Staying warm at night is one of the biggest concerns I have when I’m hiking. I don’t mind if I’m chilly, wet, or a bit miserable during the day as long as I know when I get to camp, I’m going to have a warm, dry night in a comfy sleeping bag. That’s why the Featherstone Moondance 25 Top Quilt is one of my go-to bags for my adventures 25 degrees or warmer.
Quick review
A great option for the price and weight-conscious hiker, the Featherstone Moondance 25 Top Quilt is warm enough to handle those cold nights and light enough you’ll barely notice it’s in your backpack. The DownTek coating gives it an extra layer of protection against the water and frost. I’ve taken this quilt into weather down to 19 Fahrenheit and stayed warm, but it’s also light enough to be my go-to bag for summer trips as well.
Review policy
My review policy is simple: If I wouldn’t trust it for myself, I won’t recommend it. If you see a review here, you know it’s been tested and tried. I am reader-supported; if you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
The Technical Details
- Price: $229
- Fill Power: 90/10 850
- Insulation: DownTek PFC-Free Grey Duck Down
- Water Repellent: PFC-Free DWR C0 Outer Shell
- T-Comfort: 36°F/2°C
- T-Limit: 26°F/-3°C
- T-Extreme: -4°F/-20°C
What I like about the Featherstone Moondance 25 Top Quilt
I’m not one to shirk away from cold weather. When my Moondance 25 arrived in the mail, I (almost) immediately threw it in my backpack and headed out for a weekend backpacking trip. Ohio can be a bit cold, and this February weekend was no exception. Though the trip was great, our coldest night got down to 19 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Moondance is rated down to 25 degrees, so I brought along my Sea-to-Summit liner to supplement it. Even with that, I stood outside my tent that night, stared dubiously down at my navy and gold quilt, and wondered if I’d stay warm or end up freezing.
Spoiler alert: I was warm all night.
It’s small size made it easy to fit in my backpack, and when I set up camp, it was extremely easy to attach to my mat. I could simply cinch the straps down to keep it tight and without drafts in the night. The footbox cinched up tightly as well, though on a warmer day, I could leave it open and use it simply as a blanket.
The Moondance’s DownTek filling has the lightweight warmth of down but coated in a water-repellent that protects it against water and dampness. Additionally, the outer shell of the sleeping quilt is also water resistant.
I’ve mentioned this in my other Featherstone reviews as well (such as the UL Granite 2P backpacking tent), but I love Featherstone Outdoor Products’ belief that the outdoors welcomes all. With that, they strive to make affordable, accessible backpacking gear (that consistently appears on my best budget backpacking gear list). The Moondance is another example of them doing just that.
What I don’t like:
There is some baffling around the neck, but I wish that it was bigger, as I think that would have prevented some of the small drafts I felt as I shifted during the night.
On a cold night, I miss the feeling that the hood of a mummy bag can bring. This is just personal preference and I’ll definitely continue to use my Moondance on colder night but it’s something to consider if you’re making a move from a typical mummy bag to a quilt.
The Moondance did not come with a storage bag to keep it uncompressed while not in use. This is the first time I’ve gotten a sleeping bag that doesn’t have that included.
A sleeping bag alternative
Before you buy a quilt, it’s important to remember a couple of things. A quilt isn’t for everyone. However, it’s a great way to preserve warmth while simultaneously cutting back on the weight.
Quilts were designed to fix a “flaw” or “inconvenience” in regular sleeping bags. When you lay in your sleeping bag, the part pressed between you and your mat gets compressed and majorly loses it’s ability to insulate you. It’s almost as if you’re carrying a whole side of a sleeping bag that doesn’t do you any good.
Quilts asked the question “why are we even carrying it then?” and cut that part of a sleeping bag out. Instead, you get the same warmth you would with a sleeping bag but without the weight of the section that would be compressed anyways. Instead, it wraps around your mat and traps the heat around you.
Quilts are great for people who
- Want to cut down on their pack weight
- Hate carrying “wasted” gear (for instance, the compressed part of the sleeping bag)
- Feel clastraphobic in mummy bags
- Toss and turn a lot at night
Quilts aren’t great for people who
- Want the feeling of something completely enveloping them
- Don’t have a proper sleeping pad set up for quilts
- Want the “hooded” feeling of a mummy bag
Where to buy the Featherstone Moondance 25 Top Quilt
Lightweight, warm, small: all the things you look for in a sleeping quilt. Whether you’re going out for a weekend trip or a thru hike, the Featherstone Moondance 25 Top Quilt is an excellent choice. Plus, get 10% off your entire order by using the code SPARKS10 when checking out!
Like the Moondance 25? You’ll love this other Featherstone gear then!
UL Granite 2P Featherstone tent: Best budget backpacking tent
The first thing you’ll notice when you start looking for backpacking tents is how very expensive they are. However, that’s the best feature about this Featherstone tent. The UL Granite 2P by Featherstone Outdoor Products may not be the flashiest tent you’ll find, but it’s affordable and can hold it’s own in the elements. Quick…
