After BB replied to my thoughts on the Big Agnes Zirkel, I thought readers would get the most out of this in ""open discussion". The thing about sleeping bag reviews is they're really subjective and one persons opinion isn't always enough, so for that reason I feel that everyone should chime in.
So I will post a review from a different bag every couple days and anyone that has used that bag can chime in with the experiences on that model.
Each person should also comment on a few other key things as well:
1) How many nights in the bag
2)Are they a cold or hot sleeper
3)Was the bag taken care of (hung not compressed)
4)The temp range they have used the bag
5)Do you upgrade or are you still using this model
Marmot Helium 15 Regular
Weight---2lbs 3 oz's
Down---850
Price---$350-400
This bag is probably used by more hunters than any other sleeping bag on the market today, giving you an unbelievable heat to weight ratio with great compressibility. I have personally used the Helium for 1 full year and here’s are a few things to think about before purchasing.
The Helium has a great cut for medium to larger builds, but will leave a smaller sized hunter with some extra room. This is not a bad thing when the temps are above 30 degrees, but the larger cut takes longer to heat up and for smaller guys and another bag may be a better option if you're pushing the limits of the bag. This is also very subjective and only my opinion, but as a bigger guy this bag ft great.
The 15 degree temp rating may be a bit optimistic for comfort, but keep in mind this heavily depends on each person! If I were to give this bag an all-around comfort rating, it would be 20-25 degrees.
One of the only down sides to the Helium is the snagging of the zipper and at the time I purchased the bag it only came in left hand zip. My bivy sack is right hand, so that was a PITA at times, but if you take away those two issues, the bag is one of the best on the market.
The outer shell of the bag has a DWR finish that will keep an occasional spill from getting to the down insulation. I would say that the outer shell is a bit thin, but for a bag delivering these type of #'s you have to expect that. Marmot does offer another version of the Helium called the "EQ" and that model has a tougher and more water resistant outer shell. You will get a weight penalty with this model, but if you are known to destroy your gear than the EQ may be a better option. The EQ would also be a better choice for guys sleeping in a bivy or under a tarp most of the time.
I personally slept under a tarp or in a bivy many nights with the standard Helium without issue and its death actually came from a hungry marmot at 12,300 ft. so keep that in mind
When researching the Helium I found a few comments about the hood being a poor design, but I did not have any issue with this, but it should be mentioned anyway.
I'm a warm sleeper for the most part, but my feet always have issues, so I try and throw a heated Nalgene bottle in the bottom of my bag when time permits. This method was done with all the bags I tested.
All of my bags are taken care of and hung/fluffed as quickly as possible.
I've slept in temps ranging from 10-65 degrees in the Helium and multiple occasions.
In summary, the Helium will serve any 3 season hunter very well and with the proper care it should last many season. It was not my top choice, but did in up in the top 3 for bags exceeding the $300 mark.
So I will post a review from a different bag every couple days and anyone that has used that bag can chime in with the experiences on that model.
Each person should also comment on a few other key things as well:
1) How many nights in the bag
2)Are they a cold or hot sleeper
3)Was the bag taken care of (hung not compressed)
4)The temp range they have used the bag
5)Do you upgrade or are you still using this model
Marmot Helium 15 Regular
Weight---2lbs 3 oz's
Down---850
Price---$350-400
This bag is probably used by more hunters than any other sleeping bag on the market today, giving you an unbelievable heat to weight ratio with great compressibility. I have personally used the Helium for 1 full year and here’s are a few things to think about before purchasing.
The Helium has a great cut for medium to larger builds, but will leave a smaller sized hunter with some extra room. This is not a bad thing when the temps are above 30 degrees, but the larger cut takes longer to heat up and for smaller guys and another bag may be a better option if you're pushing the limits of the bag. This is also very subjective and only my opinion, but as a bigger guy this bag ft great.
The 15 degree temp rating may be a bit optimistic for comfort, but keep in mind this heavily depends on each person! If I were to give this bag an all-around comfort rating, it would be 20-25 degrees.
One of the only down sides to the Helium is the snagging of the zipper and at the time I purchased the bag it only came in left hand zip. My bivy sack is right hand, so that was a PITA at times, but if you take away those two issues, the bag is one of the best on the market.
The outer shell of the bag has a DWR finish that will keep an occasional spill from getting to the down insulation. I would say that the outer shell is a bit thin, but for a bag delivering these type of #'s you have to expect that. Marmot does offer another version of the Helium called the "EQ" and that model has a tougher and more water resistant outer shell. You will get a weight penalty with this model, but if you are known to destroy your gear than the EQ may be a better option. The EQ would also be a better choice for guys sleeping in a bivy or under a tarp most of the time.
I personally slept under a tarp or in a bivy many nights with the standard Helium without issue and its death actually came from a hungry marmot at 12,300 ft. so keep that in mind
When researching the Helium I found a few comments about the hood being a poor design, but I did not have any issue with this, but it should be mentioned anyway.
I'm a warm sleeper for the most part, but my feet always have issues, so I try and throw a heated Nalgene bottle in the bottom of my bag when time permits. This method was done with all the bags I tested.
All of my bags are taken care of and hung/fluffed as quickly as possible.
I've slept in temps ranging from 10-65 degrees in the Helium and multiple occasions.
In summary, the Helium will serve any 3 season hunter very well and with the proper care it should last many season. It was not my top choice, but did in up in the top 3 for bags exceeding the $300 mark.
