Big Agnes Torchlight 20
Summary
Price At Time Of Writing | £299.99
Our Overall Rating | 89 out of 100
Pros - Roomy, adjustable, comfortable, water-resistant down
Cons - Slightly heavy for ‘ultralight,’ zippers can snag, awkard internal pocket placement
Overall - A three-season sleeping bag for restless sleepers who want warmth without feeling confined
Technical Specifications
Packed Size - 44x20cm
Weight - 1.02kg
Fill - 850-Downtek Water-Repellent Down
Our Analysis & Ratings
The Big Agnes Torchlight 20 is a top-tier sleeping bag made for backpackers who want a good mix of warmth, comfort and flexibility. Sold as an ultralight option, it has 850-fill DownTek insulation, water-repellent fabrics and a smart expandable side-panel design that gives you more space when you need it. With a comfort rating of -7°C, it works well for three-season trips, from cool spring nights to cold autumn mornings. While it’s not the absolute lightest option in this category, it’s roomy and has adjustable airflow, which makes it a great choice for people who toss and turn or don’t like how tight mummy bags can feel.
Comfort - The polyester taffeta inner lining is soft on the skin and the high-loft 850-fill DownTek keeps you warm and cosy. Instead of squeezing you in like most mummy bags, it comes with two zippered panels on the sides that give you up to 12cm extra of width. This makes it great for side sleepers or anyone who moves a lot in their sleep. The shaped hood fits snugly around the head and doesn’t need to be adjusted through the night. People who sleep hot might even find it warm enough below its -7°C rating, while those who sleep cold might want to add a liner.
Construction - Big Agnes has made the Torchlight 20 using light but tough materials, including a ripstop polyester shell with a water-resistant coating. The treated down stays warm even when damp, unlike regular down. The YKK zippers work well most of the time, even though they’re not totally snag-free, and the thick draft tubes help keep warmth from escaping. The baffle layout spreads the down evenly, so you won’t wake up with cold spots. Our only complaint is that the inside mesh pocket is placed underneath the bag, which makes it awkward to use for storing things like a phone or headlamp.
Features - This bag has some really clever touches, like the stretchable side panels for more room, two-way zippers so you can let out some air, quick-drying DownTek insulation, and both a draft collar and shaped hood to trap warmth. There are also little loops inside for attaching a liner. One thing to note is the ‘UL’ label might be a bit off, because while it’s light at 1.02kg, it’s not the lightest in its class. That extra weight comes from the extra space and useful features, which some will find worth the tradeoff.
Size/Weight - You can get the Torchlight 20 in regular (183cm) and long (198cm) lengths, which suit most people up to 6’5" (195.5cm). At 1.02kg, it’s slightly heavier than similar bags like the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 15, but the added space and flexibility make up for it. The packed size is fair, though not as small as some ultralight options. Taller folks should go for the long version, while shorter users will do better with the regular to avoid carrying unused space.
Versatility - The Torchlight works well from late spring through to early winter, depending on how warm you sleep and what you wear. With side panels, you can open and zippers you can vent, it handles a range of temperatures; unzip it a bit on warm nights or tighten it up when it’s cold. While it’s not made for freezing alpine conditions, it’s perfect for summer mountain trips and cool-season hikes. Thanks to its water-resistant down and outer fabric, it holds up better in wet conditions than untreated down bags do.
Overall - The Big Agnes Torchlight 20 is a premium, feature-packed sleeping bag made for comfort and flexibility rather than going ultra-minimal. It’s not the lightest bag out there, but the extra space, great hood and weather-friendly down make it a strong pick for backpackers who like to move around while they sleep or hate feeling boxed in. It does cost more, but the build quality and smart design make it worth it for anyone chasing better sleep outdoors.
