If you're in the market for an ultralight trail quilt that can handle cold temperatures, is versatile to work not only worth hammocks but also as a sleeping bag, and is incredibly comfy, the Kammok Arctos is going to check off all the boxes.
This is a Kammok Arctos review that will cover the specs, features, pros, cons, and most importantly, a comparison with others by the same brand and those in its class.
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Table of contents
- Kammok Arctos Ultralight Quilt Review
- Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions
Kammok Arctos Ultralight Quilt Review
While Kammok really started out as your traditional outdoor hammock company, they've really invested in branching out into ancillary pieces of gear that really complement the hammock but also extend the brand's reach for anyone that loves the outdoors.
Having covered the Roo Single hammock with Dragonfly, Swiftlet, and the other trail quilts in the line, Bobcat, Firebelly, we're going to delve into the Kammok Arctos.
The Kammok Arctos ultralight quilt just might be the most complete trail quilt to date but how good is it and does it stack up well against others in the space.
The Arctos 20F specs
Let's just get right into the specs of the Kammok Arctos 20. It's dubbed by Kammok as the “Ultralight Down Trail Quilt” with a number of defining features.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Materials:
- Shell: Aura UL 10D ripstop nylon fabric with Cire, DWR waterproofing and YKK snaps, and YKK zippers
- Fill: Downtek 850 fill-power water repellent goose down
- Stuff sack: Aura UL 10D ripstop nylon with DWR waterproofing and Cire
Color:
- This is really a blend of ember orange, crater gray, and granite gray
Features:
- Rated for 20ºF / -6ºC
- Zippered poncho
- Zippered toebox
- Water repellent – Repellency with DWR (durable water repellent) treated to resist moisture and Downtek where goose down is treated with a DWR.
Weight: 26oz / 737
Dimensions:
- Unpacked: 78 in x 55 in / 198 cm x 140 cm
- Packed: 14.2 in x 7.1 in / 36cm x 18 cm
Comes with:
- 1 x Arctos 20ºF
- 1 x Stuff sack
- 2 x Sleeping pad straps
- 1 x Underquilt conversion kit
- 1 x Upcycled cotton storage bag
What makes the Arctos the best in class?
If you've read my reviews for first Bobcat and Firebelly, and the latest update to the Firebelly, much of the above specs will seem familiar but there are a couple of things that stand out that make the Kammok Arctos a superior trail quilt.
- Goose down – This is the first Kammok trail quilt to use this material which allows it to have that 850-fill power. The loft is insane on this – not even exaggerating.
- Poncho mode – The latest Firebelly has this too but it is so handy to be able to wear the Arctos hands-free.
- Zippered toebox – The Arctos is tapered on one end and fitted with zippers which allows you to close the bottom end of the trail quilt which is handy for all modes and a true game-changer.
- Lightest – It packs in more fill power but is actually lighter than the Firebelly, making this amazing as an ultralight quilt.
- Strongest – The new waterproofing material is the Aura UL 10D which is stronger and lighter than other models. It's also made of 100% recycled material.
- Improved stuff sack – The rolltop bag is now replaced with a cinch-able stuff sack that is made of the same material as the trail quilt.
Grab the Arctos Now
The Kammok Arctos is coming in and out of stock so if you see it available, make sure to grab it!
How does the zippered toe box work?
Out of everything, the sweetest feature that the Kammok Arctos has is zippered toe box (or foot box).
Traditionally with Kammok's other trail quilts, you had cinches and snaps to close off the bottom end. In sleeping bag configuration this meant folding it underneath your feet and as an overquilt or underquilt with a hammock, there were opportunities for a draft to come in. The other quilts are an “open” system.
The big engineering feat with the Arctos is that you'll notice it's tapered smaller on the bottom end and the bottom third of the trail quilt is outfitted with a small zipper. This allows you to take the flat quilt and close off the area where your feet are.
To close it off, there are the same cinches as before but they've added a small tongue that you push in to enforce the insulation even further.
The different modes of the Arctos
There are 4 principle modes of the Kammok Arctos. Each has a different set up process and I highly encourage you to check out Kammok's channel for detailed instructions or you can watch me do it in the accompanying video.
Mode 1: Underquilt
With the zippered toebox, there's a bit more work in the set up but what you get is air-tight insulation below you but your legs are covered and closed off too.
Notice how you only need 2 snaps on each side to secure with your Kammok Roo Single instead of 4.
Also, remember to make use of the underquilt conversion kit.
Mode 2: Overquilt
Before, using the trail quilt as an overquilt just meant throwing it on as a blanket.
I've learned of a new technique to make sure you are snuggly, comfortable, and warm above with this mode which is very similar to how it works as a sleeping bag. The Arctos is designed with a draft collar makes sure you stay cozy.
Mode 3: Sleeping bag
The zippered toe box has the biggest impact as a sleeping bag. While I never hated creating my own toe box by folding the quilt under my feet, it also felt imperfect because of my feet moving around at night and the potential for drafts.
With a zippered closing and tongue (draft baffle) to prevent further air leaking out of the cinches, I guarantee that you won't have any cold feet.
The key to setting the Arctos in this mode is that you use the zippers to close off the bottom, flip it around, secure the snaps to one of the included sleeping pad straps, and then pull your head through the top.
Mode 4: Poncho mode
In my review video, I poke fun of how much of a fashion statement the trail quilt is as a poncho but seriously there are easily a dozen different ways to wear it (just some might be completely impractical).
Having this mode just makes the ultralight quilt that much more versatile because you can bring it with you and on you everywhere.
Why you shouldn't by the Arctos
While a superior product in so many ways, there are several areas of improvement and disadvantages of this particular trail quilt.
- Price – This is an expensive product even by trail quilt standards so it's really for those that are willing to spend the money or need it for its ultralight and warmth specs.
- Length – The Arctos is actually shorter than the Firebelly so for those that are tall, that might be an issue.
- Zippers are finicky – The new zippers for the toe box are a little tricky to operate. Putting the zipper together I found to be challenging and also was quite easy to snag when fully closing it.
- Slippery as a blanket – I've found trail quilts to be awesome as just regular blankets at the cottage. Problem with all of the Kammok trail quilts is that they're a little too slick and silky because they easily fall off the bed.
- Too warm – With all of that fill power, this really isn't for warm weather. It excels in high-altitude mountain passes, desert canyons, and Canadian winters.
Who is the Kammok Arctos for?
The Kammok Arctos is ultimately one of those top-of-the-line technical pieces of gear that those ultralight or UL travellers drool over.
We're talking about the outdoor lovers that are going for multi-day hiking with minimal gear and need to be able to embrace any kind of climate thrown at them.
This is perfect for something like the Inca Trail, Zion National Park's The Narrows, or Iceland's Laugevegur Trail.
Lastly, as with all Kammok products, it's built with the hammock in mind. While the Bobcat or Firebelly can fit the bill in most scenarios, if your feet get cold easily, the Arctos is for you.
Comparing all Kammok trail quilts
Spec | Bobcat 45 | Firebelly 30 | Arctos 20 |
---|---|---|---|
Temp rating | 45F/7C | 30F/-1C | 20F/-6C |
Weight | 20oz/567g | 28.2oz/800g | 26oz/737g |
Length | 83.5″/212cm | 88″/224cm | 78″/198cm |
Material | Atmos X 20D | Atmos X 20D | Aura UL 10D |
Poncho mode | Y (with snaps) | Y (zippered) | Y (zippered) |
Toe box | Manually | Manually | Zippered |
Stuff sack | Rolltop, 40D | Rolltop, 40D | Cinchable, 10D |
Price (USD) | $199 | $289 | $359 |
Kammok Arctos
If you're looking for the best ultralight quilt whether for a backpacking trip, camping, or outdoors at home, you're looking at it. Supply is quite limited so when it's in stock, make sure to pick one up before they sell out.
How does the Kammok Arctos stack up against the competition?
In the class of ultralight quilts, there a couple of others that you will have no doubt encountered. I've picked out a few top-ranking products in the same temperature class to give you an idea of how the Kammok Arctos compares.
Spec | Kammok Arctos | Enlightened Equipment Revelation | ZPacks Classic | Hammock Gear Burrow Econ 20 | Therm-a-Rest Vesper | UCQ Bandit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temp rating | 20F/-6C | 20F/-6C | 20F/-6C | 20F/-6C | 20F/-6C | 20F/-6C |
Fill Power | 850FP | 850FP | 900FP | 800FP | 900FP | 800/850/950FP |
Weight | 26oz/737g | 19.18oz/543.7g | 18.8oz/533g | 23.95oz/670g | 19oz/550g | 21.18oz/600.4g |
Length | 78″/198cm | 78″/198cm | 74″/188cm | 74″/188cm | 75″/191cm | 78″/198cm |
Material | 10D | 10D | 7D | 20D | 10D | 20D |
Poncho mode | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Toe box | Zip | Zip | Zip (3/4 length) | Zip or sewn | Boxed | Zip/Boxed/Insulated |
Multiple sizes | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Customizable | N | Y | N | Y | N | Y |
Hammock compatibility | Y | N | N | Y | N | N |
Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 2y | 1y | 2y | Lifetime |
Price (USD) | $359 | $280 | $399 | $169.95 | $379.95 | $239.95 |
There's a pretty wide field of products in the market when you get more technical gear. Each spec can be dissected in a number of different ways but here's what you'll see from the above:
- Kammok Arctos sits a little above the average price but certainly isn't the most expensive.
- Many other brands have customization and made-to-order options which allow you to tune your quilt to exactly how you want it based on your size and travel style. That said, I found some customization to be a little bit too extreme in UGQ's case where I felt a little overwhelmed. In some ways, I like Kammok's simplicity but can see if you're different from the baseline size that you'd want to be able to change the width/length.
- Kammok is the only brand that has poncho mode.
- While 78″ seems short, this is certainly the longest in a field of ultralight quilts.
- Pay attention to warranty as only half of the competitors here offer it.
- While you could certainly use these trail quilts with hammocks, if you already own a Kammok hammock, the snap-on compatibility is something that I've certainly taken for granted.
Verdict
Whether you're in need of a technical backpacking quilt or just need something ridiculously good that can work in practically all situations, the Arctos is the best in the line of trail quilts by Kammok
For anyone that spends a lot of time outdoors and in hammocks, Kammok Arctos 20 is an ultralight quilt where you're comfortable being in below freezing temperatures and other extreme climates.
With the new zippered toe box design and built-in poncho, you're afforded a ton of flexibility while keeping your feet warm at night.
Yes, it's worth the investment!
Kammok Arctos
If you like what you see, make sure to grab this built-for-winter trail quilt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on the weather conditions you're in, the Bobcat makes a great overquilt in mild to warm temperatures but if you need more insulation, the Firebelly is a great choice as well.
Stores like REI in the US or MEC in Canada carry Kammok products but your best bet is to buy directly from Kammok.
The Kammok Arctos 20 was announced in late 2020.
If the gear is soiled or stained, Kammok recommends using Grangers Down Wash + Repel. Do not use fabric softener, bleach, or stain removal products. Wash the trail quilt by itself using the gentle/cold water setting. Hang dry, or use the delicate, no heat tumble setting on the dryer with a clean tennis ball, or dryer ball. Do not stuff back in stuff sack damp or wet.
It is recommended that you either spot-clean or hand wash when possible. In order to help maintain the DWR coatings, use cold water and Grangers Down Wash + Repel to extend its weatherproofing life. You can use a front-loading washing machine but you have to be careful.
An underquilt conversion kit is provided with the Kammok Arctos which allows these quilts to work well with hammocks of all sizes.
When you first take the quilt out of its stuff sack, give it a good shake and lay it on a flat surface for a day or two to give it time to loft.
Kammok, Therm-a-Rest, Enlightened Equipment, UGQ, Nunatak, Feathered Friends, Mountain Hardwear, Big Agnes, Nemo, Loco Libre, Katabatic, Warbonnet, Hammock Gear, and Zpacks.
Yes, the included underquilt extenders (bottom) can be used (bottom) to allow you to use the quilt as an underquilt for longer hammocks.
Downtek is a PFC-free water repellent down that Kammok uses in the Arctos. Using nano technology and proprietary application process, which makes it absorb 30% less water and dries 60% faster than untreated down. The duck down is also Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, and is bluesign® approved. Downtek is used by numerous brands including Big Agnes and Kathmandu.
DownLock is Kammok's own technology that employs vertical baffles with internal mesh gates to help distribute warmth and minimize cold spots.
Typically when compressed, the trail quilt will look flat. When you take it out of the stuff sack, give it a good shake and lay it on a flat surface. Give it a some time (1-2 days recommended) to loft.
Especially after use near a campfire, you'll want to make sure your trail quilt hangs in a dry location for a few days. When storing it back in the stuff sack, add a fabric softener sheet with it.
The temperature rating can be a bit deceiving. It's rated for 20F/-6C but it's quite comfortable at higher temperatures. That said, if it's blistering hot, the Arctos is going to have too much insulation but if where you are dips to 50F/10C, this trail quilt is perfect.
Yes, when you look at the comparison of Kammok trail quilts, the stuff sack for the Arctos is the tallest but you can certainly compress it further as there is a lot of air locked into the baffles. If you pair this with a compression sack, you'll be able to make it even smaller when packed.
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