EN 13537 NORM
Properly fitted sleeping bag provides the wearer with thermal comfort and restful sleep. You can find hundreds of different models in stores, so how do you choose the one that will work on your planned trip? The answer seems simple: the temperature we expect at the place of accommodation should be compared with the information provided by the manufacturer. Here, however, the problem arises – which value to take into account when there are usually three or four temperatures on a sleeping bag?
What will you learn from this entry?
· What are the EN 13537 standard and the ISO 23537 standard?
· How sleeping bags are tested.
· How the temperature ranges for a sleeping bag are determined.
· Why the comfort temperature and the extreme temperatures are the two most important values for a sleeping bag.
· What does the extreme temperature of a sleeping bag indicate?
What are the EN 13537 and the ISO 23537?
It is worth knowing that both standards determine the general requirements and testing methods for adult sleeping bags used during sports or recreational activities. They have been introduced to standardise certain parameters of sleeping bags, such as temperature so the consumer can easily compare products from different manufacturers and various models. The EN13537 and the ISO13537 introduce the same standards and define the same parameters. The ISO standard is the international implementation of the European EN13537 standard. Pajak is the only Polish manufacturer to certify all its sleeping bag models. The values we present to you on our sleeping bags have been determined as a result of tests described in the EN ISO 13537 standard and carried out in independent laboratories. Wojciech Kłapcia, the head of product development in our company, is one of the experts of the international working group for updating the ISO 23537 standard and an expert of The Polish Committee for Standardization (PKN – Polski Komitet Normalizacyjny) on the EN 13537 standard.
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How are sleeping bags tested?
Independent laboratories conduct tests using detailed standardised procedures to determine the sleeping bag's comfort temperature and other parameters. During these tests, a sensor-equipped heated dummy (which imitates the heat emitted by a person at rest) is placed in a sleeping bag in a temperature-controlled room. Through the sensors, the researchers can determine how the dummy gives off heat and identify the insulation value of the sleeping bag model. The dummies were developed by averaging data for 25-year-olds: the male dummy weighs 73 kg and measures 175 cm tall, and the female one weighs 60 kg and measures 160 cm. Before buying a sleeping bag, it is vital to check whether the values provided by the manufacturer comply with the EN ISO 13537 standard. Since this standard is not mandatory, not all manufacturers carry out such tests, which results in significant distortions in the temperatures stated by them.
How to read the temperature range
on a sleeping bag?
A properly fitted sleeping bag provides the user with thermal comfort and a restful sleep. There are hundreds of different models available, so how does one choose the best one for the planned trip? The answer sounds simple: compare the temperature expected at the sleeping location with the manufacturer's specifications. However, this raises the problem of which value to consider as there are usually three or four temperature ranges on the sleeping bag.
Comfort temperature (T-Comfort) and
limit temperature (T-Limit).
The Comfort Temperature (T-comfort) and the Limit Temperature (T-limit) are the two most important values to consider when choosing both a cold-weather and a summer sleeping bag. The T-limit indicates at what outdoor temperature men of standard physique can expect to sleep comfortably. The T-comfort, on the other hand, is the temperature at which ladies of typical physique should experience thermal comfort. It is useful to know that the comfort temperature of a sleeping bag is always slightly higher, as women are more sensitive to the cold due to their anatomical construction
Upper comfort temperature and
extreme temperature
Two more spectacular values also appear on sleeping bags: the upper comfort limit temperature (T-max) and the extreme temperature (T-extreme). The former appears only occasionally and indicates the highest temperature at which a standard-built man can expect to sleep comfortably. Once this value is exceeded, it may be too warm for him in the sleeping bag, so it is possible he will sweat excessively. The second value, the extreme temperature, can be awe-inspiring especially in sleeping bags for sub-zero temperatures. Yet, one should not be influenced by it when shopping, as it tells us at what temperature a standard-built woman might be at risk of hypothermia.
Everyone is different
As one can see, the introduction of EN 13537 and its successor EN ISO 13537 enables an objective comparison of several sleeping bags, and it is recommended to relate the values obtained to one's own tastes and predispositions. Temperature perception is a very individual matter which depends on age, anatomy, fatigue level, calorie intake and many other factors. For instance, if two women use a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of 0 in the same conditions, one may get a good sleep, and the other may feel cold. That is why, when choosing a model for oneself, in addition to the manufacturer's stated values, it is also worth considering experience from previous trips and individual predispositions.
