Kuiu 15 bag, or Marmot Helium.

[Snakeriver]

Has anyone used both these sleeping bags. I own the kuiu 15, it's an awesome sleeping bag. I have to purchase another bag here before long. Saw the Marmot Helium 15 is $200 less than the kuiu. I planned on buying the kuiu this year but never did catch them on sale. Just wondering if the Marmot bag can perform with the kuiu.

[Bushcraft]

I've used the Marmot Helium for many years.  It has been my go-to bag when weight is critical if temps are going to get down below freezing.  It is an excellent down mummy bag.

But, it's a mummy bag.  And, it's down.  That former will eventually drive you bat-crap claustrophobic crazy. The latter will collect condensation, the loft will collapse and dramatically reduce it's stated temperature rating of 15 degrees.  You'll pray for some dry, sunny days to air it out when you wake up with several inches of snow, or cold rainy nights and the bag is damp from your body off-gassing moisture.  For size reference, I'm 6'1" and an athletically built 200ish lbs.

I just spent 9 days using mine during High Buck. The solo trip ranked right up there as one of my most favorite backcountry hunts, but I decided I'll be upgrading this piece of kit by bringing a lightweight synthetic bag next year...probably a Kifaru Slick Bag (0 or 20 degree).  I want to always be focused like a laser beam on the hunt and not worried about my bag or having to sleep in my clothes to stay warm.

Question: A contender I was contemplating is the KUIU 15 bag since the down is treated and it has a full length zipper so I could quilt it out if the temps were too warm for the bag's rating. And it has a draft collar. How does the KUIU hold up to condensation and humidity?  Why would you consider not using the treated down for non-treated down. (I ask not knowing if the new Marmot Heliums use treated down.)

[zwickeyman]

I looked at the KIUI bags in person and they are very nice. I have been using a Marmot bag for 6 years and would not hesitate to buy another. If you are willing to pony up for a KUIU take a look at Western Mountaineering bags, top notch for sure

[pygmy1985]

Hydrophobic down these days is really effective.  Most good down bags will have it.  I have the Marmot bag and it's light weight and warm.  There was a crazy test done on a site called Gizmodo where the author jumped into an ice cold lake with a Big Agnes waterproof-down jacket. It kept its loft and  warmth (at least for the few minutes he stayed in).  So, for me the major factors in purchase would be price, weight and packability, in that order. Probably can't go wrong with either.

[Snakeriver]

Well, I ordered an enlightened equipment 10 degree quilt. I am a little unsure about it, but gonna try it out.

[northwesthunter84]

Check out the BA mystic 15. Love mine, treated down and a bit roomier than other mummy bags. Price point is lower than the Kuiu

[Skyvalhunter]

I got my Kuiu bag a few years back. They traditionally have a sale before Xmas where you can save alot of money which I did. Like the moisture resistant shell and down fill moisture shedding.

[Bushcraft]

I got my Kuiu bag a few years back. They traditionally have a sale before Xmas where you can save alot of money which I did. Like the moisture resistant shell and down fill moisture shedding.

If you're referring to the 30% sale with free shipping, yes...I'm a big fan.  It's against my religion to pay full freight. 

So, are you saying the KUIU bag does a good job of not collecting or retaining your body moisture on cold trips?  Which bag did you get? The 30, 15 or 0?

[Bushcraft]

Hydrophobic down these days is really effective.  Most good down bags will have it.  I have the Marmot bag and it's light weight and warm.  There was a crazy test done on a site called Gizmodo where the author jumped into an ice cold lake with a Big Agnes waterproof-down jacket. It kept its loft and  warmth (at least for the few minutes he stayed in).  So, for me the major factors in purchase would be price, weight and packability, in that order. Probably can't go wrong with either.

Are you saying your Marmot Helium has treated down?  Mine does not.  I think I picked it up in the early 2000's.

The major factors for me at this point are weight and comfort (room to spread out a bit) followed closely by zero to minimal water retention, then packed volume.

[pygmy1985]

Yes, it has treated down. I bought it about 2 years ago. Even though it's treated down, I still pack it in a small dry sack.
I've thought about trying a quilt for the flexibility and more roominess.

[JeffRaines]

Me and the wife have Marmot bags, hers has the treated down, mine is an older Helium with the regular down.

On a backpacking trip awhile ago when she first got her bag, we ended up setting up camp near a creek. Everyone knows that means TONS of condensation throughout the night... and so it was. I was honestly getting worried, mine not being treated and all. We woke up the next morning, I finally got out of my bag and it was perfect. Her bag? The down was starting to clump 

Just my experience with it - I know with most bags it comes standard these days and thats whatever, but I would not be caught paying extra for it.

I would be weary about the temp rating on the Kifaru bag, it seems weird to me that the bag only weighs a tiny bit more than the down bag but has nearly the same temp rating. Maybe that Climashield APEX has a really great warmth to weight ratio. I'd consider picking one up if thats the case!

[ian_padron]

Do yourself a favor and get a 0 degree quilt from Enlightened Equipment. Weighs 30 ounces, warm into the teens with just baselayers, keeps lofted when wet. Unless it's going to be sub 0, I'll never use a mummy bag again.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

[fillthefreezer]

Do yourself a favor and get a 0 degree quilt from Enlightened Equipment. Weighs 30 ounces, warm into the teens with just baselayers, keeps lofted when wet. Unless it's going to be sub 0, I'll never use a mummy bag again.

Sent from my LG-H872 using Tapatalk

This. Mines a 10*, but I sold all
My sleeping bags after a year of shelf life. The enigma, not the goofy cinch bottom ones..

[Bushcraft]

Me and the wife have Marmot bags, hers has the treated down, mine is an older Helium with the regular down.

On a backpacking trip awhile ago when she first got her bag, we ended up setting up camp near a creek. Everyone knows that means TONS of condensation throughout the night... and so it was. I was honestly getting worried, mine not being treated and all. We woke up the next morning, I finally got out of my bag and it was perfect. Her bag? The down was starting to clump 

Just my experience with it - I know with most bags it comes standard these days and thats whatever, but I would not be caught paying extra for it.

I would be weary about the temp rating on the Kifaru bag, it seems weird to me that the bag only weighs a tiny bit more than the down bag but has nearly the same temp rating. Maybe that Climashield APEX has a really great warmth to weight ratio. I'd consider picking one up if thats the case!

Kifaru's Climashield APEX is pretty amazing. I've been rocking one of their Parkas since they first came out.  It was a gift from Patrick. They have since upgraded the insulation (and a few design tweaks) with the release of the newer version.  Company bias aside, it is one of my all time favorite pieces of kit.  It's literally like throwing a sleeping bag on in terms of added warmth and comfort.  In fact, I use it and a Doobie on trips where I know the temps will not get much below 40 degrees and sleep well.

[fillthefreezer]

Kifaru's Climashield APEX is pretty amazing. I've been rocking one of their Parkas since they first came out.  It was a gift from Patrick. They have since upgraded the insulation (and a few design tweaks) with the release of the newer version.  Company bias aside, it is one of my all time favorite pieces of kit.  It's literally like throwing a sleeping bag on in terms of added warmth and comfort.  In fact, I use it and a Doobie on trips where I know the temps will not get much below 40 degrees and sleep well.

this seems rediculous, your doobie is as heavy as 2 20* quilts.