This review dives into the Hyke & Byke Antero 800 Hammock Sleeping Bag, a lightweight marvel designed for ultralight backpacking and cold-weather camping adventures. We put this 800-fill power bag to the test, meticulously verifying its claimed weight and assessing its performance in challenging sub-20-degree Fahrenheit conditions, complete with strong winds. This detailed account covers the initial unpacking and loft recovery process, highlighting the bag's impressive fluffiness after a brief air dry. We also explore the ease of setup within a hammock, a key feature for ultralight travelers.Our testing included a real-world overnight experience that pushed the Antero 800's limits. We'll share our findings on its warmth, comfort, and overall effectiveness in keeping you cozy throughout the night. Discover whether this ultralight sleeping bag lives up to its promises, including its stated warmth rating and its suitability for hammock camping. This review provides practical insights and valuable lessons learned during the testing process, ultimately assessing whether the Hyke & Byke Antero 800 is worth the investment for your next cold-weather excursion.
Pros And Cons
- Lightweight (3.6 pounds)
- Packs down small
- Roomy footbox allows for extra layers
- Warmth can be significantly increased by using the drawstrings at the bottom
- Takes a long time to warm up due to hammock setup creating a tunnel effect and lack of direct contact with the bag
- May require additional wind protection to perform optimally in its rated temperature range
- Requires layers to be truly comfortable near the 0-degree rating
Read more: Unwind in Style: 5 Red Camping Hammocks
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The Hyke & Byke Antero 800 arrived in its packaging. The bag boasts an impressive 800-fill power and a claimed weight of 3.6 pounds. I verified this on my scale after unpacking.
Straight from the package, the sleeping bag was tightly compressed. Following the manufacturer's instructions, I proceeded to air dry it for five minutes in my dryer, using the air-only setting.
Weight and Packability
After the drying process, the sleeping bag fluffed up significantly, clearly benefiting from the loft recovery. It showed much less compression than its initial state.
The actual weight came in at 3.66 pounds, precisely matching the manufacturer's specifications. This lightweight design makes it ideal for backpacking and ultralight adventures.
Hammock Setup and First Night Use
I used a budget-friendly hammock from Home Depot for testing. The total weight of hammock plus sleeping bag was manageable.
Setting up the sleeping bag in the hammock was fairly straightforward. The bag fit well and created a cozy, suspended sleeping space.
Performance and Observations
The first night's test involved temperatures dipping below 20 degrees Fahrenheit with strong winds. Unexpectedly, the wind blew over my son's tent, necessitating a move!
Despite the challenging conditions, I remained comfortably warm after tightening the bottom drawstrings, a key feature I overlooked initially. This significantly reduced drafts and improved overall warmth. Stuffing extra clothes into the foot box further enhanced insulation.
Final Verdict
The Hyke & Byke Antero 800 is a high-performing sleeping bag suitable for cold-weather camping, especially when used with a hammock. Its lightweight design and impressive warmth make it ideal for ultralight backpacking.
While the bag performs well in cold temperatures, wind protection is recommended to maximize its effectiveness to its zero-degree rating. The tunnel effect in the hammock helps maintain warmth, although initially, it takes some time to heat up.