Snugpak Hawk

[mazeman]

Hi chaps (of both genders, naturally),
My first post here, though I've been reading for some time, and hey, what an amazing resource! You people are splendid!
Anyway, I'm after a new bag and I'm not confident enough to keep a down bag dry so it looks like its a synthetic one for me. I see plenty about the Nanok -10 but it weighs in a tad lumpy (and seems over-roomy). Does anyone have experience of the Snugpak Hawk?
Cheers,
Mazeman

This too will pass.

 

[Jedadiah]

Hi Mazeman and welcome,

a couple of questions you may want to ask yourself. Firstly, what are your dimensions and secondly, do you sleep hot or cold?

The reason i say this is because i used to use a Snugpak 6 Kestrel. I am only 5'8" tall (on a good day) and i found it about long enough, but i have a 44" chest and shoulders to match which meant that i found it a little constrictive, if thats the correct word to use. Sleeping bags that are close fitting work more efficently, but i found that there is a happy medium to be found between 'Snug comfortable' and 'Anaconda Uncomfortable'. Also, i am a 'Hot' sleeper. This means that, i usually like to hang out of whatever i'm sleeping in , be it a quilt at home, in bed, or a sleeping bag in a bivvy or hammock. Some people are cold sleepers and need to be wrapped up in -10 rated bag. I found the 'Kestrel' to be too warm for me, even when out in Feb this year. It is a bag with a higher 'Low temp' rating than the Hawk. Construction wise, i cannot fault Snugpak items, be it the Sleeping bags or jackets, well built and hardwearing.

So, what conditions are you really going to be using it in? There are some conflicting arguments that state it's best to have a warm sleeping bag and strip down, or, it's best to have a medium bag and either strip down in warm weather or layer up in cold. It is always nice to have the best sleeping bag with the lowest temp rating, but, are you really going to use it in these conditions?

There you go, my two pen'eth. Just remember, before parting with your hard earned, buy a bag for you and your requirements. If you listen to other peoples experiences and be honest with your requiements, you will not go far wrong!

Good luck!

 

[shep]

You can't get much better advice than that. The problem is you need a bit of trial and error and sleeping bags aren't cheap (unless you buy them second hand, in which case you can get some great deals from evilBay - washed well...)

Consider the absolute coldest you're going to use the bag and go buy one.

NB. I've heard the Snugpak ratings are a little ambitious and I found the Hawk too restrictive. I reckon a hammock takes 5degrees off your rating too (even with an underblanket).

Finally, the great escape clause is that you can easily make a lighter bag warmer by adding a £15 silk liner or a £30 fleece one, or wearing your thermals, or wearing your jacket, or all of those combined (have been there, it wasn't pleasant). And you can make a warm bag cooler by unzipping it, so it's not the end of the world either way.

 

[mazeman]

Thanks guys,
A lot of good information. I'm 5'11 and a 40" chest which might mean I'll fare well in the Hawk. As for use, I'm a ground sleeper (with a thermarest) with either a bivvi bag or a tarp, though as this is North Wales we're talking about it is often both! As for the hot/cold sleeper divide, I feel the cold but prefer to sleep in as little as possible, so 'snug' is good.
I read elsewhere though that the Hawk as a 'free' lining that can get tangled. Any comments?

 

[scoops_uk]

Hi Mazeman,

I've got a hawk I was about to stick up on the member classifieds.

I found the loose liner to be an annoyance (I'm a hot fidgety sleeper) so I've replaced it with one of the Mountain Equipment elasticated bags.

I don't want to go breaking any forum rules about selling stuff (I've not read those rules yet) so the bag is NOT for sale here, but I am about to advertise it in the appropriate place.

Regards,

Scoops

 

[mazeman]

Hi Scoops,
What is a 'loose liner'?

 

[scoops_uk]

The lining of the bag is just stitched at the essential points (i.e. zip, top and bottom) the rest is loose.

Scoops