Gear Guide 2009: Western Mountaineering Antelope GWS Sleeping Bag Review
We like almost everything about this winter bag.
Best All-Around
From fit to cover fabric, testers proclaimed this bag a champ. The hood nestled perfectly around our heads, the draft collar fit right under our chins, and the 62-inch girth is comfortably efficient. The Gore Windstopper shell is all but waterproof–it repelled sleety Welsh spindrift–yet it worked with the microfiber nylon liner to move moisture in mild conditions or after we crawled in wet with sweat. And it’s exceptionally tough: Our test bag withstood rude use as a bivy sack and camp blanket on coarse alpine gravel beneath Mt. Whitney.
Dual stiffeners make it virtually impossible to snag the zipper even when you’re fumbling with gloved hands. Testers found it plenty warm with one caveat: Most of the down is distributed on top, so side sleepers might get chilled at temps near its rating. $540; 2 lbs. 13 oz.; 5°F