User Review: Marmot Arroyo

This is the bag for minimalist, weight-conscious backpackers who don't want to carry one ounce of goose down beyond what they expect to need. Using 800 fill down (not easy to find other manufacturers that use 800 fill), the Marmot Arroyo meets my needs for a very light bag suitable for summer use in the Adirondacks and 3 season use in the southern Appalachians. It definitely equals its 30/40 degree rating, although I'm a warm sleeper. The quality is very high, consistent with other Marmot products. I bought the long version (78 in) which fits me (I'm 6'1") just fine. I have used it both with a bivy sack and a 1 man mountain tent. Excellent results either way. I would say it is pretty breathable. I expected some humidity when used inside the bivy recently in the Pisgah Nat'l Forest, but it didn't happen. The shell is "microfiber fabric" which is supposed to breathe some. As far as any particular innovations to be found in the bag there were none or, in Marmot style, they were subtle. The zipper was large and easy to find in the night. It operates from inside or outside, but like every zipper I've ever used it can get hung up in the zipper draft tube. The hood is very comfortable and effective at holding in the body heat. At the foot there is enough room for your feet without being excessive. Unless you really need a bag that is good down to 0 degrees or lower, I would recommend you give strong consideration to the Arroyo, particularly if, like me, you want max comfort and quality with min weight. For colder weather you can pop in a silk liner and drop its rating by another 5-10 degrees or use it in a bivy which ought to knock off yet another 5-10 degrees.