Backpacking Gear: Marmot NanoWave 55 & 25 Sleeping Bags

After a recent backpacking trip it was clear that the .mil patrol bag just wasn't going to cut it.  The nights got down to 57 degrees (if the NWS is to be believed), and that was about that bag's limit.  Being used, the insulation was clumpy and thin in spots, and the zipper is a lead anchor.  Still for $19 it's not bad.  (and I see that they're now down to $12.50, which very reasonable for a mild weather bag)  However... when I got home there was a sale flyer email from Massey's, so you know that I had to bite.  Picked up a couple of Marmot bags at bargain prices – essentially the cheaper bag was free.

The two models I settled on are NanoWaves 55 and 25, which are their nominal temperature ratings.  Their claimed comfort temperatures are 60 and 38 degrees F respectively, while the corresponding "emergency get you through the night" ratings are 33 and -1 degrees F.  I suspect that for me, the working minimums will be close to the nominal ratings.  That pretty well covers anything I'm going to attempt while on foot.  Might throw in a space blanket to boost things by 10 degrees on the unforeseen extra-cold night for a safety margin, but don't generally plan on using it.  If you're intending to regularly camp down at freezing though, the similar Trestle 15 model may be more suitable.

The stuffing is Marmot's proprietary "Spirafil," a synthetic approximation of goose down.  I'm sure it's not quite as good in climates with normal humidity and fungus levels, but in the damp and mold of Coastal Mississippi synthetics are the only way to go.  As a side benefit this chops 1/3 to 1/2 off the price of similar down offerings.  Sometimes things just work out, and this is one of them.

On to fit, they're identical and on the trim side.  If I put my hands along my sides all is well, but if I cross my arms over my chest there's just a hint a snugness.  Wouldn't want things any smaller, but this is just right to minimize material and pack weight.  If your shoulders or mid-section run mid-to-broad, be sure to try before you buy.  The .mil bag is cavernous in comparison.  They both have the same basic system of mummy zips and drawstrings to snug up around your head, neck, and face comfortably, boosting their warmth considerably.  There's also a lower zip to let air around your legs on warmer nights.  Of course, the .mil bag has none of these refinements.

The bags both come with compression sacks which reduce their pack sizes to roughly the lower 2/3 of a 2 liter bottle for the NW 55, and slightly smaller than a soccer ball for the NW 25.  Despite some reviews claiming otherwise, they're roomy enough to re-pack the bags.  Don't try being neat with rolling things here, just stuff and keep on stuffing, it'll all go.  Once in, yank on the compression straps to get them to do their magic and there you are.  This might relieve some of the crowding in my 50 liter pack, which was just starting to strain at its volume limit for a weekend of ham radio operations.  (As always, store them un-stuffed.  I use an old pillowcase to keep things neat and dust-free.)

Finally, weight is somewhat helped by these packs, though they are by no means ultralight.  Here are some comparisons, including the .mil bag: 1.82 (NW55), 2.42 (.mil), and 2.82 (NW25).  Include their respective bags and these become 2.00, 2.62, and 3.08 lbs.  OK, that's either 0.6 pound saved for a slightly better cold rating, or nearly 0.5 pound gained for a much better cold rating.  Options, options; either way and depending upon the weather, it's better.

Can't wait to try one or the other of these, depending on the weather forecast the next backpacking trip.
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ps: No, don't bring a space blanket for that extra-cold unforeseen 10 degrees.  Bring a woobie, tie off one end to make a foot box, and wrap it around like a hiker's quilt.  (There's not really space inside this bag.)  Ten extra degrees for 1.24 pounds, without the condensation problems a space blanket brings to the table.  Probably good to 65 degrees all on its own.  So simple.