Reviews You Can Rely On

Marmot Trestles 30 Review

This bag's mediocre performance fails to justify its considerable weight
gearlab tested logo
marmot trestles 30 budget backpacking sleeping bag review
Credit: Backcountry
Price:  $109 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Marmot
By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 19, 2019
46
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 8
  • Warmth - 20% 5.0
  • Weight - 20% 2.0
  • Comfort - 20% 6.0
  • Packed Size - 15% 2.0
  • Versatility - 15% 8.0
  • Features & Design - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

Backpacking sleeping bags can be extraordinarily expensive. The Marmot Trestles 30 is fortunately not. Our testers appreciated its ample insulation and accessory zipper that together extend the range of temperatures in which it can comfortably function. Both of these features, however, contribute to is heaviness and poor compressibility. The Trestles still provides a lovely sleep, but these qualities make it less fun to carry to camp. We, therefore, only recommend it to shoppers who will take full advantage of its wide temperature range during short trips close to the trailhead.
REASONS TO BUY
Lots of insulation
Great venting options with the accessory zipper
Durable construction
REASONS TO AVOID
Really heavy
Not very compressible
Stiff lining fabric
Heavy stuff sack

Compare to Similar Products

 
marmot trestles 30 budget backpacking sleeping bag review
This Product
Marmot Trestles 30
Awards  Best Buy Award Top Pick Award   
Price $65.45 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$245 List
$183.75 at Backcountry
$130 List$190 List
$179.99 at Amazon
$116.19 at REI
Compare at 4 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
46
63
55
54
53
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Lots of insulation, great venting options with the accessory zipper, durable constructionDecent weight, respectable warmth, awesome bargainSuper warm, cozy liner fabric, clever hood design, great valueExtra-long zipper, lightweight, packs small, unzips into a quiltInexpensive, burly, decent warmth, roomy fit
Cons Really heavy, not very compressible, stiff lining fabric, heavy stuff sackAverage materials, limited features, basic designNearly too heavy for backpacking, bulky, awkward stuff sack shapeColder than its warmth rating, no draft collar or stash pocket, unpleasant smellHeavy, limited versatility, no storage sack, no compression sack
Bottom Line This bag's mediocre performance fails to justify its considerable weightAn exceptional deal for a capable and sturdy backpacking sleeping bag for those looking to get outside without breaking the bankA warm and affordable sleeping bag with exceptional comfort and an unfortunate weight problemLightweight and packable, but minimal insulationA bargain backpacking sleeping bag with mixed performance characteristics
Rating Categories Marmot Trestles 30 Mountain Hardwear B... Big Agnes Husted 20 Klymit KSB 35 Kelty Cosmic 20
Warmth (20%)
5.0
5.0
7.0
2.0
6.0
Weight (20%)
2.0
7.0
3.0
7.0
4.0
Comfort (20%)
6.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
Packed Size (15%)
2.0
8.0
2.0
8.0
5.0
Versatility (15%)
8.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
Features & Design (10%)
5.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
Specs Marmot Trestles 30 Mountain Hardwear B... Big Agnes Husted 20 Klymit KSB 35 Kelty Cosmic 20
Measured Weight (Size Long) 3.54 lbs 1.98 lbs 3.14 lbs 1.91 lbs 2.83 lbs
Manufacturer claimed weight (Size Regular) 3.06 lbs 1.79 lbs 2.75 lbs 1.90 lbs 2.63 lbs
Temperature Rating 30 F 30 F 20 F 35 F 20 F
EN lower limit (rating for men)/ EN Comfort Rating (rating for women) 26 / 36 F 30 F 19 F (lower) 21 / 32 F 21 F
Compression/Stuff sack weight 4.2 oz 1.6 oz 1.6 oz 0.8 oz 0.6 oz
Measured Compressed Volume (Size Long) 13.1 liters 7.5 liters 13.4 liters 7.0 liters 9.2 liters
Insulation Synthetic - Spirafil 650 FP Down, RDS-certified Synthetic - Fireline Pro 650 FP Down 550 FP Duck Down (75%) / Polyester (25%)
Hydrophobic down? N/A No N/A No No
Fill weight (Size Regular) 33.8 oz 15 oz 30.5 oz 14.1 oz 16.4 oz
Shell material 70D Polyester 20D Nylon Ripstop Polyester taffeta Sil-Nylon 20D Nylon Taffeta
Neck baffle No No Yes No Yes
Small organization pocket Yes Yes No No Yes
Zipper Full-length / Side 3/4-Length / Left Side Full-length / Side Full-length / Side Full-length / Right Side
Shoulder Girth (Size Regular) 62 in 62 in 60 in 60 in Not listed
Hip Girth (Size Regular) 57 in 53 in 54 in 60 in Not listed
Foot Girth (Size Regular) Not listed Not listed 36 in Not listed Not listed
Stuff or Compression Sack Included Compression Stuff Stuff Stuff Stuff
Storage Sack Included No Yes Yes Yes No
Water resistant shell No Yes DWR DWR Yes, CO and PFC-free

Our Analysis and Test Results

Marmot offers sleeping bags across the full price spectrum. The bargain basement Trestles 30, however, didn't fare super well in the budget backpacking sleeping bag category. Read on to learn why we think Marmot is better at premium bags.

Performance Comparison


marmot trestles 30 budget backpacking sleeping bag review - several bags in this review, including the trestles 30, are...
Several bags in this review, including the Trestles 30, are advertised as backpacking sleeping bags but they're really better suited for car camping due to their substantial weight.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Warmth


The Trestles is filled with 33.8 ounces of synthetic Spirafil insulation. This amount of insulation is substantial compared to other budget backpacking sleeping bags. However, on the industry standard EN test it receives a modest 26°F lower limit temperature rating. Our testers think this rating is accurate, which makes this bag well suited for all but the coldest 3-season conditions.

marmot trestles 30 budget backpacking sleeping bag review - this sleeping bag's en temperature ratings are about average for a...
This sleeping bag's EN temperature ratings are about average for a 3-season model.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Weight


A consequence of this bag's substantial insulation is correspondingly substantial total weight. On our scale, a size long weighed a whopping 3.54 pounds. This figure is heavier than most budget sleeping bags. We thus believe the Trestles provides a subpar warmth-to-weight ratio, even after you factor in its affordable price.

Comfort


Often heavier sleeping bags are heavier because they're designed to be more comfortable. But that's not necessarily the case with the Trestles. Its 62-inch shoulder girth is fairly generous but not the largest of the category. Its durable fabrics are unfortunately stiff and not as soft as some of the other budget sleeping bags. The Trestles thus scores slightly below average in overall comfort.

marmot trestles 30 budget backpacking sleeping bag review - the trestles dual compression/storage sack is pretty good at...
The Trestles dual compression/storage sack is pretty good at squeezing down to minimum volume. It's a little tight, however, for long-term storage.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Packed Size


This bag comes with a large sack that doubles as a compression and storage sack. In both these functions, it performs adequately, but at 4.2 ounces, it's on the heavier side. In our packed size test with an aftermarket compression sack, the Trestles achieved a minimum volume of 13.1 liters. This bag is fairly large and will take up a substantial portion of all but the biggest backpacking packs.

marmot trestles 30 budget backpacking sleeping bag review - the trestles' 1/4-length accessory zipper certainly improves...
The Trestles' 1/4-length accessory zipper certainly improves ventilation. However, we believe there are lighter and more effective ways to improve overall versatility.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Versatility


Versatility is the one area where this bag shines. You can count on its synthetic insulation to keep you warm even if it gets soaked. The ¼-length accessory zipper is also great for venting excess heat on warmer nights. We only wish this accessory zipper was a smaller size to cut down on the bag's overall weight.

Features and Design


Although we like the venting options that the accessory zipper offers, we believe this additional zipper would be more useful if it were tacked on to make the main zipper longer. Then the bag could be fully unzipped into a quilt. The accessory zipper location also requires there be separate drawstrings to tighten the chin and forehead regions of the bag's hood — a minor convenience and slight weight increase. Our testers were still able to appreciate the Trestles convenient stash pocket, but there appear to be a few ways its design could be better.

marmot trestles 30 budget backpacking sleeping bag review - the trestles has a convenient stash pocket next to the main zipper...
The Trestles has a convenient stash pocket next to the main zipper for storing a phone or headlamp.
Credit: Jack Cramer

Value


The Trestles is one of the cheaper sleeping bags marketed for overnight backpacking. It has a few features that we like, but its considerable weight isn't ideal. The Trestles, therefore, is not a particularly great value.

Conclusion


When you're sleeping in it, the Trestles performs pretty well. Its accessory zipper, in particular, is great for adjusting your warmth as temperatures and your metabolism fluctuate throughout the night. Its substantial weight and packed size, however, make it less than desirable for if you hope to carry it into a real backcountry camp.

Jack Cramer
 

Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.

GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.

Learn More