Test conditions: I have had my Marmot Arroyo Long sleeping bag for about a year and a half. I has been a numerous backpacks from the Anza Borrego Desert to the High Sierra mountains, elevations from sea level up to 14,000 feet, in temperatures from 30 to 90 degrees.

Comfort level: My sleeping position can best be described as "all of the above." I toss and turn a lot, and don't like to be confined. Yet I needed a lightweight sleeping bag that would perform well in three-season conditions. I needed a mummy bag with a little extra girth in the shoulders and a full zipper so it could be used as a quilt in warmer weather. Many lightweight sleeping bags have only a half zipper or no zipper at all. And, of course, the easiest way to cut weight is to make something smaller. These steps are 180 degrees from what I was looking for. The Marmot Arroyo appears to be a good compromise between roominess and light weight.

Description: My long length Arroyo weighs 2 pounds 1 ounce without the stuff sack. (I use a trash compactor bag inside my frameless pack.) The regular size would be about 3 ounces lighter. It is filled with 775 fill down and the manufacturer claims a temperature rating of 30 degrees F. (Newer models have 800 fill.)

The manufacturer states the bag will fit someone up to 6'6" tall. At 6'4" I find the length quite sufficient. The stated girth (width) for the shoulder, hip, and foot is 65, 61, and 45 inches. The regular length bag is two inches narrower, but still much roomier than the 59-inch shoulder of the Western Mountaineering HighLite I also tried on. I do find, however, a small constriction around my knees when trying to move into the fetal position.

The fabric is a durable nylon with a lighter gossamer lining. The zipper is substantion and extends all the way to the foot box, but it has only one pull - maybe to save weight? There is a down draft tube behind the zipper, along with a stiff fabric flab to help prevent zipper snags. Overall, the workmanship appears to be top quality.

Performance: I have seen some retail catalogs rate this sleeping bag as a 30 to 40 degree bag. I find it keeps me comfortable down to around 35 degrees if somewhat sheltered from the wind. I consider myself average as for sleeping temperature, prefering a warm covering but with cool air to breathe. I have used the bag down to 28 degrees while wearing polypro underwear and a 200-weight fleece jacket around my shoulders.

The inside lining is a soft black micro-nylon, and feels comfortable and not clammy. I appreciate being able to adjust the full zipper from the top and or the bottom to optimize ventilation.

The outside fabric appears to resist minor water spillage well, although, like all down bags, care should be taken to keep the down from getting wet.

Overall, I am quite happy with my Marmot Arroyo.

Marmot Sleeping Bags: Marmot recently released the Hydrogen which has a similar temperature rating but lighter outside fabric, less width, and only a half zipper, all at a claimed 1 pound 11 ounces for the long and 1 pound 7 ounces to the regular. The Arroyo is also still available. For more information see www.marmot.com.

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Marmot Arroyo Sleeping Bag Review by Bill Jeffrey

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