HOW TO INTERPRET TEMPERATURE RANGES ON A SLEEPING BAG?
A properly matched sleeping bag provides the user with thermal comfort and a peaceful sleep. In stores, you can find hundreds of different models, so how do you choose the one that will work for your planned trip? The answer seems simple: compare the expected temperature of the sleeping area with the information provided by the manufacturer. However, a problem arises here - which value should be taken into account when sleeping bags usually have three or four temperatures indicated?
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM THIS POST?
How are temperature ranges determined for a sleeping bag? Why are the comfort temperature and limit temperature the two most important values for a sleeping bag? What does the extreme temperature of a sleeping bag inform us about?
IN BRIEF
Most sleeping bags have three or four temperature ranges indicated. When choosing the right model, men should focus on the T-limit value, while women should consider the T-comfort value. It is important to ensure that these values are provided in accordance with EN 13537, as this guarantees that they are the result of reliable testing.
COMFORT TEMPERATURE AND LIMIT TEMPERATURE
Comfort temperature (T-comfort) and limit temperature (T-limit) are the two most important values to consider when choosing a sleeping bag for both low and high temperatures. The T-limit informs us about the external temperature at which men with a standard body build can expect a comfortable sleep. On the other hand, the T-comfort is the temperature at which typically built women should feel thermal comfort. It is worth noting that the comfort temperature of a sleeping bag is always slightly higher because, due to anatomical differences, women are more sensitive to cold.
UPPER LIMIT OF COMFORT TEMPERATURE AND EXTREME TEMPERATURE
Sleeping bags also indicate two more spectacular values: the upper limit of comfort temperature (T-max) and the extreme temperature (T-extreme). The upper limit of comfort temperature occasionally appears and indicates the highest temperature at which a man with a standard body build can expect a comfortable sleep. If this value is exceeded, the sleeping bag may become too warm, causing excessive sweating. The extreme temperature value, on the other hand, can be particularly impressive in sleeping bags designed for sub-zero temperatures. However, it should not be used as a guide for purchase since it indicates the temperature at which a woman with a standard body build could be at risk of hypothermia.
HOW ARE THE TEMPERATURE RANGES OF A SLEEPING BAG DETERMINED?
To determine the comfort temperature and other values, laboratory tests are conducted according to the EN 13537 standard. During these tests, a mannequin equipped with sensors is heated to the human body temperature and placed inside the sleeping bag in a controlled temperature environment. With the help of the sensors, researchers can determine how the mannequin dissipates heat and calculate the insulation value of the specific model. The mannequins were developed based on average data for 25-year-old individuals: the male mannequin weighs 73 kg and is 175 cm tall, while the female mannequin weighs 60 kg and is 160 cm tall.
Before purchasing a sleeping bag, it is worth ensuring that the temperature values are provided in accordance with the EN 13537 standard. Not all manufacturers conduct appropriate testing, which can lead to significant discrepancies. All Pajak sleeping bags, as one of the few in Poland, undergo laboratory testing.
EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT
Thanks to the EN standard, it is possible to objectively compare several sleeping bags, but the obtained values should be interpreted based on personal preferences and predispositions. The perception of temperature is highly individual and depends on factors such as age, body build, fatigue level, calorie intake, and many others. For example, if two women use a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of 0 degrees Celsius in the same conditions, one may sleep well while the other may feel cold. Therefore, when choosing a sleeping bag, in addition to the values provided by the manufacturer, it is worth considering previous experiences from trips and individual predispositions.
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