The Big Agnes Fish Hawk 30 Complete Review
August 4, 2021
The Fish Hawk 30 sleeping bag has a semi-rectangular form, which is characteristic of Big Agnes’ standard range of sleeping bags. The Fish Hawk 30’s patented insulation system keeps the DownTekTM treated down uniformly distributed across the body, making it extremely snug.
Contents
Pros
- Availability of zipper and size options
- Sleeping pad sleeve included
- Zipper not vulnerable to snags
Cons
- Lack of compactness
- weight to warmth not adequate
- Wide girth best with a wide pad
Big Agnes Fish Hawk 30 FULL REVIEW
Compressibility
The Fish Hawk 30 fit into the 8×6 nylon stuff sack which comes with it. It may be a compression sack. Compress further down to the size of a soccer ball. However, it is still the bulkiest amongst the five bags in this class.
Warmth
The Fish Hawk 30 uses Big Agnes’ Sleeping Bag System, which means that its dependent on a separate sleeping pad rather than the bottom. A sleeping pad does not sufficiently insulate according to me. The Fish Hawk, therefore, did not perform up to the mark in the lower temperatures of its rating. The DownTekTM treated down facilitates faster drying, loft enhancement, and moisture repellency. All these factors contribute to improved heat efficiency. In temps reaching the mid-40s, the bag performed much better. In addition, since the bag is somewhat larger than others in its category, it is simpler to generate a draught in warmer climates.
Overall Comfort
The Fish Hawk 30 offers comfort more like a comforter than a traditional sleeping bag. Hence, It’s cozy and snug to a great extent. However, the sleeping pad sleeve beneath the bag is quite narrow. This adversely affects the overall comfort of the bag.
The Fish Hawk offers great breathability and features a soft and down-proof polyester (to prevent the down from poking out). It feels very smooth.
Durability
During the testing, The Fish hawk 30 wasn’t worn down. Hence, I can deduct that it won’t do so in the near future. Big Agnes employs a down-proof, nylon rip-stop shell and a down-proof, polyester, stain-resistant inner, both of which are treated to repel water.
Features
The footbox is not sewn at the edges, which provides great comfort specially if you sleep on your side or back. The one-hand cinch cord is also very easy to use and it’s a feature I find very good.
The Fish Hawk 30 features a strong draft tube all the way the zipper goes. It also has a really wide seam which reduces to a great extent the vulnerability of zipper to snags. As I explained in my other reviews for Big Agnes bags, It also has a draft collar which reduces drafts greatly. However, it might be annoying to active sleepers who tend to move much while sleeping.
As part of Big Agnes’ Classic Series, the Fish Hawk 30 is designed as part of a Sleeping Bag System. It has a sleeping pad sleeve integrated to slide your sleeping pad into. The benefit of a spacious bag is that it doesn’t get too warm in milder climates. However, there is a drawback to this.The bag is wider than the Big Agnes Double Z Airpad. This means that the extra space of the bag is rendered useless. If I wanted to benefit from the extra space and stretch my arms or legs, they go off the sleeping pad which is not at all comfortable.
There are not a lot of manufacturers who offer a sleeping system. If you require a sleep system, Big Agnes is the go-to because it offers just that. In this category, two other manufacturers who offer that are Therm-a-Rest and Sea to Summit.
You have the option to integrate YKK #8 zipper to another bag’s zipper if you wish to sleep along with someone else.
Finally, the Big Agnes has the most reasonable price amongst other bags in this category.
Pros
- Zipper invulnerable to snags
- Comfortable and spacious
- Sleeping pad can be attached
- Most reasonable price in the category
Cons
- Lack of compactness
- Insulated pad required
- weight to warmth not adequate
Big Agnes Fish Hawk 30 THE VERDICT
The Big Agnes Fish Hawk 30 is made to feel more like a comforter rather than a conventional sleeping bag. The Fish Hawk, although a bit heftier than other bags in this category, performs great in terms of overall comfort.
Big Agnes Fish Hawk 30 COMPLETE REVIEW
Compressibility
The 650 fill down and wider breadth compact to the size of a tiny soccer ball.. Despite the fact that it’s still smaller than the other bags in this category, The Fish Hawk and Blue Kazoo are still the least compressible bags.
Warmth
The Big Agnes Fish Hawk is equipped with the Big Agnes Sleeping Bag System. which means that the bag relies on sleeping pad for warmth and has no down fill at the bottom. Although I like having down at the bottom, I didn’t mind this bag not having it. The Fish Hawk performed great at temperatures in 40’s. I had to add layers of clothing in temperatures lower than this.The DownTekTM treated down contributed to the bag’s loft and warmth. The bag provided comfort in warmer temperatures as well because of its wide design. The zipper is easily accessible and hence, air can be manipulated.
Features
The Fish Hawk has the classic Big Agnes semi-rectangular form.This is great specially for those who tend to move sides or are a bit bulky. The lower ends are not sewn together and are more of a vaulted shape. This provides more space for my feet and adds to my comfort.
The hood cinch cord works well but it presses against my forehead when cinched tightly. The strong draft tube running with the zipper retains the warmth. The zipper tape serves to protect the zipper from snags, making it the best zipper amongst the ones This category was examined.
The Big Agnes Sleeping Bag System is used by the Fish Hawk 30, which includes a stretch fabric panel on the rear of the bag that contains a Big Agnes sleeping pad.. The greater room and width is not of any use if you use a sleeping pad. The 20-inch sleeping pad was a great fit but it limits the spaciousness of the bag. On the other hand, a 25-inch pad is very difficult to use with the Fish Hawk 30.
Overall Comfort
The Fish Hawk is designed to provide comfort and it does that very well. The width of the bag allows greater movement. If you use the Big Agnes sleep method, i.e you use a sleeping pad on the integrated pad sleeve, the extra space is not useful anymore. Also, a sleeping pad wider than 20 inches cannot be used. The Fish Hawk uses a smooth polyester, which gives a sleek and nice feel.
Durability
The Fish Hawk 30 has a reliable shell which not prone to wear down as it was noted during testing. The Fish Hawk also contains a durable zipper tape, which makes the zipper safe from snags. Hence, it’s one the best zippers in this category.
Big Agnes Fish Hawk 30 THE VERDICT
The Big Agnes Fish Hawk 30 is unlike traditional sleeping bags in the sense that it can provide as much comfort as a comforter. The Fish Hawk 30 contains stronger baffles than any other bag in the same category. However, it’s a bit hefty despite being in the lightweight category.
If you want to checkout Big Agnes Roxy Ann which is an alternate to this wit quite different features then you must check the review of it.