, however, I have found that if I tuck the drawstring down between the bag and my chest, it tends to remain out of the way, at least for a little while. If they'd just add a drawstring storage pouch so you can tuck it in and keep it out of the way.
Hey, that's a good idea. Thanks Russell!
I recently got an EE Enigma 20 degree LW for my AT attempt in the spring. I hadn’t thought about how simple it would be to “relocate” the drawstring. Think I’ll be doing that! Thanks!
You're welcome; thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video. I’m surprised about the loss of insulation of your old EE. It’s got to be due to loss of loft. Have you tried washing it and tumble dry it with 3 tennis balls in the tumbler? This should bring its loft back. I don’t think that a total of 75 nights (5yrs x 15nights) is enough life for a quilt.
I did as you suggest with the old quilt before investing in the new one because I agree with you that 75 nights is probably a poor performance. Laundering helped, but not enough; I think the old quilt was simply understuffed. The new one is light years better quality IMHO. Thanks for the comment!
Hey Dan thanks for posting this. I'm looking at the EE Enigma and Revelation. I plan to backpack mostly in the Summer with the occasional trip in the Fall. I have a question about temperatures. I don't think I'm a cold sleeper and think the 10-degree would be ideal for most situations in the CA Sierra Nevadas. I wonder if the 0-degree would be ideal for temps that approach Winter conditions (in the Fall). I don't see too much talk about this, but would the 0 or 10-degree quilts be too warm on a 30/45-degree night? I'm sure I can pull the quilt below my chest, stick my leg out, etc. etc., but I hate waking up hot in the middle of the night.
Hard to answer this question, since it's such an individual thing, but sounds like you might be okay with a 20 degree quilt. You can always supplement the temperature rating by wearing a puffy and/or heavier polypro.
Hey, I recently bought a 30 degree revelation and used it for the first time last week. The lowest temp through the night was 53F here in the UK and I was still really cold all night. The down is so sparse in the quilt that I can see through it in several places when it’s held up to the light. Hope this helps with your decision.
I'm your demographic, and happy to hear your reflections on the ratings. I am curious though, on your height, and whether you like the length of the bag compared to your height. I'm 6'4" and thinking about the same bag, but wondering about XL. (oops...you are 6'...from the comments below.)
As far as the life of down, I think your older bag should have plenty of life left. You could just use it for milder conditions or an over quilt... or sell it to me for bike packing in the summer. I have a down bag, and have had it for five years, and used it more like 30 times a year... Except for the year I was living out of my van where I used it almost exclusively year round. I suspect at your level of use, the way you store your bag is more important with respect to degradation. I agree that overstuffing will probably solve your issues on life expectancy. Also, I wonder if lighter down is also more fragile and inclined to breaking down. Although... I remembered being wonderfully warm as a kid sleeping in my grandfather's Eiderdown quilt (covered with cotton ticking) that was (ostensibly) used in the Klondike gold rush. The temps when I used it were around 0˚ F.
Great story, thanks for sharing. We had an army surplus down bag when I was a kid that was used for years and still toasty. Wish we had taken better care of it, it might still be usable!
I’m 6’3 and got the XLong Wide. It’s huge. It will definitely go above you head by probably 6 inches or so.
That's good question - what is better - overstuffed quilt or quilt with same down weight but not overstuffed and with better temp rating?
Indeed. But, on the other hand, if they were the only ones with truly accurate temp ratings, would anyone believe them?
Hello, I’m looking for a lightweight solid quilt for backpacking, but I’m torn between the Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20F quilt, and the Katabatic Alsek 22F quilt, do you have any experience with the Alsek 22F quilt and if so could you compare the Enigma 20F to the Alsek 22F?
Hey there, no experience with Katabatic, but I do know they are one of the absolute best quilt makers, so I don't think you will be disappointed with either choice! With the old EE from 8-10 years ago, Katabatic would have been the clear choice; however, now that EE has made the improvements discussed in this video, I believe they are comparable choices. Happy trails!
Thank you for another excellent and practical review. What's your height, weight and chest size that led you to a Long XWide? One thing that's very confusing on the EE website - they list a range for height - so a Regular is up to 6 ft, and a long is 6 ft - 6 1/2 ft. If you're right on the line, do you recommend sizing up? Good coverage is important, but but not so much extra that you're needing to heat up a lot of extra space.
Thanks so much for watching! First, I'm 6 foot even and 200 lbs. I think chest size is 44 (feel like I'm ordering a suit coat!) ;-) Personally, if I'm going to splurge on any gear, it will be the quilt, so I size up and go with the long because I never want my feet pressing against the footbox and compressing down. Also, on really cold nights, I like to pull the quilt up high, nearly over my head, being careful not to breathe out inside the quilt and get moisture inside the quilt (wet down = poor insulation). If I had it to do over, I would only get a wide, not xwide because I thought it would drape over the body, but actually is stiff enough to cause a air gap at times. In that dimension, the extra material didn't pay off for me.
@@ShastaBubba Thank for the quick reply, which was super helpful. I was especially trying to figure out the length, and the ability to have a little more length to be able to pull up loosely over your head would be helpful. Do you also wear a down hood with your Enigma? The ones I've seen tend to have a drawcord in front so you can pull it snugger around your face, but leaving a breathing hole - this keeps the air right in front of your mouth and nose warmer, so you breath in warmer air.
I don't use a hood because when it's cold enough to need it, I'm usually wearing my puffy which has it's own hood. Typically, I get buy with just a wool-blend beanie though.
@@ShastaBubba Thank you for the super helpful advice, particularly the tip about XWide potentially being stiff enough to cause air gaps (Originally I thought it would be best to put extra size into XWide, thinking it would be warmer). I have both a light-weight and medium-weight balaclava that help with warmth, which I can also throw my hat over. I can wear my down parka to bed if it's really cold, but before I go there I'll drape the parka loosely over my head when sleeping on my side, and trying to make sure I'm breathing out away from the jacket.
I have a 2016 enigma (old footbox). Not sure if it is getting colder or I am...
I've had my new Enigma out over 3 trips now and it's definitely an improvement.
What made you move from the wide to the xwide?
Good question! Forgot to explain that. I read on the EE website that they recommend XWide for side sleepers and people who roll around at night -- both of which I do. Also, I had become aware recently that my wide quilt was needing to be tucked back in when I roll over, so decide to try the XWide. Not sure if that was a good choice yet; there may be a different problem of the quilt 'puckering' open around the shoulders with the extra width and letting drafts in.
Nice review Dan. Have you been enjoying the current weather in Montana recently or is it too hot for you ? I have been following the weather every day in towns and cities around the Bob. I can't believe it actually gets that hot so far north. Do you have any idea if it is much cooler in the Bob or at least in the mountains of the Bob ? The mid 90s are pretty hot to go camping. I am currently in Florida where it is in the low 90s and I am grateful for air conditioning.
It's certainly been unusually hot; June set a record for hottest month ever since they began keeping records. Over the weekend of the Fourth of July, I did a hike to the high country above Upper Holland Lake (west side of the Bob) just to get above the extreme temps. It was about 15-20 degree cooler, so it worked (video coming soon!).
@@ShastaBubba Thank you for responding. Good to hear it is that much cooler in the mountains. Can you please tell me which trail head you started from and how far it was to your final destination ? Thank you. ( When you have hiked to Big Salmon Lake which trail head did you start from ? Thanks )
@@newlifeeveryday1821 The TH on the north side of Holland Lake was used in both cases. The hike to the Necklace Lakes was about 10 miles, not recalling exactly, but it's a big elevation gain of nearly 4000 feet. Most folks headed to Big Salmon Lake would take Pendant Pass and miss the Necklace lakes (less of a climb).
@@ShastaBubba Thank you Dan. I know you have been to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Do you think it is as beautiful as the Bob ? What is your general opinion of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness ?
@@newlifeeveryday1821 The SB Wilderness is awesome, with rocky mountains and many high lakes, but too large an area to easily characterize. Most of my trips there have been overnights just off Highway 12, which is the main corridor.
I have a question for fellow EE Quilt owners. I’m 6’3, 160lbs, so tall, long and thin. I got a 20 degree Apex Rev. XLong/Wide. It’s Huuuuge and takes up a ton of space in my pack. Thinking I’m going to sell it, get a 30 deg. Enigma 950 down Reg/Reg. and layer my 50 degree Apex Revelation Long/Wide over it when temp drops to around freezing. I’m thinking it’ll still be lighter, warmer, take up less room to carry both compared to my 20 degree Apex and give me more options throughout the year.
My question, anyone around my height, 6”-6’3” think I would Fit in a Reg/Reg? Mainly concerned about if the height size will be enough to cinch that draft collar around my neck. Thanks for any help!
I'm 6' even and always go with a xlong specifically so I'll have plenty of room to hunker down in the quilt on cold mornings. If it's short at all, you end up compressing the footbox and getting cold feet. On another note, I'm sure the down quilt will compress smaller than Apex insulation, so that switch alone should help give you more space in the pack.
Hope you hear from more folks than just me though!
How tall are you? I'm about 6" even, and considering the long vs. regular quilt question right now.
Hey Patrick. I'm the same height as you, but prefer the long due to not liking the feeling of my feet being against the bottom of the quilt and also to allow lots of decadent pull-the-covers-over-my-head ability. Don't know if I actually need it, but I do enjoy it. ;-)
@@ShastaBubba Thanks!
Personally having 10 degree quilt, 50 degree quilt and a 20 degree mummy I would argue that there is no benefit to use a quilt in temps below freezing for 0 degrees it's just a strange choice I think as you are going heavy on warm gear anyway..
I agree with you Roman. I buy a zero degree quilt with the expectation that (being a cold sleeper), it will work for me down to around 25 degrees. If I was winter camping and expecting actually temps around 0, I would take a mummy bag (rated to -10). Although, I was surprised at how comfy I was at 28 degrees with the new quilt!
@@ShastaBubba well then it makes a total sense! By the way just for the sake of comparison I checked fill weight of EE and Katabatic and to my surprise now EE has MORE fill than Katabatic which is probable one of the most important things. During a full review that aspect probably should be mentioned)))) By the way how do you like EE strap system? Does it work well?
@@romansokolov6893 Good to know, thanks! The EE strap system works great, I think; although I haven't tried any others, so can't make a comparison.
Why does everyone complain about the draw string. Pull it inside the the quilt
Tried that. Unfortunately, I toss and turn while sleeping, so the string stayed put for about 5 minutes. ;-)
@@ShastaBubba I toss as well. Pull inside bag at chest and snug it up. Never a problem. It's a lot easier than the seawstr8ngs on the sides