Feathered Friends Sleeping Bags

Feathered Friends has certainly been around for a while. I bought a bag from them in the early 1980's, and it was one of the first sub-two-pound down bags with a Goretex shell, and it had a rating somewhere south of +20 F. Back then, at least, you would order the semi-custom bag and then wait for a week until it was delivered. They normally kept the fabric pre-cut, so they could sew one up and stuff it fairly quickly.

Back then, as I recall, their Regular size bags would fit to 5'10", and it was slim cut. Obviously it made for good weight efficiency, but it would be a problem for husky hikers.

I still have mine, and it is still in perfect shape, so it gets used once in a while.
–B.G.–

Rob,

I was just at Feathered Friends yesterday bringing in my bag to have them clean it and give it a look over. Feathered Friends is located kiddy-corner from REI here in Seattle. I've had my bag for over a decade and it's been all over the world. I have the semi-rectangular 20 F Penguin. I love the bag. Sure It's 2 1/2 pounds for the semi-rectangular model, but my legs like to move and I can't get a good nights sleep in a mummy bag.

FF is a top notch outfit. They supply bags and clothing for elite climbing parties world wide. There front window has expedition suits of there's used on K2 and Everest.

You can't go wrong with their bags. They now use 850 down. I believe my bag has 800. The kid at the register told me they get 900 down in sometimes and he just had a jacket made with it.

Thanks to both of you for your comments. I phoned them today and they were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I think I'm going to go with the 20F Swallow bag and add 2oz of down. At $10/oz I read a few reviews saying this was an excellent way to add a few degrees to the bag without adding too much weight. I might end up buying a jacket or vest from them as well now that I see they make quality stuff. Thanks again.

yeah, i just ordered a Lark with the same 2oz overfill.
I cant judge their bags, im aussie and have never seen one physically, this will be my first.
But to be honest, i was a little unsure, and i must have called them up 4 times, and if it were me…i would have been buggered off, some guy calling from the other side of the world to change the order and ask questions…..
I actually changed my order right when they put the parcel outside to post…and my changes to a custom bag were totally welcome.
the woman i spoke to first spent 45 minutes talking to me, helping me choose…then i called back and the guy i spoke to:Max K (or something like that)…was a hero. i called him up further 2-3 times to bug him about the correct size, and each and every time he patiently explained fabrics, sizing and his personal sleeping bags and how he uses them.
Honestly, this is why i chose them over WM…cos you can call them, and chat to them as much as you want, even from the other side of the world (im aussie), even at 8pm there (3pm here, the day after), when they were meant to shut to chat for a good 30minutes!
The only thing they couldnt get around their heads was the time difference LOL! But neither could I!
I dont think I'll be bugging them anymore at awkward hours, but wow…service.

I have two FF bags, a one down jacket (the Volant) and a fleece farmer john-type suit. Top quality. I have also ordered two wind-shells as gifts for my family. Top quality. I always feel that I get a little more than advertised from each item that I've ordered. There has always been an additional feature or functional element in the construction that they didn't list in the item description.

The down chambers on the sleeping bags (at least the two that I have) are not under-filled by any means but it is a good idea to get a few ounces of overfill. I ordered 2 oz overfill on the most recent bag I purchased and if I could do it over again I would have put 3-4 oz in. Just my opinion, but I would go with 3 at the minimum.

Rob, the Swallow was the same named model that I purchased in the early 1980's. Of course this new one probably has better down and minor feature changes. I hope you get as much good service out of your bag as I have of mine.

–B.G.–

I'm definitely sold now with everyone's comments and I did phone their customer service today and Siggy is right, they really are pretty impressive. They couldn't have been more helpful. I might even go with the Lark model considering it doesn't add too much weight and is much warmer. I'm definitely on my way to Seattle soon. Thanks to everyone for your help.

A few years back, some folks posted about problems with snagging zippers on FF bags. But not so much anymore. Anyone having any problems with the newer bags?

I own a Lark. I've had it 12 years now and it has endured the length of the Appalachian Trail; a 4600 mile canoeing/cycling trip in northwestern Canada; elevations over 18,000 ft in Tibet and is still in great shape.

Two things I would change:
1) I would have gotten a few oz overfill (you're already doing that)
2) I would have gotten the permanent draft collar instead of the removable draft collar.

There is not a significant weight savings with the draft collar removed and adjustments to temperature (the intended purpose of the option) are better made with the zipper.

I'm familiar with the zipper snag problems. I have that problem with my bag (purchased in '97). This has been been fixed on the newer models I have seen.

Ty, I'm not sure I understand what you're saying about the draft collar. You're saying it's not worth getting the option because it doesn't really add the the temperature rating too much?

Concerning the zipper issue. I just phoned customer service to inquire about it and he didn't say they're are any special features to avoid snagging but he says he doesn't think it happens that often…not the best answer in my opinion.

Rob, I just checked the FF website and it appears that the removable draft collar is no longer an option. . .so nothing to worry about there.

I shouldn't have implied that I have seen a large sampling of the newer models and fabric types of FF bags, but on the one I ordered for my girlfriend there was a specific design element that prohibits zipper snags. Adjacent to the zipper, inside the draft tube there is some sort of "stiffener" sewn on the underside of the fabric. You can't see it aside from the stitching, but you can feel it. This, in effect, holds the fabric taut so that it cannot gather and snag in the zipper. Western Mountaineering had been doing this in their bags for years. I'm not really sure why it took FF so long to catch on.

My 12 year old bag only a strip of ribbon-like material not much more than 0.5" wide adjacent to the zipper and it was very ineffective at preventing the draft tube fabric from snagging. Additionally, there is a flap of fabric–think of an awning–that covered the zipper that could snag also. I suspect my bag had it only because it was made out of Gore Dry-Loft, the more water resistant of the fabrics they used at the time. It was a thoughtful design element, but I'm not sure how necessary it was. I don't know if this is a feature that they continue to use or not.

Basically, I agree with what Ty said…I have the removeable collar to.

My bag is pictured beside my WM versalite – 1997 Lark (w 2oz overfill, shell PTFE laminate which was their version of Gore Dryloft used at the time). The Versalite was brand new 2009….I was surprised just how the Lark compared after I allowed it to loft.

Th FF bags may not be the lightest for those who count every ounce, but they will be around a long time.

I'm trying to be an idiot here, but are you agreeing that the collar is not necessary on a 20F bag or do you think I should add it as an option. I did check with FF and they do still offer it as an option for an extra $50.

Is the FF bag the green or the red one?

I would NOT get another removeable draft collar – the fabric and snap used for this option essentially negate any weight savings, and the flexibility is not worth it…there are better ways to regulate temp than to make a decision before the trip: do I bring the draft collor or not?….I NEVER took it out, so I really think the option is useless. YMMV.

My FF bag is red, and keep in mind that it is 12 years older than the Versalite shown in the picture. I would refer to the FF website for pictures of how the current bags look. No doubt they have changed some.

I thought I was going to sell my FF bag after getting the versalite, but I have decided not to…..I can't part with it, and it's more waterproof which makes it a better choice when I'm only using a tarp and ground cloth…I don't mind a few extra ounces.

BJ

Feathered Friends used GoreTex and then Gore DryLoft as a shell material, but then they switched to eVENT, although they first called it just PTFE. Feathered Friends was one of the first companies to incorporate eVENT into their product line.

Rob,

If I read it correctly, all these comments about the collar are about adding the option to make it removable.

In other words, yes you need a collar, but get it sewn in permanently. DON'T make it removable.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Rod

No worries. You're by no means an idiot. I don't know of any other sleeping bag manufacturer that offers a "removable" collar option so it's not part of the usual vernacular. Since FF no longer has illustrations of the removable collar on their webpage I can see how the concept is hard to picture. I'll try an explain it.

First, what it is not. It is not something that snaps on or zips into the bag. Although it is called "removable" for the most part it is quite permanent. (That's confusing).

What it is. Picture the draft collar of any sleeping bag you are familiar with. In essence, this is a baffle just like the rest of the sleeping bag is composed of, but there are two differences. One, it is smaller in circumference so that it can better fill-in around the neck and two, it has a drawstring to further augment the seal around the neck. The draft collar is filled with down and sewn shut. Again, just like any other baffle in the bags construction. (I known I'm telling you things you already know to this point…just trying to create a clear picture). With FFs removable collar, the baffle construct of the collar is exactly the same. The exception is that instead of the down being stuffed into the baffle (as normal) it is contained within a fabric tube–the same fabric type that the lining of the bag is made of. It is this tube of down that can be removed, thus leaving the baffle/collar empty.

The tube is well stuffed with down and there is no loss of heat retention when it is in place versus a regular collar. But again, I got that option hoping to save a little weight in warmer temperatures. Of course, when the collar is in it adds weight over a standard collar but the difference either way is negligible.
At the time, FF claimed it was a feature that would make the bag more comfortable over a greater ranger of temperatures, specifically during warmer temps. I doubt that there is a specific temperature at which the presence of a collar would make a noticeable difference. Certainly not with all the zipper configuring you can do.

It sounds like you're putting a lot of research into your sleeping bag purchase. I did the same 12 years ago before deciding on FF. Honestly, I'm a bit of a nerd about their products. Send me a PM, or give me a call if you'd like. I'll be happy to lend my thoughts, FWTW, on their products.

Thanks Ty for the info. I didn't know most of what you were describing in your last post so I'm more than happy you were that descriptive. I would have messaged you but I couldn't figure out how to do it. Since you have a FF bag already, how small does it compress down to. Customer service told me the Swallow stuff sac is a 5 litre sac but that could obviously be compressed even more. Is it basically the size of a loaf of bread? I heard someone describe it as such once and I like the comparison. It lets me put it into perspective.

Rob,

You have to open an account here (free) before you can send a PM.

I've found the stuffed sized comparisons to be an exaggeration to matter what the product or manufacturer.

Could you compress a Lark down to the size of a loaf of bread? Yes.

Would you risk compromising the downs loft compressing it that small over time? I'm not sure, but I've heard people say that an extremely tight stuff, time after time, is bad practice.

What you can be sure of is that the stuffed size will be small and efficient for the size and warmth of the bag.

Sorry Rob,

..just noticed you were speaking of the Swallow and not the Lark. But the answer is still the same.