NEMO Riff 30 Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Spacious hourglass shape, innovative venting "gills", waterproof footbox, sturdy compression sack
Cons: Below average warmth-to-weight ratio, bulky packed size
Manufacturer: NEMO Equipment
Our Verdict
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NEMO Riff 30 | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $349.95 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $470.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $429.00 at Feathered Friends | $510.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $389.00 at Feathered Friends |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Spacious hourglass shape, innovative venting "gills", waterproof footbox, sturdy compression sack | Spacious dimensions, super comfortable, great loft, lightweight, made in the USA | Super lightweight, incredible loft, snag-proof zipper, cozy hood | Best-in-class warmth, legit draft collar, light weight, exceptional loft | Best-in-class zipper, best-in-class hood, awesome loft, great warmth-to-weight ratio |
Cons | Below average warmth-to-weight ratio, bulky packed size | Expensive, awkward hood, good but not great zipper | Uncomfortably narrow dimensions, bare-bones design, noisy fabric | Really pricey, kind of bulky, awkward hood closure | Narrow leg dimensions, no draft collar, heavier and bulkier than some 3-season options |
Bottom Line | An hourglass bag with premium down and spacious lower dimensions | If we could only have one bag for the rest of our lives, this would be it | The ideal bag when you need the warmth, but ounces matter too | The best bag for the coldest shoulder season nights | Exceptional warm and loft along with our favorite hood and zipper |
Rating Categories | NEMO Riff 30 | MegaLite | Hummingbird UL 30 | UltraLite | Swallow 20 YF |
Warmth (20%) | |||||
Weight (20%) | |||||
Comfort (20%) | |||||
Packed Size (15%) | |||||
Versatility (15%) | |||||
Features & Design (10%) | |||||
Specs | NEMO Riff 30 | MegaLite | Hummingbird UL 30 | UltraLite | Swallow 20 YF |
Insulation | 800 FP Down | 850+ FP Down | 950+ FP Down | 850+ FP Down | 900+ FP Down |
Compressed Volume (L) | 7.2 L | 7.2 L | 7.3 L | 8.7 L | 8.5 L |
Measured Bag Weight (Size Long) | 1.91 lbs | 1.62 lbs | 1.45 lbs | 1.86 lbs | 1.94 lbs |
Compression/Stuff Sack Weight (oz) | 2.4 oz | 1.6 oz | 0.8 oz | 1.6 oz | 1.0 oz |
Manufacturer claimed weight of size Regular (lbs) | 1.8 lbs | 1.5 lbs | 1.33 lbs | 1.81 lbs | 1.79 lbs |
Hydrophobic down | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Manufacturer Temp Rating (F) | 30 F | 30 F | 30 F | 20 F | 20 F |
EN Temp Rating (Lower Limit, F) | 29 F | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Fill Weight (oz) | 10.2 oz | 13 oz | 12 oz | 17 oz | 17.5 oz |
Compression or stuff sack included? | Compression | Stuff | Stuff | Stuff | Stuff |
Shell material | 20D Nylon Ripstop w/ DWR | Extremelite (12D) | Pertex Endurance (10D) | Extremelite (12D) | Pertex YFuse (20D) |
Neck Baffle | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Small Organization Pocket | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Zipper | 3/4-length / Side | Full-length / Side | Full-length / Side | Full-length / Side | Full-length / Side |
Shoulder Girth (in) | 62 | 64 | 58 | 59 | 60 |
Hip Girth (in) | 54 | Not stated | 52 | Not stated | 56 |
Foot Girth (in) | 59 | 39 | 38 | 38 | 38 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Warmth
The Riff 30 contains 10 ounces of 800 fill power down. That's a surprisingly small amount for a bag cut with such generous dimensions. It's also 5 oz less down than the older version of the Riff 30 that we previously tested, yet Nemo still reports a 29°F EN Lower Limit temperature rating. In the field our testers found this rating to be pretty optimistic compared to other bags. The level of warmth it provides is ideal for warmer 3-season applications but could be inadequate in the coldest conditions of early spring and late autumn.
Weight
Nemo was able to trim the Riff's total weight by an impressive 6 oz between the previous and current versions. The model we tested tipped our scale at a competitive 1.91 lbs. This is an exciting change that appears to be a result of slight reductions to the bag's dimensions combined with the removal of 5 oz of down. This puts the Riff much more on par with other bag's in the category in terms of weight, but we worry that it has slightly harmed the bag's warmth and comfort. Everything in life is a tradeoff, though, and we believe most folks drawn to this bag will appreciate the weight cut despite the negative consequences. A three-season bag under two pounds is a great start to reducing pack weight, and the Riff 30 is now there.
Comfort
While the Riff 30 doesn't score at the top of the pack in warmth or weight, it receives decent marks in all the other evaluation metrics. Its best attribute, though, is its comfort. You can credit this comfort to its notably roomy dimensions. In the lower body and footbox, this bag offers a foot of extra girth compared to the other bags we tried. This makes it arguably the most comfortable bags for side sleepers because it leaves plenty of room to extend one leg to the side while keeping the other one straight.
Packed Size
We measured this bag's compressed volume to be 7.2 liters. That's 12% smaller than the previous version of the Riff. This was observed using the same after-market compression sack, but we measured similar packed size with the sturdy compression sack the Riff 30 comes with. Relative to other 30° bags, this packed size is pretty good. All the bags in our backpacking sleeping bag category, however, displayed comparably good compressed volumes, so this metric isn't particularly distinguishing. Most people will appreciate that you don't have to purchase a compression sack in addition to the bag since it comes with one.
Versatility
Both the Nemo bags we tested include innovative "gills" on the upper side of the bag. These are short slits of uninsulated fabric that you can open and close via a tiny zipper. When opened, they allow excess heat to escape. When closed, they draw the insulation together to seal heat in. These gill zippers add minimal weight while helping to ensure that you don't overheat on warmer nights. We are somewhat concerned, however, that their tiny size could cause them to snag and become misaligned. And since they're sewn fully into the bag any misalignment wouldn't be easy to fix. The Riff 30 also has a ¾-length main zipper to increase your venting options and extend the bag's usable temperature range.
Features and Design
Apart from the "gills" for venting, this bag has a couple of other features we really like. The footbox, for example, is encased with breathable, waterproof shell fabric. This ensures the down insulation inside doesn't get wet if your feet brush against condensation on a tent wall. This bag also has a flap-like neck baffle that can be folded outside of the bag on warmer nights or nestled inside to trap heat in colder conditions. The latest version also added a simple sleeve to keep a camp pillow in place.
Value
The Riff 30 is priced higher than average, but not exorbitantly so. It's definitely on the pricier side, however, for a bag that features mid-range 800 fill power down. For those that will fully appreciate the comfort of its wider dimensions, it can still be a decent value. But there are better deals for those that would be content with a narrower traditional mummy bag.
Conclusion
Overall, the Nemo Riff 30 offers an interesting collection of innovative features in a spacious bag that's exceptionally comfortable. Unfortunately, this spaciousness and features add some weight. In addition, it does not provide the warmth you would expect for its price. Nevertheless, the outstanding comfort may be worth the drawbacks to any side sleepers in search of a little extra room.
— Jack Cramer