You want a bag that’s rated for real cold, not just “summer temps” so a bag rated around 20°F (–6°C) to 30°F (–1°C) is the practical sweet spot for those conditions.
With that said, your pad is decent and pairing that with a bag that actually matches the sleeping pad’s insulation would keep you warm bottom-to-top instead of leaving a cold gap at your torso. The 75-liter pack size you have also gives you enough volume for a real backpacking-appropriate bag like either:
- the REI Co-op Magma 30°F
Or
- Feathered Friends Flicker 20°F / Down
Or
- Mountain Hardwear Lamina Z-AI 20°F
Which I personally think are all really good for your use case, the REI Co-op being my personal choice if I had to choose. Otherwise, try [11 Best 2-Person Tents for Camping and Backpacking](https://alaskanarrows.com/11-best-2-person-tent-camping-and-backpacking/) for other options
GL
I'm a 58yo side/stomach sleeper and it's dramatically improved my sleep. That said, If you're looking for something down to 0F, I'm skeptical a quilt is gonna get you there. My FF quilt is rated to 20F and I've been ok with it (zipped up) in subfreezing, but if it was gonna be substantially colder than that I'd either want extra layering to sleep in or a more fully-enclosed bag, I suspect.
I've always had a problem sleeping cold. For the past few years, I've been using the Feathered Friends Flicker 20 degree and an X-Therm. That combo works for me down to a little over freezing. Below freezing, I have to add a Nemo Switchback foam pad on top of the X-Therm, a Nunatak over-bag around the FF Flicker. I also have an EE Torid jacket and insulated pants to use as needed.
The combination of the Flicker, X-Therm, Switchback, Nunatak over-bag, jacket and pants works, but it's a lot to carry.
I recently purchased an El Coyote 10 degree quilt to see if the extra down could take the place of the over-bag, but it still wasn't warm enough just a few degrees below freezing.
What would be the lightest and most compact way to stay warm in the winter? I have thought about selling the El Coyote quilt and getting a super warm bag like the Western Mountaineering Antelope instead, but the weight is identical to the Flicker and Nunatak over-bag combo (which is extremely warm, btw). Is there anything else I should consider?
I have a Zpacks brushtail possum beanie, which is really warm, plus the hood from the Torrid. My head is plenty warm. The over-bag is like a zipperless sleeping bag, so my entire quilt goes inside of it. That combo of the Flicker plus over-bag is the only thing that works for me, but it's heavy (40oz total). Yeah, I'm leaning towards a 0 degree or -10 degree bag. That might be my only option.
Yes, I've always been a cold sleeper. I've had the Feathered Friends Flicker for a long time. It's a great bag / quilt for most of the year, but hasn't worked for me below freezing. Last weekend, I went out with a new 10 degree El Coyote quilt and it was cold below freezing too, until I added the overbag.
Feathered Friends makes a quilt called the Flicker that zips on the side and has a drawstring footbox so you can leave it open or closed, zipped or unzipped. I love mine!
Before you buy, I'd read through Dan Timmerman's blog: [https://timmermade.com/blog/](https://timmermade.com/blog/)
He says it better than I will. But it comes down to wrapping yourself with the right thickness of insulation for the least amount of weight and money, which means you need a bag that fits your body and sleeping position, and uses the right amounts of top-notch materials.
**Keep in mind insulation is a complete system**. It includes sleeping pads and shelters.
\-A thin CCF pad under an air pad boosts R-value for cheap. Decathlon's foam roll is 210g and 9 Euro. GG thinlite is half the weight and double the price, which is still cheap.
\-A bivy bag can easily add 5C to your warmth because it prevents wind from stealing your warmth. You can find them on aliexpress for \~30 Euro in the 250g gram range, or from cottage makers in US for more $ and less g. Keep in mind, you do still want good ventilation to prevent condensation.
Feathered Friends is gold standard. Quality is top. The price reflects that. Any of the FF 10F (-12C) or 0F (-18C) bags could work. Don't get confused by names. Just look at the girth specs, and fit to height. **Maybe** in your price range with the USD being cheap right now.
I think the Cumulus Panyam and Teneqa series check all the boxes at a fair price. Choose the weight you need, add an extra 60g of down, and size it to fit yourself. Good options on website. You'll come in right around 400-500 Euro.
Cheaper than that is Aegismax.
\-G is the 850 FP goose down UL winter series, Choose your weight and length. Is it totally dialed in? No, but it's a really solid choice.
\-D is the 650 FP duck down budget series. Adequate, not ideal but worth mentioning though
My best personal experiences have been with
\-Feathered Friends Flicker 20 (-7C) for general 3 season use, which I like for versatility. It works down to actual rated temp with the right shelter, pads, campsite selection, clothing.
\-Aegismax Mini 6C which is good for summer use (which is half the year where I live), but was impressed with brand.
AMA you like about the [Feathered Friends UL Flicker 20F](https://featheredfriends.com/collections/flicker-series/products/flicker-ul-ultralight-down-quilt-sleeping-bag?variant=45597639803079)? It should probably be part of your mix if it isn't already.
It is incredibly flexible in that it can either perform:
* "fully open" (like a duvet)
* Partially open
* Open/close the toe box for venting
* "fully zipped up"
They use 950-fill, so it compresses very well.
When my current on wears out, I'll probably get another. But that's years away. You can look up Feathered Friends well earned reputation. i.e. They have peers, but you won't find "better".
The weight is ≈25.5oz. Yes, that is ≈1oz more than your current kit, but at "this level of 20F bag", about the only place you'll save weight is either (a) cutting features or (b) less fill/warmer bag.
Here's a link for quick reference: https://featheredfriends.com/collections/flicker-series/products/flicker-ul-ultralight-down-quilt-sleeping-bag
Prioritizing a "bag that fits my body" as good of a priority as anyone will ever have. Nothing wrong with that, and I wish you luck in finding it.
To that end, the expanded datapoint:
It goes back a number of years, but Feathered Friends _used_ to offer a "short" in some of their bags (but I'm not sure they offered the Flicker in a "short"). This was, obviously, to address the dead-space concern you legitimately have.
They also used to make custom length bags. I'm not sure if they do that anymore, but it may be worth a phone call. The shortening of a Flicker would be far less customization than a mummy-style bag.
They are still a relatively small company, still operated by the original family, [the Hickners](https://featheredfriends.com/pages/about-us). They've basically been making high-end bags and quilts since 1972 without advertising beyond word-of-mouth.
Which is all just to say before you dismiss them, it might be worth a phone call. I'm not personally aware of another quilt as versatile as the Flicker. Being able to "fully tuck in" with the zipper gives a lot of flexibility for warmth/venting based on conditions.
Again, hope you find the right bag for you.
Correct. Because what you're asking for is less about a custom bag which is _longer_ (which is traditionally what most people request). You're basically asking:
"During the normal production, can we cut one _shorter_ for me? How many baffles are there...can we just use one less? What would that look like? I'm willing to wait and be patient...but I'm short, and all your quilts are too long for me. Thoughts? I could get one of your bags and then ask a local tailor to modify it...but I figure your tailors are more experienced with these materials."
It is a reasonable ask. Worse they can do is say "I'm sorry, we don't do that.", but you'd also hope they could give a referral to whatever MYOG artisan who could do the mod for you.
(I met a guy on trail once from Europe who was so frustrated with lack of UL options he just taught himself to sew, bought the materials, and made a bespoke bag. Said it wasn't too hard since there is no fancy stitching.)
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