Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Marmot Never Summer > Marmot Never Summer sleeping bag, by Ron Martino

Marmot Never Summer
reviewed by Ron Martino
yumitori@montana.com

Getting my wife into backpacking this summer meant getting new sleeping bags for both of us. (They not only have to zip together, but they have to match, don't they?) Of course, I knew exactly what I wanted - down, a decent temperature rating, and quality construction.

Finding down bags was easy, but prices for a pair added up fast. I wanted ones rated for around 0 degrees - living in Montana, even three-season camping means the possibility (no, likelihood) of sudden temperature drops at higher elevations. Heck, my home town was hit by a freak snow storm in early June, and we're relatively low for the state. When the Never Summer bags went on sale locally, the choice was obvious.

Peggy's bag is a regular, while mine is a long, but there's no problem zipping them together - the additional length is primarily in the footbox, and the zippers are the same length. The bag is generous in cut, especially at the foot, which I prefer. It's not a lightweight, though - my long weighed out at 3 pounds, 14 ounces with the stuff sack, exactly what was claimed by Marmot. There's drawstrings on both the hood and draft collar, allowing better adjustment (or more things to fiddle with in the middle of the night), and instead of a velcro closure on the collar, Marmot used snaps. Other niceties includes a couple of loops on the foot of the bag, presumably so it can be hung to dry or for storage, and the ubiquitous cotton storage bag.

Marmot claims the shell is water repellent, but that has so far gone untested in the field. It is certainly not down proof - like many down products, there's been a slow but regular exodus of feathers. Still, it's a common problem, and most of the time they can be pulled back in with little effort, so I think it will continue to be a 600-fill bag for some time to come. The fabric is soft and comfortable after a long day on the trail, and the zipper moves smoothly up and down - something that's always appreciated. In mild weather the bag has been rather too warm, but it's a simple matter to unzip either the top or the foot for ventilation, and quite nice to snuggle down into when the clouds blow away and the temperature drops.

The Never Summer is certainly not the only choice in its temperature range, not even for the price or weight. Still, it's a handsome bag, without silly frills like useless pockets for you to roll over on in the middle of the night, and gives every indication of being quite well constructed. If a sale on the Never Summer comes to your area, it worth serious consideration.

Tester Information

I'm a 40 year old student in computer science, living in Missoula, Montana. My earliest backpacking and hiking trips started with the Boy Scouts; then I began regular outings 20+ years ago, with my school backpacking club. Over time I have covered sections of the Appalachian Trail & the Continental Divide Trail; and have taken numerous trips in the Northeast, Midwest, northern Rockies, desert Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest. My most common backpacking areas these days are in western Montana, including Glacier NP. Trip lengths vary from overnights to multi-week expeditions. Some of my other outdoors activities have included cross-country skiing, orienteering, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, horseback riding.

Ron Martino

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Sleeping Bags > Marmot Never Summer > Marmot Never Summer sleeping bag, by Ron Martino