The 2018 Marmot Angel Fire vs. the 2017 Version
The Angel Fire got a material change-up, as well as some new down treatment and an extra ventilation zipper, which is shown in use in the photo on the left, below. The older version we tested is pictured on the right.
- Second Zipper — This version has a second zipper that zips a short way down the opposite side of the bag from the full-length zipper, which allows you to fold down both sides of the bag the bag for extra ventilation.
- Material Update — The latest Angel Fire utilizes 20d 100% nylon mini ripstop, in contrast to the 30d used on the previous version.
- Down Updates — The bag still uses 650-fill power down, but now employs Down Defender treatment for more water resistance.
- Price Drop — Instead of raising the price, Marmot dropped the price of the bag from $249 to $229 with this update!
We haven't finished testing the most recent incarnation of the Angel Fire, so the rest of the review is about the old version of the bag.
Hands-On Review of the 2017 Angel Fire
This 650-fill down sleeping bag is a good budget choice for a woman backpacker. It will keep you warm and comfortable on all your three season travels.
The Marmot Angel Fire is so warm we didn't need to get fully inside on warm summer nights.
Warmth
This contender is EN rated at 21.6 F. This is in the middle of the pack of bags we tested, and we think it is right on. The Angel Fire kept us warm on cool nights. We think that it is just as warm as the Mountain Hardwear Heratio and has about the same fill weight (the Angel Fire has 23.5oz and the Heratio 24oz); both have 650 fill power. We love that the Angel Fire has a cozy draft collar with a drawcord, something only the Rab Neutrino 400 - Women's has, adding an element of warmth that the Heratio doesn't have. This bag feels lofty and warm in most summer and shoulder season conditions. One of our testers pushed this bag to its limits by sleeping out in the low 20's on snow (with a Therm-a-Rest ZRest) and was chilly.
We pushed the Angel Fire to it's temperature limits in the high 20's, sleeping on snow and were a bit chilly.
As with most of the other bags we tested, the Angel Fire has water-resistant treated down insulation to help the bag keep its loft when damp. It's shell materials are not DWR coated like the Heratio. However, DWR coatings lose their efficiency if not re-treated regularly.
Weight
This Marmot bag weighs in at 41 oz, one ounce heavier than the Heratio. It is again, in the middle of the pack weight wise. It is much lighter than any synthetic bag we tested, but still 14.5 ounces heavier than our Editors' Choice Award winner the Feathered Friends Egret (but also around $230 less).
Comfort
We think the Angel Fire is very comfortable. The dimensions seemed to fit our 5'5" testers like a glove. We like the anatomical foot box and the cozy hood. It also had plenty of room in the shoulders to move around and add extra layers if necessary. The most comfortable and unique bag we tested is the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 800 Women's, complete with its quilt feature.
Rachel Drattler wakes up after a cozy night sleep in the Marmot Angel Fire.
Features
We like the Angel Fire's features. We were skeptical about this bag's giant "zipper garage" and thought it was a gimmick to please people who have complained about the zipper catching in the past. After some use though, we have decided that it works and is probably worth the extra grams it weighs.
We weren't sure what to think of the huge "zipper garage" but it seems to work well and doesn't catch on the fabric.
We also like the interior stash pocket and think that if a pocket is going to be included, it should be on the inside of the bag where the items will stay warm (and easy to access while bundled up). We wish the hood's drawcords were different materials so it would be easy to tell them apart in the dark.
We like the Angel Fire's interior stash pocket for easy access.
Best Application
The Angel Fire is a good introductory backpacking sleeping bag that will keep you warm and cozy on multiple day trips.
Value
The Angel Fire is a pretty decent value at $229, a solid $30 less than the Heratio. If you are looking for an even cheaper but decent option for a down sleeping bag, check out our Best Buy Award Winner the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 - Women's that retails for $160!
We like that the Angel fire has a draft collar with separate draw cords.
Conclusion
There are only small differences between the Angel Fire and the Heratio. Both are decent, warm sleeping bags. The Angel Fire's features are slightly better, but it may just come down to a question of brand loyalty when you are choosing between the two.
