THERM-A-REST Antares HD Sleeping bag and NEOAIR ALL SEASON pad
Editor: Cory
Just the Facts:
Therma-a-rest Neoair Antares Bag Facts:
Check out the video review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEHY1KEc4VM
Antares:
REGULAR LONG
Color Chili Chili
Weight 1 lbs 15 oz / 890 g 2 lbs 2 oz / 980 g
Fits 6ft / 183 cm 6 ft 6 in / 198 cm
Girth, Shoulder 62 in / 158 cm 64 in / 163 cm
Girth, Hip 58 in / 147 cm 60 in / 152 cm
Girth, Foot box 40 in / 102 cm 40 in / 102 cm
Length 72 in / 178 cm 78 in / 198 cm
Packed dimension 7 x 12 / 18 x 31 7 x 12 / 18 x 31
EN Comfort -3 C / 27 F -3 C / 27 F
EN Limit 15 F / -9 C 15 F / -9 C
EN Extreme -18 F / -28 C -18 F / -28 C
Fill 750FP HD goose down 750FP HD Goose Down
Fill weight 440 g 500 g
Liner fabric 20d Polyester 20d Polyester
Shell fabric 20d Polyester 20d Polyester
Zipper side Left Left
Country of Origin Made in China Made in China
NEOAIR Pad:
M REGULAR L
Color Lilypad Lilypad Lilypad
R-Value 4.9 4.9 4.9
Weight 1 lbs 2 oz / 510 g 1 lbs 3 oz / 540 g 1 lbs 9 oz / 710 g
Width 20 in / 51 cm 20 in / 51 cm 25 in / 63 cm
Length 66 in / 168 cm 72 in / 183 cm 77 in / 196 cm
Thickness 2.5 in / 6.3 cm 2.5 in / 6.3 cm 2.5 in / 6.3 cm
Packed dimension 9 x 4.75 / 22 x 12 9 x 4.75 / 22 x 12 11 x 4.8 / 28 x 12
Top fabric type 75d Polyester Diamond Ripstop 75d Polyester Diamond Ripstop 75d Polyester Diamond Ripstop
Bottom fabric type 70d Nylon 70d Nylon 70d Nylon
Core Nylon Nylon Nylon
Country of Origin Made in the U.S.A. of U.S. and Imported Materials Made in the U.S.A. of U.S. and Imported Materials Made in the U.S.A. of U.S. and Imported Materials
Basic Description from THERM-A-REST:
Antares HD:
Now featuring Nikwax® Hydrophobic Down and a ThermaCapture™ lining for advanced, lightweight warmth, the three-season Antares HD can handle just about anything from early spring to late fall. It has also been updated with our new Zoned Insulation, adding a light layer of sewn-through insulation to the bottom of the bag. This helps reduce drafts when joined with your mattress, and frees you to use your bag in a hostel or your friend’s couch–wherever you don’t need a camp mattress. We do recommend outdoor use however. It’s just more fun that way.
NEOAIR PAD:
Lightweight, durable and extremely warm, the NeoAir All Season mattress is the ultimate solution to year-round backcountry comfort. Patent-pending Triangular Core Matrix™ technology creates over 100 insulating cells and multiple ThermaCapture layers capture radiant heat, resulting in an incredibly high R-value without the weight or bulk of conventional insulation. Durable fabrics and construction give the All Season mattress the strength to stand up to rugged conditions throughout the year, and the ultralight 2.3 oz. Mini Pump – a $40 value – will have you enjoying NeoAir comfort in mere minutes. Stuffsack, NeoAir Mini Pump and repair kit included. Mini Pump batteries (2 AAA) not included
My Story:
Snug as a bug in a rug! I remember my parents saying that to me many times when I was a child. It was a goofy saying that always made me wonder just how snug could a bug really be? The goofy phrase was not a riddle and was more an assurance of comfort. I see that now, and I find myself using the same phrase with my own children, and wondering if they too picture little bugs sleeping in a rug. My first night with my THERM-A-REST Antares HD sleeping bag and NEOAIR ALL SEASON sleeping pad left me lying on my back staring at the roof of my tent. The familiar phrase came back into my mind as sleep was closing in, I was snug, snug as a bug in a rug. Sleep came easy and when my eyes opened again it was only at the request of my alarm clock.
I have slept in more sleeping bags than I can count. I have mummy bags, square bags, synthetic bags, down bags, nylon bags, cotton bags, and just about every other kind of bag you can dream up. While just about any bag is better than no bag there certainly are some that do the job better than others. In the case of finding a three season bag that is warm, durable, and most importantly lightweight there is no need to look farther than THERM-A-REST and their Antares HD sleeping bag.
I have about the same experience with sleeping pads as I do with bags. I have used everything from old couch cushion foam, carpet pad, self-inflatable pads, and even pine boughs. Those were the times of old and luckily I have evolved. Now I had the great fortune to test a THERM-A-REST NEOAIR ALL SEASON pad that would accompany my new sleeping bag. The two work as a sleep system and I was ready to get them together and hit the hills.
The Antares is a mummy style bag that offers exceptional comfort. I am 5’ 9’’ and usually sit around 180 pounds. I am not a big guy by any means but I’m not a small guy either. I found the regular sized bag to be a perfect fit. I am very often a side sleeper and as I’m sure many of you know that is not conducive to the mummy bag life. Well, most of the time anyway. Such is not the case with the Antares. This bag offers plenty of shoulder room to side sleep and is even fairly roomy down past the knees. The nearly full length zipper allows for more freedom during warmer temperatures. An insulated collar and head cover will help combat the cooler temperatures making this bag very versatile.
This bag comes with 750FP HD NIKWAX coated goose down and ThermaCapture lining. NIKWAX helps to prevent moisture within the down preserving insulating loft and the life of the down. These are just another example of THERM-A-REST’s reputation of using the highest quality material and technology available. This allows them to make an exceptionally versatile three season bag at a very acceptable packing weight of only 1lb. 15oz. The outer material is made of water resistant polyester fabric that offers silk like comfort.
Another very neat feature, and one that surely sets them apart from many other companies, are the pad containment straps on the bottom of the bag. These straps hold the sleeping pad in place and eliminate the frustration of falling off of the pad in the middle of the night. I tested this with the THERM-A-REST NEOAIR ALL SEASON sleeping pad with great success.
The NEOAIR pad falls into a category that I can only describe as “next level”. This pad is truly fantastic. It weighs just 1lb. 3 oz. which does not make it the lightest pad in the world but the extra ounces are paid forward by extreme added comfort. The 2.5 inches of air will provide fantastic comfort and insulation. As I get another year older this feature is more and more important. The pad is lined with a patent-pending Triangular Core Matrix technology that provides exceptional insulation. This pad is as versatile as it is comfortable and can be used any time of year with great success. The pad stores nicely in the included storage sack and is simply a fantastic product.
The NEOAIR pad comes with a small pump. This included pump is useful but seems to be more of a marketing tool than a necessity. I would also not value it at anywhere near the advertised $40 mark. It is a nice little add on but if I do not see it as something that I will be taking into the backcountry with me. The 2.3 ounces of pump weight are far more than the breath in my lungs.
I used both the pad and sleeping bag on multiple hunting trips and found them to be an awesome pair of products. The two work as a sleep system that is purpose built for the outdoors enthusiast. Whether from the comfort of a friend’s couch or the frost kissed hills of the backcountry THERM-A-REST had me covered. Fine job guys!
Check these products out here:
http://www.cascadedesigns.com/Therm-A-Rest/Mattresses/Trek-And-Travel/NeoAir-All-Season/product
What could be done better?
I was more than pleased with both of these products. I honestly cannot find anything that I would have them change. I have nothing but good things to say about THERM-A-REST and their Antares HD sleeping bag and NEOAIR ALL SEASON sleeping pad. Top notch! It should be noted that there is a slight crinkling noise as you move on the pad. For the life of me I cannot see how a person would hold that against the pad. It does not have an effect on comfort or functionality. If you are moving around enough to be bothered by the noise there is sure to be something else that is far more worthy of your negative attention.
I am very comfortable giving both products 5 stars.
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Functionality
(5)
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Value
(5)
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Ergonomics
(5)
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Durability
(5)
