Best 40 Degree Quilts
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Quick answer: The best 40 degree quilts for most hikers are the Hammock Gear Burrow 40 (best overall, highly customizable), the Enlightened Equipment Revelation 40 (best for ground sleepers who also hang), and the Hammock Gear Economy Burrow 40 (best value). If you want something you can buy on Amazon today, the Therm-a-Rest Vesper 45 and Sea to Summit Ember are the strongest mainstream options.
A 40 degree quilt is the summer specialist of the quilt world: roughly a pound or less, packing down to the size of a cantaloupe, and warm enough for most mid-elevation nights from late June through August. It also makes a superb layering piece over a heavier quilt in shoulder season. This guide compares the best 40 degree quilts for backpacking and hammock camping, with specs, price tiers and honest notes on who each one suits.
If you're still deciding on a temperature rating, start with how to choose a top quilt. If you already know you want something a little warmer, our best 30 degree quilts roundup is the natural next stop.
40 degree quilts compared
| Quilt | Insulation | Approx. weight (regular) | Footbox | Price tier | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammock Gear Burrow 40 | 850 FP duck down (950 goose option) | ~14-16 oz | Sewn or zip/drawcord | $$ | Hammock Gear direct |
| Enlightened Equipment Revelation 40 | 850 or 950 FP down | ~14-16 oz | Zip/drawcord (opens flat) | $$ | EE direct |
| Hammock Gear Economy Burrow 40 | 800 FP duck down | ~17-19 oz | Zip/drawcord or sewn | $ | Hammock Gear direct |
| Katabatic Gear Flex 40 | 850-900 FP goose down | ~15-17 oz | Zip/drawcord | $$$ | Katabatic direct |
| UGQ Outdoor Bandit 40 | Down (several fill power options) | ~15-18 oz | Sewn or zip | $$ | UGQ direct |
| Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX 40 | Climashield APEX synthetic | ~19-22 oz | Zip/drawcord | $-$$ | EE direct |
| Therm-a-Rest Vesper 45 | 900 FP Nikwax hydrophobic down | ~16 oz | Sewn | $$$ | Amazon, REI, retailers |
| Sea to Summit Ember (lighter version) | 750+ FP Ultra-Dry down | ~16-20 oz | Drawcord or zip, depending on model | $$-$$$ | Amazon, REI, retailers |
Weights are approximate for a regular-length, standard-width quilt. Cottage makers like Hammock Gear and EE build to order and update specs and prices regularly, so always confirm on their sites.
How we chose these quilts
We don't lab-test quilts. Our picks come from comparing published specifications (fill power, fill weight, shell fabric, dimensions), the design of the footbox and draft-stopping features, and widely reported owner feedback from long-distance hikers and hammock campers. We weighted three things most heavily for this rating:
- Warmth per ounce. At 40°F the fill weight is small, so shell fabric and hardware become a big share of total weight. Efficient designs matter.
- Honest ratings. Almost no quilt ratings are ISO/EN tested. We favored brands whose ratings owners consistently describe as accurate, and we flag ones that run optimistic. Read more in top quilt temperature ratings explained.
- Versatility. A 40°F quilt often doubles as a layering piece or a hammock top quilt, so open footboxes and good pad/hammock attachment earned extra credit.
The best 40 degree quilts
Best overall
Hammock Gear Burrow 40
- Fill
- 850 FP treated duck down (950 FP goose option)
- Weight
- ~14-16 oz (regular, standard width)
- Price tier
- $$
- Best for
- Hammock campers and ground sleepers who want custom sizing
The Burrow is the default recommendation in hammock circles for good reason: you choose length, width, footbox style, fabric color and overfill, and Hammock Gear's ratings are widely considered realistic. The 40°F version is light enough for summer ultralight kits yet holds enough down to function as a layering quilt later in the year. Its snap-and-drawcord footbox opens flat, which makes it a natural hammock top quilt as well.
Pros
- Fully customizable dimensions and overfill
- Realistic temperature ratings by most owner accounts
- Works equally well in a hammock or on the ground
Cons
- Build-to-order lead times can stretch in spring
- Not available on Amazon or at big-box retailers
Best for ground sleepers
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 40
- Fill
- 850 or 950 FP down
- Weight
- ~14-16 oz (regular, regular width)
- Price tier
- $$
- Best for
- Thru-hikers who want a proven, adaptable summer quilt
The Revelation is the quilt you see most on the Appalachian Trail and PCT. Its zip-and-drawcord footbox lets it open flat as a blanket on warm nights, and EE's pad strap system keeps drafts down when you roll. At 40°F it's a featherweight that still covers a wide range thanks to good width options. Many hikers pair it with a light puffy to stretch it into the 30s.
Pros
- Opens fully flat; very versatile
- Large range of widths and lengths
- Huge community of owners and long track record
Cons
- Baffle and footbox details are simpler than premium brands
- Custom orders can take weeks
Best value
Hammock Gear Economy Burrow 40
- Fill
- 800 FP treated duck down
- Weight
- ~17-19 oz (regular)
- Price tier
- $
- Best for
- First quilt buyers on a budget who still want real down
The Economy Burrow uses slightly lower fill power and a more limited menu of options, but the core design is the same as the full Burrow. For a summer rating, the few extra ounces barely matter, and the price is one of the lowest you'll find for a real down quilt from an established maker. See our Economy Burrow review for details.
Pros
- Excellent price for a down quilt
- Same proven Burrow design
- Often ships faster than full custom builds
Cons
- A few ounces heavier and bulkier than premium versions
- Fewer color and size options
Best premium build
Katabatic Gear Flex 40
- Fill
- 850-900 FP goose down
- Weight
- ~15-17 oz (regular)
- Price tier
- $$$
- Best for
- Restless ground sleepers who hate drafts
Katabatic quilts are known for differential-cut baffles, generous widths and a clever pad clip system that holds the edges down without restricting movement. The Flex 40 brings that design to summer weights. It costs more than the cottage competition, but owners consistently praise build quality and how well it seals around side sleepers. Our Katabatic Flex review goes deeper.
Pros
- Outstanding draft control with pad clips
- Generous standard width
- Premium goose down and construction
Cons
- Expensive for a summer quilt
- Clip system is ground-focused, less ideal in a hammock
Best for customization
UGQ Outdoor Bandit 40
- Fill
- Down in several fill power options
- Weight
- ~15-18 oz depending on options
- Price tier
- $$
- Best for
- Hammock campers who want specific fabrics and colors
UGQ's Bandit is a deeply configurable quilt with a strong following among hammock campers. You can pick shell fabrics, footbox style and overfill, and UGQ's customer service has a good reputation. It's a fine alternative to the Burrow if you prefer UGQ's fabric options or need to match an existing underquilt. See our UGQ Bandit review.
Pros
- Many fabric and color choices
- Good hammock-oriented design
Cons
- The option menu can overwhelm first-time buyers
- Lead times vary seasonally
Best synthetic
Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX 40
- Fill
- Climashield APEX continuous-filament synthetic
- Weight
- ~19-22 oz (regular)
- Price tier
- $-$$
- Best for
- Humid climates, hammock users, budget-minded hikers
At 40°F the weight penalty for synthetic is only a few ounces, and you gain insulation that shrugs off condensation and humid southeastern nights. APEX doesn't shift because it's a sheet insulation, so there are no cold spots from down migration. It won't compress as small as down and will lose loft over years of stuffing, but for summer use it's a smart, low-stress choice. Learn more in our Climashield APEX guide.
Pros
- Keeps insulating when damp
- No down shifting or cold spots
- Lower cost than down equivalents
Cons
- Bulkier in the pack
- Shorter lifespan than well-cared-for down
Best from a major brand
Therm-a-Rest Vesper 45
- Fill
- 900 FP Nikwax hydrophobic down
- Weight
- ~16 oz (regular)
- Price tier
- $$$
- Best for
- Hikers who want a retail-available ultralight quilt
The Vesper 45 is one of the lightest quilts you can buy off the shelf, using high fill power down and a sewn footbox. It's rated a little warmer than the others here (45°F), so treat it as a true summer quilt. Its pad straps are minimal, and the cut is on the trim side, so it suits back sleepers best. Our Vesper review has the details.
Pros
- Very light and compressible
- Easy returns through big retailers
- Hydrophobic down treatment
Cons
- Trim cut; restless sleepers may feel drafts
- Pricier than cottage equivalents
Most versatile retail option
Sea to Summit Ember (lighter version)
- Fill
- 750+ FP Ultra-Dry down
- Weight
- ~16-20 oz depending on version and length
- Price tier
- $$-$$$
- Best for
- Hikers who want pad straps and a mainstream warranty
The Ember line comes in a lighter, summer-oriented version and a warmer one; the lighter Ember fits the 40-something range. It has a well-thought-out pad attachment system and can be worn or used as a blanket. Exact ratings and footbox details have changed between generations, so check the current listing. Our Sea to Summit Ember review covers the line.
Pros
- Good pad attachment system
- Widely available with easy returns
Cons
- Heavier per degree than cottage quilts
- Rating details vary by generation
What a 40 degree rating really means
Most quilt makers rate their quilts at a "limit" or "survival-ish" temperature for an average sleeper wearing a base layer on a decent pad. A few brands rate at a comfort level. Because almost none are tested to ISO 23537, two "40°F" quilts can differ by 5-10°F in real use.
Practical rules of thumb:
- Warm sleepers can usually take a 40°F quilt to about 40°F with a light base layer.
- Average sleepers should expect comfort into the mid-40s.
- Cold sleepers should treat it as a 50°F quilt or add overfill (1-2 oz extra down is common with custom makers). See quilts for cold sleepers.
Where a 40 degree quilt makes sense
A 40°F quilt shines for summer trips in the Appalachians, the Ozarks, the Midwest and lower-elevation Western ranges. It's also a favorite of bikepackers who need tiny pack volume. For high Sierra or Rockies trips, nights near freezing are common even in August, so a 30 degree quilt or a layering plan is safer.
In a hammock, remember that a top quilt only handles half the job. Without an underquilt or pad beneath you, you'll be cold at 60°F no matter how warm your top quilt is. Pair a 40°F top quilt with a matching underquilt — our hammock insulation guide explains the system.
Buying advice for summer quilts
Width matters more than you'd think
Because summer quilts have so little loft, a gap at the edge loses heat fast. If you sleep on your side or move a lot, size up a width. Our quilt width and length sizing guide shows how to measure.
Choose an open footbox for versatility
A zip-and-drawcord footbox lets you vent your feet on warm nights and use the quilt as a blanket or layering piece. Sewn footboxes are slightly warmer and lighter but less flexible. Compare them in our footbox guide.
Don't skimp on the pad
A quilt has no insulation underneath you. In summer an R-value of 2-3 is usually enough, but a pad that's too thin will make even a good quilt feel cold. See sleeping pad R-value for quilts and our picks for the best sleeping pads for quilts.
Think about the system, not just the quilt
A 40°F quilt plus a puffy jacket, a beanie and dry socks covers a surprisingly wide range. Many experienced hikers carry a 40°F quilt from June to September and rely on clothing for the occasional cold snap. Our sleep clothing guide explains what's worth packing.
If you already own a 20°F quilt, a 40°F quilt is the best second quilt you can buy: use it alone in summer, and layer it over the 20°F for winter trips down to the single digits.
Down vs synthetic at 40 degrees
At this rating, a down quilt might hold 7-9 oz of fill, while a synthetic version uses roughly 2.5 oz/yd² APEX. The difference in total weight is often only 4-6 oz. That makes synthetic far more competitive than it is for winter quilts. Choose synthetic if you hike in humid climates, often sleep under a tarp, or want lower cost and simpler care. Choose down if pack volume matters or you want a quilt that will last a decade. Our down vs synthetic quilts comparison covers the science.
Specs and prices change often, especially at cottage makers. Treat weights here as ballpark figures and confirm on each brand's site before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 40 degree quilt warm enough for summer backpacking?
For most of the US in July and August below about 9,000 feet, yes — provided you pair it with a pad of R 2-3 or more and sleep in a light base layer. Cold sleepers should treat a 40°F quilt as a 45-50°F quilt. See how quilt ratings work.
Should I get a 40 or 30 degree quilt?
If you only hike in summer and like to save weight, a 40°F quilt is ideal. If you want one quilt for late spring through early fall, a 30°F is more versatile and usually only 3-5 oz heavier. Compare picks in our best 30 degree quilts guide.
Down or synthetic for a 40 degree quilt?
At 40°F the weight gap between down and synthetic is small, so synthetic is a strong choice for humid climates, hammocks under a tarp, or tight budgets. Down still packs smaller and lasts longer. Our down vs synthetic comparison covers the trade-offs.
Can I layer a 40 degree quilt to go colder?
Yes. A 40°F quilt over a 30°F or 20°F quilt, or over an insulated jacket and pants, can extend your range by 10-20°F. It is one of the best reasons to own a light summer quilt — see our quilt layering system guide.