I Tested the NEMO Pulse Ultralight Backpacking Quilt From Sequoia Snow to Desert Heat

Is the Pulse's 1000 Fill Power Worth the $550 Price Tag?

Author Liz Thomas in the NEMO Pulse quilt in a tent holding a titanium mug

March 9th, 2026
HomeGear ReviewsBackpacking

Our verdict

The NEMO Pulse Ultralight Backpacking Quilt is one of the most innovative and environmentally conscious quilts we've ever tested, with premium features aimed at ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers. 

It's one of the few quilts made with premium 1,000-fill-power ExpeDRY gold-infused down (most quilts are in the 800 to 900 fill-power range). The NEMO Pulse is also the most sustainable quilt we've seen yet. It is the first quilt we've heard of that is not only made of 100% recycled materials, but is fully recyclable as part of NEMO's Endless Promise collection. 

The 1000-fill power is best for backpackers (really, fastpackers) who want a very compact quilt with an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and water-resistant, quick-drying insulation.

We tested the NEMO Pulse quilt over hundreds of miles of backpacking and thru-hiking. As with all quilts, this is a great option for side sleepers, active sleepers, or any backpacker who feels confined by mummy bags. Since it is made of ExpeDRY gold-infused down, it has some of the best water-and clump-resistance we've seen in a quilt, which means it stays dry even in nasty weather.

NEMO Pulse Ultralight Backpacking Quilt

The NEMO Pulse has many features that stand out compared to other backpacking quilts. This level of sustainability is unmatched in any backpacking quilt we've seen. Paired with a 1000-fill-power ExpeDry down we haven't seen in other quilts either, this quilt is pushing the limits on innovation. Another bonus of being a bigger brand is that the NEMO Pulse is more widely available than most specialty quilts.

Despite the high price, the NEMO Pulse is a good value for fastpackers, ultralight thru-hikers, and ultralight backpackers who want a very compact quilt with a great warmth-to-weight ratio. It's only available in a 30F version and is ISO-rated to 34F degrees, so if you sleep cold or want one quilt for all seasons, the Pulse may not be for you. But for sustainability-minded ultralight backpackers, this is a backpacking quilt that you should know about.


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NEMO Pulse Ultralight Backpacking Quilt Specifications

The NEMO Pulse quilt in dark green with lime green lining
  • Temperature Rating: 20°F/-6°C (ISO Limit: 23°F/-5°C, ISO Comfort: 34°F/1°C)

  • Weight: 1 lb 2 oz (18 oz/500g) Regular, 1 lb 5 oz (21 oz/585g) Long

  • Packed Weight: 1 lb 4 oz (570g) Regular, 1 lb 7 oz (645g) Long

  • Compressed volume: 2.3 L (regular), 3.1 L (long)

  • Packed Size: 8.0" x 5.5" dia (Regular), 10.0" x 6.5" dia (Long)

  • Fill: 1000 FP ExpeDRY gold-infused down, RDS-certified

  • Fill Weight: 12 oz (330g) Regular, 14 oz (385g) Long

  • Fits Up To: 6' (Regular), 6'6" (Long)

  • Shoulder Girth: 57" (Regular), 60" (Long)

  • Materials: 10D 100% recycled polyester ripstop with PFAS-free DWR

  • Construction: Karo Step baffles

  • Price: $550 (regular), $600 (long)


Comparison table

QUILT MSRP* TOTAL WEIGHT FILL WEIGHT FILL : WEIGHT FILL OPTIONS HYDROPHOBIC DOWN? RDS DOWN?
NEMO Pulse 20/30 Endless Promise $550 18.0 oz 12.0 oz 67% 1000FP goose down Gold infused ExpeDRY Yes
Katabatic Gear Palisade 30 $369 19.8 oz 12.0 oz 61% 850FP duck down (also available as 900FP) Gold infused ExpeDRY Yes
Zpacks Solo Quilt 20 $489 13.3 oz 8.9 oz 67% 900FP duck down No Yes
Feathered Friends Flicker UL Quilt Sleeping Bag 30 $529 22.4 oz 11.6 oz 52% 950+FP goose down No Yes
REI Magma 30 Trail Quilt $329 20.3 oz 11.6 oz 57% 850FP goose down No Yes
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 30 $320 19.2 oz 12.9 oz 67% 850FP duck (or 950FP goose) down Gold infused ExpeDRY Yes
Outdoor Vitals StormLoft Top Quilt 15 $355 23.0 oz 16.0 oz 70% 900FP duck or goose down ExpeDRY optional Yes
ZenBivy Ultralight Quilt 25 $339 17.0 oz 10.1 oz 59% 900FP duck (or goose) down ExpeDRY Yes

Who is it for?

NEMO Pulse quilt in use during a 200-mile backpacking trip across New Mexico.

NEMO Pulse quilt in use during a 200-mile backpacking trip across New Mexico.

  • Ultralight thru-hikers who want the warmth-to-weight ratio and extreme compactability of 1000-fill-power insulation

  • Environmentally conscious backpackers wanting fully recyclable Endless Promise products (and made of fully recycled shell material)

  • Three-season backpackers who want something versatile in the 30°F- 40F temperature range coverage, with the skillset to use a quilt

  • Northbound ultralight Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers who are warm or hot sleepers

  • Thru-hikers doing desert trails in late Spring

  • Side sleepers and active sleepers who feel confined by traditional mummy bags

  • Weight-conscious hikers already using NEMO's sleeping pads

  • Premium buyers willing to pay for 1,000-fill-power, gold-infused ExpeDRY down technology


How we tested

We tested the NEMO Pulse quilt while ultralight backpacking on long distance trails across the U.S.

We tested the NEMO Pulse quilt while ultralight backpacking on long distance trails across the U.S.

Our four testers tested the NEMO Pulse during 200-miles of backpacking in New Mexico on the Grand Enchantment Trail in the spring and a thru-hike of the Timberline Trail in the Pacific Northwest. We also tested an early prototype on 2,200 miles of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail southbound. We also tested while camping for nearly a week in late fall in Sequoia National Park and spring in Anza Borrego Desert State Park near the Pacific Crest Trail. Each of our ultralight backpacking testers have different body shapes, metabolisms, and hiking styles and contributed their opinions to this review.

While testing, we encountered everything from warm, humid nights to sub-freezing temperatures. Although we didn't carry a thermometer, we guess that the coldest temperature we tested the Pulse in was the low 20s.

We also tested the NEMO Pulse alongside other quilts in our Best Backpacking Quilts guide to directly compare warmth and cold spots, sleeping pad attachment systems, and features like draft collars.


What we liked

The NEMO Pulse quilt works well as part of an ultralight backpacking system.

The NEMO Pulse quilt works well as part of an ultralight backpacking system.

  • 1000-fill-power down has unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio

  • The best sustainability of any quilt we've seen with totally recyclable materials

  • 2.3 L compressed volume is the best we've seen for a quilt

  • ExpeDRY gold-infused water-resistant down keeps warmth even in humid or wet conditions

  • Extremely lightweight and one of the lightest 3-season quilts

  • Soft, silky material feels great against the skin and is very comfortable

  • Draft collar feels plush around the neck 


What could be better

  • Naming is misleading—it is actually ISO-temperature rated to be a 34F degree quilt, not 30F degree quilt

  • Our testers had mixed opinions on the pad attachment system

  • The hood drawstring is in the center so when tightened, it is in your face

  • Fewer options for customizability than offered by smaller quilt brands such as length, width, fill power, color and pattern, or duck vs. goose down


Understanding Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings

Hunkering down in the NEMO Pulse quilt.

The author hunkering down in the NEMO Pulse quilt.

International Standards Organization (ISO) temperature ratings use three benchmarks to describe how warm a sleeping bag or quilt will keep you.

Comfort is the lowest temperature at which the average cold sleeper (based on female physiology) can sleep comfortably through the night without curling up for warmth. If you're a cold sleeper, this is the number to watch.

Limit is the temperature at which the average warm sleeper (based on male physiology) can maintain warmth in a curled position — not necessarily comfortable, but not shivering or at risk of hypothermia. If you tend to run hot, this is your number.

Extreme is the survival threshold — the temperature at which hypothermia becomes a serious risk within hours. You should never rely on your bag alone at this temperature. Extra layers, shelter, or shared body heat are essential.

Keep in mind that these ratings assume you're sleeping in a tent, wearing base layers, and using an insulated sleeping pad. Remove any of those variables, and your bag will feel colder. Always check the forecast before heading out and give yourself a comfortable margin below expected nighttime lows.


Performance in the field

Testing the NEMO Pulse Quilt in the late fall in Sequoia National Park with a pyramid-style ultralight tent.

Testing the NEMO Pulse Quilt in the late fall in Sequoia National Park with a pyramid-style ultralight tent.

Water resistance and dry time

One of Treeline's writers used this quilt on a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, finishing in December. He was especially impressed by the Pulse's water resistance and how well the gold-infused ExDry treatment on the down actually worked. It isn't a gimmick. 

The water-resistant down may be great for the trail, but washing this puppy was actually tricky as a result. We had to submerge the quilt in water for an extra long time before it finally wet through. 

Warmth efficiency

Testing the NEMO Pulse quilt on a camping trip in the snow in Sequoia National Park.

Testing the NEMO Pulse quilt on a camping trip in the snow in Sequoia National Park.

The Pulse weighs 18 oz in the regular version, so we weren't expecting the level of warmth we'd get from a 28-oz quilt or a full sleeping bag. That being said, on a thru-hike of the Timberline Trail in August, our cold testers found the 30F rating to be inaccurate. Yes, the premium 1000-fill-power down delivers exceptional heat retention for the 12-oz fill weight inside. But she could have used even more down. 

We looked into it and the NEMO Pulse is independently third-party certified with an ISO Comfort rating of 34F degrees and a Limit Rating of 24F degrees. That 34F degree rating assumes you are wearing base layers, socks, sleeping on an insulated sleeping pad with a 5.8 R-value, and sleeping in a tent. If you're not doing any of those things, it's going to feel colder. Our tester was doing all these things, but knows she sleeps cold. Many people consider the ISO rating to be the "women's" sleeping bag rating. So if you sleep cold, this may not be the quilt for you.

On the flip side, another tester used this quilt on a 200-mile section hike of the Grand Enchantment Trail in April and May in New Mexico. Yes, New Mexico is desert, but this is high desert (up to 10,000 feet in elevation), and it was still spring with snow forecast at higher elevations. Nonetheless, our tester found this quilt warm enough when paired with the NEMO Tensor Sleeping Pad, with an R-value of 5.8. 

Another data point was our hot-running tester who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail southbound using the NEMO Pulse quilt. He finished the trail in December. He was using the NEMO Tensor Elite Sleeping Pad, which only has an R-value of 2.4. He was also sleeping in shelters, which are less enclosed than a tent. He ended up adding a sleeping bag liner to his sleep system (one of the tricks in our How to Sleep Warmer while Camping and Backpacking and Fall Hiking Tips guides). This sleep system set-up allowed him to get into the teens at night using the NEMO Pulse quilt. 

Comfort and freedom

As with any backpacking quilt, the NEMO Pulse is excellent for side sleepers. There is a lot of freedom of movement vs. mummy bags and traditional sleeping bags.

Draft protection and pad attachment straps

Close-up on the pad attachment straps and hardware on the NEMO Pulse quilt.

Close-up on the pad attachment straps and hardware on the NEMO Pulse quilt.

The quilt comes with elastic straps that can be used to attach the bag to a sleeping pad. Our four testers had varying opinions on this attachment system. However, all of our testers agreed that the pad attachment straps were the biggest drawback. 

One tester liked how intuitive the pad attachment system is. It's easy to adjust it for casual coverage or make it tighter when it is cold or windy. 

However, we found that if you really want to cinch it down, it can be more challenging. The plastic clip hook is easy to use, but the hook straps on the cinch don't stay super tight in our experience. We found we could cinch it down easily, but the Pulse loosened at night.

We found that the pad attachment straps on the NEMO Pulse were thicker than those on other ultralight backpacking quilts we've tested. Between the cordage and the hardware, the system seems heavier than what we see in other ultralight quilts. Maybe this makes it more intuitive for a first-time quilt user, but it also negates some of the expensive weight saving gained from using 1000-fill-power goose down. 

Draft Protection

Like most premium quilts or backpacking sleeping bags, the Pulse quilt has a collar baffle to block drafts, and none of our testers seemed to have an issue with this design.

One thing we didn't like (and this isn't unique to the Pulse, as we've seen it in many quilts and backpacking sleeping bags) is that the hood drawstring is in the center, so when tightened, it is in your face.

Packed efficiency

Comparing the compressed NEMO Pulse quilt to the size of a Nalgene.

Comparing the NEMO Pulse quilt compressed and in its stuff sack to a 1L Nalgene bottle.

The NEMO Pulse compresses down to one of the smallest sizes we’ve seen in a quilt. Its 2.3L compressed size rivals the best ultralight quilts, meaning it fits in smaller fastpacks and even bike bags.

Versatility

Like all quilts, the NEMO Pulse can be used open like a camping blanket or cinched down to mimic a sleeping bag when paired with a sleeping pad. We've used this quilt in temperatures in the teens, but find it best suited as a summer bag. We think most ultralight backpackers will find this quilt enough for the times of years and conditions when most people hike. The design offers enough flexibility to handle changing conditions or longer thru-hikes, especially if you’re willing to pick up a liner or sleep in your down jackets on especially cold nights. 


Sustainability

For us, as ultralight backpackers who have been using quilts for more than twelve years, we think the real story with the NEMO Pulse is sustainability. We can’t think of another quilt that is fully recyclable at the end of life. Whether anyone actually does it is another thing, but we think it is a really good sign for the state of the outdoor industry when a brand is accounting for the whole life cycle of a product, including its disposal. The Pulse sets a new industry standard, and we applaud NEMO for the initiative on this product. 


Features

Clipping in to secure the NEMO Pulse to sleeping pad

Clipping in to secure the NEMO Pulse to sleeping pad

Premium 1000-fill-power ExpeDRY down insulation

The NEMO Pulse is made from some of the highest quality down available, 1000-fill-power down. Fill power measures how many cubic inches are filled by 1 oz of down. Down works as an insulator by trapping heat within the air spaces. Higher fill power down compresses small and lofts back up. High quality down means you get warmth without as much bulk or weight, which is why it is the preferred choice for most lightweight and ultralight backpackers. You can learn more about down fill power in this piece by REI

1000-fill-power down is among the highest we've seen in any backpacking quilt. To say it provides exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio is an understatement. In comparison, most backpacking quilt companies make quilts with fill power in the 800 to 900 range. 

Another thing we like is that NEMO uses gold-infused ExpeDRY treatment. If you get your quilt wet, ExpeDRY treatment keeps the down drier. In testing, it was hard to get the quilt to soak through. This feature is great for camping in humid conditions. 

Should it get to the wet-out point, the gold-infused ExpeDry treatment promotes faster drying, too. It also has RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certification, which ensures ethical animal welfare practices.

Innovative Karo Step baffle construction

Karo Step baffles use 45% less material while preventing cold spots

Close-up of innovative Karo Step baffle design in NEMO Pulse

The NEMO Pulse quilt uses a unique two-directional grid design that reportedly uses 45% less material than traditional baffles. The main benefit of this system is less baffle material, which means less weight.

If you look at the quilt closely, you can see it uses offset box baffles. Box baffles are considered the better baffling system compared to sewn-through baffles. They're more expensive to sew, but are better at preventing cold spots while allowing down to move around naturally. This means the down is less likely to clump in one area, and your lofting and insulation are consistent across the bag.

Sustainable Endless Promise design philosophy

NEMO is a larger brand than most of the specialized quilt manufacturers, which means they can rely on their company-wide sustainability initiatives to create the most sustainable quilt we've seen yet. It is the first quilt we've heard of that is not only made of 100% recycled materials, but is fully recyclable at the end of its life as part of NEMO's Endless Promise collection. This is the same groundbreaking sustainability they use in more mass-appealing products like the NEMO Forte and NEMO Disco sleeping bags. It is among the best sustainability measures we've seen from an outdoor brand and the first we've seen for a niche ultralight product. 

As for materials, the Pulse is made of 10-denier 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell and lining. It uses PFAS-free DWR coating to avoid harmful chemicals. It also contains Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down from farms certified to animal welfare requirements. These sustainable materials maintain the same performance as less sustainable materials, without compromise.

But what really sets it apart is its fully recyclable design. Just return your quilt to NEMO for end-of-life processing. NEMO takes responsibility, completely recycling it at the end of its life to keep it out of a landfill. 

Plus, throughout its life, the NEMO Pulse quilt is backed by the NEMO Adventure Forever Guarantee, a lifetime warranty. They will also repair normal wear and tear or damage from accidents at a fair rate. Another thing we appreciate that we don't see a lot from outdoor brands is that they keep spare parts, including for older models, so you can fix broken toggles.  

Comfort and draft management features

Plush draft collar with snap closure on NEMO Pulse quilt

The plush draft collar with snap closure on NEMO Pulse quilt.

Like most backpacking quilts, the NEMO Pulse has an enclosed footbox that traps heat. It's got a 3D design (aka, foot shaped) so it accommodates natural foot positioning. This prevents your feet from pressing against the down and compressing it, making it less effective at lofting and insulation. 

Another backpacking quilt standard on the NEMO Pulse is a plush 5-inch draft collar with a snap closure that seals warmth around the shoulders. One of our testers didn't think the snap was quite robust enough. There's also some clever hardware here that enables a one-handed collar adjustment. We didn't think anything of this when we were using the NEMO Pulse, and then, while testing quilts from other brands, we realized how much we missed this feature. On the flipside, another tester said they "couldn't quite figure out what the webbing by the snap is for," so this system isn't intuitive for everyone. This is why we recommend watching the manufacturer's video before use.

Like many quilts, the NEMO Pulse has a generous shoulder girth (57"/60"), which accommodates side sleeping and movement. Unlike a lot of brands, NEMO is quite transparent about shoulder girth, which we find especially helpful for testers with bigger bodies. That being said, the tapered design may make this quilt as light as possible, but it isn't as great for bigger-bodied backpackers.

As for the fabric's feel, this is a premium material. It has a silky interior lining that feels great next to the skin. That being said, you really should be wearing base layers or sleep clothes in this quilt (and all quilts) to prevent oil and dirt buildup, which can impact lofting and insulating ability. 

Pad attachment and sealing system

Elastic straps securing NEMO Pulse to sleeping pad

Elastic straps securing NEMO Pulse to sleeping pad

The NEMO Pulse comes with elastic straps to secure the quilt to the sleeping pad, preventing drafts. The connectors are fairly intuitive. The whole system comes with an adjustable strap so it accommodates various pad widths and lengths. Like all quilts, the attachment system allows you to use the NEMO Pulse either like a blanket or more like a sleeping bag. It can be used for casual coverage or closer and tighter, depending on how you sleep and how warm it is outside. The straps attach to gear loops along the quilt's length.

Close-up of the NEMO Pulse attachment system

Close-up of the NEMO Pulse attachment system wrapped around a NEMO Tensor sleeping pad.

Ultralight design optimized for fast travel

The NEMO Pulse quilt is designed for fast and light travel. Its 18-oz packed weight (for the regular size) for a 34F degree quilt is among the best warmth-to-weight ratios we've seen. 

What impressed us the most was how compact this quilt is. At 2.3L compressed volume, it fits easily in ultralight packs or even running packs.

As with almost all quilts, the quilt design saves weight by omitting the heavy zipper found in traditional bags.


NEMO Pulse vs. similar quilts

NEMO Pulse quilt lit up by a full moon on a trip in Anza Borrego Desert State Park near the Pacific Crest Trail.

NEMO Pulse quilt lit up by a full moon on a trip in Anza Borrego Desert State Park near the Pacific Crest Trail.

The NEMO Pulse quilt is a high-end backpacking quilt made with some top-of-the-line material. It's one of the most expensive quilts on the market, but it's also the only fully recyclable quilt we've tested and uses 1,000 fill power ExpeDRY down — a spec you won't find in competing quilts. If those features matter to you, the premium is justified. Premium quilts are never budget items, but backpackers that are more budget-conscious will find comparable warmth-to-weight performance in the Katabatic Palisade or Zpacks Solo Quilt.


Should I buy the NEMO Pulse?

It's easy to toss and turn, have silly tent parties, and otherwise hunker down in camp with the NEMO Pulse quilt system.

It's easy to toss and turn, have silly tent parties, and otherwise hunker down in camp with the NEMO Pulse quilt system.

Buy if you prioritize premium 1000 FP insulation, value sustainable design, want the smallest and most compact quilt possible, and don't mind premium pricing for cutting-edge features and sustainability.
Skip if you're budget conscious, sleep cold, prefer established quilt specialist brands, or want more customizing in your quilt (length, width, fill power, color and pattern, or duck vs. goose)


Where to buy the NEMO Pulse?

The NEMO Pulse quilt may be a high-end backpacking quilt, but it is in demand!  This means you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.

REI

Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.

Backcountry

Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent

garage grown gear

Pros: Excellent customer service and quick shipping. Can purchase from other ultralight and cottage brands in the same order, including accessory and backpacking food brands that don’t sell at other retailers.

NEMO

You can sometimes find more options when purchasing directly from the retailer. Sometimes, purchasing directly from the retailer can make it easier if you need to make a warranty return, such as if there is a defect.

Advice on where to buy

In general for gear where fit is important like backpacking quilts, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like REI.


FAQ

  • The NEMO Pulse is worth it if you prioritize ultralight performance and sustainability over price. At $550, it's one of the most expensive quilts on the market, but it's also the only fully recyclable quilt we've tested and uses 1,000 fill power ExpeDRY down — a spec you won't find in competing quilts. If those features matter to you, the premium is justified. Budget-conscious backpackers will find comparable warmth-to-weight performance in the Katabatic Palisade or Zpacks Solo Quilt for significantly less.

  • The Katabatic Palisade costs $100 less than the NEMO Pulse in the 900-fill-power 6' size. The Palisade offers more customization — width, length, fill power, and color options — and weighs only about 0.9 oz more for a comparable temperature rating. The NEMO Pulse wins on sustainability and down quality (1,000 vs. 850–900 fill power). The Pulse has 12 ounces of 1000-fill versus the Palisade's 11.2 ounces of 900-fill (overfill is an option). Choose the Palisade for value, versatility, and compression; choose the Pulse if end-of-life recyclability is a priority.

  • No — the NEMO Pulse is not a winter quilt. Its ISO Comfort rating is 34°F (see the section above that explains ISO ratings), meaning it's best suited for three-season use in mild to cool conditions. In our testing, cold sleepers found it insufficient below freezing, even with a high R-value sleeping pad and base layers. If you're backpacking in winter conditions or sleeping in unenclosed shelters, you'll need a warmer quilt or a sleeping bag liner to supplement it.

  • ExpeDRY is a proprietary hydrophobic down treatment developed by Allied Feather & Down that coats each individual down cluster to repel moisture. The "gold-infused" designation refers to an enhanced version of this treatment that improves both water resistance and drying speed compared to standard hydrophobic down.

    In our testing, the NEMO Pulse was genuinely difficult to wet out — we had to submerge it for an extended period before it soaked through. It also dries faster than untreated down, making it an advantage in humid or wet conditions.


Similar products

Katabatic Palisade

Katabatic Palisade

Temperature rating (F): 30
Total Weight: 19.8 oz
Fill Weight: 12 oz
Fill Power: 850
Hydrophobic Down? Yes
Fabric: 10D Pertex Quantum Eco Ripstop and 20D Pertex Quantum Taffeta
Shoulder/Hips/Footbox/Length (in): 54/46/40/72
Responsible Down Certified? Yes
Price: $340

The Katabatic Palisade has been a standard in the backpacking quilt space for more than twelve years, improving with minor iterations over the years. As a cottage ultralight brand, they allow customization, including more choices in length, width, and color than the NEMO Pulse. It is the best overall winner in our Best Backpacking Quilts guide.

With the Palisade, you have the choice of 850-fill-power or 900-fill-power down (but no 1000-fill-power choice as in the Pulse). You can also choose duck or goose down fill and have the ability to overfill (for extra). The Palisade also uses the gold-infused ExpeDry down that we like in the NEMO Pulse. 

The Katabatic 900-fill-power 30F quilt weighs about 0.9 oz more than the NEMO Pulse 1000-fill-power for the six-foot length and is more affordable. Warmth-wise, we generally found the Palisade to be warmer.

You can learn more in our in-depth review of the Katabatic Palisade.

Katabatic Palisade


Zpacks Solo Quilt

Temperature rating (F): 20 degrees
Total Weight: 18.7 oz
Fill Weight: 13.7 oz
Fill Power: 900
Hydrophobic Down? Downtek
Fabric: DWR treated 7D ripstop ventum nylon
Shoulder/Hips/Footbox/Length (in): 60/60/40/74
Responsible Down Certified? Yes
Price: $459

The Zpacks Solo Quilt is designed for ultralighters who want the best warmth-to-weight ratio, and is our top ultralight pick in our Best Backpacking Quilts guide

It has an impressive 73% weight-to-total ratio. Zpacks doesn't use ISO ratings, so we're not sure which temperature is the best comparison to the NEMO Pulse, the 20F or 30F. The 20-degree, six-foot length quilt is 18.3 oz and about $60 less expensive than the Pulse.  The 30-degree version is 13.4 oz and $90 less expensive.

Zpacks allows you to customize color, length, width, as well as temperature (10F to 30F). 

Design wise, the Solo Quilt uses vertical baffles over the body and legs to keep down from migrating to the sides and leaving cold spots on top, while overstuffed horizontal baffles at the footbox keep toes warm, even for folks who kick their feet around when sleeping. The snaps, drawstring at the neck, pad attachment cords, fabric, and down are all as lightweight and minimal as possible, without being so flimsy as to break. 

The Solo Quilt uses a 900-fill-power Downtek hydrophobic down compared to the 1000 fill-power in the Pulse. The ripstop is more minimal at 7-denier vs. NEMO's 10-denier. Zpacks’s warranty isn’t as robust as we’d like to see, as it covers manufacturers' defects for a mere two years compared to NEMO’s lifetime warranty.

Zpacks Solo Quilt


Why you should trust us / About the author

headshot of the author with mountains in the background

Liz Thomas is an award-winning Los Angeles-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. A former Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder on the Appalachian Trail, Liz came to Treeline Review from New York Times/Wirecutter, the New York Times’ product review site, where she was a staff writer on the outdoor team.

She was a guest editor at Backpacker Magazine, where she is the columnist of “Ask a Thru-hiker” and instructor of their online class, Thru-hiking 101.

Liz has thru-hiked 20,000+ miles, always using ultralight quilts like the NEMO Pulse backpacking quilt. To test the NEMO Pulse, she's used the quilt on more than 300 miles of trails in temperatures ranging from 30F to 100F+. Her testing of this quilt included sections of the Pacific Crest Trail and Grand Enchantment Trail. To understand how people with different bodies and metabolisms feel in this quilt, she also passed this quilt along to other Treeline Review writers. Treeline writers tested this quilt on thru-hikes of the Timberline Trail, Appalachian Trail, and other trips in the Pacific Northwest. 

Her first book is Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike. The book was the recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award for Best Instructional Book, and was deemed by judges as destined to become the “Bible of the Sport.”

Liz has talked gear on Good Morning America (TV), in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Women’s Health, Gizmodo, and Outside Magazine.

She represented the sport of hiking at President Obama’s Great American Outdoors Initiative.

Liz’s keynote speaking engagements have included colleges and universities including Yale and MIT and on Capitol Hill, the Trust for Public Land, American Hiking Society, and BikeTexas.

You can read more about Liz at her Wikipedia page and her Treeline author page!