BWCA Feathered Friends Flicker UL series Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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AlexanderSupertramp
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03/20/2023 10:51AM  
Anybody using one of these in that series and just absolutely loves it?

Just ordered the UL20 after dragging my feet for months on upgrading from my el-cheapo $60 REI mummy bag. Settled on this because I wanted the versatility of a hoodless bag but also that of a quilt that I wont get tangled up in if I am sleeping hot, I toss and turn A LOT. I wanted as close to a "one bag to rule them all" as I could get. The cinching footbox has been raved about for temp control which is extra handy in the BWCA considering the wide range of temps one can experience on a single trip and I will just wear a good hat on the colder nights if I need to. I dont plan on doing any all-out winter camping but have heard folks taking these down to 15 degrees under the stars with no issues.

Ruled out all the others because the weight was pretty much the same for all of them, and this is the only one offering a full zip and the cinch footbox, as well as a full draft collar, at least at this quality level. At 25oz I really can't see myself not liking this, but who knows. What I do know, is that another mummy bag was going to drive me insane and I like trying new gear.
 
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Minnesotian
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03/20/2023 06:57PM  

Don't have any experience with the Flicker, but I do own a Ptarmigan from Feathered Friends that I use for Winter Camping and it is exceptional. Build quality is thoughtful and resilient. And it's temp rating is pretty much right on for me, but if I needed to go colder I can just dress warmer. You won't be disappointed with it.


 
03/21/2023 07:44AM  
Don’t own that brand, but from what I’ve heard is a 20 degree bag is similar to warmth of what most of the common manufacturers would rate a 0-10 degree bag. What I am saying it their temp ratings are more honest.

I use WM and they have similar ratings as FF. I don’t use any bag under 30 for 3 seasons for that reason.

I am sure it is a great! It will cover you with its options for most conditions you can imagine in the BWCAW.

T
 
03/21/2023 01:20PM  
Only contribution is that FF is one one the long-time, high-end, high-quality brands out there. But no knowledge of that specific product.
 
AlexanderSupertramp
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03/21/2023 08:35PM  
timatkn: "Don’t own that brand, but from what I’ve heard is a 20 degree bag is similar to warmth of what most of the common manufacturers would rate a 0-10 degree bag. What I am saying it their temp ratings are more honest.


I use WM and they have similar ratings as FF. I don’t use any bag under 30 for 3 seasons for that reason.


I am sure it is a great! It will cover you with its options for most conditions you can imagine in the BWCAW.


T"


Similar concerns arose about sub- 30 degree bags for 3-season but hoping the cinched footbox and ability to fully unzip to quilt will alleviate them. I sleep cold in most cases too. Worst case in the dead of summer I bring the old bag but I don’t really plan trips for June or July.
 
03/21/2023 11:17PM  
I can’t imagine you will have trouble with warmth. If the temps look cold bring a stocking cap and gloves. You will be fine.

T
 
dsmith1979
member (49)member
  
03/23/2023 07:34AM  
I've own the Feathered Friends Flicker UL20 (Long/Wide) for about 3 years. It weighs 29oz. Paired with an X-Therm pad, it's been fine into the mid 20's, but using fleece/hat at that point. I always use a liner to keep the bag clean. For 40's and up the ability to open up the foot end is great. No regrets at all with this purchase as I know I've got a warm system for shoulder season camping or high elevation backpacking. I'm still going to add a 30F quilt for Summer camping but not sure if it'll be down or synthetic.

Flicker under a DIY 10'x12' silpoly tarp on Lac La Croix in October:
 
AlexanderSupertramp
distinguished member (354)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
03/24/2023 01:38PM  
dsmith1979: "I've own the Feathered Friends Flicker UL20 (Long/Wide) for about 3 years. It weighs 29oz. Paired with an X-Therm pad, it's been fine into the mid 20's, but using fleece/hat at that point. I always use a liner to keep the bag clean. For 40's and up the ability to open up the foot end is great. No regrets at all with this purchase as I know I've got a warm system for shoulder season camping or high elevation backpacking. I'm still going to add a 30F quilt for Summer camping but not sure if it'll be down or synthetic.

Flicker under a DIY 10'x12' silpoly tarp on Lac La Croix in October:
"


This makes me know I made the right choice! I got the notification that it shipped yesterday, can barely contain my excitement! I'm 6' tall but really narrow so I went with the regular size according to their size chart. It says 25oz but I'll weigh it when it gets here.

We'll see how the first trip in May goes with it, hopefully I wont need to add another Summer bag and in the winter I was planning on bringing a Rumpl Nanoloft to drape over myself and the bag to help me get down closer to 10-15 degrees if I needed to.
 
awdriven
member (20)member
  
03/30/2023 10:46AM  
I have two 40 degree and two 20 degree flickers in the YF fabric. We've been really happy with their flexibility. Bag, quilt, footbox cinch. I can't speak for the UL fabric, but the YF has been holding up well. I think FF's temperature ratings are more realistic than many other makers. We use them with the xtherm pads.
 
JohnGalt
distinguished member (392)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/29/2023 04:42PM  
I was looking to get a FF bag last year though they were out of stock. I went with a 'quilt bag' (quilt with footbox & no zippers) from Elightened Equipment & I love it.
 
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