Logo
    • Login
      • Forgot your password?

    Register

    Backcountry Skiing Guides
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
      • Coast Mountains
        • Callaghan Valley
        • Coquihalla Highway
        • Cypress Provincial Park
        • Duffey Lake
        • Elfin Lakes Squamish
        • Howson Range
        • Shames Mountain
        • Smithers
        • Vancouver Island
        • Whistler/Blackcomb
      • Interior Mountains
        • Bonningtons Traverse
          • Copper Hut Routes
          • Grassy Hut Routes
          • Huckleberry Hut Routes
          • Steed Hut Routes
        • Goat Range
        • Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
        • Kokanee Glacier Park
        • Kootenay Pass
        • Red Mountain Resort
        • Revelstoke
        • Revelstoke Mountain Resort
        • Rossland Range
        • Rogers Pass
        • Trout Lake
        • Whitewater Ski Resort
      • Rocky Mountains
        • Banff National Park
        • Bow Yoho Traverse
        • Fernie
        • Jasper National Park
        • Kananaskis Country
        • Kootenay National Park
        • Lake Louise Ski Resort
        • Sunshine Village Ski Resort
        • Wapta Traverse
          • Balfour Hut Routes
          • Bow Hut Routes
          • Peyto Hut Routes
          • Scott Duncan Hut Routes
        • Yoho National Park
      • Quebec
      • Newfoundland
      • Ontario
      • Yukon
      • Submit A New Route
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
      • Quebec
      • Newfoundland
      • Ontario
      • Yukon
      • Submit A New Route
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us

    HOTTEST REVIEWS


    Elan Ripstick 106 Skis Fritschi Xenic 10 Bindings Arc'teryx Nuclei FL Jacket Gregory Targhee 32 Pieps Micro Transceiver Scott Freeguide Boots ZAG SLAP 104 Skis

    VIDEOS YOU'LL LIKE


    Marker Duke PT Bindings Salomon Shift Pro Boots Black Crows 2020 Skis Dalbello Quantum Boots Atomic Shift MNC Binding Scarpa F1 LT Boots New G3 2020 Poles

    NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

    Unsubscribe
    Elan Ripstick Skis
    • Home
    • »
    • REVIEWS
    • »
    • Off-Season Gear
    • »
    • Camping
    • »
    • Sleeping Bags
    • »
    • Big Agnes Hitchens UL

    Big Agnes Hitchens UL

    Based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Big Agnes produces and distributes their gear worldwide but hasn’t forgotten about their own back yard. By partnering with organizations who work to protect the very wildlands, rivers, and peaks that Big Agnes products are created for, they wish to help conserve these places for future generations to enjoy. They are also committed to sustainable practices and manufacturing, and offer in house repairs to extend the life of products. With a love for sleeping in the dirt, Big Agnes has been scouring the world for the best materials and manufacturing partners for the past 15 years. 

    Big Agnes Hitchens UL

    Clean design and a tapered cut keep weight and bulk to a minimum.

    Big Agnes Hitchens UL
    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW / PHOTOS / VIDEOS

    The Big Agness Hitchens UL is designed for adventures when every ounce is counted, space is anything but abundant, and performance is not to be overlooked.  This bag is constructed with water resistant materials and has well thought out features to enhance your sleeping experience.

    The down used has been treated with DownTek for water repellency and is Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified. DownTek down absorbs 30% less water than untreated down, and dries 60% faster. It retains the same fill power as down, does not add any measurable weight, and can be machine washed with no consequence to the water repellency. The treatment creates surface tension on the surface of the down cluster so that moisture forms into beads and rolls off, as opposed to saturating the material. DownTek is PFOA and PFOS free and are environmentally friendly.  The RDS certification safeguards the well being of geese and ducks, and ensures that the down used is sustainably sourced. All this down is cocooned in between a nylon ripstop shell and liner; and in addition to the DownTek™ water repellency, the shell has been treated with a Durable Water Repellant (DWR) finish.

    The bag features vertical baffling (head to toe) which allows air to move the full length of the body. This design is desirable as it spreads warmth throughout the entire bag as opposed to keeping it isolated to one area area; as is the case with horizontal baffeling. Though vertical baffles, or channels, are often avoided in order to manage down-shifting (the displacement of down to either end of the channel), Big Agnes makes use of FlowGates™ as part of the Insotec Flow™ system to circumnavigate the issue. Staggered throughout the Vertical Thermal Channels™ (VTC™) are specialized ‘gates’ which allow air to flow the length of the channel while keeping the insulation in place. Not only does this design eliminate cold spots due to uniform heat distribution, but it requires fewer baffles. Fewer baffles = less material = lighter gear.

    Big Agnes Hitchens UL

    Many of the bags from Big Agnes feature the cleverly named Big Agnes System which replaces the insulation normally placed at the bottom (between you and the ground) of the bag with a sleeve for your sleeping mat. The Hitchens is back to the traditional mummy design with insulation around the entire bag. The mummy shape and the VTC™ combine to create a bag that conforms to the body no matter how and where you roll in your sleep. The ergonomically designed foot box provides more loft for extra warmth, and the mummy hood features a draft collar to keep the warmth where you want it.

    The half length YKK zipper leaves less opportunity for cold air to enter, or for warm air to leave. It’s lined with a 3D anti-snag zipper tube which basically looks like a draft guard on both sides of the zipper. The ‘one-handed cord-lock’ facilitates easy adjustment to the mummy hood when you need to batten down the hatches, or open up and get some fresh air. The left and right zippers of two different bags can also be zipped together if you want to get cozy with a friend. 

    Big Agnes Hitchens UL
    Big Agnes Hitchens UL
    Big Agnes Hitchens UL
    Finally, the bag comes with both a mesh storage sack, and a nylon stuff sack. The picture below illustrated just how small the Big Agnes Hitchens UL can be compressed with a good compression sac.
    Big Agnes Hitchens UL

    Features:

    • Draft collar.
    • Insulated mummy hood with one-handed cord-lock.
    • Body mapped Insotect Flow baffle construction.
    • Half length YKK #5 zipper.
    • 3-D anti-snag draft tube and zipper garage.
    • Rip-stop nylon shell and liner.
    • DWR finish on shell.
    • DownTek water repellant.
    • Mesh storage sack and nylon stuff sack.
    • Exterior drying/storage loop.
    Big Agnes Hitchens UL
    Built in draft collar to keep the chill away.
    Big Agnes Hitchens UL
    Zipper garage is a nice touch to ensure things stay zipped up when you want them to.
    Big Agnes Hitchens UL

    Verdict:

    Very well thought out. 
    Much like the incomplete sentence above, this bag does away with anything that’s not essential. They chose excellent materials, and used as little of them as they could in order to create the lightest and warmest bag possible. 

    The bag weighs in at 879 grams and has a temperature rating of -8.9°C at the low end. When compared to the Klymit KSB Sleeping Bag which has a weight to warmth ration of 1.4kg/-6.6°C, and the Rab Infinity 300 (Gear of the Year winner in 2016 ) with a ration of 656g/3°C, the Hitchen’s weight/warmth ratio is looking pretty impressive. 

    Price seems to be where this bag falls behind. It’s more expensive than both the Rab Infinity 300, priced at $600CA, and the Sea to Summit Spark SPIII (2014 Gear of the Year winner) which will run you $459US. But in this case, the extra money is not unwarranted; the water repellency of both the shell and the down is worth a few extra coins, and the RDS certification means you can feel good about where the down came from.

    Warm, light weight, water repellant, and made with sustainably sourced down?! If you have the coin, this bag is worth every penny. 

    For summer rated sleeping bag reviews click here and for more 4 season reviews click here.

    PROS:

    • Excellent warmth/weight ratio.
    • Both insulation and shell are water repellant.
    • Environmentally friendly and sustainably soured materials.
    • Draft collar synch retainer is a handy feature.

    CONS:

    • High price point.
    • Tight fitting.
    • Stuff sac provided but a compression sac would be better.
    • No integrated pocket.

    SPECS:

    Price: $529.95 to $569.95 USD
    Sizes: Reg - 183cm /6ft, Long - 198cm/6ft, 6in
    Weight: Reg: 765g/1lb 11oz, Long: 879g/1lb 15oz
    Insulation: 850  Fill Power DownTek    
    Temperature rating: -7°C / 20°F
    Compressed size: Reg: 15x18cm / 6x7in, Long: 18x18cm / 7x7in
    Shoulder girth: Reg: 152cm/60in, Long:158cm / 62in
    Hip girth: Reg: 137cm/54in, Long:142cm/56in
    Foot girth: Reg: 91cm/36in, Long: 97cm/38in
    Warranty: Lifetime

    RATING: 9/10

    Warmth                  2/2
    Compressibility       2/2
    Weight                    2/2
    Features                 1.5/2
    Quality/Price          1.5/2

    buy backcountry skiing gear


    Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation. You'll need to login or register before you can comment but it only takes a few seconds, then you're good to go.

    Leave a Comment:

    Back to the rest of the reviews.


    We built this backcountry skiing community for you, the passionate skier, and hope you enjoy the hard work we put into all the reviews, routes, videos and posts we create. It’s been free from day one but that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable resource. If you enjoy this web site and value the content we create for you, then please support Backountry Skiing Canada by donating today. Thank you!

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2020-21 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved. 

    Website by: FROLIX DESIGN