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.

Light, high quality, well shaped and comfortable, but not a 30 degree bag.

I just got back from a trip to North Georgia where the night time temps got down into the high 40's. This is my first down bag and I felt there were cold spots where the insulation wasn't evenly distributed or became compressed because there wasn't enough down in the baffle.

I wasn't cold by any means but I was in a tent with a fly over it so it was noticeably warmer in the tent than outside and I had a Therm-a-rest pad under me. Still could feel these "cold spots".

In my opinion this is an excellent summer bag that is comfortable down to 40 degrees or so. It's a keeper due to its light weight and compressed size but I'm a little bummed about the temperature "misrepresentation". I'll look into a liner and count this as a learning experience.

Update: April 16, 2009

This is an update to my review of April of last year.

A few months ago I sent this bag back to Marmot for their evaluation as I felt it was not a 30 degree bag by any definition. Some of the baffles were almost void of down, I figured that couldn't be right.

Marmot added 3 additional ounces of down. Doesn't sound like much but the bag now has a lot more loft.

I've since tested this bag into the mid-20's and am satisfied that @ 30 degrees I could sleep fairly comfortably (I'll use a liner below 30).

One more comment, this bag compacts into an extra small sack, making it ideal for my applications (backpacking & motorcycle camping).

I'm a "happy camper" now, but wonder how many folks purchased this bag and have the same situation I had.

This bag is wonderful. I used it on an entire thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail from 3.9.00-8.29.00. It withstood temps down to 15 degrees comfortably, and after a continuous 6 months of use, the last night on the trail dropped to 28*. I stayed nice and toasty.

One bag the rest of your life? Probably so. No quality concerns. The bag withstood many nights of sleeping on pinecone infested ground. Twigs, rocks, and other pointy objects failed to pentatrate the shell. I still use it frequently.

No need to worry about water. I had an entire 70oz Camelbak spill onto my bag. The temps dropped below freezing. I stayed warm. But that fear is Dupont's responsibility.

Great bag. Get one. 5 out of 5 marks

This is my ideal bag. Since i only go hiking and camping int the summer, this bag provides the perfect amount of warm. This down bag is EXTREMELY compressible and very light-weight; ideal for hiking and camping. The material feels very soft on my skin. Just be sure to keep this bag dry (because it is down). I haven't had the chance to test this bag at 30 degrees, but after reading numerous reviews i presume the bag will still keep you warm.

If you don't mind paying a little extra for quality, i would recommend buying this bag (especially if you can find it on sale). You will not be disappointed.

A stellar summer bag. I have had a TNF Cats Meow for over 20 years. It has been a trooper but was getting thin. I had avoided down for long time but I decided to use my REI dividend check one year on getting a really compressible down bag.

Read about a lot of bags and decided to go for the 800 fill Arroyo. What a great buy.

Stuffs to the size of a football. Roomy (I have the long). Warm. From March in Big Bend to summer nights in New Mexico, it is a great mild weather bag.

I've found what I have been looking for in a sleeping bag. Down insulation, 30-60°F range, lightweight, and high quality, for under $300.

I had this out two weekends ago. The temperature was 60° when I went to bed. Had the bag unzipped and was toasty until around 3am. Temperature dropped to 37°, so I fully zipper it up, pulled the drawcords tight, and slept warm and sound until morning.

I normally get cold feet, but the insulation in the footing did outstanding. I won't be changing bags for many years to come.

Great sleeping bag. It says that it is a 30F bag, but it could easily pass for a 20F. Very comfortable, packs down very small (just larger than a football). Used in 25F weather and was too warm and slept with the bag unzipped. The only problem is that the bag does not unzip all the way, I have a SD bag that unzips into a blaket which is very nice. All in all a great bag that is very warm.

Not much to add...confirming the observations of other reviewers.

I'm 6'2" and 230#. The long size fits me very well with lots of room to toss and turn.

Great summer, spring, and fall bag. I am a warm sleeper, and I have used this bag into the 20s with little problem, but that temp range is pushing it. Anyways, it's a great, lightweight bag that packs small and is built well. I have had the bag for three years and have washed it twice, and it looks brand new.

I just wanted to second the previous review of the Arroyo.

However, I have been comfy in my undies down to less than 20 F. It's the bag I grab for all but the very coldest weather. Amazing warmth for so little weight. Buy one!