Enlightened Equipment Enigma Quilt 20 Review

Bottom Line

The Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 is one of the warmest backpacking quilts we’ve tested, offering outstanding warmth-to-weight performance for ultralighters and thru-hikers. We tested it on chilly nights in the Himalayas, where it held its own in freezing temps with only minor drafts. That’s why it ranks near the top of the best backpacking sleeping bags and quilts.

The 850-fill down version we used packed down incredibly small, and the optional 950-fill upgrade offers even more loft and efficiency. Its wide cut and simple pad-strap system help seal in warmth better than most quilts we’ve tried. Though, it still takes some practice to use effectively.

Comfort is excellent for an ultralight design, but the lack of a hood, zipper, or pockets means it’s best for experienced backpackers who value minimalism. For those prioritizing low weight, packability, and high-end craftsmanship, the Enigma delivers excellent long-term value.

HOW WE TESTED

We put the Enigma 20 to the test in some of the world’s least hospitable environments – the Himalayan mountains. We relied on it to keep us warm for 100 miles around Mount Manaslu, all while assessing its warmth, comfort, and feature set.

Warmth

Quilts can be trickier to stay warm in than traditional sleeping bags, but the Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20 ranks among the warmest that we’ve put through the wringer. It doesn’t have an official ISO or EN rating, but the Enigma kept us warm in freezing temperatures in the Himalayas apart from the occasional draft.

It’s available with either 15.46 ounces of 850 fill power duck down or 13.83 ounces of 950 fill power goose down. We tried out the 850 version, but the 950 option provides slightly more loft, providing the same warmth at a lighter weight.

The Enigma is incredibly versatile. Whether you’re a hot sleeper, a frigid sleeper, or just want a quilt for every season, Enlightened Equipment has you covered. They offer the Enigma in a wide range of options from 0º all the way up to 50º in 10-degree increments as well as a slew of size options.

One major difference that we’ve noticed with the Enigma is that it seems to do a better job at blocking drafts than other quilts we’ve tried. The quilt’s generous width and included pad straps help it stay snug around your body and sleeping pad. That said, its vertical baffle design requires proper care. If you don’t take good care to keep the down dry and lofted, it has the potential to clump up and shift around, creating unfortunate cold spots. Because quilts lack a built-in hood – by design – we recommend pairing the Enigma with a beanie, hooded puffy, or the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Hood to stay fully warm on cold nights.

Comfort

The Enigma offers more blanket-like comfort than bag-like comfort. Its open, zipperless back lets you spread out freely on warm nights or tuck in when the temperature drops. The sewn footbox is permanently closed, creating a warm and secure cocoon for your feet with a snug, 40-inch girth.

At the top, the 54-inch shoulder width feels generous, especially for a backless quilt. It’s wide enough to wrap comfortably around most users and reach the edges of a standard sleeping pad, helping to minimize drafts without feeling restrictive. 

The 10D shell fabric is not the most luxurious material out there, but it feels soft enough against the skin and does a good job of maintaining light weight and packability. As with most ultralight gear, it requires a little care to prevent snags or wear over time.

Weight & Packability

One of the biggest advantages of a quilt design is the dramatic weight savings. By eliminating the insulation and fabric that would normally sit underneath you – and instead relying on your sleeping pad for ground insulation – the Enigma cuts serious ounces.

The 950-fill-power version is the most compressible, though the 850-fill model still packs down impressively small – about 13 inches by 6 inches. The ultralight 10D shell fabric also contributes to its compact size, making the Enigma an easy fit in even the smallest packs.

At just 1 pound 5.6 ounces for the regular width and length, the Enigma 20 ranks among the lightest, true, three-season options out there. For those who can handle it, a 50°F short and slim version comes in at an astonishing 9.21 ounces. No matter which setup you choose, the Enigma offers exceptional weight savings and some of the best compressibility out there.

Features

Quilts are minimalist by design, so if you’re after a fully featured sleeping bag, the Enigma isn’t it. There’s no hood, no zipper, and definitely no pockets – just the absolute essentials to keep you warm. Unlike Enlightened Equipment’s Revelation Quilt, which has a zippered and drawstring footbox for adjustable ventilation, the Enigma’s footbox is permanently sewn shut to increase thermal efficiency and decrease weight.

To compensate for the open-back design, the Enigma comes with two elastic straps to secure the quilt to your sleeping pad. These help seal out drafts and keep you anchored to your pad instead of sliding around on slippery plastic all night. Unfortunately, the straps aren’t nearly as effective on foam pads. They’ll help to keep everything in place a little better, but won’t eliminate gaps entirely. At the top, a pair of snaps and an adjustable drawcord let you cinch the quilt snugly around your shoulders and neck.

Even though the lack of features might be a big change to some, the bare-bones design is what keeps the Enigma’s weight and bulk very low, making it one of the lightest and most efficient sleep systems available.

Should You Buy the Enlightened Equipment Enigma?

The Enlightened Equipment Enigma is made for thru-hikers and experienced backpackers looking to cut every possible ounce from their pack to hike farther and faster. It’s also ideal for those who dislike the restrictive feel of a mummy bag or for hot sleepers who appreciate the open, ventilated design.

With its sewn footbox and minimal feature set, the Enigma trims away everything but the essentials to keep you warm and cozy at night. Enlightened Equipment makes it easy to dial in the perfect fit with a very wide range of size and temperature ratings. Both the 850-fill and 950-fill power versions use premium down that packs impressively small while delivering a solid warmth-to-weight ratio.

That said, quilts aren’t for everyone. If you are an especially cold or finicky sleeper, you may want to stick with a traditional mummy bag. They take some getting used to – even some ultralight backpackers find them a bit tricky. But this one is lighter, more compressible, and more affordable than sleeping bags, earning it a top ranking on our list.

What Other Backpacking Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

If you’re not sold on our favorite quilt, be sure to check out our full guide to backpacking sleeping bags to compare it with our other top picks. 

Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 Review: The Revelation is extremely similar to the Enigma, but the footbox has a zipper and a drawstring to adjust ventilation at the feet. This adds a little bit of weight and isn’t quite as warm on cold nights, but it allows you to completely open the quilt into a blanket.

Feathered Friends Swallow UL20 Review: This is our favorite ultralight mummy bag. It’s made with many of the luxuries of a standard mummy bag – full length zipper, cinchable hood, draft collar – but rivals the weight of a quilt. 

Zpacks Classic 20 Review: The Classic bridges the gap between a quilt and a traditional sleeping bag. It opens wide like a quilt for easy ventilation but features a ¾-length zipper that allows you to fully close it up to the neck. Like most quilts, it skips the hood in favor of a simple drawstring closure at the top. The result is an incredibly lightweight and versatile design, but keep in mind that Zpacks temperature ratings tend to be very generous.