Marmot down sleeping bag ratings

imported
#1

For years Marmot has been acknowledged as a down sleeping bag manufacturer whose bags were actually as warm as they claimed, or warmer.

Recently, I’ve come across mixed reviews of Marmot down sleeping bags, with some users and reviewers claiming their down sleeping bags aren’t living up to their temperature ratings. Meanwhile, it seems to me a greater number of people still extoll the Marmot down sleeping bags and support past claims that they live up to or exceed their temperature rating.

I’d like to know what the owners of Marmot down sleeping bags who visit this forum think about the matter.

For the moment, my interest in strictly in their down bags.

It would help me greatly if people would identify the bag they use, when they got it, what it’s rated to, the lowest temperature at which they were warm, and the temperature at which they knew they were cold.

I know I’m asking a lot here, but your input, your wealth of knowledge and experience, will really help me.

Thanks.

Conan

Conan

#2

I just posted this to the previous thread, but I’ll redo it here.

I found that my Marmot Pinnacle is absolutely good to the rated temp of 15° for the way I sleep, and could actually be a bit lower. I bought mine in 2001. I’ve slept in the 10-15° range with it unzipped, quilt-fashion and been very comfortable.

My husband also uses a Pinnacle, and agrees that the temp rating is right on target. He tends to sleep with his bag zipped more than I do, but I can’t remember him ever mentioning being cold.

Another big part of the sleeping warmth equation is what a person is sleeping ON. (I use a 1.5" thermarest Prolite.) Also, what people choose to sleep in, clothing-wise, makes a huge difference. These two factors will have an impact on how someone perceives the temp. rating of their sleeping bag.

-Jenn

Chipper

#3

The Marmot Helium 15 is what I used on my thru hike. It kept me warm in all conditions and I sleep a little cold.
Only thing I wish it had a full length zip.

socks

#4

Let me preface this by stating that I am a very warm sleeper. Very warm. I have a Marmot Wasatch, it’s a 20 / 25 degree semi rectangular down bag, I think listed as 650 fill, in the long it weighs 2’ 15 oz. I’ve used it cowboy camping down to 12 degrees and was comfortable wearing fleece top and bottom. I’ve had it tent camping down to 2 degrees. All in all, I have been VERY happy with the bag.

Last year I looked ar a WM bag, don’t remember the model, but it was a 5 degree bag, decided against it because I don’t think it would ever get that cold where I do my backpackin gto justify needing a bag that warm.

YMMV.

Tabasco

#5

I have the Marmot Hydrogen long, 900 fill down rated at 30 degrees. I purchased the bag last winter and have used it on a number of overnighters this spring and summer. I generally sleep warm and have used the bag in temps right at or below freezing. I feel that I could use this bag in temps down to 20 degrees wearing typical long underwear and socks.

On the other hand, my wife would be very cold in this bag under the same conditions. She generally uses a 15 degree marmot helium bag, but if temperatures were to drop into the 20’s she’d need her 0 degree bag.

maddog

#6

I got my marmot helium in '04 and have used it in all conditions. The coldest was on the Superior Trail at 12 degrees. I was toasty warm. I used it for the coldest parts of my AT thru hike in '05 and, if anything, it was too warm. Admittedly I sleep a little warm, but my only concern was the damn thing might just spontaneously combust.

Nimblefoot

#7

I’ve used synthetic bags for the last 25 years and I decided to try down bags for a change. I wanted a Marmot down bag due to its reputation and was tossed between the Helium and the Pinnacle, both 15 degree bags. I chosed the Pinnacle for its water repellency and full length zipper.

I consider myself a warm sleeper so when I was up in the Wind Rivers in Wyoming in September. Temperatures were costantly below 20 degrees, 15 degrees being the coldest. Slept in the tent, had shorts, a long john top and a polartec hat, I slept very warm, infact I had to open the zipper to just below the shoulder to be comfortable, a couple of times I did zipper all the way in the 4-5 am period when temp at its lowest.
The difference I found notisably was how the bag drapped over you (hardly any space between you and the insulation)and the bag seems to heat up quicker. I’m 5’10" so I went with the reg. and the fit is just right. Another thing I notice is the extra insulation in the foot box where I’ve yet had cold feet which I sometimes felt with the synthetic bag.
All in all, I’m a very happy camper.

Pete

Pete Ricci

#8

Hey Conan,

My old Marmot bag was a Moraine which is no longer made. It was replaced by the Wasatch and was similar except, I think mine was then 550 fill down (which was probably why the replacement). So I pretty much agree with what Tabasco says above.

Also, Chipper is right on about what one is sleeping on and wearing, too. :tongue

Lady Di

#9

I’ve used my 30-degree Hydrogen on my 05 thru and another long hike in 04. A 30-degree rating for that bag is generous, in my opinion, but I’m also a cold sleeper. When I first got it I’d say around 40-45 degrees I was ok with socks and winter hat and such still on. I added a nylon liner and was then fine to maybe around 30 degrees. Maybe this is a tangent, but I haven’t seen Marmot drop the price of that Hydrogen in two years, when so many other bags have hit the market around that weight, so I think you could do better than the Hydrogen.

0101

#10

I have a Helium and I definitely trust it to its 15 degree rating. I’m an average to cold sleeper. One thing to note about the Marmot high end 900 fill line is that they all are made with fairly large shoulder girths (the cut around your shoulders is wide). If you’re skinny like I am, the bag is too big and is not as efficient as it could be and in effect will not seem like as warm of a bag. But if you’re bigger or more broad shouldered, it’s perfect. On the other hand, for me, the big cut means it’s more versatile. I can layer more or even add a really light summer bag as a liner without compressing the insulation. These are great bags though. But, if money isn’t an issue I’d go with Western Mountaineering, no question.

zach attack

#11

Thank you, everyone who responded.

It seems Marmot is still up there with the best, which is encouraging.

Conan

Conan

#12

Hi Conan, Please don’t forget to let us know what you end up buying…:tongue

Happy Trails

Lady Di