One of the original hard-core outdoor gear manufacturers, Marmot stands today as a thought-leader in the outdoor clothing and equipment industry. Their image is that of dedicated outdoor enthusiasts slogging it out in the backcountry or professional ski patrollers who count on Marmot to enable them to do their jobs safely and efficiently.
I’ve had great experience with Marmot clothing in the past. Every piece has been stellar and has been worn and abused for years. Marmot is now owned by K2, Inc., but is still dedicated to the core outdoor athlete.
Marmot Jackets
When you think of Marmot, you think of their highly-functional jackets. Here are a few of the top Marmot jackets:
Marmot Precip Jacket – Men’s | view all
Marmot Furlong Jacket – Women’s | view all
Marmot Zeus Down Jacket – Men’s | view all
Marmot Radiant Jacket – Women’s | view all
Marmot Tents
Kick-butt in every way… that’s the standard by which Marmot tents are exacted. Having used Marmot 4-season tents in the past, they are bomber. Here are the top Marmot tents:
Marmot Aeolos 2P Tent | 4-season tents
Marmot Aeros 3P Tent | Marmot footprints
Marmot Aura 2P Tent | 3-season tents
Marmot Thor 3P Tent | 4-season Marmot tents
Growing up in Seattle, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continued as he founded 
JM
Have you had any more experience on the ASR5 since your review? As I understand it, this was a proto and I am interested in a production review before I drop a months wages. I look at MTBR occasionally but see nothing anywhere other than the original Interbike initial. Is it all that its cracked up to be? Thanks for the tireless, thankless (not) efforts in keeping us all informed.
Hey jason great review. I’m about ready to do the deed. But one thing that has been nagging me is the differences between the mojo and the sl? why did you end up choosing the mojo rather then the sl? any input you can provide would be great. Also do you have any input on the easton haven wheels? is it worth the extra loot to upgrade to crank bros or industry9 wheels?
thanks
Hi Jason, currently have the 2007 yeti 575 (old frame) and looking to get a new 575 but of course yeti has to throw out a bone and give you another option. I ride northern cal mountains and we climb to descend. I was wondering how much you give up on the decent with asr 5 vs 575. Is it that much of a difference? I keep the tires on the ground but like to go fast over rocky terrain, single track etc, but it is just as rewarding to beat your buddies up technical climbs. My concern is giving up the ride quality on the downhill.
Hey Ben
I just reached out to the crew at Yeti and they said that the bikes that were at Interbike were identical to the current production models. Killer bike indeed!
Great questions, Ian. As far as the Mojo vs. Mojo SL debate. It was honestly a matter of availability at the time. Ibis didn’t have anything available but the black clearcoat Mojo. So, Mojo it was without too much debate though if I had my druthers, I would have elected for an SL just to shave a tad more weight for kicks.
The Easton Haven wheels look great. I’ve just read the blip on them in last month’s BIKE mag. I can say that the Crank Bros Iodine wheels are killer and I have no doubt that the I9’s would be equally sweet. A great pair of hoops is worth every penny, IMO. The Haven’s look to be a tad less expensive than comparable I9’s or CrankBros wheelsets. I’m sure between the three of those you’re getting an absolutely-solid wheelset that will perform well. The Haven’s are also about 250 grams lighter than either the Iodine or I9 Enduro wheelsets if that’s a part of the equation as well.
Ahh yes, the 575/ASR 5 debate… I’m sure there are many of you in that same boat. You’ve really got to ask yourself if you want to be a part of the Institution that is the 575 or if you want to go with the new goodness. You really could go either way, my friend, and be happy. You will give up some downhill prowess with the ASR 5c, but you will be that much faster on the uphill too.
It’s hard to say how much you “give up” though with the ASR 5c. I can say that it is a confident downhiller, but rides stiffer than the 575 for sure. It will handle anything you can throw at it, but you won’t have the cush in the middle of the stroke that makes the 575 so adept. Steering will be more precise on the ASR 5 to clear around really hairy stuff though and you’ll be faster to the top for sure.
Tough call, but I think you’ll be stoked with either one. Sorry to really give you no direction whatsoever.
@Judy – Adding to what WillC replied. I own the FT60, the feature to see the time when you are working out is called “heart touch”. You enable the feature in the settings. When you are working out, you bring the watch up and ‘touch’ it to the HRM transmitter and the watch will display the time for a few seconds. I’ve never tried to do that motion multiple times in succession to see if it will show other screens as WillC seems to say that it does.
Thanks Jason as always an amazing response time. you know your responsible for all our happiness so keep up the good work!!! I’m a Yeti fan so I may have to try the “new goodness” but…..then again the 575 has been very very good to me. Thanks again
I’m looking for a dual-purpose fork. all day rides, climbing etc. Ive been offered a brilliant deal on this fork but yours is the only review that I can find on the itnernet- you dont mention rock gardens or technical trails specifically. Do the 2steps become overwhelmed from repeated impacts/hits?
It’s been awhile since I did this review, but I can’t recall any instances where I felt the fork becoming over-compressed on repeated rough terrain. I quite liked this fork and felt it to be solid overall.
The braking surface of the rotor is attached to the spider arms by metal pins that will experience shearing forces. Just no shearing forces on the hub itself. Ease of removal of the rotor was the original reason I went with Center Lock.
I have successfully used the XTR rotors with the Avid Juicy brakes, however, I had to cut off the metal tabs on the brake pads to make them work. I also just recently installed Avid Elixir CR brakes and found the calliper interferes with the spider arm of the XTR rotor. It is possible to shave down the calliper as the interference is less than 1mm. Rotors were purchase about 3 years ago but don’t think the design has changed since then. The brake setup uses the 160 F/R adapters…so not sure how it would work for post mount type fork/frame.
I just purchased the Garmont Radiums. It was a boot I had not researched since I’m selling a pair of Garmont Adrenalins. The folks at Mt Gear in Spokane said to try the Radium. I had also tried on the Factors and the Titans. I think the Radiums are slightly stiffer than the factors. I don’t know about the Titan as I could not find a fit. The Raduims have a solid fit for me so I did some research and made the purchase the next day. Sometimes the local gear shop can make a difference — here with both a recommendation and a good boot fitter. I’m a ski patroller and relatively new to AT and backcountry skiing. I skied today and experienced the early day hard snow of Spring followed by progressively softer snow leading to slush. Had I not know these were AT boots I would have said I was skiing on a high quality free ride boot. With these boots my K-2 Mt Bakers with the Diamir Freeride Plus carved like a dream. Interesting comments on the fit. Normally I ski in a 26.5 but in the Radium, I’m in a 26. I did only a couple of minor on the hill adjustments with the buckles. I found the walk/ski switch easy to use even with ski gloves on. A recommendation I would make to Garmont would to have interchangable soles so the Radiums would work with a traditional alpine binding. I’m lucky in that my powder skis have the Marker Duke and the Duke and Baron are both AT compatible. All in all, I believe I made a good purchase and one aided by a great gear shop.
definitely not the first tour bindings of marker
http://www.wildsnow.com/backcountry-ski-museum/marker-m-tour/marker-m-tour.html
Ahh yes, the Marker Mousetrap. Did people actually ski on those back in the day?
Hi Jason, I’m Back. Okay, I’m going to keep my 575. Can you give me a ride comparison between blur LTc and asr 5. Small/large bump compliance, climbing technical, downhill etc.., did you prefer one over the other?
Dean… I haven’t ridden the Blur LTc, unfortunately. I rode the standard BLT, but not the carbon. The ASR5c and BLT are two completely different bikes… not in the same category at all. While I really like the BLT, the ASR5 is way snappier and much more agile and fun.
Augh! I got the new frame, love it. I am cannibalizing my too small 29er frame to my new Hammer29 frame. Only part that doesn’t fit my Hammer is my down-pull XTR front derailleur. I am looking for the correct XTR front derailleur for the Hammer 29. I know it needs to be top pull and 28.6mm. Please help out.
I am actually looking into ebay for previous generation XTR (one without large “X” logos on it and it’s not black.)
Many Thanks!
Pepe
Pepe
Here’s a better pic of the front derailleur (click to see larger):
Hope that helps!
Many websites indicate that the high mode is 29 and low is 18. However, the box says 42 high and 19 low.
Also, the websites wirth reviews also say that high mode lasts for 74 hours but the box says 5 hours.
WHICH IS IT? CAN ANYONE CLEAR THIS UP?
It does! Thanks but one thing, what derailleur is that? Looks like an XT. Cannot find an XTR like that. Could you direct me to which XTR front derailluer model, please? (Needs to be a previous generation XTR, without the large “X” logo on it.) My bike is the same size as yours.
Anyway, I just sat on my Hammer29…. fits like a glove, NO TOE-OVERLAP, weeeeee!!!
Pepe
GP, I wish I could clarify this for you but I have long ago pitched the box that has those details. I gotta think that with the nearly 2 years I’ve owned this light that the high mode lasts FAR longer than 5 hours. Reason being is this:
I lent this light to my friend when we were on an adventure in Death Valley. We hiked most of one night, then the next night we were hiking well past dark – in all probably 15 hours in the dark and he had it on bright the entire time without dimming or battery change. I can’t remember the last time I changed the batteries in mine and it’s a regular on the trail/camping. So while I can’t say 74 hours for sure, I know for a fact it’s well past 5.
As for lumens, 42 seems high compared to a Princeton Tech hand held light (the Genesis) that I have which is around 45 lumens. Hope that helps, some
Atlas Rocks! But after 13 years of hard use, my mountaineering pair just broke in half this weekend. Atlas repaired and upgraded my bindings several years ago for free but this time, they are toast. See picture at http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/602656/nelson-peak-ut-.html
Sorry about your snowshoes, but I know you’ve gotten plenty of use out of those puppies. Looks like a fun climb. One of these days you’ll skip the walking down part in favor of more fun descending on skis.
It’s never that simple. What you don’t see in the pictures is the 2 mile bike ride to the base of the mountain. Then the 2,000 foot climb up a dry mountain side. Then a 2 mile ridge traverse where skiing wasn’t possible. At that point you would have a great ski trip. I should look into some short skies that will work with my climbing boots. That’s the only answer. Just my ice axe sticking out of my pack was cought on brush 20+ times.
Kendall,
Thanks much.
It does help hearing it from someone who tried it in the field.
I find it a bit strange that the manufacturer themselves have provided wrong info on their website as well as on the package.
I tried my own out for the first time last night and it was quite bright. I am yet to test the battery life.
Are there any websites or chat sites that I can access which provide great details about different hiking/camping destinations and where I can meet other nature lovers?
I know… anything in the Oquirrh’s is an adventure on all levels. Not all peaks have a skiable exit either, but I just like to give you a hard time. Nice work on that peak… sorry about the snowshoe blowup.
One more question…carbon vs alum..do you think it is worth the exta cash $500 to spend to get carbon. I’m not a weight weanie. Yeti says that carbon is 30% stiffer. Also, if it takes a hit, does it chip, dent, wondering how it holds up and will look after a few years. thanks jason
Carbon frames are oh so good, IMO. If you can spare the extra 5 Benjamin’s, I’d throw down for sure, but if you want to get better wheels and some carbon bits with the saved coin, I’d have a hard time convincing you otherwise.
Nice review.
Avalungs are very useful in NARSID situations too. Been there. Scary stuff.
I wear my Avalung II inbounds (and out- too, obviously) on big days for that reason even more than fear of avalanches.
Good tip list, particularly the one about trying on the watches. I get a ton of returns from women who think the watch will fit on their wrist and when it arrives are disappointed because it is too big.
Tony
Do you know if HighGear is going to keep this in their lineup now that they have been bought?
I believe they are continuing business-as-usual. I saw their booth at Outdoor Retailer and saw the full product line at that time. So, consider that a most likely, probably yes.
Great point, man! I totally agree as I’ve gotten stuck in a tree well once and man was it scary as I fumbled to get my skis off and rightside up again.
Are these the new MH gloves that are supposed to have a waterproof exterior — one that won’t get soaked? I’ve been wanting to check out a pair.
Andy, I’m not sure if you’re thinking of another pair. These use Outdry, which is essentially adhered to the inside of the outer layer for better dexterity and performance. If there’s another Mountain Hardwear glove you’re thinking of, I can reach out to them. You’ve got me wondering if I’ve missed something.
As a Utah fly fishing guide, I guide the Fly Fishing River below this beautiful, majestic mountain every summer. As I do so, I always ponder the possibility of being able to ski it. I currently live in Logan Utah and have made the commitment this weekend to go down to ski Mt. Timp this Sat, I am so excited to be able to accomplish this huge dream of mine. I look forward to the sweet summit, wish me luck!
BILL! I went and rode the 18 and the 19 last week cause I was worried about buying the 19…
I am 6′2″ and the 18 was small-ish, it felt like I was right on the headset,not good. too close.
the 19…sweet, right where it should be. 19 all the way for your height
do the 19! Jason’s right
Utah Fly Guide – Good luck on Saturday, should be a great day for a summit as long as the storm comes in a little later in the day. Today (Friday) might be a better day to summit but it’s going to heat up. Either way, good luck and be safe!!
Looks like a great design and the gel combo is nice. I’ve been using a Deuter hip pack recently and it’s a nice way to carry liquid while snowshoeing and winter trail running.
These bindings are garbage. After 10 uses my heel piece snapped leaving me stranded in deep snow and a long way from the car. Absolute crap. Get them off your skis.
Couple of things. Alpina bought them and have spare parts. The weird bolt on the front can be removed using the “butt” end of a 1/4″ drive socket. Make sure you don’t have snow on your boot sole when stepping in since this increased pressure is likely part of the failures.