At Gryphon Gear, we make sleeping bags and quilts designed to keep you warm and stand up to years of adventure, all while weighing as little as possible. Our goal is to build gear durable and versatile enough to be the only sleep system you need.

After 50 years of making down gear, we’ve developed five signature sleep systems, each designed for a different type of adventurer:

• The Elephant’s Foot Quilt: Our ultralight half bag, designed for fast-and-light adventures in above-freezing conditions when paired with an insulated jacket.
• The Aries Quilt: An ultralight backpacking quilt that offers maximum versatility and temperature regulation for three-season adventures.
• The Taurus Sleeping Bag: A hoodless sleeping bag that provides enclosed warmth while remaining exceptionally lightweight.
• The Taurus VRB™: A hoodless sleeping bag featuring Vapor-Radiation Barrier (VRB) technology for increased warmth and moisture management in below-freezing conditions.
• The Gemini Sleeping Bag: Our fully enclosed mummy sleeping bag, built for the coldest backcountry adventures with temperature ratings down to -40°F.

Each system is built around a different balance of warmth, weight, versatility, and protection. The right choice depends less on which system is “best” and more on where, when, and how you adventure.

In this guide, we’ll break down each sleep system, the conditions it’s designed for, and who it’s best suited for, so you can find the one that will keep you warm without carrying more than you need

Our Five Signature Sleep Systems

Elephant's Foot Quilt: The Fast-and-Light Choice

Best for: Ultralight backpackers, above-freezing conditions, and those who already rely on an insulated jacket for upper-body warmth.

What makes it different?

• Half-bag design minimizes weight and bulk, closes with clips on underside
• Can be used as a quilt in mild conditions 
• Designed to pair with an insulated jacket for upper-body warmth
• Extremely lightweight for fast-and-light adventures
• Provides an efficient way to carry warmth when conditions don't require a full sleeping bag

Choose the Elephant's Foot Quilt if...

• You prioritize minimal weight above almost everything else.
• You typically camp in above-freezing conditions.
• You already carry an insulated jacket that you can wear while sleeping.
• You don't need the enclosure of a full sleeping bag.

Explore the Elephant's Foot →

Consider something else if...

• You frequently camp below freezing.
• You want a fully enclosed sleep system.
• You prefer more coverage around your upper body while sleeping.

Aries Quilt: The Versatile Three-Season System

Best for: Backpackers who want one highly adaptable system for three-season adventures.

What makes it different?

• Quilt construction allows for greater ventilation and temperature regulation
• Excellent balance of weight, warmth, and versatility
• Designed to adapt to changing conditions throughout the night
• Offers more freedom of movement than a traditional sleeping bag

Choose the Aries Quilt if...

• You want one system that can handle a wide range of three-season conditions.
• You like the freedom and flexibility of a quilt around your torso and legs.
• You want maximum ventilation and flexibility to easily adapt to changing temperatures.
  
• You want to keep weight down without going as minimal as the Elephant's Foot.

Explore the Aries Quilt →

Choose a Taurus Sleeping bag if...

• You strongly prefer the enclosed feel of a sleeping bag.
• You're primarily sleeping in consistently below-freezing conditions.
• You want a fully enclosed mummy-style system for extreme cold.

Taurus Sleeping Bag: Enclosed Warmth Without the Bulk

Best for: Backpackers who want the security of a sleeping bag while still keeping their pack weight low.

What makes it different?

• Hoodless sleeping bag design
  • Separate hood option 
• More enclosed than a quilt
• Lightweight construction without unnecessary features
• Provides the familiar feel of a sleeping bag while keeping weight to a minimum

Choose the Taurus Sleeping Bag if...

• You prefer a sleeping bag over a quilt.
• You want more enclosure than a quilt provides.
• You don't need a built-in hood.
• You're looking for a lightweight option for four-season and shoulder-season conditions.
• You want the simplicity of a sleeping bag without giving up the weight savings of a minimalist design.
  • At 20°F and below, the weight difference between the Taurus and Aries becomes negligible. If you're deciding between the two for colder conditions, the choice may come down more to whether you prefer the freedom of a quilt or the enclosure of a sleeping bag.

Explore the Taurus →

Consider the Taurus VRB™ or Gemini instead if...

• You're heading into consistently below 15°F conditions.
  
• You need additional protection and warmth for colder-weather adventures.
• You plan to be out in low temperatures for an extended period of time

Taurus VRB™: For Below-Freezing Conditions

Best for: Backpackers who regularly venture into below-freezing conditions and want to maximize warmth and moisture management without moving to a heavier traditional winter bag.

What makes it different?

• Hoodless sleeping bag design
  • Separate hood option
• Vapor-Radiation Barrier (VRB™) technology
• Designed specifically for below-freezing conditions
• Adds warmth without weight, while helping manage moisture in cold environments
• Maintains Gryphon Gear's focus on minimizing weight

What is VRB™?

Vapor-Radiation Barrier technology is designed to help retain more heat while managing moisture inside the sleep system. In below-freezing conditions, moisture management becomes increasingly important because condensation and accumulated moisture can affect the performance of your insulation.

The Taurus VRB™ incorporates this technology to provide additional warmth and moisture management when you're venturing into colder conditions, all while maintaining the lightweight design Gryphon Gear is known for.

For backpackers spending multiple nights in freezing conditions, that combination can make a significant difference in how well your sleep system performs throughout a trip.

Choose the Taurus VRB™ if...

• You regularly camp below freezing.
• You want to maximize warmth without jumping to a traditional heavy winter bag.
• You're concerned about moisture management during cold-weather trips.
• You value lightweight gear even when temperatures drop.
• You're planning multi-day trips where managing moisture inside your sleep system matters.

Explore the Taurus VRB™ →

Consider the Gemini instead if...

• You're pushing into the coldest conditions.
• You want complete mummy-style enclosure.
• Maximum protection from extreme cold is more important than minimizing weight.

Gemini: The Coldest-Conditions System

Best for: Serious cold-weather backpacking, mountaineering, and expeditions where maximum protection matters.

What makes it different?

• Fully enclosed mummy sleeping bag
• Designed for the coldest backcountry adventures
• Temperature ratings down to -40°F
• Provides maximum enclosure and protection for extreme conditions

Choose the Gemini if...

• You're regularly sleeping in extreme cold.
• You want a fully enclosed mummy bag.
• Maximum protection is more important than maximum ventilation.
• You're planning winter expeditions or other serious cold-weather adventures.
• You want a sleep system designed specifically for the coldest conditions in the Gryphon Gear lineup.

Explore the Gemini →

How to Choose the Best Sleep System for You

Start with temperature

Temperature is one of the most important factors when choosing a sleep system, but it's not the only one. Start by thinking about the coldest conditions you're realistically going to encounter, not just the average temperature of your trips.

• Above freezing: Elephant's Foot or Aries or Taurus
• Three-season conditions: Aries or Taurus
• Below freezing: Aries or Taurus or Taurus VRB™
• Extreme cold: Taurus VRB™ or Gemini
  

Keep in mind that temperature ratings aren't the only factor in choosing a sleep system. Your sleep style, clothing, shelter, expected weather, and tolerance for cold can all affect which system is right for you.

Consider how you sleep

Ask yourself:

• Do you sleep hot or cold?
• Do you like the freedom of movement a quilt provides?
• Do you prefer the enclosed feel of a sleeping bag?
• Do you move around frequently while you sleep?
• Do you typically wear an insulated jacket to bed?
• Are you willing to trade a little versatility for more enclosure and protection?

That last one is particularly useful for differentiating the products.

Then consider your priorities.

• The absolute minimum weight: Elephant's Foot
• Maximum versatility: Aries
• Lightweight enclosed warmth: Taurus
• Below-freezing warmth + moisture management: Taurus VRB™
• Maximum cold-weather protection: Gemini
  

Still Need Help? 

Still not sure which sleep system is right for you? That's what we're here for.

If you're planning a specific trip or have questions that aren't answered here or in our FAQ, reach out to Gary. Tell him where you're going, the temperatures you expect to encounter, what kind of shelter you'll be using, and anything else that might affect your sleep system choice.

After 50 years of making down gear, we've learned that the best sleep system isn't necessarily the warmest or the lightest, but the one that's right for the conditions you're actually going to encounter.