Western Mountaineering Antelope

Review Date
January 31, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Patrick Smith(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Ft. Wayne, IN

Price Paid:  $345.00 at Western Mountaineeri

Summary:
Consistent with the rumors, Western Mountaineering was conservative in their rating of the Antelope. I have used it extensively, and have remained warm and dry at temperatures exceeding 15 degress below the bag's rating. I have never been anything but ecstatic with its performance. It was worth every penny. When making a purchase such as a slleping bag, one cannot afford to cut corners. This product's performance has hooked me--I'll never place my life in another bag.

Customer Service:
They are quick, conscientious, and courteous.

Similar Products Used:
TNF

Review Date
April 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Karl(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from SLC, UT USA

Summary:
I bought a Sequoia Super DL (overstuffed) because I consistently froze in my old bag at +20F while sleeping on the Colorado Monument - and it was supposed to be rated to -15F. I have enjoyed my Sequoia and have stayed warm in equally cold weather - even when sleeping under the stars with heavey dew. Western Mountaineering paid attention to detail when putting this one together - oversized draft tubes, stiffening tape along the zippers to avoid snags, and loft to spare. I'm a big guy and so the roomier girth is very nice too. I checked out similar Marmot and Mountain HW but found that the Western bags were constructed better for me. I recommend this bag to anyone - best I've tried.

Customer Service:
After special ordering my bag, I wasn't expecting it for a month. It came in just 2 weeks. Great service Western!

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
February 27, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Vu Tran(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Houston, TX

Summary:
After months and months of doing my research and trying bags from just about every reputable high-end manufacturer, I decided on the WM Antelope SDL. You won't find a better bag at this temp range. Believe me, I've looked long and hard!

what I liked:
1) Pound for pound, the best loft of any bag I looked at (WM's temperature ratings are very conservative)
2) Unmatched quality in materials, stitching, and craftsmanship.
3) Plump draft tube that does its job (very well!)
4) Fabric stiffening tape makes zipping a cinch.
5) Versatility in a broad temperature range(continuous baffles, zips, etc...)
6) Superior hood and collar design.

What I didn't like:
1) Dry-Loft makes the bag a bit more difficult to stuff than microfiber, but this is the small price you will have to pay (along with some extra $$$) for DryLoft's superior water resistance.
2) Expensive! You get what you pay for with this bag (I was lucky to find one on sale.)

If you want a versatile, easy to use, no compromise bag that'll put you to sleep like a baby on cool to frigid nights, get this one.

Review Date
February 10, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Brent P.(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Oklahoma City,OK 73107

Summary:
I purchased this bag in October 1999. I was looking for a really light weight summer bag for the Rockies, that was a little less warm than my Feathered Friends Snowbunting. The Ultralight is a new bag for 1999 and belongs to Western's X-treme Light series of bags. These bags feature shells of .85 oz. per sq. yd. fabric and many other special features. Western clearly states that these bags are not as durable as their standard models and should be used by people who know now to care for equipment. The bag amazes me! It is a narrow bag, very similar to my Feathered Friends Snowbunting. It is rated by Western as a 25 degree bag but has more loft than MANY 20 degree bags I've seen. (certainly more loft than a North Face Blue Kazoo I purchased about 12 years ago had WHEN NEW) I ordered it with a 2oz. overfill and it still weighs ONLY 14 OZ. !!!! I have used the bag four times so far and find it to be incredibly warm for it's weight. Although I LOVE my Feathered Friends bag and believe that they produce a GREAT product, I feel that you get more loft, at less weight, and less money with Western Moutaineerings new products.

Customer Service:
Customer service was superb! I ordered direct from Western Mountaineering and received my bag in about 3 weeks.

Review Date
January 30, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Ralf Schultz(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Denmark

Summary:
This is a really nice piece og gear, i have the Dryloft version.
The dryloft does a very good job in protecting the loft form water from the outside, but after a week of hiking in temperatures between -10 and +5 degree celcuis, with no chance of drying the bag, you begin to notify that the loft get a little moist, but it still kept me warm, and that must be the primary goal.
About the quality... I have´nt seen anything like this before, it is just great! it is very seldom that you see any og the loft escaping from the inside of the bag.
There are also some neat features; The baffels goes all the vay around, wich makes it possible to regulate the temperature in the bag. Another thing is the zipper, it doesnt get stuck, thanks to a piece of stiff material sewn along with it.