Re: Thermarest bags

Just tried out the Therm-a-Rest Antares that I ordered from REI.  I am most definitely underwhelmed.    There just doesn't seem to be that much loft there, certainly for $300 (after a 20% discount).   And though it claims to work with a pad up to 25" wide, when I jammed my NeoAir Trekker "large torso" into the straps, it pinched the edges of the pad in pretty significantly.

I will be returning it soon.

I'm guessing you'll be able to buy these on Sierra Trading Post for under $200 within a year.   At that price, it might be a nice summer bag - but the rated 20 degrees seems like a joke.

John


> Actually, I just found a fairly comprehensive review:
> 
> http://www.trailspace.com/gear/therm-a-rest/antares-20/
> 
> However, I gotta wonder a little, when the guy says "a roomy as-all-get-out, two pound, 20-degree down bag for around $350, the Antares is a helluva deal."   He claims the construction is good, though it's made in China.   But still, as I found searching some blog, "Chinese-made, 750-fill down, AND expensive ?!?", and I have to agree.    Nothwithstanding that it's pretty easy to find one of these for 20%-off (e.g. currently-active coupon for REI members), so the price is really high-$200s; good luck finding that WM bag for 20%-off.
> 
> Still, I'm not really that interested in whether it's a good deal - I'm interested in whether I'll like it on the trail.   Given that I'm committed to the idea of an enclosed bag, the main other contender is the WM AlpinLite; I'd get either in the "long" size for the extra girth.   On Antares, the circumferences are 60/40/30"; for ApinLite they are 65/56/39".    So the trade-off is shoulder versus hip clearance.   Hmm ... I'm tempted to think shoulder-room is more important for me, as a bony-shouldered side-sleeper; OTOH, one of the main tight spots I found in my old WM VersaLite was about the knees, since I've gotta have some padding between the knees.
> 
> John
> 
> 
> > Anyone tried Therm-a-Rest's new line of sleeping bags ?   They're kinda like the Big Agnes system, where there's not much insulation on the bottom, so an insulated pad is required to complete the thermal envelope.   But instead of using a pad sleeve, they use straps.  Apparently they work with wide pads (i.e. 25"), which I require; none of the BA bags that meet my weight/volume requirements work with pads larger than 20".
> > 
> > John
> >
>