User Review: Marmot Eiger 36

Marmot Eiger 36
Above: The current Eiger 36, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed April 15, 2008 by Delmarco

Rating:
Design: Top Loading
Size: 36 Liters
Number of Pockets: 5
Max. Load Carried: 46 lbs
Height of Owner: 5'8"
Price Paid: $66

Hands down the best pack Marmot has ever made. I'm a classic backpacker in that I strictly use and promote the 3 pack model; Daypacks should be 10 to 20/25 Liters, Weekenders/Alpine Summit packs should be 50 Liters, and Weeklong/Winter/Expedition packs should be 70+ liters. By sticking to that rule you can't go wrong and you will save money from all the fads and trends that go and come each year and you will not end up having 20 different packs in your garage after 5 years (like most of my friends).

That said the 30-40 Liter pack range has always been useless for me because at the end of the day you are looking at an extra large heavy daypack or a small weekender that won't work for us normal backpackers. So this pack goes into the garage never to come out until your great grandkids are selling your house 100 yrs from now.

And funny enough, these packs tend to be more expensive than others and tend to carry all the fads on them like intercooled mesh paneling, turbo charged hipbelts and
all-wheel-drive BMW inspired suspension parts.

Now when I came across the 36 Liter Eiger on a recent trip abroad I was surprised by the quality and flexibility of it. You can easily remove the lid and shrink it down to a daypack without losing load stability or you can stuff it beyond the extension collar for a weekend outing and not lose load stability or feel like you have to sacrifice something to fit everything in. This sold me! and had me looking for this pack online when I came home.

Now that I finally got one, I'm realizing how much cooler the Eiger is in the field than on paper.

PROS: Lighter than most packs in this range. Lid comes off easier than other lid-based packs. Plethora of secret pockets that are actually useful. Color coded strapping on Hipbelt is helpful when adjusting on the move. Higher-than-normal extension lid rim accepts a lot of gear beyond 36 Liters. Durable tough nylon, similar to Dana Design quality, and not that other stuff Marmot uses on their packs. Comfortable shoulder strappings and hipbelt hugs your body and carries heavy loads confidently and easily without the normal sore spots you get from the usual padded, stiff foam straps.

CONS: None really. Marmot discontinued this pack and that sucks, but they are still plenty of them online and on eBay for cheap. Hipbelt buckle could be smaller, its like dinner plate sized. It would have been good if the lid turned into a fanny daypack. Side entry zip would have been cool as well.

BOTTOM LINE: Great pack! No fads or tricks here! 5 Stars! Can possibly concrete an honest niche for the 30-40 Liter packs.

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