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Marmot Cloudbreak 20
- Marmot Cloudbreak 20
What It Is
A synthetic-insulated, 20-degree rated sleeping bag.
Retail Price: $199
81
- 95-100 Extremely high recommendation.
- 90-94 Enthusiastically recommended. Exceptional.
- 80-89 Highly recommended - few reservations.
- 70-79 Recommended. Standard performance.
- 60-69 Fair. Recommended for certain uses.
- 50-59 Poor. Not recommended in general.
The Good |
The Bad |
The Verdict |
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Utilizing body-mapping, Marmot added a higher quality insulation around the critical feet and torso to increase without additional expense or weight. The bag is well-priced at $199, but could be lighter. |
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Marmot Cloudbreak 20
If you live in a wet climate, spend nights out on the water, or just don’t have the cabbage for a down bag, the Marmot Cloudbreak 20 should be a player in your next purchasing decision.
Materials
Marmot mixes their high-end proprietary synthetic insulation, Thermal R, with run-of-the-mill stuff to increase performance without increasing price or weight. Specifically, they put the better insulation around the feet and torso where it’s most needed. Synthetic insulation is generally a bit heavier, less compressible, and packs down over time in a way that down doesn’t. What it has is the distinct advantage of still insulating even when wet. It’s also generally less expensive.
Features
The Cloudbreak 20 has a medium mummy cut, which strikes a good balance between weight savings, heat retention, and on the other side, weight. It features ample draft tubes and Marmot’s typically excellent hood design—snug and very adjustable.
How We Tested It
The sleeping bags were tested by a crew of about a dozen from August 2011 through July, 2012 on camping trips in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Norway.
The products featured in this test have been loaned to the Gear Institute. For more on our policies regarding editorial objectivity and sample returns, see here.
About the Author
Frederick Reimers
Frederick Reimers was the editor of Canoe and Kayak Magazine from 2007-09 and has been writing for Outside, Men's Journal, Skiing and Powder ever since.
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Ratings
Compressibility
5
10
Warmth to Weight Ratio
5
10
Comfort
8
10
Durability
6
10
Value
7
10
Gear Institute Rating (Total Score)
81
100
Weight
2.9 lbs
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