Feathered Friends Flicker UL 20 Quilt Sleeping Bag
Specifications
| Weight | Packed Size (L) | Warmth Rating | Fill Weight | Fill Power | Fill Type | Sleeper Height | Seasons | Shape | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb 10 oz | 8 | 20°F | 14.7 oz | 950+ | Goose Down | Up to 6 ft (regular) | 3-season | Quilt/Mummy hybrid | $529.00 |
Comfort & Warmth
The Feathered Friends Flicker UL 20 is built for backpackers who want one sleep system that can handle everything from warm summer nights to frosty alpine mornings without carrying extra gear. Designed as a true hybrid, it can be used fully open as a spacious quilt for maximum ventilation in mild weather, or zipped up into a center-entry mummy-style bag with a cinchable footbox and down-filled draft collar when the mercury drops. This versatility is powered by premium 950+ fill-power RDS-certified goose down, which offers exceptional loft, warmth retention, and compressibility, paired with an ultralight 10-denier Pertex® Endurance UL shell that resists light moisture and condensation. At just 1 lb 9.8 oz for the regular size, the Flicker UL 20 delivers serious warmth without adding pack weight, and it compresses down small enough to fit easily in ultralight packs. Continuous baffles allow you to shift insulation to the top or bottom depending on conditions, giving you precise thermal control, while the center zip design reduces cold spots and mimics the heat-sealing benefits of a draft tube without extra bulk. With a very wide functional comfort range depending on configuration and layering, it’s a rare piece of gear that can thrive across seasons, making it a long-term investment for hikers, thru-trekkers, and minimalist adventurers who demand both adaptability and premium craftsmanship in the backcountry.
Weight & Packability
The Flicker UL 20 is impressively light and compact for a sleeping bag that can handle true three-season conditions. Weighing just 1 lb 9.8 oz (730 g) for the regular length, it delivers serious warmth without burdening your pack. This ultralight profile is made possible by the high-loft 950+ fill-power goose down, which compresses exceptionally well, allowing the Flicker to pack down to a compact 8 liters in its included stuff sack. For those counting every cubic inch in their pack, it can be further compressed into an even smaller dry bag for alpine or thru-hiking missions. The Pertex® Endurance UL shell keeps weight low while adding durability and weather resistance, ensuring the bag can withstand repeated packing and unpacking over extended trips. Whether carried in a minimalist 40L ultralight pack or alongside bulky winter gear, the Flicker UL 20’s combination of minimal weight, small packed size, and multi-season versatility makes it a standout for backpackers who refuse to choose between comfort and packability.
Price
The Flicker UL 20 lands in the premium tier of sleep systems, but for good reason. The 20 °F regular length model is priced at $529 - a reflection of its 950+ fill-power goose down, ultralight Pertex Endurance UL shell, and the craftsmanship that Feathered Friends is known for. Despite a higher upfront investment than many mass-market options, the Flicker rewards you with fantastic warmth-to-weight performance, modular quilt-or-mummy versatility, and enduring build quality, making it a lasting companion for serious backpackers and thru-hikers.
Quality & Materials
The Flicker UL 20 is built with the kind of materials and craftsmanship that have made the brand a benchmark in premium outdoor gear. At its core is 950+ fill-power ethically sourced goose down, hand-inspected for loft and uniformity, offering one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios in the industry. The outer shell is made from 10-denier Pertex® Endurance UL, a featherlight yet durable fabric treated with a water-resistant, breathable polyurethane coating that helps shed condensation, frost, and light precipitation without sacrificing packability. Inside, a soft 15-denier ripstop nylon lining provides a smooth, comfortable feel against the skin and is tough enough for years of nightly use. Continuous horizontal baffles allow you to shift down to match seasonal needs, more on top in cold weather, redistributed below in warmer temps, while the full-length center zipper is reinforced with meticulous stitching and finished with a down-filled draft collar to prevent heat loss. Every bag is handcrafted in Seattle, Washington, undergoing rigorous quality checks to ensure flawless construction and long-term durability. The result is a sleeping bag-quilt hybrid that blends ultralight performance with the kind of reliability you can depend on.
Consumer Sentiment: Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Versatile hybrid design adapts for a wide temperature range
- Warm and reliable down
- Compact and lightweight
- Durable US manufacturing
Cons:
- High price tag, though offset by single-bag versatility
- Lightweight shell requires care
Comparison to Comparable Items
Feathered Friends Egret UL 20: The Flicker UL 20 offers convertible quilt-to-bag versatility and a unisex fit, while the Egret UL 20 provides a women-specific cut with targeted insulation for maximum warmth in cold conditions.
Feathered Friends Tanager 20 CFL: Compared to the ultraminimal, zipperless Tanager 20 CFL, the Flicker UL 20 delivers far greater adaptability, ventilation options, and comfort features, though at a slightly higher weight.
Enlightened Equipment Revelation 30F Quilt: The Flicker UL 20 delivers warmer temperature ratings, a more refined build, and full sleeping bag functionality, whereas the Revelation 30F Quilt is lighter and more affordable but designed primarily as a quilt for milder conditions.
Who It’s Intended For
This bag is made for fastpackers, thru-hikers, and minimalist adventurers who want a single sleep solution across seasons - from muggy summer nights to chillier alpine runs. It particularly suits those who want both structure and openness, side sleepers who shift positions, or users valuing gear simplicity without sacrificing warmth.
