Marmot Helium EQ15F or WM Versalite

Hey Jesper,
Without a doubt the WM bag is the better option. All you need to do is ask or search the net and see what the majority of gear freaks are raving about. WM is by far one of the best Manufacturers in the world and that has been true for a long time. I own only one of their bags ( alpinelite), and also own a Marmot Cwm, a Mont Main Range, a Macpac Snowflake, a MEC Habanaro, a Mtn Hardwear Ghost, and also a Nunatuk Alpinist bag. Marmot are a great brand, however I really do believe that WM are a better bag. If you know your gear and ask the people in the know WM are held in the highest regard. Yes they are more expensive but you really get what you pay for.
Good luck and hope this helps,
Matt

I've used an Alpinlite and regular Helium.

The Helium is a top-notch bag, and possibly has the better hood. It lofts very well and has lived up to it's temp rating.

The Alpinlite (20deg) has been in very similar conditions and performed just as well. It may actually be slightly loftier than the Marmot, but it's a toss-up. It is roomier and lighter, although only by a small amount in each case (an inch or two and an ounce or two).

Why are you looking at the EQ version? I recently bought my first membrane-shell bag for winter use in a tarp, but in general I don't think they are a great idea. I haven't used that bag yet though, so I can't speak from experience yet.

Marmot's standard shell fabric is excellent unless you have special requirements from it. If you do, check out the WM Apache GWS – that's closer to the Helium EQ.

I have not noticed much performance difference between the two WM fabrics, having used their 0.9oz Extremelite and 1.15oz Microlite. I have not used their Windstopper fabric, but it seems very weatherproof and breathable, although heavy.

Be prepared for the Versalite to weight a little over spec. If you look at their chart and determine the shell weight by subtracting the fill from the total weight, you'll find the Versalite has a lighter shell than the Ultralite. Since the Ultralite is a smaller bag, this seems improbable. It's definitely an outlier, and the specs are just a couple oz too good to be true.

If you get it throw it on a scale and let me know how much it weighs. I've been very curious about this.

I have owned both bags- sold the Helium EQ first and then the WM (to purchase a warmer WM Antelope for Northeast winters).

I still own a regular Helium, weighing at 1lb 15 ounces. My EQ weighed 2lbs 6oz. You can buy a regular Helium and a Rab Endurance bag cover (7 ounces) and get a more versatile system. I found that the EQ was a bit problematic in 3 season northeast conditions (humid) as it would retain too much moisture. The regular shell and bag cover option fixed this for me.

The WM is a warmer bag. It is fits differently than the Helium, with the WM having a more shallow hood, tighter footbox, and less room beneath the waist. Both are roughly the same room in the torso.

Note that my regular Helium is the old half-zip version with Quantum shell.

Philip, my older Versalite (when it was a 15 degree bag0 weighed 2lbs 1ounce in a regular size. My Antelope in long weighs 2lbs 10oz., so 1 ounce over spec has been my experience with WM.

Hello Guys!!

Thank you for your advice!! I really appreciate it!!!

Philip, there is no particular reason why I was looking at the EQ option. I was just interested in a 15-10F bag from either Marmot or WM and these seemed, with my limited knowledge, similar and in my price range. The "normal" helium is also a fair bit cheaper so I thought maybe it wouldn't compare??

I also read on another thread on here that the Versalite had some problems with retaining moisture?? And I thought, again with my limited knowledge, that maybe the EQ wouldn't??
I will only be using these bags in tents so would the EQ actually make this problem worse??

Thank you again for your help and time guys!!! Sorry I'm such a gear noob :-)

I had a Versalite for 2 1/2 years and that thing rocked. I think it was rated to 10F but I routinely took it to ~0F. I had the long and it weighed 37 oz.

Yes, a membrane on a bag is a bad idea for tent use. Save the cash and weight.

The Marmot is cheaper because it has slighly less fill and is foreign-made. Neither of those is a big deal when it comes to performance in the field.

WM will get you a warmer, lighter bag that's better made. But, not by much. If saving the $50-100 is a big deal to you, buy the Marmot and don't look back.

If you really want to save, buy a WM or other bag from the Gear Swap. Marmot, Valandre, Feathered Friends, Montbell and Rab are all top-notch, and I have seen several 10-20 degree bags by those makes in the classifieds for 20-50% off retail. Down bags last forever, so used can be a great deal.

I have owned both the Marmot Helium (not the EQ model)and the WM Versalite and I prefer the Versalite. I initially owned the Marmot, but sold it and bought the Versalite. The Marmot has a wider cut. I am 6'1" and 175 and I found the cut too wide. Also, it does not have a draft collar. I tend to be a cold sleeper and had difficulty staying warm below 20 degrees.

The Versalite has been a much better bag. It is lighter and I would say the temp rating is conservative, however I have never used it down to 10 degrees. The cut is perfect and not too narrow. It also has the draft collar.

Since owning the the WM Versalite I have since bought the WM Summerlite. You will not go wrong with WM. The quality is exceptional.

Thank you for your help guys!!!

Most useful!!!

One more question, could anyone recommend a way of buying WM online and having it shipped to Thailand??

Seems that all the online shops, that I have tried anyway, wont ship WM outside the US.

They all suggest I have it shipped to a friend in the US who then forwards it to me but I don't really know anyone well enough to do that….

Can't find right model and size on E-bay or Gear Swap….

Any suggestions??

Thank you again for your time!!!!

http://www.hermitshut.com,they ship WM bags internationally.

Just ordered a WM Versalite from hermitshut!!!!
Looking forward to it arriving!!!

Thank you very much to everyone who helped and gave advice!!!

Happy camping!!!