Temp rating for alpine climbing sleeping bag?

Hey guys! I'm in the process of updating my sleep kit. Currently I have a:
-Patagonia Hybrid sleeping bag
-Marmot Plasma 15 875 fill down bag, and a
-Mtn Hardware Lamina Z 20 synthetic bag.

 I'm in the process of selling the Marmot 20* down bag and replacing it with a quilt, and the Feathered Friends Flicker quilt looks to fit all my needs for ultralight backpacking, alpine climbing trips and truck camping.

 My question to you is: What temperature bag do you most often use for 3 season conditions for alpine and backcountry rock climbing trips? I mostly climb around the western US and my 20* down bag has been my go-to, but with a quilt I'm wondering if i can get away with a 30 or 40 degree quilt for most uses in conjuction with a jacket. For those of you have quilts, what temperature do you own and do you often choose to take a bag or a quilt for backcountry climbs? For example next season I want to do the Grand Traverse and take the quilt as an ultralight 2-person shared quilt. What's been your experience with bags or quilts in the 30* range? Thanks!

To directly answer your questions, I use a 20* bag for almost everything.

I have the Zpacks 20* bag and it only weighs like 20 oz which is already lighter than the 30* Flicker.  If I have a tent, liner, and a hot water bottle at my feet I can take it comfortably down to 5* at least the way I sleep. On the other hand, if it's not going to get much below freezing, then I can pair it with a torso length Thermarest X-lite for a sleep system that weighs like 2 lbs.

Of course I only bring it if I think I'm going to need it, but my buddy and I intentionally planned this one: https://www.instagram.com/p/BJyiAcPjflg

What's wrong with your hybrid bag for this application?

that guy named seb wrote: What's wrong with your hybrid bag for this application?

I live and sleep out my truck a lot and the versatility to use it as a comforter would be super nice. Also my cousin and I are planning to do the Grand Traverse next season and could use it as a 2-person quilt for an ultralight sleep system.

Crushtian Black wrote:

I live and sleep out my truck a lot and the versatility to use it as a comforter would be super nice. Also my cousin and I are planning to do the Grand Traverse next season and could use it as a 2-person quilt for an ultralight sleep system.

in that case i think you answered your own question, if you have the cash to splash and plan on doing anything high you could ask feathered friends when they are bringing back their two person sleeping bag. Otherwise a quilt seems like a decent option, i wouldn't be super psyched about bringing it into the alpine though.

I also have a zpacks 20- i think mine is something like 17oz.

I have a FF Flickr in 20 and 30 degrees. I've used them both quite a bit. FF makes a great product and their customer service is amazing. The 30 degree packs down a lot smaller and is fine for me in the summer Tetons at altitude. I wouldn't use it as a blanket for two at higher altitude without a good puffy.

The twenty degree has a lot more fill and definitely gives a little more insurance for cold temps but it is noticeably larger when packed.

I have a 30 flicker, didn’t want a full quilt because I sometimes toss and turn. Slept in a t shirt only right down around freezing comfortably. It’s a great summer alpine bag.

Shoulder seasons and mild winter when I bring a big puffy the vireo can’t be beat for warmth and weight/pack size.

15 degree quilt for most stuff. I sleep cold so 20 is probably ideal for most people.

Brian Shaffer wrote: I have a FF Flickr in 20 and 30 degrees. I've used them both quite a bit. FF makes a great product and their customer service is amazing. The 30 degree packs down a lot smaller and is fine for me in the summer Tetons at altitude. I wouldn't use it as a blanket for two at higher altitude without a good puffy.

The twenty degree has a lot more fill and definitely gives a little more insurance for cold temps but it is noticeably larger when packed.

Ah thank you! Good to hear some first hand experience with both. I think I'll go with the Flicker 30 and for shoulder season when I'll have a puffy I'll use my Hyrbrid bag

I've narrowed it down to the Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 or the the Feathered Friends Flicker UL 30. The EE comes in at 20.19oz and the FF at 23oz for a size regular. From reading reviews it seems like Feathered Friends is very conservative with their ratings, so a Feathered Friends 30* bag seems to be comparable to other 20* bags on the market, and the ability to fully zip up the bag to prevent drafts would probably make it as warm as the EE 20* bag it seems like. Any thoughts from others who have used either bag?

Ronald B wrote: To directly answer your questions, I use a 20* bag for almost everything.

I have the Zpacks 20* bag and it only weighs like 20 oz which is already lighter than the 30* Flicker.  If I have a tent, liner, and a hot water bottle at my feet I can take it comfortably down to 5* at least the way I sleep. On the other hand, if it's not going to get much below freezing, then I can pair it with a torso length Thermarest X-lite for a sleep system that weighs like 2 lbs.

Of course I only bring it if I think I'm going to need it, but my buddy and I intentionally planned this one: https://www.instagram.com/p/BJyiAcPjflg

Do you also have one of those Zpack goose down hoods?  I also have the Zpack  20 but when I'm camping in snow in the Sierras in the early season, is not as warm as a mummy. I was considering getting one to stretch the warmth.  I rely on an older synthetic Mountain HArdwear 0* bag that weighs about 4 llbs.

Crushtian Black wrote: I've narrowed it down to the Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 or the the Feathered Friends Flicker UL 30. The EE comes in at 20.19oz and the FF at 23oz for a size regular. From reading reviews it seems like Feathered Friends is very conservative with their ratings, so a Feathered Friends 30* bag seems to be comparable to other 20* bags on the market, and the ability to fully zip up the bag to prevent drafts would probably make it as warm as the EE 20* bag it seems like. Any thoughts from others who have used either bag?

I have the Revelation 20. I wouldn't say I'm a very cold sleeper but unless it's above 5°C I will be cold at some part of the night. At -7°C (20 F) I freeze.

j c wrote:

I have the Revelation 20. I wouldn't say I'm a very cold sleeper but unless it's above 5°C I will be cold at some part of the night. At -7°C (20 F) I freeze.

Good to know. I kinda had the feeling the EE one wouldn't be quite as warm as stated.

Ethan Ayer wrote:

Do you also have one of those Zpack goose down hoods?  I also have the Zpack  20 but when I'm camping in snow in the Sierras in the early season, is not as warm as a mummy. I was considering getting one to stretch the warmth.  I rely on an older synthetic Mountain HArdwear 0* bag that weighs about 4 llbs.

Actually I never sprang for that. If it's below freezing I'll usually be wearing a light down jacket to bed, and the hood on the jacket goes a long way for me. If I'm really pushing the rating I'll have my balaclava on too.

Ronald B wrote:

Actually I never sprang for that. If it's below freezing I'll usually be wearing a light down jacket to bed, and the hood on the jacket goes a long way for me. If I'm really pushing the rating I'll have my balaclava on too.

I've resorted to the same setup when it falls below freezing.  I'm still usually pretty cold, but then again I'm not suffering from hypothermia either.

My partner and I use a blue tarp and pee on each other.  

They do say emptying your bladder makes you feel warmer.  It's even more true in our case.

A bit off topic but a Nalgene bottle full of hot water will last for hours - that's how I bump down the rating on my Mountain Hardwear Phantom Spark 28.

Sterling Falconer wrote: Anyone have a picture of FF Flicker 20 in it's stuff sack? I just ordered one but having buyers remorse thinking it will take up too much space in my 35L pack.

If you're worried about pack space, don't use a stuff sack.  Put it in the bottom of your pack and compress it with everything else in the bag.

I use a 20 degree quilt with 2 oz of overstuff (so approx 15) as a go to and will sometimes bring a 40 if the forecast is right.  They 1 weigh lb and 1.5 lbs.