Marmot Sleepy Bags?

“I'm on a quest for a new sleepy bag and my search is leading me to Marmot. Never having used any Marmot gear, i'm curious to hear your stories.

I'm targeting a cold weather bag specifically, (Marmot Lithium scores high on my criteria) so I wonder:

Did it hold up well?
Did it keep it's loft?
Was the temp rating accurate?
Was the advertised weight accurate?
Any other info about the bag - did it lose feathers quickly, did the zipper work well, etc.

Thanks for any info.”

“I gave my daughter a woman's model for Christmas. It's synthetic fill and is nice. She loves it.”

“I didn't use down. I used a couple of synth marmot bags for a year extensively and getting stuffed and unstuffed constantly. I sold them to someone on here and they were still in excellent shape. I was never cold in it (15-degree rated) and had it below that for sure. Nothing on it broke. Weight was on the mark.

I have a friend who has the Helium (15-degree) and it is a REALLY sweet bag. He loves it and uses it all the time. I haven't heard him say one negative thing about it.

If I was going to get new bags, I'd go that route (but I've resolved that my next bag is gonna be a quilt). Not as expensive as WM, FF or others but seems to be a pretty good deal, especially if you could find it on sale. Super light.”

“I have a marmot helium. The only problem was when I set it on fire. I'd buy one again, but would prefer to steal it.”

“I currently have two Marmot bags: one is 0* down and the other is 20* down. I've had no problems w/my 0* bag at all...the loft is great, temp is accurate (for my liking), no issues w/zippers or anything like that.

My 20* bag did lose some loft on the top front (had no other issues to speak of). I'd only had it 2 years when I noticed the problem. I did call Marmot, who said that it shouldn't be happening and offered to exchange it...but I really liked that bag so I declined and have since used it in warmer temps or know to add another fleece top in lower temps.

All in all, I've been very happy with Marmot bags!”

“i have a marmot 0 bag and i love it! i bought it two years back with my dividend and a 20% coupon at REI. of course you'll wonder why i bought a 0 bag living in california i'm sure. i'm just always cold when i camp. it's my late fall, winter, early spring, bag.”

“Marmot make a GREAT bag. Got a bunch and love em.”

“sweet! thanks for the info yall.

;)

I've had an REI Kilo (it used to be rated zero, now they rate it 10). It's lost loft really bad and now it's pretty much a 30 deg. bag.

I need a good cold weather bag and using it here in dry dry colorado down is the way to go!”

“I have had a Marmot never winter 30 degree bag for several years now and it's still going strong. I'm currently looking at getting the Marmot Helium 15-degree bag.”

“Roam you try DOWN WASH?

WOrked wonders on my bag”

“I tried squeezing into a Marmot once, damn thing near clawed my eyes out, and it Squealed REALLY loud...how can ya'll sleep thru that?”

“I've had an REI Kilo (it used to be rated zero, now they rate it 10). It's lost loft really bad and now it's pretty much a 30 deg. bag.
RoamAround

i bought an REI bag on a friday afternoon, used it for the weekend, and returned it on monday. it sucked that bad. their ratings are totally unreliable. and, everytime i moved, cold air rushed in and warm air rushed out. never never never again!
last edited: 8/19/09 2:14:44 PM”

“I currently have a Marmot 15 degree down bag...Im spacin on the name of it...Helium. Thats it. So far I really like it. Will have had it for about two years. It's not seen the use that my synthetic bag has, but its still been used in various conditions. Used it in Dolly Sods in freakin cold weather with snow on the ground. It was great. Didn't wet out. Used it at Mt. Rogers in June in some nasty wet weather and despite the heat and the wet...still didn't wet out. Packs small. Down is fluffy and don't have too much trouble witht the down escapin. Its light too. (this isn't the "waterproof" version of the Helium --this is the reg. version). So far I like it a lot...but I am super paranoid about it. I baby the darn thing.”

“oh um zipper works pretty well, i would say its accurate to its temp rating and it weighs near enough its adverstised weight that I wouldn't worry bout it.

Sorry I can't speak to the lithium though.”

“I've never used the down wash on anything. So, is the point that it doesn't strip the down of any natural oils that make down inherently hydrophobic?”

“no XL - I've wondered if washing it wouldn't solve some of the lost loft. Even so, I still need a new hard core winter bag. The REI never was quite a true zero bag, but I sleep so warm it was 'ok'. It's had a couple of issues with the fabric getting caught in the zipper which duct tape worked wonders on... but a washing machine might also.....

soo, yeah a new bag is what i need. :)”

“I also have the Marmot Helium. I love the bag and never had any problems. The only minor complaint is the zipper is only a half zip, so it can be a little inconvenient getting in and out.”

“sounds like I oughta get a marmot. I have an REI kilo 20-degree bag that is FAR from a real 20-degree bag. If the temp gets anywhere near 30, expect a long night. I need a good cold-weather bad - the REI bag can still be used in the summer, I guess”

“I have a Marmot Hydrogen and find it to be a stellar bag.....flawless in construction.

If buying a 30° today I would go with the Montbell Super Stretch for more room in the shoulders. The Marmot is a bit hard for me to zip all the way up, and when I do, I have a hard time getting out of the dang thing in the morning......feel trapped.”

“I have a Marmot Lithium and it is great. Really warm and no probs with the zipper, and very lofty!

Did you look at WM bags? Why not them? Just asking.”

“I've used my Marmot Pinnacle for many years -it is essentially the same bag as the Lithium with less down (15 degree). Its held up very well and the temp rating is accurate. I'd buy another without hesitation.
last edited: 8/19/09 7:49:38 PM”

“Back when Kevin Smith used to post about hiking stuff, he swore by WM, so I'll do the post for him. And, oh yes, a free alcohol stove for the ladies, just send in your address.”

“Beat ya gomez. I am WM and a Marmot girl.”

“Kevin Smith still posts about hiking stuff, but most of his other posts are devoted to chasing away the unwanted trolls who reside here.


My first bag was a Marmot synthetic (forget which one) and I thought it was a little overstated on the temp rating. Having said that, MOST bags are that way to me personally. I've never had a bad piece of Marmot gear. Just bought a brand new Precip jacket this spring for (drumroll): 35 bucks!”

“I love every bit of Marmot gear I own!”

“I have the Marmot Helium 15 degree down bag. No complaints and I think the temp rating is true.”

“Roam. I had a 35-45 bag for summer use. It had gotten so flat that it was barely useful for early fall.

Did the Down Wash thing in an industrial dryer...DUDE...the bag fluffed up great.”

“I'm also considering the Western Mtneering bag. There's a retailer here locally that sells them. It'll likely come down to 'fit' as the prices are fairly comperable.

My REI bag is the Kilo Plus and it's got a big strip of duct tape repairing a tear. I'm afraid that if i wash it, i'll just wind up with a washer full of feathers.”

“Sew it up and then seamgrip the stitches. Worked for me quite well.”

“maybe i could try that if i got a rather industrious urge sometime. ;)”

“Prolly happen after your tentmate tells you he's tired of smelling your goat hide sleeping bag :P”

“what do you think prompted me to go shopping for a new bag? (other than being cold).”