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View Full Version : Kelty Ignite Dridown16 vs Marmot Helium



UnfamousK
09-16-2013, 14:14
So looking for insider perspective on the pro/cons of these two bags..http://www.rei.com/product/847651/kelty-ignite-dridown-16-sleeping-bag vs. the http://www.rei.com/product/762528/marmot-helium-sleeping-bag

Bags are similarly rated temp wise at 15/16'F
The Kelty is heavier at 2lb12oz VS the Marmot at 2lbs 2 oz
The Kelty uses 600 fill duck down vs the Martmot with 850 goose down

My question is basically what makes the Marmot $350+ (I found one for $330) vs the Kelty at $209?
Either way the Kelty would be an upgrade for me over the 0'F synthetic bag im using that weighs 4lbs 10oz (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Eureka-Kaycee-Sleeping-Bag/1168705.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3D searchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProduc ts%26Ntt%3Deureka%2Bsleeping%2Bbag%26x%3D0%26y%3D0 %26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=eureka+sleeping+bag&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products)

So am I wasting my money on the Kelty? Will i just end up buying a Marmot down the road?

Also what kind of comparison would a JacksRbetter Hudson River Quilt be? Knowing about 60% of my camping is in an Eno single nest hammock with a zlite pad..... http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/hudson-river-standard-rectangular-quilts/

Any advice is appreciated....will also be reposting this in Hammock Forums
Confused and Overwhelmed from Port Clinton, PA :/

Mobius
09-16-2013, 14:30
The price difference is due to the weight and packability. The Helium is almost certainly less bulky.

To muddy the waters, check out the Marmot Pinnacle. It's often on sale for $200-$220 and is in between the two you listed weight-wise (2 lb, 9 oz I think)

UnfamousK
09-16-2013, 14:37
so do you think they perform closely when it comes to sleeping in them? I can handle the extra 10 oz and some bulk....Im not a through hiker the longest i ever go out is for about a week...like i said ive been carrrying a 4lb 10 oz beach ball sized synthetic bag around.....

Kerosene
09-16-2013, 14:56
You're paying for the much higher down fill-power, plus perhaps a few finer design elements that allow the lighter Marmot to provide about the same warmth. A general rule-of-thumb is to spend your discretionary backpacking funds on the highest quality bag you can afford. Frankly, $330 seems like a very good price. A Western Mountaineering Ultralite (http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=ExtremeLite%20Series&ContentId=17) (20F, 1 lb 13 oz) goes for $420 and is a sweet bag. The Kelty is also a bit heavier due to its DriDown treatment, which is a nice benefit for an extended hike but this is increasingly available from other manufacturers.