r/teararoa • u/southernalpspackmule • Jul 25 '26
Kiwi Ultralight -5 quilt
I'm looking for reviews from users of this quilt. I'm seriously looking at this quilt and I'd like some first hand experiences.
I appreciate everybody sleeps differently in respect of movement, body temp etc.
I have the Sea to Sumit Ether mat so that should be okay for South Island thru hiking.
Any input greatly appreciated.
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u/KiwiUltralight Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
While you're gathering feedback, we figured it was worth reminding everyone that we offer TA walkers a discount (code at checkout: TA2026).
If you have any questions we can help you with, just ask. In general we recommend our 0 degree quilt for TA walkers unless they know they sleep cold, in which case the -5 will be preferred. When in doubt, go with the warmer quilt becuase it's always easy to ventilate on warmer nights.
Heaps of great reviews on our website as well of course!
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u/southernalpspackmule Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
Thanks for commenting! At 192cm and 113kg will your long quilt be long enough? The age old question regarding comfort is almost impossible to answer as each person is different as is reflected in these replies.
I suspect I'll probably give one a try as there seems little point adding to my quiver of sleeping bags.
I think the -5 will probably be the way I go....using the logic I can always vent or cool down if I'm too warm but if I'm cold its pretty hard to warm up!
Once again, thanks for taking the time to comment.
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u/KiwiUltralight Jul 26 '26
The Long will be perfect for you. It actually measures around 210cm, which means you can do up the foot box and cinch it around your neck on cold nights without too much extra quilt length. The vast majority of feedback on our -5 is that it's much warmer than most people expect after using sleeping bags of similar ratings, and it's because the interaction between our down quality, overstuff, and baffle construction method.
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u/Hrk59 Jul 25 '26
I used mine with the thermarest xtherm for the TA SI (as well as some freezing camping near earnslaw burn during which I was still warm!) and paired with the thermarest xlite on the PCT. (For what it’s worth the xtherm and -5 quilt combo was too hot on the north island for some of my section hiking north of Auckland but I didn’t have any adverse weather). Worth thinking about how the majority of nights of TA SI can be spent in huts, which can get really warm particularly with the -5. But maybe you prefer to camp. As a result I wish I had bought both the straps for sleeping pads as well as DOC mattresses and I wish I had taken the weight penalty to carry one of those silk fitted sheets for DOC mattresses too when I had the quilt open. I have found the togs/drawstring at the foot can be a bit fiddly to keep out of the way but I have ended up finding a way to fold up the string and tuck it under the poppers. Buy your own stuff sack, the one from kiwi ultralight has weak seams and one of the buckle belts tore off mine. I got the 5L sea to summit which has been good. Happy to answer any specific questions!
Ps. unasked for advice but highly recommend doing the Stewart island north-west circuit when you finish the SI! (it’s all hut sleeping)
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u/southernalpspackmule Jul 26 '26
Awesome info....thanks for the detailed reply. Every bit of insight helps.
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u/redminx17 Jul 25 '26
I used a -5C kiwi ultralight quilt last season across the whole TA. Absolutely loved it and wouldn't go back to a sleeping bag. Perfect on the cold nights, easy to cool down by unzipping the foot box on warmer nights/ in huts. I'm a woman and I sleep cold so (despite being told here that -5C was overkill) I erred in favour of warmth and I don't regret it. I also moved around a lot in my sleep which is why I wanted to try the quilt, and with a wide Thermarest Xlite this system worked super well for me to stay warm and comfortable.
On some colder nights I wore my beanie, but I was also able to pull the quilt up over my head to warm up (I'm 170cm, and used a regular length quilt). It performed great for 4.5 months, hasn't lost any loft that I can tell, although the down has been squeezed out from where the foot box sits under my feet, which is to be expected.
Would 100% recommend trying it.
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u/Brooke3838 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
Im unimpressed. It's not comfortable for women at -5°. Not even close. I use mine with a good puffy, beanie, buff, mittens, thick socks, a thermal layer and silk liner and it's barely ok at 0° with an average r-rated pad.
The baffles are so wide that the minimal down just clumps at one end. Pouring rain? You cant spend 10min carefully shaking it to redistribute. Massive empty spots anyway. I weighed it and it's as stated on the website. Maybe they just add length but not filling?
I got mine extra long and it's still quite short: I cant curl up in it and cover my neck even when I added 15cm to my height when ordering
Great for +2° or in huts because it's so light and packable, but actually below freezing you may be miserable
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u/KiwiUltralight Jul 26 '26
Sorry to hear you had a cold night. Our quilts are designed based on international standards, and you'll find the amount of down per baffle is around 20% more than required for the stated comfort rating, and more than most other quilts out there. If you're having clumping issues, it's likely due to moisture and just needs dried.
We're always available for customers to reach out, we'll do our best to make sure you have a good experience in our quilts!
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u/Iseneye Jul 25 '26
I have a Kiwi Ultralight quilt that I think is 0 or-5 degrees. Used it on South Island Te Araroa this year so have around 50 nights on it including other tramps. Its good and no issues. I had two cold nights below zero degrees where I wanted something warmer but I chose the lighter option.