ENO Vesta Synthetic Top Quilt
Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) has continued to build on their line of hammock insulation options with the introduction of the Vesta synthetic top quilt. I reviewed their down-filled Blaze under quilt and Ignitor top quilts last year; the Vesta rounds out their synthetic line (the Vulcan is the matching synthetic under quilt).
ENO Vesta Synthetic Top Quilt Details
| What they say | What I say | |
| Dimensions | 73 x 48 in (185 x 122 cm) | 74 x 50 in (188 x 127 cm) |
| Weight | 28 oz (794 g) | 26 oz (735 g) — quilt 0.6 oz (18 g) — stuff sack |
| Temperature Rating | 35–45°F (2–7°C) | 35–45°F (2–7°C) |
| Loft | N/A | 1–1.5 in (2.5–4 cm) |
Manufacturer: Eagles Nest Outfitters, made in
Listed Features
- MSRP: $169.95
- Nylon Shell w/DWR Finish, Nylon Taffeta Inner
- Primaloft® Synergy Continuous Filament Insulation
- Cinched foot box with hook-and-loop with snap enclosure
- Includes a nylon stuff sack and storage bag
Build and Design
The build and design of the Vesta top quilt are nearly identical to it’s down-filled cousin, the Ignitor. The continuous filament doesn’t need baffles or quilting, and that is apparent in the inner fabric where there is no quilting or stitching. There is some stitching on the top of the quilt, and I can only guess this is used in part for structure and also for aesthetics.
The fabric has a nice smooth hand that isn’t static prone and feels soft. The overall build quality is very good with only a few loose strands and snags apparent.
I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t completely close the foot box. The channel where the cord is threaded has insulation inside, which severely limits how much I can compress the area.
I’m very pleased that ENO included a stuff sack and storage bag. As I mentioned before the stuff sack is generic; it isn’t a compression sack.
The Vesta also features the strange draft collar I noticed in the Ignitor. It’s brassière (or yoke) shape lays flat against the quilt, so it is hardly any use in the field. The real piece missing was some clasp or connection I could use to close the top of the quilt around my neck and head and then a cinch cord to close up the head end. This is one modification I would make to the quilt for extended use.
Warmth and Comfort
I’ve taken the Vesta on a few backpacking trips in the late fall in Utah, Texas, and Arizona where overnight temperatures have been in the low- to mid-30s°F (-1 to 2°C) in both dry and slightly humid conditions. In all cases I wore some insulated pants and jacket and I slept mostly warm the entire night. In one case I actually overheated and had to vent a little. I was very happy with the performance of the insulation.
Where I felt cold on a few occasions was when the top of the quilt slipped off a shoulder and I would feel drafts and cold spots. This is where I wished I had some clasp, button, or toggle to tie together the head end and have some cinching mechanism to really close up the head area.
The “hole” in the foot box where I couldn’t completely cinch up the end hasn’t been a problem yet. I wore socks to bed and didn’t have any issues with drafts or cold feet.
Packing
Synthetic insulation doesn’t pack down as small as down, but it gets down to a few liters in volume. I normally pack my quilts without the stuff sacks directly into the bottom of my backpacks so the volume is better filled than with oddly shaped stuff sacks, which leave a lot of empty, unfilled pockets. The storage sack has been a great addition when I haven’t used the quilt.
Recommendations
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the warmth of the quilt. I normally sleep colder in synthetic quilts, so I packed extra insulation during the cold nights. I’ve been comfortable (or too hot) so far.
I’m actually a fan of synthetic insulation for clothing because of the moisture control and ease of drying and washing, even in the field. In many areas or circumstances, a synthetic quilt or sleeping bag is actually preferred.
Price is another driver for synthetic insulation. I wish the price on the Vesta was lower. The construction and design are basic and the materials cost much less than down, but there is only a $60 price difference between the two. Given that down is warmer and packs down smaller, I’d recommend getting the down version, or look for sales from retailers.
Disclosure of material connection: The author (Derek Hansen) was provided with a free sample from the manufacturer for testing and evaluation purposes. The comments in this post (written & spoken) are of my own opinion, which I formed after personally handling the gear. I was under no obligation to publish a review of this item.
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