Kammok Arctos Review – Is this ultralight quilt worth it?

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.

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 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.

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.

1. 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.
2. Length – The Arctos is actually shorter than the Firebelly so for those that are tall, that might be an issue.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

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!

Frequently Asked Questions