Hyke & Byke Antero 0

Their bag came with huge voids and they refused to replace it because I didn't have it registered. Brand new... never used. Lame!

I bought this in October. And with the insane winter we have had here in Utah, by the time I got it, temperatures were well below the 0 degrees the bag was rated for (temps got as low as -19!). So I could not use it or test it out. It looked great... was excited to find something with the double functionality. So I stuck it on the shelf.

Well fast forward to January. It's still sub freezing, but within the limits of the bag (probably 20 to 25-ish). Was going to sleep in my backyard hammock, to test it out...FROZE MY ASS OFF! Couldn't figure out why my backside was so cold. Wondering if there was a nuance to its setup I tried to adjust things to no avail. 

I botched the overnight plan and came in early and tried figuring it out. Upon closer inspection, there were significant voids in the bottom portion of the bag (where an under quilt typically goes), although the side/top as well as everything from the knees down had HUGE loft (weird contrast). 

Couldn't see the voids with just normal inspection (that I did the day I received it). But when you feel the fill against the floor, in those many voids, there was nothing more than the fabric between me and the air. 

Trying to solve the problem myself, I thought I would try to loft it up with a dryer. Problem is I don't have a dryer (I heat my home with a wood burning stove, ok), and there are no laundromats where I live either (I live in BFE), so it took me some time to get to a laundromat. When I finally made it to town, I spent 6 HOURS "drying" in the dryer with tennis balls, trying to see if I could get the fill that was there to spread (cuz trying to do it through the fabric didn't work (I know cuz tried). 

So as a last resort I called Hyke & Byke, thinking because of the circumstance—of the timing with the weather, the fact that I tried to resolve it on my own first, the fact that it wasn't used, and that really it's a manufacturing issue—that they would be reasonable enough to work something out. The lady I spoke with said, "Oh of course! We'll get you a replacement out as soon as you respond to my email with some information." Sweet!

Long story longer, after delaying even more time with major flooding at my home, and going back and forth a little regarding order details and whatnot, they came back with this: "Did you register your bag by chance? That is very important when it comes to the warranty, without it being registered we cannot honor any warranty on it. I'm sorry for failing to mention that prior, as I said I'm new and learning everyday. If you did register I will go ahead and proceed with sending out a replacement bag. Thank you!"

Well I didn't register it. Nor do I remember even seeing anything about registration. And frankly nor would I think that whether registering it or not would prevent any well meaning company from honoring manufacturing issues. 

So replying that I didn't register, they replied with "The warranty give you 3 months to register the order. If it's not registered within that time I'm afraid I am unable to offer a replacement,..." along with some other bullshit about giving me half off my next purchase. REALLY?! If you're not going to take care of me after my first purchase, do you really think I am interested in investing more money with you!?

No thanks. Shitty bag, and shitty customer service. They seem to just want your money. Don't do it.

Background

Ultimately it comes down to their customer service. It had huge voids. But since I hadn't registered it (even though I had proof of purchase), they refused to replace it. Was even brand new... never used.