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Therm-a-Rest Corus 20 Quilt Review
As the trend toward quilts among backpackers continues, the number of options has grown. Despite not having customization options, the Therm-a-Rest Corus 20 Quilt strikes the balance between comfort, weight, and affordability. If you look for versatility in your gear and haven’t tried a quilt yet, it’s time to hop on that train.
Therm-a-Rest Coros Quilt Specs
MSRP: $260
Weight: 26 ounces
Temperature Rating: 20F/-6C
Fabric: 20D Polyester
Fill: 650 Fill Duck Nikwax Hydrophobic Down
Packed Dimension: 7.5 x 11.5
Manufacturing: Seattle, Washington
*all specs are for regular
Circumstances of Review
I spent the summer months testing the Corus quilt from my home state of Maine. Due to COVID, I didn’t travel far and my plans of long-distance hiking were put on hold. Instead of accompanying me strictly on extended backpacking trips, the quilt was used while car and beach camping, on shorter backpacking trips, and was my “blanket” in my renovated minibus prior to getting a proper comforter.
Don’t mind the pitch: I forgot stakes this trip and used sticks instead.
It’s worth noting the temperatures in which I was testing the Corus. Past complaints of this quilt include its warmth rating. Since it’s been a hot, humid summer in New England, I wasn’t able to test this quilt in temperatures below 32 degrees to give an opinion on the accuracy of the temperature rating.
Intended Use
The Corus 20 is best suited for backpackers and thru-hikers looking to shed weight and sleep with more room by switching to a quilt. It would be great for thru-hikes at higher elevations like the PCT or CDT that experience colder nighttime temps in the summer. I also think the Corus would be an effective balance of warmth-to-weight for shoulder season trips.
I don’t recommend this quilt for anyone under 5 feet, inches (see No Customization below).
Notable Features
Nikwax Hydrophobic Down: 650 fill treated down that absorbs 90% less water and dries three times faster.
Oversized Footbox: Intentionally shaped footbox can slip over your pad to eliminate drafts.
Draft Protection: Full-perimeter side baffles and snap neck closure.
Responsible Down Standard Certified: Certification that ensures that the waterfowl in the down supply chain are treated humanely.
Boxed Baffles: Uses mesh walls to maximize loft.
Top Pocket: A thoughtfully placed pocket for easily storing a phone or headlamp when cold temperatures are a concern.
Love this pocket for keeping a phone or headlamp warm during cold nights.
What I Liked
Not Restrictive
There’s a lot of room in the Corus. A solid 47.5 inches of girth at the hip. I’m on the smaller side, so to make sure it wasn’t just spacious for me, I had my much taller partner take a nap with the quilt. The consensus was that it is indeed, very spacious. This allows for great versatility in warmer weather for making use of the quilt as more of a blanket, or still having space to move around when the straps are set. For folks who toss a lot in their sleep, the extra room paired with the super-effective strap system would make for a snug night’s sleep.
Attachment System
The strap system on the Corus is the best of any quilt I’ve used. Not only does it stay in place phenomenally, it (obviously) paired like a glove with my Therm-a-Rest NeoAir. I thought the spacing of the straps were a little off for my height but I appreciated the ability to snap the two ends of the quilt together when the full strap system wasn’t necessary in warm temperatures.
Dries Quickly
I’m not worried about drying this quilt if it gets damp with condensation. It dries by the time breakfast is over if hung up on a branch.
The 20D polyester fabric used on the Corus dries really quickly. In humid environments like Maine, it’s not unusual to wake up with condensation in the tent, and thus on your sleeping bag. In the times that this happened to me during testing, the quilt dried out (even in the shade) by the time I’d finished drinking coffee. It’s also worth noting that the internal color of the Corus is excellent for hiding dirt after extended use. This is a crucial feature for long-distance hikes when gear will inevitably get wet.
Price
At $260 for a regular size, it’s hard to beat the price of the Corus. It’s hard to find quilts costing under $300 and the Corus is a quality quilt with fair weight for this price. By comparison, the Western Mountaineering Ultralight 20 degree bag weighs about the same and is more than double the price at $525.
Room for Improvement
No Customization
The Tarptent ProTrail is known for being lengthy enough for taller folks. I use it because it’s the perfect amount of space for me + my dog. This gives you context for just how long the Corus is.
While it’s not atypical to only offer regular and long sizing, the 79 inches of length on the regular Corus means a ton of extra space for someone as short as me (5 feet on the dot). Compare this to the Enlightened Equipment Enigma 20, which is 72 inches in length for a size regular. That being said, I really wish this was offered in a shorter size. There are no customization options for the Corus beyond those two sizes, which really eliminates shorter people from using it effectively, especially when there are other custom options on the market. Folks who don’t need 79 inches of length will find themselves carrying unnecessary extra weight, experiencing bigger drafts in cold weather, and not lining up properly with the strap system. Upside of this? Taller hikers might actually save weight by fitting into the size regular.
Small Footbox
Smaller footbox than I’m used to.
I don’t love the shape of the footbox on the Corus. It’s wide, but shallow; intended for slipping into the end of a sleeping pad. When the temps are warm, I like to sleep with the quilt wide open, but my feet inside. Since I’m short, the length of the bag combined with the short depth of the footbox meant my feet kept falling out throughout the night.
Cold Spots
I didn’t experience a night under 40 degrees while testing the Corus. However, the horizontal baffling system (like many quilts) requires that you shift the down around often to prevent it from falling to the sides and leaving gaps near your core. This shouldn’t be a deal breaker, but a quilt like this will require some maintenance for proper use.
On the Heavier Side
At 26 ounces, the Corus is 5-8 ounces heavier than comparable quilts. I see this as being due to two factors:
- 650 fill down weighs more but is less expensive to source.
- The regular length is 79 inches, longer than the typical 72-74 inches of a standard size quilts. More fabric = more weight.
For anyone switching from a standard sleeping bag, this is still a huge weight savings. What the Corus adds in weight, it makes up for in its attractive price point.
Overall Value
Another bonus? Despite being a larger company, Therm-a-Rest products are ethically sourced and manufactured in the USA.
For backpackers looking to upgrade their sleep system and shed weight using a quilt, the Corus gives the freedom of space without breaking the bank. The thoughtful features like a chest pocket and awesome strap system, loads of space, and overall comfort make this quilt well worth the price, especially for taller hikers.
Comparable Items
Enlightened Equipment Enigma (21oz) – $315
Zpacks Solo Quilt (18oz) – $340
Therm-a-Rest Vesper (19oz) – $370
Related Resources
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