The Big Agnes Torchlight 20. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
When it comes to backpacking, your sleeping bag is one of your most important pieces of gear. It’s your source of comfort and warmth while you sleep, and therefore it’s a safety priority. As such, it’s critical that you have a reliable sleeping bag that is equally comfortable and warm. The Big Agnes Torchlight 20 ($330 $245) checks those boxes with style, and it’s one of the best offerings from any backpacking gear company this year.
In our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags, the Big Agnes Torchlight 20 was one of our top picks thanks to its thoughtful design and excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. Read on to learn more about my experience with the Torchlight.
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| Pros | Cons |
| Expandable side panels make it roomy | Packs down large for a down bag |
| Interior fabric liners to attach the liner to | Not ultra lightweight |
| Good value |
First Impressions of the Big Agnes Torchlight
The Torchlight is available in both Men’s and Women’s in both regular and long lengths. Although gender-specific bags are nice, my husband and I planned on sharing this sleeping bag, so I opted for the men’s regular. The Torchlight only has one color option, so that’s the one we got.
When the Torchlight arrived in the mail, my first thought was that it was slightly larger than I expected when packed into its stuff sack. I know the measurements are available online but in my head, I thought it was smaller. Regardless, it’s no larger than the backpacking sleeping bags I’ve had in the past, so I wasn’t too worried. The Torchlight comes with both a stuff sack for when you’re on the trail and a mesh bag for storage, which I always appreciate. The bag sports a mummy design and the material felt soft and comfortable.
The Torchlight at Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. Photo: Jaxon Sheley//The Inertia
Notable Features of the Big Agnes Torchlight
Temperature Rating: 20 F
Weight: 2 lbs 11 oz
Stuff Sack Size: 9 x 20 inches
Insulation: Down
Sleeping Bag Shape: Mummy
Gender: Men’s & Women’s
Pros: Expandable side panels, interior fabric liners to attach liner to
Cons: Packs down a little large for a down bag
When it comes to choosing a backpacking sleeping bag, synthetic versus down is the ever-present debate. Down is a popular pick because it’s lightweight, easy to compress, performs well in cold, dry conditions, and is durable. However, synthetic sleeping bags dry quickly, provide insulation even when wet, are non-allergenic, and are affordable. The Torchlight sports down insulation, but the hydrophobic down and DWR coating are specifically designed to perform well in wet conditions.
DownTek DWR
The Torchlight features PFC-free DownTek water-repellent down insulation that according to Big Agnes absorbs 30% less water and dries 60% faster than untreated down. I can’t speak specifically to those numbers but I will say that I have had some trouble drying out down bags in the past, but the Torchlight dries out quickly. The bag also sports a durable water-repellant (DWR) coating, so the bag really doesn’t absorb much water. I didn’t get caught in any rainstorms while testing this bag, but there was a fair amount of dew on the exterior of my bag in the mornings while I remained toasty warm and dry inside.
Expandable Side Panels
One of the most unique features of the Torchlight is that it has expandable panels on the side. If you’ve ever slept in a mummy-style sleeping bag, then you know that they can feel a bit constrictive and are sometimes hard to roll over in. The side panels allow you to expand the sleeping bag, making it larger and roomier. I tend to toss and turn a lot at night, so having the ability to expand the bag was a game-changer for me. My husband was a big fan of this feature and both of us agreed that it was our favorite aspect of the Torchlight. Pro tip: If it’s an extra chilly night, keep the side panels zipped up to keep everything as compact and warm as possible.
The expandable panels allow for a roomy sleeping experience. Photo: Jaxon Sheley//The Inertia
I live in Hawaii so most of my camping and backpacking experiences are with my sleeping bag fully unzipped or on top of me like a quilt. However, we did go on a backpacking trip to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island where temperatures typically drop into the 30s and 40s at night. Believe it or not, the Big Island actually gets snow in the winter! That being said, the 20-degree temperature rating proved to be perfect for nights in the 30s and I was grateful for the down insulation.
Other Features
Additional warm features include a draft collar, a contoured hood, interior fabric loops for attaching a sleeping bag liner, and exterior loops you can use to hang it to dry or for storage. Another fun feature of the Torchlight is that it’s available in left- and right-zip options, so you can zip two together to make a double sleeping bag. At the end of the day, the Torchlight comes with a stuff sack for packing or a mesh bag for storage.
The Torchlight in action. Photo: Jaxon Sheley//The Inertia
Drawbacks of the Big Agnes Torchlight
As I mentioned before, the Torchlight only comes in one color option for men and one for women. I was satisfied with the color the bag comes in, but it is always nice to have choices.
For a backpacking sleeping bag, the Torchlight doesn’t pack down super small. It’s not large by any means, but at 9 x 20 inches it’s on the large side. Of all of the sleeping bags we tested for our The Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags it was one of the largest in terms of packed size, but at 2 pounds 11 ounces, the weight is right in the middle. Keep in mind that the Torchlight also comes in a UL version, which is only an ounce lighter, but rated for temperatures about 7.5 degrees colder, plus it packs down to 8 x 17.5 inches. If volume and warmth are more important to you, then the UL version is a great alternative.
The Torchlight doesn’t pack down incredibly small, but it’s not too large either. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
Although the Torchlight isn’t the most packable backpacking sleeping bag, it makes up for it with comfort and performance. Its innovative down performs well when wet and the expandable side panels allow for a spacious sleeping experience. The draft collar, contoured hood, and interior fabric loops for attaching a sleeping bag liner ensure the 20-degree bag will keep you warm even on extra chilly nights.
CHECK Men's PRICE ON REI CHECK Women's PRICE ON REI Check Price on AmazonEditor’s Note: Don’t miss the rest of our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags. Plus, you’ll need something to sleep on: our guide to the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads is an excellent place to start. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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