Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Marmot Membrane

Anybody have experience with the Marmot down sleeping bags with the waterproof membrane? Just wondering if the waterproof and breathability of this bag are any good.

I've used Membrain though not on a sleeping bag. Waterproof yes, breathability numbers are almost identical to Gore-tex--which I find quite poor. I also don't like membranes of any kind on sleeping bags due to condensation issues in the insulation. I'd suggest a water resistant bag cover if you need more protection. Hope this helps.

Yep, that was kind of what I was thinking. I was thinking that if it was waterproof, it would have a hard time letting out condensation from inside the bag as well. Thanks for the info.

I have a Marmot Helium Membrane bag. Has worked great so far. I don't think I'd go down woithout it--too risky. A bivy sack adds way too much weight for a backpacking bag IMO. A bag needs to be aired daily whenever practical anyway.

+1 I have used Membrain bags, Conduit, Gore-Tex, Dryloft etc. They all have good weather protection but suffer baddly from a lack of breathability.

Like Snowy said, a bag cover is a better answer. I have and like the Ti-Goat Omni-zip bivt, it's 7 oz. I have also had good luck with Mont-Bell's bag cover. Moisture from the inside is usuallly a lot more of a problem with a down bag than moisture from the outside. DWR's are quite effective unless you plan on sleeping in the rain with no shelter

Thanks for the insights, Ed T.
I just picked up a Marmot Helium long in NON-menbrane and I was thinking on an 'overbag' option. I have two goat permits in my pocket and wanted uber-light, warm, but want a dry sleep...
Is that 7 oz. Ti-goat a long?


Frank

Frank,

It will fit a long bag no problem.

Aren't the seams on these not taped or otherwise made waterproof? I looked at the bad a few years back and I'm pretty sure that was one of the reasons I decided to stay away from it. The main issue was the condensation concern that's been pointed out.

I had a friend looking to get one of these recently thinking it was fully waterproof like a bivy. I'm pretty sure that isn't the case.

I don't think any are taped. Big Agnes had a series a while ago where the shell was bonded. I knew a guy in ID that spent several dry nights in the rai in one with no other shelter other than his rain coat ove his head. I don't know if they still make these or not.