Feathered Pals Swallow YF 20 Assessment

Bottom Line

The Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 and women’s Egret YF 20 are some of the highest-quality down sleeping bags anywhere. Their expert blend of lightweight design, interior softness, and high fill-power goose down makes for a luxurious and warm mummy bag built for the backcountry. 

We’ve put these bags through the wringer and they continue to perform incredibly well. We’ve taken them on tough trips in cold and wet conditions including 20-degree nights and snowy hikes in the Cascades, Rockies, and Sonoran Desert. They feature a generous draft tube, draft collar, and a fitted cut that eliminates dead space so you’ll stay as warm as a glowing ember all night long.

Despite the high price, these bags are worth every penny if your priority is warmth, comfort, and low weight on trail. Quality like this definitely doesn’t come cheap, but a warm night’s sleep in the backcountry when temperatures drop is priceless.

Warmth

The Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 is one of the few examples of a truly accurate manufacturer temperature rating. In other words, we’ve trusted this bag on below freezing nights in the Nevada desert and snowy conditions in Colorado high country, and these bags kept us very warm. It features 900+ fill-power goose down, one of the highest quality down fills available, that makes for an exceptionally warm and comfy night of sleep. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s favorite feature of the YF 20 is the huge oversized draft tube, basically a down-filled barrier that blocks cold air from seeping through the zipper. It’s bigger and more filled than most other premium bags, and the difference in warmth is noticeable. Plus, the passive collar around the neck – basically, an area at the opening of the bag that’s overfilled with down – combined with the mummy hood and snug (but comfy) fit – all but eliminate dead space to trap as much body heat as possible inside the bag.

Our only complaint when it comes to warmth? The Swallow YF can actually be too hot for summer hikes and warmer climates. However, if the temps on your overnight adventures don’t dip below 40°F to 45°F, Feathered Friends also offers this bag in a 30°F version that makes it even more versatile for warmer climates and hot summer hikes. That said, we still highly recommend the 20°F model. The lower temp rating is better for early spring to late fall temperature fluctuations, and even mild winter trips. 

Comfort

If your top priority is comfort, then your search might end with the Swallow YF 20. This bag is among the softest and coziest bags we tested, and we regularly look forward to the Swallow YF after a long day of hiking. We were impressed with the oversized draft tube along the zipper that almost completely blocks out cold air. Its plush loft is best in class – we find it loses structure much slower than competitors, even after dozens of times packing and unpacking on the trail. Its smooth, easy-to-use zipper makes getting in and out of the bag a breeze, even in the dark. The large hood easily accommodates a quality backpacking pillow. 

And, despite being a mummy bag, we find the Swallow YF is spacious enough to move around without feeling confined – although it’s still a mummy bag, so it fits more snugly than quilt-style options. This model also packs small and is easy to carry, which is critical for keeping weight down in the backcountry.

The downside is the material can be loud, especially when it’s new, which is a bit of a hassle for light sleepers. We also find the cinch cord on the hood – while useful for sealing in warmth – can be annoying to access and adjust during the night due to it’s small size and exterior access. And, mummy bags aren’t necessarily a great fit for everyone – they are incredible for heat retention, but they can feel restrictive to those used to the freedom of a quilt or if you toss and turn or change positions often in the night.

Weight & Packability

Long-distance backpackers and ultralight aficionados will love this bag. At only 1 pound, 12.7 ounces for men and 1 pound, 13 ounces for women, the Swallow YF ranks solidly in the middle of the pack compared to other backpacking sleeping bags we tested. Thanks to responsibly sourced 900+ fill-power goose down – among the best quality available – and ripstop synthetic material, this bag boasts one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios we’ve seen. This combination of materials keeps the weight down while ensuring the bag packs small for easy carrying over huge distances. And we find that when unpacked, the Swallow YF fluffs up nicely compared to competitors, even after dozens of times taking it out and putting it away, making it an awesome choice for folks who are spending a lot of time on trail.

For folks who want an even lighter and slightly more packable bag, the Swallow and Egret also come in ultralight versions, although they’re more expensive. If budget isn’t a concern, these are our top recommendations for knocking your base weight down without sacrificing performance or warmth. Plus, they come in alternate colorways that will better match your style. That said, the YF version offers superior value: it’s just 1.7 ounces heavier, but quite a bit less spendy.

The downside of ultralight materials is they aren’t as durable as bags made with heavier shells or heartier fills, so they may wear out faster over extended use. We’ve found that occasionally, feathers can poke through the outside shell – which takes a bit of time to reinsert them into the bag – and the lightweight shell is overall more prone to rips and tears than thicker bags. You’ll want to be careful especially on ground with pine needles, brambles, and rocks. And, the high-quality down requires a bit more care and attention to maintain versus lower-grade down or synthetic options, although with minimal effort, this bag will last for years and years.

Features

The Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 sets the standard for what we expect in a top-tier mummy bag. It has a large, contoured, 3D hood wide enough to accommodate a pillow and open wide to dump heat and enhance airflow on warm nights, but cinches tight when temperatures drop, making it versatile for eight months out of the year. The passive collar – which adds extra fill around the neck, but not an entirely separate piece of material like a regular draft collar – helps trap heat and stay warm.

Likewise, the trapezoidal footbox doesn’t compress the sides, and gives a bit of extra room for your feet to rest naturally. Continuous baffles allow you to manually reposition insulation where needed to ensure a tailored warmth distribution. We like the snag-free zipper with locking sliders for easy use, and a large, generous draft tube keeps cold air at the zipper, maintaining a cozy interior. Feathered Friends also includes a storage bag and stuff sack for convenience.

The cons of the Swallow YF is that custom ordering can take a few weeks, so you’ll want to plan ahead – although that means you’ll get exactly the product you want. This model doesn’t have an internal or external stash pocket for small items like a chapstick or keys, which is a bit inconvenient. Still, the Swallow YF 20 remains a feature-rich option for backcountry adventurers seeking comfort and functionality.

Should You Buy the Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20?

The Feathered Friends Swallow YF 20 is perfect for long-distance backpackers and ultralight enthusiasts who need a high warmth-to-weight ratio and excellent packability. At 1 pound, 12.7 ounces for men and 1 pound, 13 ounces for women, it offers a lightweight design ideal for backcountry adventures. Features like the large hood, snag-free zipper, passive collar, and trapezoidal footbox enhance comfort and usability. 

However, it may not be suitable for those who dislike the restrictive mummy bag style or need immediate availability, as custom orders can take weeks. The lack of a stash pocket for small items and the snug fit might also be drawbacks for some users. Overall, the Swallow YF 20 is best for ultralight hikers seeking high performance and are willing to wait for a custom product.

What Other Backpacking Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

Zpacks Classic 20 Review: Like the Swallow YF 20, the Classic 20 features a high fill power, low weight, and a similar temperature rating. But, it’s a great alternative since it’s more packable – around 10 ounces lighter – and more affordable, plus it offers more versatility across seasons as a quilt / sleeping bag hybrid.

NEMO Disco 15 Endless Promise Review: The Disco 15 is a mummy bag like the Swallow YF 20, with comparable comfort and features like a hod, draft tube, and full-length zipper. Although it’s quite a bit heavier, the Disco is a better option if you’re on a budget since it’s more affordable, plus it offers more room in the shoulders and footbox.

Sea To Summit Spark 15 Review: The Spark 15 goes head to head with the Swallow YF 20 when it comes to comfort, features, and weight. But, it is a bit more comfortable and warm thanks to its  wider middle section and more narrow hood, but you’ll pay more for it.