Marmot 7th Heaven

Why do people still buy down bags? The 7th Heaven weighs the same as the Pinnacle, costs ALOT less and won't loose effectiveness if wet. After a week in the Sierras with wet and snow and temperatures below the rating from the manufacturer (It was -13C/9F one morning) I can recommend this bag and Polargaurd. The temp rating is accurate and then some. My wife's bag (7th Heaven also) was frozen to the inside of the tent in the morning and she wasn't cold. The only con I can think of is the size of the bag. Make sure you aren't prone to clausterphobia and you test that you can fit in the bag before you buy.

The details like the collar/gaskets work well and add to the warmth if you get out in cold.

I can't judge the durrability yet but everything seems ok. Marmot makes good stuff.

Specifications copied from www.marmot.com:

Ultralight fabric: Gossamer with Teflon ~ Polarguard® 3D for maximum efficiency ~ Mummy ~ Large draft tube ~ Extra wide draft tube stiffener to prevent snags ~
Ground level side seams to eliminate cold air leaks ~ Anatomical hood with Head Gasket ~ Variable offset-quilt layers ~ Collar to seal out drafts ~ Contour closure with 2 way locking zipper ~ Large trapezoidal foot section ~ Left or right zipper option ~ Stuff sack included

I used this bag while on the Long Trail in Vermont for two weeks. We had pretty mild weather (around 40F at night) and I was able to sleep comfortably with the bag totally unzipped. On the few nights it got decently cold, I was comfortable with the bag zipped.

I like the draft collar that Marmot includes in this bag - other 15F bags I have used (Sierra Designs Sandman & Wild Bill) lack this feature. One night I slept outside and woke up with a lot of dew on the bag - I never felt wet and the bag dried remarkably quickly. I found the 7th Heaven to be roomy enough to be comfortable, but not excessively so as to create bulk...in other words it's just right (I'm 5'11"). I've found no flaws in the construction, and it stood up well during my trip. The materials used are top-quality. All in all, this is a great bag and I am very pleased with it so far.

I think that this bag is a bit cold. I've spent probably two weeks in it, and have found that in temperatures below 40 degees F, I am cold, especially along the draft tube. And unlike other reviewers, I think the "draft collar" (a flap of nylon that can be cinched in) doesn't really do much. The hood is also somewhat awkward - it's impossible to really open it fully with the zipper closed. On the plus side, the bag is light and the proportions are fine for me (5' 9" 160 lbs). And when I wear Capilene, the bag is much warmer. Finally, it is just about wind-proof (I slept in it two nights ago at Mt. Rainier with no tent). If I had it to do over, I'd probably buy a Mountain Hardware 2nd Dimension.