Gear Review
Big Agnes Hahns Peak SL Sleeping Bag: -20 Degree Down
cold without accompanying B.A. pad
By Quinn Robinson
Ranked #449 - 0 to -40 Degree Down Bags
January 27, 2009
Reading other reviews, there seems to be a some concern about the pad slot system that Big Agnes uses, and I think it might be justified. There's no down fill on the underside of the bag, which seems like a great idea and certainly trims weight, but without the symbiotic Big Agnes pad designed for this bag, you're probably going to be cold in really low temperatures. I measured and cut a regular closed-cell pad to the dimensions of the bag's pad slot; I didn't really feel like shelling out $100 for a sleeping pad. The advantage of the pad slot system that the bag uses is that you get to carry less pad and you definitely won't roll off of it during the night -- these are both big pluses. However, cold air was leaking in through the sides and bottom of the bag, especially if I moved during the night. I was cold, even though it didn't get below 5 degrees F on my test night. I cut my pad very carefully and there weren't any spaces, so I don't think that this was the problem. It seemed like the bag just wasn't insulating well, though I can't imagine that this would be true with the pad made to go with it. Otherwise the bag is great -- well made, lots of loft, and the draft collar is groovy. I'd recommend getting the accompanying pad if you buy this bag, but personally, I'm going to try a different bag.
View Details: Big Agnes Hahns Peak SL Sleeping Bag: -20 Degree Down
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Material:
- [Shell] Toray (ultralight ripstop nylon) with DWR; [Lining] nylon taffeta
- Insulation:
- 800-Fill goose down
- Shape:
- Mummy
- Draft Collar:
- Yes
- Max User Height:
- [Reg] 5ft 10in (178cm); [Lng] 6ft 6in (198cm)
- Shoulder / Hip / Foot Circumference:
- [Reg] 67.5 / 64 / 43in (171.5 / 162.6 / 109cm); [Lng] 72.5 / 69 / 44in (184.2 x 175.3 x 111.8cm)
- Stuff Size:
- 8 x 9in (20.3 x 22.9cm)
- Stuff or Storage sack:
- Both
- Degree:
- -20F (-29C)
- Weight:
- [Reg] 2lb 15oz (1332g); [Lng] 3lb 3oz (1446g)
- Recommended Use:
- Winter camping, mountaineering, ski touring, high-altitude backpacking
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- Lifetime
- Country of Origin:
- China
Change me.
2 Comments Last Reply: March 15, 2011 By: James Jenden
You need to check the R-Value of your pad. The R-Value refers to how much heat is retained by the pad. The Big Agnes Insulated Pad has an R-Value of 4.1, and the average inch thick closed cell has an R-Value of 2-2.5. You should either find a thick closed cell pad, or look into an insulated air pad. Normally if you're sleeping in -20 weather, you'd want a pad with an R-Value of around 7+. I think if you found a suitable pad then you'd be much warmer.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Down doesn't insulate when it's beneath you anyway. It needs to loft to trap air and insulate. So the problem may be that your closed cell pad was cut too small it should be hard to fit it in there and thick.
Helpful Votes: 1 Yes