UGQ Bandit Quilt Review

Underground Quilt Outdoor (UGQ) is a custom gear company based in Michigan whose claim to fame is the Bandit Quilt, a customizable, ultralight quilt offered in various configurations of your choosing.

In 2019, I entrusted my custom quilt needs to this American cottage company. Here’s what I ordered:

• 30-degree temperature rating
• 800 fill power down
• Regular width and length
• No overstuffing
• Green tea inner shell color
• MRS20 burnt orange outer shell
• Zipper/draw-cord footbox

Three years later, I think I have enough experience to write a review on the quality and durability of the UGQ Bandit, and whether this quilt is everything I expected. 

If you are wondering if the Bandit Quilt is right for you, then you have found the right review. Below, we will tackle the ins-and-outs of what make UGQ’s Bandit, in my opinion, the premier backpacking quilt for now and the foreseeable future.

But first …

What is a quilt?

We all should know what a sleeping bag is. However, if you are new to backpacking, you may be unfamiliar with the concept of a quilt. 

Briefly put, unlike a sleeping bag, a quilt has an open back, reducing the amount of material necessary, thus reducing its weight. For further information regarding the differences, I recommend reading my article on sleeping bags vs quilts, which will also help you decide what is the better option for you.

With that said, let’s move on to the UGQ Bandit review.

UGQ Bandit Construction

Not all quilts are created equal. Some are simply designed and constructed better than others and the UGQ Bandit is among the top in its industry. But what in its construction separates it from much of the competition?

Insulation

First, unlike some cheaper quilts, the UGQ Bandit combines vertical and horizontal baffles, which is where the insulation is stuffed. The Bandit has vertical baffles in the upper region of the quilt covering your torso and uses horizontal baffles towards the footbox. This allows for overstuffing of insulation where you might need it most, especially if your feet get cold.

Speaking of insulation, the Bandit uses UltimaDOWN, available in 800 fill power duck down, and 850 and 950 fill power goose down. UGQ only uses Responsible Down Standard (RSD) certified down in all their products, so you will find comfort knowing their materials have been sourced ethically. For more information on RSD, visit the Textile Exchange website.

Fabrics

The UGQ Bandit uses ultralight nylon fabrics for its inner and outer shells. 

The inner shell uses M10T, which is a 10-denier nylon fabric. It is coated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, making it highly water resistant. This is a very soft nylon, but also thin. However, it still offers reasonable durability with adequate care.

As for the outer shell, MSR20 nylon is standard, but you can opt for the lighter M10T fabric as well for ultimate weight savings. I recommend using the MSR20 for the extra durability as it is a 20-denier nylon, also with a DWR finish for high water resistance.

There are a few other fabric options for the outer shell of a Bandit; OutdoorINK, Prym1, and Hexcam, which are all 20-denier polyester fabrics. If you want a pattern on your outer shell, use one of these fabrics for a unique look for your quilt. Note that these fabrics will run the price of a Bandit quilt a bit higher.

UGQ Bandit Customization

With a plethora of customization options, this is where the UGQ Bandit really shines. Take the time to customize your own quilt to find the weight and price on UGQ’s website, which will also give you a better feel for the overall design process. In the meantime, here is a quick rundown of your options:

• Fill Power
• Temperature Rating
• Width and Length
• Overstuffing
• Inner and Outer Shell Color and Fabric
• Draft Collar
• Footbox Style
• Dynamic Tension Control
• Full Taper or No Taper
• Pad Attachment System

Most of the customization options are self-explanatory, but I do want to highlight some options and go into further detail.

Footbox Style

On top of the option to overstuff the footbox, you can also choose the style of footbox you want on your Bandit quilt.

The standard option is a zipper/draw-cord footbox. This provides the most versatility as you can completely unzip and layout your quilt to use more like a blanket. Or you can zip it partially to allow for improved breathability (especially handy if you get hot feet), or you can zip it completely shut for more warmth.

The next option is a sewn (or boxed) footbox. You won’t be able to lay your quilt out, but you will have improved warmth. 

And the last option is a fully insulated footbox. This is much like the sewn footbox, but it is continuous without a sewn seam across the top of your feet, making this the ultimate option for cold weather.

Dynamic Tension Control

The dynamic tension control on the UGQ Bandit is two elastic bands sewn lengthwise along the back opening of the quilt.  The idea behind this system is that you can tension the bands to compress the open sides under your body, minimizing drafts that quilt-doubters often fear.

For an extra $10 and a half-ounce weight gain, having the dynamic tension control is well worth the additional versatility.

Pad Attachment System

If a quilt doesn’t have a method for securing it to your sleeping pad, it probably isn’t a quilt worth having. The UGQ Bandit gives you two options (aside from no attachment system): Ultralight and Deluxe.

A pad attachment system allows you to secure your quilt to your sleeping pad in order to reduce or eliminate a draft coming up through the back opening of your quilt. Both systems UGQ offers serve the same purpose, just slightly different functionality.

You can opt for no pad attachment system, but I recommend at least going with the ultralight option in order to have the ability to reduce drafts when needed.

Quality Review

All the customization in the world doesn’t amount to anything if the quality isn’t there. So how does UGQ’s Bandit rate in this field?

When I first received my quilt, everything looked perfect regarding the accuracy of my order and UGQ’s craftsmanship. Upon re-inspection almost three years later, I have not seen any loose threads or evidence of poor stichmanship. The Bandit has held up remarkably well.

Also, this quilt has not suffered any damage to its shells, even after all this time and numerous outings. Note that I do use a sleeping bag liner, like this one, to protect the inner shell and keep it clean.

I do not even use a stuff sack when packing my quilt. I simply stuff it down into the bottom of my pack and then everything else gets packed on top of it. However, I am very careful of how I stuff my backpack. Given the thin materials of the shells, with harsh mishandling, damage can occur.

But the shell fabric isn’t weak either. Plus, it uses micro-ripstop nylon for the outer shell (if using MSR20) to prevent any potential tears from progressing very far.

As far as quality is concerned, the UGQ Bandit quilt is top-notch and I have no complaints. Just make sure you care for your down quilt properly to maximize its life.

Performance Review

Superb quality doesn’t always mean a product will meet your performance requirements. When it comes to a quilt or sleeping bag, performance means how well it keeps you warm.

My Bandit quilt is rated at 30-degrees, so if I could not take this quilt out and be warm in that temperature, that would be a failure. For reference, a sleeping bag or quilt’s rating is based on its user wearing a base layer of clothes and using a sleeping pad. 

Given that information, note that ratings are not concrete! People are different and can be hot or cold sleepers. However, the great thing with quilts is they can be vented really well since they are open on the back. Kicking your leg out can be a cinch if you get too hot, so when in doubt, I recommend using a quilt rated at a lower temperature.

With my 30-degree Bandit quilt, I have slept warm every night I have used it, including down into freezing temperatures and even when much warmer. However, I do sleep warm and cannot recommend a 30-degree quilt in temperatures much below freezing. Again, when in doubt, go with a quilt rated for lower temperatures. 

I also ordered my Bandit with a pad attachment system. People have had complaints about these systems still allowing for drafts on some quilts, but for me, the Bandit’s pad attachment’s cord and loops work great at keeping it snug to my sleeping pad. 

When it comes to performance, I have not been disappointed by the UGQ Bandit. 

Comparison

So, how does the UGQ Bandit stack up against the competition? Below is a table comparing the Bandit against two of its top competitors, the Enlightened Equipment Revelation and the Hammock Gear Economy Burrow. I tried to create as equal of a design as possible, including a pad attachment system for adequate weight comparisons.

To ensure the comparison is as correct as possible for your custom configuration, I encourage you to customize a quilt with all three companies to see how they stack up.

UGQ Bandit Review Conclusion

I am not usually one to write a review without at least one negative thing to say about a product, but I have struggled to find a single thing I do not like about the UGQ Bandit. 

While the prices have increased since I ordered my Bandit quilt, it is still cheaper than its top competitor, Enlightened Equipment’s Revelation/Enigma. And while a little more expensive than Hammock Gear’s Economy Burrow, it affords you more customization options for a lighter quilt. This is why the Bandit sits at the top of my recommendations for a quilt or sleeping bag.

One day, I will need a new ultralight quilt for one reason or another, and at this point, I do not see any reason for me to stray from UGQ. Hands down, my Bandit quilt has been my favorite backpacking investment to date.