Valley and Peak Quilts

bmbobbya

bmbobbya

Backpacker
Has anyone got any experience with the Valley & Peak quilts in the UK? Have seen good reports about them in terms of build quality, but it's hard to tell from the descriptions or the photos whether there's any baffles in them? Would assume there must be, but they do look like just a big bag. Would also be interested in the temp ratings & whether they're realistic.....again website is a bit low on info as to whether the ratings are comfort / limit.
Thanks team!!
 
Odd Man

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
bmbobbya said:
Has anyone got any experience with the Valley & Peak quilts in the UK? Have seen good reports about them in terms of build quality, but it's hard to tell from the descriptions or the photos whether there's any baffles in them? Would assume there must be, but they do look like just a big bag. Would also be interested in the temp ratings & whether they're realistic.....again website is a bit low on info as to whether the ratings are comfort / limit.
Thanks team!!
Click to expand...

They only do synthetic quilts, so no need for baffles (to hold down) as synthetic insulation comes in sheets.
 
fluffkitten

fluffkitten

Moderator
Staff member
I've an Apex 200 version, its rated at -1c and I'd say for a fit healthy man it'd be about right. Being none of those 3 things it takes me to 3 to 4 with a warm mat.

The insulation stays put nicely, the quilt is well made and is lasting well. My only problem is that apex doesn't compress as well as down so it is bulky - only really a problem because I'm obsessed with using small packs.

Edited to remove a couple of minus signs from where they shouldn't have been.
 
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bmbobbya

bmbobbya

Backpacker
Odd Man said:
They only do synthetic quilts, so no need for baffles (to hold down) as synthetic insulation comes in sheets.
Click to expand...
I don't know that!! I always thought that the synthetic material was in a shredded form to mimic the down & give more loft. Always learning!! :)
 
bmbobbya

bmbobbya

Backpacker
fluffkitten said:
I've an Apex 200 version, its rated at -1c and I'd say for a fit healthy man it'd be about right. Being none of those 3 things it takes me to -3 to -4 with a warm mat.

The insulation stays put nicely, the quilt is well made and is lasting well. My only problem is that apex doesn't compress as well as down so it is bulky - only really a problem because I'm obsessed with using small packs.
Click to expand...
Awesome. Thanks for the info. I don't mind a bit of bulk for cold nights, so think I'm sold. :)
 
MattK

MattK

Ultralighter
I have one. The build quality is excellent, but then again it's not a difficult thing to make (basically sew 3 rectangles together then "bag it out" as they say on Sewing Bee). I have the Apex 167 (I think) version. Synthetic bags/quilts don't require baffles as the insulation being in a single sheet stays in place by being secured around the edge. Indeed Baffles, or quilting would threaten to introduce cold spots.

Being synthetic they are, of course, a little bulkier than the equivalent down quilt would be. For comparison, it's about a third more bulky than my Cumulus Quantum 350 bag, and about 100g heavier, for a bit less warmth (2C vs -6C).
 
Taz38

Taz38

Thru Hiker
I have one I got from here a while ago, great quilt, just not getting used.
Apex133, 7D, green/black, L&W
 
S

Shabingly

Backpacker
I and the wife have apex 233 ones (mine is wide long {6'2", 100kg, beer gut, should be 85-90kg}, wifes is short wide {5'4", good luck getting owt else out of me}).

No baffles, imagine a bit of loft insulation surrounded by material (I assume the insulation bis stitched into place at the edges of the quilt so it doesn't move about). Lack of baffle stitching is good, means the insulation is even all over.

Think their ratings are based on climashield's ratings for the insulation material. Fair enough choice imo. Think 233 is -3°c, probs about right (with baselayers, and a hat if chilly) for comfort limit if I blend mine and her experiences together. Bare in mind, if you get wider than you normally would, you can convert it into a narrow bag and sleep with the seem under you. And roast in zero ambient, in my wife's experience of that 🤣

My 233 wide long compresses in a 15l to 8l (from memory) compression sack and ends up a little bit bigger than my alpkit pipedream 400 long in its compression sack. Weighs about 950g with the pad straps (which are grosjean poppers, and a bit of a 3 minute faff if you put the straps on the wrong way).
 
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