Marmot Helium or Helium EQ?

[88BlueGT]

I planned on buying this bag but was not sure which one to get. From my understanding, the EQ is just made out of a different material which is considered somewhat "waterproof". I'm debating whether I should dish out the extra money for the EQ or not. Its also 5oz heavier. Is it worth the extra weight? I plan on carrying this bag in the beginning of my thru-hike in 09.

By the way, I will be sleeping in a Hilleberg Atko (pretty sure, havent boughten it yet though). I have heard reports of them leaking threw after 5-6 hours on consistant downpour (hopefully I wont encounter any weather like that ). Thats why I'm sort of leaning towards the EQ because of its water resistant material. Or is the material of the regular Helium good enough?

Any help is appeciated. Thanks alot guys.

[Matteroo]

i debated long and hard about the waterproofness coating of sleeping bags. Most fancy ones by Marmot or WM or the likes are nylony/silky/etc so that drops of water will rolls off a bit anyways.
If that is the tent you are using, you need to test it before you go-because if it does leak-you will get wet-it will rain for more than 6 hours at some point. Why have a headache of questionable gear influencing decisions when it doesn't ever have to be that way in the first place. those hilleberg tents are $$ - get a tarptent-light-easy-waterproof.

I am one who-if I could spend $2000 on gear before a hike-I would-but it doesn't really make a big differences so long as everything functions and isn't too heavy. A 'pretty good and even semi-expensive' tent, pack, sleeping bag, etc-will be great on the trail and you'll see how much fun and how far people with much 'lesser' gear go, too.

my 2cents

conclusion: don't bother paying more for that waterproof coating/material bag unless you're like me and think you 'have to have the best'. its not as important as I like to think it is..

[Almost There]

I have the regular Helium and have slept in thunderstorms and heavy condensation fogs, it has shown to be solid against damp and wetness. I would just roll with the regular, you should be fine, but if you're worried then spring the money and carry the extra 5 ounces.

[88BlueGT]

Its not that the money is really an issue. I'm glad to hear that your regular Helium held up well. Its more of a weight issue with me. I kind of went heavy on my mess kit and stove so Im trying to cut the weight elsewhere which I planned on doing in my bag, ruck & tent. But than again, its only 5oz's. I just dont want to spend $300 dollars on a bag and than get it soaked and wish that I just carried the extra 5oz's and got the EQ.

[88BlueGT]

Also, do you think that the EQ will be any warmer because of the material? They both have the same temp ratings but I would imagine that the waterproof EQ will hold heat a little better? or am I wrong?

[Appalachian Tater]

The first thing I did with my Helium was stick it under the shower. The fabric is water repellant. Moisture's not a problem. If you are truly worried about it, go with synthetic, because it is difficult to dry out a soaked down bag without a dryer.

[88BlueGT]

I definetly do want a down bag. My only question is if its worth to get the EQ over the regular.

Also, does anyone know where I can get these at for a decent price. I dont really want to pay the full retail of $430 dollars. I have seen them on ebay consistently for the past few weeks and than the day I have the cash there are none on ebay lol.

[88BlueGT]

Appalachian tater... is your bag the regular helium or the EQ?

[Appalachian Tater]

Appalachian tater... is your bag the regular helium or the EQ?

Sorry, it's the regular. I wasn't prepared to pay the weight penalty for anything heavier.

You need to protect your stuff from getting wet anyway. You need a good shelter. You need to line your pack with a heavy-duty garbage bag. A light water-resistant stuffsack like the OR Hydrolite series isn't a bad idea for your sleeping bag. If you take reasonable measures, your bag won't get wet anyway. I saw one hiker with a wet bag on the trail but don't remember how it happened.

[Chache]

I didn't see it mentioned that the EQ is a full zipper and the other a half zip. Thats why they weigh different. I have the regular and love it

[Appalachian Tater]

I didn't see it mentioned that the EQ is a full zipper and the other a half zip. Thats why they weigh different. I have the regular and love it

My ONLY complaint about the Helium is the half-zipper.

[Chache]

My ONLY complaint about the Helium is the half-zipper.

I like the half zip. I almost always sleep with the zipper down and the top spread out like a blanket. The bottom keeps my legs and feet nice and toasty

[Appalachian Tater]

I like the half zip. I almost always sleep with the zipper down and the top spread out like a blanket. The bottom keeps my legs and feet nice and toasty

I usually sleep hot. I would have preferred to keep my winter bag all the way through. I made the mistake of getting a bag that was too light in Harpers Ferry, since then I bought an Atom.

[88BlueGT]

Thanks for pointing that out about the half zip. I realized that a while ago but it doesnt really bother me. I would prefer a full zip but I dont think I would mind a half zip. I have owned one before and it was never really an issue.

BTW, I take precautions when it comes to my gear... especially the crucial & expensive gear. I highly doubt that my bag will ever get wet but theres always that "just in case" that runs through my mind all the time. I guess I am going to go with the regular. Its lighter anyway, I really don't need the weight.

[Blaf]

I bought my Helium EQ a year ago from Backcountry.com
I took advantage of 20% off sale.

But if you chat with them you will get at least 10% off.

I have Helium EQ, but with this experience, next time I would go with just Helium.

[88BlueGT]

Whats the reason that you say you would get the regular helium next time? Please be specific....

[Blaf]

Because it is cheaper but on the first place it is lighter.
I bought EQ just because of the full lengh zipper.

My thinking was, in case I use it in summer I can unzip it all the way and cool down. But now my thinking is, I would never use this bag in summer time, so no need to cool down and 1/2 the zipper would work just fine.

[mrburns]

I looked at the EQ briefly before buying the standard Helium. The three biggest reasons for my decision were:

1) I read that the "Breathable" material on the EQ wasn't all that breathable and packing it was on par with deflating a sleeping pad... I did not verify this claim myself, but didn't like the prospect of it.

2) I've never accidentally soaked a sleeping bag, so I figured I'd pick the lighter of the two given that I'd likely be able to maintain the same track record.

3) I use a full tent as a shelter... if I were using a single wall tarp or something, I might have been swayed to get the EQ, in case the wind changed during the night or something.

[88BlueGT]

I'm also going to be using a tent for a shelter. It seems that the regular bag is my best option (along with the lightest and cheapest). I'm in the process of looking for one thats second hand but never used before. Another thing is that I'm going a little heavier on my stove and pot set so I need to make up for it in other places.... this was one of them that I wanted to go as light as possible with still being able to sleep warm since I am some what of a cold sleeper.

Anyone know any companies where I can buy this bag from besides Marmot themselves? I know that backcountry carries them but it seems like all that they carry is the Helium EQ, I have not found the regular Helium on their site.

[Heater]

Cookpot/Sleeping bag - Sleeping bag/Cookpot... hmmmm. Weight...? Which do I skimp on? Sleeping bag or cookpot?

Hmmmm... IMO... Skimping on your Sleeping bag rather than your cookpot is back-asswards.