Over two decades of backpacking, I have always used a down sleeping bag or quilt. My old mummy bag got me through the Boy Scouts and my first thru-hike on the PCT in 2015. A 30°F down quilt took over the next year and was my go-to for many adventures, including the CDT in 2019. My down bags have always treated me well, even during a week of cold rain in Washington, and a -2°F cold-snap in New Mexico.

Shifting priorities, however, put me in the market for a new quilt made with synthetic insulation. Removing animal products from my diet and gear closet was my main motivation, but moving to synthetic makes sense for practical reasons as well, as I plan for a big hike in the humid and damp East.