Kammok Bobcat Trail Quilt Review: Blanket converts for camping into a hammock

A minimalist sleeping bag, blanket, top duvet, and underquilt all in one cozy package, Kammok’s new Bobcat Trail Duvet packs a soft, feathery punch.

With over $210,000 (and counting) raised on its Kickstarter, Kammok’s Bobcat Trail quilt has generated a lot of hype. So I felt lucky to receive one of the few production samples available for review.

Editor’s note: I reviewed a gray quilt, but that color is not available on Kickstarter. Ember-Orange, Pine-Green, and Midnight Blue are the currently available options. All other aspects were the same.

The Bobcat claims to be a very versatile piece of equipment that operates in four “modes”. It may look like a simple blanket, but the Bobcat works for both tent and hammock sleepers. And it works just as well away from a campsite.

It’s available on Kickstarter through Friday, October 26 for $139 (30% off). For this first look, I put it through its paces for a few weeks in hammock camping and daily adventures.

In short: Generally, all-purpose gear doesn’t do one thing very well or solve real problems. Not so with this outdoor duvet. During my test, I was impressed with its usefulness as both an under-quilt and a quilt top while hanging in the hammock. And its on-the-go sleeping bag mode made it a more versatile option in the tent than other camping blankets.

First of all, the Bobcat is plush! Kammok used some awesome materials for this quilt. The Atmos fabric and water-repellent down (DownTek) are high quality and downright cuddly. It looks a lot like an expensive down sleeping bag.

I liked the size of the duvet. At 7 x 4.5 feet (84 x 54 inches), it had good coverage in all of my tests. It fits in an 11.75 x 6.5 inch stuff sack and compresses to approximately 7 x 6.5 inches. It fits easily in a camping backpack, carry-on or picnic bag. Although this 19 oz duvet is not the lightest on the market, it is still in the ultralight market. And the Bobcat carries a 45 degree rating.

quilt fashion

The Bobcat can be used as an ordinary blanket in a tent, at the campfire, or at home. It feels good and the diamond pattern is elegant. I’ve mostly used it for lounging at the park and eating out on cool Minnesota fall days. It could also be used as a blanket for any twin or queen bed.

There are 10 small snaps along the perimeter of the blanket that allow you to connect it to other Bobcats or Kammok Trail Quilts. This creates mega coverage that lets you get cozy with your friends or family.

Minimalist sleeping bag fashion

Pull the shock cord at each end of the quilt to create a foot box and mini pull collar. The metamorphosis is simple. Kammok has made a great video that explains how it works for the brand’s Firebelly Trail Quilt (predecessor to the Bobcat) below. The process is the same for the Bobcat.

Note that a duvet, by definition, does not have a cozy little nest for your head like a mummy sleeping bag. Camping quilts are meant to be lighter versions of a traditional mummy. Nixing extra material around your head is one way to reduce weight. Be sure to bring a hat, Buff or equivalent if you’re worried about staying warm on colder nights. And you can always use a fleece or a fluffy one as a pillow.

As a camper in a hammock, I only tested the Bobcat briefly in this mode. The foot box, snaps, pad straps and mini draft collar are all combined for a comfortable rest. I tend to get cold, so I wouldn’t recommend relying on the Bobcat in temps much below 45 degrees F. But on mild to moderate fall evenings, it seems like a solid, lightweight option if you must sleep on the floor.

Hammock Top Quilt Fashion

The top quilt is similar to the minimalist sleeping bag but is designed for use during hammock camping. Use it with a sleeping pad or without. I opted to skip the sleeping pad and use an under-duvet instead.

The foot box is roomy and you can wrap the duvet around you to help insulate cold spots around your shoulders. The warmth was noticeable and appreciated when I was lounging in my hammock.

As stated, I’m a notoriously cold sleeper, so I expected to feel cold during the 45 degree test. And after several hours outside, I was. I grabbed a puffy one and stuck it with me, and it did the trick. This is quite common for me, and I usually choose a bag at least 10 degrees warmer than the coldest temperature for each night. Of course, your mileage may vary.

I’m 5’4″ so I had great coverage from head to toe and all around my shoulders and hips. But I was curious to see if it would work for larger hammock campers. I called the tallest person I know — he’s 6’10” (yes, 6’10”) — and made him try it. He said that with his 7′ length, the Bobcat s Fitted perfectly and functioned as a superior quilt with a little room to spare.

Hammock Underquilt Mode

If you take one thing away from this review, it should be the usefulness of the Bobcat as a comforter. This is where it really stands out from other outdoor blankets..

And setting it up as an under-quilt is simple. Simply attach the shock cord to the carabiners or hammock suspension and thread the snaps through your hammock’s gear loops. Presto, you’re ready for bed!

For those unfamiliar with the underquilt, it is hammock-specific gear that wraps under the hammock. It’s usually paired with a top duvet or a regular sleeping bag – this all-over blanket keeps you snug when you’re hanging out all night.

As a 7-foot underpad, the Bobcat covers most of a hammock’s length and is long enough to cover the cold spots of all but the largest hammock campers.

I tested it with the Kammok ROO single, the ROO double and some ENO hammocks. It was compatible with everyone.

Plus, it comes with an underduvet conversion kit that contains shock cord extenders and clips for longer hammocks. It’s very easy to use.

Of course, even though the underquilt works great, you still need something else to keep you warm. For this, I recommend a sleeping bag, top quilt, blanket, or just another Bobcat.

Bonus Mode: Halloween Costume

Kammok didn’t realize they had helped create the Hammock Man superhero. I’ll be wearing this thing as a cape to keep warm (and “heroes”) while I run around collecting candy with the trick-or-treaters.

Kammok Bobcat Trail Quilt

Outdoor blankets are “so hot right now,” and I’m not surprised that Kammok reached its fundraising goal in just five hours. Overall, the Bobcat offers plenty of options and features for the price you pay.

You could pay $199 for a similarly sized down blanket and not get the extra camping features you find on the Bobcat. Likewise, you can buy a top duvet for $150-350 and end up with just one top duvet, losing the multifunctionality that comes with the Bobcat. At $139 with four “modes”, it’s hard to beat.