Getting ready for Skurka’s Wind River High Route, I went over my gear list with a savage eye for excess weight. I planned an 8 day food carry in case we lost hiking time to weather, and wanted to bring along 2 plus pounds of camera gear, so every item in my pack underwent a level of scrutiny I have seldom given my gear since my ultralight journey reached its nadir years ago with a base weight around 5.5lbs. When I began to look at which quilt in my quiver I would take, or if I should invest in something I do not already own, the Western Mountaineering NanoLite quilt came into focus as an intriguing choice.
In the 5’8" size, the 38 degree NanoLite weighs a scant 11oz, featuring 6.5oz of 850fp+ down. I have for years trusted my cold weather pursuits to the Western Mountaineering VersaLite sleeping bag, and consider it a marvel of engineering. Additionally, Western Mountaineering occupies a space among the industry’s most respected and longest running companies. While their entry into the quilt game is relatively recent by comparison, I do start from a favorable disposition towards the brand. Still… was I really going to spend 8 nights above 10,000 feet with an 11oz quilt as my primary sleeping insulation after getting pelted with hail and running from bolts of lightning?
I did, and it exceeded my expectations.
Testing Conditions
The conditions were always alpine or just barely subalpine on my trip, with the coldest temps going down to just freezing. Some of our campsites were exposed, some with a bit of protection, none will go down in a backcountry manual of how to pick a warm campsite. My sleeping pad was a torso length Thermarest Uberlite married to my backpack to create a full length pad. We had tons of internal condensation from setting up camp during late day thunderstorms and buttoning it up fully while the sky opened up and coated the tent with ice. In short, the deck was stacked against the NanoLite, but I was warm and cozy in camp the whole trip. I did wear very light sleeping layers, a pair of 60g weight alpha pants and a very light octa fiber fleece.
Nothing says "warmth" quite like camping under the glacier at 11,700 feet
Construction
Digging in to the NanoLite’s construction, it’s a horizontally baffled quilt with a draft collar. One of the first things you notice about it is the significant tapering towards the footbox, which did not bother me. The second thing you notice is the uniquely shaped draft collar. Unlike most draft collars that are essentially tube shaped, the Nanolite protrudes in a half moon shape on both sides of the head. This unique design creates a highly effective seal when the quilt is cinched at the top. Another unique feature of the NanoLite is the THREE quilt strap attachment points, every other manufacturer I’m aware of uses just two.
The NanoLite’s unique draft collar & three strap attachment points.
Sleeping Experience
The recipe of the horizontal baffles, three pad straps, and unique draft collar definitely has this quilt punching well above its weight. I personally have no issues taking this quilt down to the freezing point, which is beyond the rating Western Mountaineering assigns it. I am a warm sleeper generally, but given my sleeping pad choice and testing trip conditions, it worked for me. Those in more moderate conditions with traditional sleeping pads should have a similar experience with the quilt’s warmth.
From a comfort standpoint, I loved this quilt. While the taper is aggressive, I find the width at the top when nights allowed for a more blanket-like experience to be more than generous. I have read a few older reviews where the quilt completely cinched up was found to be restrictive, and this is the case if you use all three pad straps and have the quilt buttoned and cinched at the top. I think this would only be necessary if you pushed the quilt far beyond the suggested rating. Instead, in normal use, I suggest mixing and matching with the straps to see which work best for you to meet your level of comfort and draft protection. The three different straps really do allow a dialing of the NanoLite to your preference not available in other quilts.
The shell fabric is a 12 denier breathable ripstop nylon, and the inner is 7 denier which feels great on the skin. Despite condensation from the tent getting on my footbox many nights, the NanoLite shell repelled water as well as can be expected, and it dried quickly.
Cozying up for dinner at the end of a long day. I ditched my layers once warmed up from a chilly storm.
Who is it For?
I think a warm sleeping Pacific Crest Trail thru-hiker would be thrilled with this quilt, though hikers getting to the Sierra Mountains early (NOBO) or late (SOBO) may want a lower temperature rated sleep system. An Appalachian Trail hiker in peak season would be very happy with this quilt. I don’t think it is quite the choice for the lower temperature extremes one is bound to encounter on a Continental Divide Trail thru-hike though.
For the rest of us, I think the NanoLite requires an analysis of how specialized and deep your gear quiver can affordably go, as the NanoLite comes in at a premium price point. No doubt it has the performance to match, but not every backpacker can devote those kinds of funds to a smaller range of temperatures and get their return on investment as quickly.
Whichever category you fit in, I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed with this quilt!
PROS
- Exceptional construction and design
- Outstanding warmth to weight ratio
- Ability to dial fit
- Complete feature set
- Tiny pack size
CONS
- Higher price point
- Smaller strap hardware can be fiddly to navigate with black inner on black hardware
- Significantly tapered footbox shape
Based in Portland, Oregon, Scott Nechemias has hiked over 10,000 miles in the backcountry, often accompanied by his wife Jordan and their fur monsters, Cheese and Utah. He has a particular affinity for off-trail travel, the high desert, and the places in the world less traveled by people. You can find more of his trips on Instagram.
