THE FKT QUILT
Built for Fast Movers.
WEIGHT: 14 oz – 17 oz | 390 gm – 480 gm
LOW TEMP RATING: 38 – 48 F | 3 – 9 C
NOT AVAILABLE – DO NOT ORDER
NOT AVAILABLE – DO NOT ORDER
NOT AVAILABLE – DO NOT ORDER
FKT, or Fastest Know Time, refers to the fastest time someone has completed a trail or section of trail. Today the idea has grown to include the spirit and art of moving fast and light to achieve any personal speed/efficiency/experience goals on a trail. The FKT Quilt was born from that same spirit.
NOTE: ALL FKT QUILTS ARE CUSTOM ORDER – NON RETURNABLE – PLEASE READ FULL DESCRIPTION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnhniBIX3dY 7,000 Mile Review
NOTE: Most hikers will prefer the Spirit Quilt or Vision Quilt. This FKT Quilt is for Advanced FKT Hikers.
This quilt was designed specifically for fast-moving hikers and trail runners that spend a minimum time in camp and need less sleep insulation in the top half of the sleep system because they wear an insulated jacket, or extra top layer, while sleeping. Because they move fast by day, they require little or no extra insulated leg clothing but do need that extra insulation on the lower body at night. For this reason, FKT Quilts are constructed with 4 oz sq/yd super high-quality ClimaShield Apex Synthetic Insulation in the bottom half, and 2 oz’s in the top half. This system approach saves pack weight and bulk while keeping the total system modular.
Many users of the FKT Quilt use this quilt on top of a 2-3 season mummy bag, extending their system to 3+ seasons. Doing so helps keep a down inner bag dry. In below-freezing temps, insensible perspiration from your body or wet clothing cools as it moves through the sleep system. Some of that perspiration condenses back to liquid water near the colder outer surface. Using a synthetic quilt over a down inner bag, holds more of that moisture in the faster drying synthetic layer, so the down bag stays dryer.
The FKT Quilt, is a true Ultra Lightweight Specialists tool; if you are new to backcountry sleep quilt systems and their use, please read the entire product description and specs before adding to cart.
FEATURES
• Insulation: 4 oz sq/yd Apex Bottom Half | 2 oz Apex Top Half
• We recommend Black or Olive Green color, for optimal speed drying
• Foot box and lower leg area is larger than many other lightweight quilts. Body mapped shape offers warmer torso area and less bunching at the neck.
• Anchored no-fumble cord locks at each end.
• Five snaps close the area from the foot the above the knees.
• Removable dual sided adjustable back strap w/ a long webbing to secure under a sleeping pad.
• Sleep pad elastic clip on connection system supplied to make it easy to clip the quilt on and off of a sleeping pad if desired
• Quilt can be reversed to use inside out if one side gets wet
• Head and Foot elastic cord sleeves
• Backup closures rings above the top snap
NOTE: CUSTOM ORDER – NON RETURNABLE – PLEASE READ FULL DESCRIPTION
REVIEW: https://youtu.be/JnhniBIX3dY?fbclid=IwAR2ukXiRwComjb7N4UmjrkE6CqJLFPwb20v3ach5QmMZZGkIexrwOkoNGmM
Available in small, medium, large, x-large, and custom sizes. See “Specs” tab for dimensions. Color(s): Black, Olive Green, Citrus Orange (See “Quilt Options” tab for color recommendations.)
The optional poncho head slot adds more versatility, allowing the quilt to be worn around camp, as an emergency torso layer, or as the only insulation layer in warmer conditions.
FKT QUILT TEMPERATURE GUIDE
We hesitate to offer exact temperature comfort ranges, as there are so many variables. The following temperature ranges assume users understand standard UL clothing, shelter, campsite selection, and UL quilt sleeping strategies. With multiple years of testing and extensive customer feedback from many many users – we feel these ratings are a good general guide to your comfort level.
Most fast moving users experiencing night temps between 38 F – 60 F | 3 C – 16 C will be comfortable in this quilt by using standard lightweight camping techniques.
NIGHT TEMPS OF 55 F + | 13 C +: No extra clothing needed.
NIGHT TEMPS OF 45 F – 55 F | 7 C – 13 C: Light clothing, socks, and a head buff.
NIGHT TEMPS OF 35 F – 45 F | 2 C – 7 C: Add a well-insulated jacket, hiking and/or rain pants, insulated balaclava, dry sleep socks, gloves, etc. In general, you will be wearing all clothing carried in these lower temps.
Check out our APEX Balaclava, it pairs perfectly with our quilts!
John Abela –
I have been using the FKT Quilt since it was released. The idea and concept appealed to me so when it was time to acquire another quilt I decided to get the ‘FKT’ and give it a try. So has the idea/concept worked out for me? What are my thoughts on it?
The Mountain Laurel Designs ‘FKT Quilt’ is a synthetic quilt that is uniquely designed to help fill a niche in the quilt market, with a double layer of insulation on the lower half, and a single layer of insulation on the top half, thereby allowing you to leave at home your insulated leggings and insulated booties, for those colder nights.
Simply put, the Mountain Laurel Designs ‘FKT Quilt’ is a purpose designed quilt. It offers those who know their gear, know their body behavior, and are fast movers who spend little time in camp the ability to take with them a quilt designed to meet a set of goals, and do it as best that it can. It offers a broad range of temperature use, a slimmed down set of features, and perhaps most of all, the FKT Quilt gives the experienced adventurer the ability to dial in their gearlist in a way that other quilts on the market does not offer.
I wrote a full review of the MLD FKT at: https://hikelighter.com/2016/05/04/mountain-laurel-designs-fkt-quilt/
Andrew –
I used the FKT quilt on my AT thruhike with my hammock. With proper layering and camp selection it was plenty warm enough for me the entire trip. It’s my go to quilt for all of my summer trips. I’ve also used it as a blanket in my van and it’s quite comfortable. I definitely recommend it.
g23y5eard41 (verified owner) –
I absolutely love this quilt!!! I posted a quick and dirty overview at https://youtu.be/Fne–AGwuks
Chris (verified owner) –
Amazing quality as expected from Mountain Laurel Designs. With proper layering I feel that can easily get into the 30s. At 48deg plus I don’t really need any extra clothing. I use the head poncho slot for chilly mornings when braking down camp. Would definitely recommend depending on how you sleep to save weight by not needing heavy bottoms.
Run_Hike_Sleep_Repeat (verified owner) –
Received my FKT (finest known topquilt) yesterday.
I can’t relate how happy I am to add another MLD product to my UL arsenal.
The quality is outstanding as usual. The weight in the specs to the finished product is as accurate as can be expected. 457g for my large (without the pad straps).
The sizing is accurate but it’s not quite as roomy as I’d expected in the lower half. I won’t be using mine with a down bag in winter… I’ll use my insulated pants that create a half bag, so loft isn’t as much of an issue.
From experience with previous apex quilts… I know this will do me fine.
The expected wait time accurate and the delivery from completion to receiving it fast.
You can’t beat coming home to one of Ron’s smiling packages 😉
Next order will be for a superlight solo bivi with dcf floor to compliment it. I’ve got the dcf soul bivi for winter use with the quilt.
Great work Team MLD and a special thanks to Ron for staying true to his foundations.
Stay well all and keep it lite 👍
Best regards from the UK
David Stone (verified owner) –
I’ve owned the FKT Quilt for a few years now. I’m 5’11, 180 lbs, and own a large. I purchased the FKT Quilt to bridge the gap with my Spirit Quilt 28. I wanted something lighter and a bit cooler because the Spirit Quilt 28 can be too warm at times.
The FKT Quilt is light, takes up minimal room, drys quickly in the sun, and is warmer than you would expect. The quality is what I’ve come to expect with MLD products, the best quality UL products that other companies have been trying to replicate for years.
I’ve used the quilt during light and fast summits of Mount Rainier and climbs that require short bivouacs. I’ve talked buddies in buying the FKT Quilt, and we’ve done the Wind River High Route using the FKT Quilt in Aug. I use MLD’s Superlight Bivy in conjunction, and it’s becoming my go-to quilt in late spring and summer. Or temperatures 36 degrees or higher. I’ve come to love synthetic quilts for their ability to stay warm when damp, and I’m not afraid to curl up and put my face inside the quilt while sleeping, knowing it will create condensation, something I have to concern myself with is down bags.