FF Flicker warmth compared to other bags w/ same rating

I previously had both the FF Flicker 40 and the WM Megalite. The Flicker was my dedicated summer bag and I never brought the Megalite out until late September for archery season.

On paper, the Megalite is significantly warmer than the Flicker 40. Looking at the specs, the WM has 13 ounces of down and the Wide Flicker 40 is 9.1

I’m a very warm sleeper and regularly used the Megalite into the low 20’s but if you’ve been using a 20 degree Flicker thinking it was a 40, then I’d probably drop down to something like the Versalite or Badger.

Based on specs and my (limited) past experience of using the Flicker 20, I think it’s rating should be accurate. Before buying another bag, I’d explore why the Flicker doesn’t seem to be that warm for you. Are you wearing a down hood or balaclava? A fleece beanie may not be enough. I can get chilled in my 15-20 degree MYOG quilt at just 35F if I’m not wearing a down balaclava. Is your pad sufficiently warm? Are you wearing warm socks?

Why not buy a synthetic overquilt instead and layer up?
While heavier it is a much cheaper option and very versatile.
I use the S2S Traveller2 as my summer sleeping bag, pretty much the same as the Flicker XL, I consider the temperature rating accurate and I’m a bit older with a reduced sleeping metabolism.
My overquilt is 100GSM and easily adds 10C to the bottom line and if I’m cold I layer on an insulated UL parka or jacket with hood [ in addition to my LW balaclava and/or beanie

we got our 4-yr old daughter a flicker 20 and when i lay in that next to my versalite (WM’s 10 degree bag), i can’t tell which is warmer. i’m really impressed by the flicker and will be buying another to replace my summerlite (WM’s 32 degree bag) as i’ve decided i do not like mummy bags.

I have a 30 degree Flicker. With it properly strapped to my sleeping pad, I was quite warm this past weekend when one night it went down to 40. I haven’t tested it lower than that.

Sounds like I need to check out my options before dropping coin on another bag — especially considering that it can be hard to find particularly UL options once you start considering 0-degree bags.

When I felt cold the other week, it was mainly in my legs/feet — I was wearing socks, but not particularly thick ones. With a down puffy jacket, my torso and arms felt fine.

My pad is a Nemo Tensor Insulated, so I don’t think that was part of the problem.

I think for the next trip, I’m going to try bringing a set of insulated pants — down or fleece. Might help me extend the bag’s usefulness and I’d been thinking of getting a pair for camp use anyway.

Also thinking that I need to pay better attention to the down distribution in the baffles — wondering if maybe I got all the down piled up in one spot and didn’t realize it.

“My pad is a Nemo Tensor Insulated, so I don’t think that was part of the problem.”

I believe the Nemo Tensor Insulated has a R-value of 3.5 which places it in the 3-season category so at 20F it may not be warm enough……most suggest an r-value of 5 and above for colder weather and winter conditions.

I have a 20 degree Flicker (it does have two additional ounces of overfill)- I’ve used it into the teens w/o any drama- midwweight base layers and a down beanie.  I pair it with a 50 degree Apex quilt (MLD Spirit 48) when I expect colder.  I’ve had the pair down to 0 a couple of times and was always snug.

The 50 degree quilt weighs 12 oz and doesn’t take much volume.  It also has a “poncho” hole so it can be worn around camp for additional insulation.

This always with a Thermarest Xtherm and a shorter ccf pad underneath (doubles as a sitpad).  Probably in the r-7-ish range