Deuter sleeping bags. Peculiarities. How to choose a sleeping bag Overview of Deuter sleeping bags. Useful information and practical advice. How to choose a sleeping bag? What does the temperature indicated on sleeping bags mean?

Whether it's a weekend trip out of town, a multi-day hike, or a challenging mountain expedition, wherever you're going, you need to think about arranging an overnight stay. A sleeping bag keeps you warm during sleep, and not only the quality of rest and recuperation during the night, but also health can depend on the correct choice. We figure out how not to get lost in the variety of models of sleeping bags.

To choose a suitable sleeping bag, first clearly answer the questions about what requirements the model must meet and in what conditions it will be used. What time of the year are you going on a trip, for how long, what kind of weather conditions await you, whether it will be hiking, rafting or climbing, how sensitive are you to low temperatures, etc.

Ultimately, choosing a sleeping bag is a compromise between thermal insulation, weight and compactness when folded (it's not fun to carry those extra pounds on yourself during a multi-day hike or climb) and the cost of the product.

Types of sleeping bags

In general, sleeping bags can be divided into camping, travel and expeditionary.

Camping sleeping bags

Camping does not imply that you will carry the equipment on yourself, at most you will carry it from the trunk of the car to the camp site. Camping sleeping bags are the most comfortable and convenient, but they have the largest volume and weight. This sleeping bag will make you feel right at home.

Travel sleeping bags

For example, a sleeping bag for a multi-day hike. In this case, you carry all your equipment on yourself, in a backpack over your shoulders. Tourist sleeping bags at the same temperature indicators will have less weight and volume than camping ones. Their task is to allow you to sleep well and recuperate for the next day of walking.

Expedition sleeping bags

Expeditionary sleeping bags are designed for use in harsh conditions: cold, snow, wind. For example, in a winter hiking trip, on a high-altitude ascent.

Sleeping bag shape

By design, sleeping bags are divided into blankets and cocoons.

Sleeping bag-blanket

Rectangular sleeping bag. A long zipper can be unzipped and get a full-fledged blanket. May have a hood. Some models can be combined with each other. Basically, such sleeping blankets are used for camping and for hiking, when the weight of the equipment is not of fundamental importance. Due to their shape and cut, they are very comfortable for sleeping. Also suitable for large people.

Sleeping bag-cocoon

The sleeping bag-cocoon has an anatomical shape. It is equipped with a hood and is often supplied with a voluminous collar for increased thermal insulation. Due to the anatomical cut, the weight of the sleeping bag is reduced, and the fit to the body provides better heat retention.

Manufacturers provide for the possibility of stacking sleeping bags. If desired, you can fasten models of different brands, but you should make allowances for the fact that the zipper on the cocoons often does not reach the end of the sleeping bag, and the final design will have a forked tail.

For the convenience of fastening (and this is a significant contribution to the thermal insulation properties of a sleeping bag - the two are much warmer), manufacturers produce models of sleeping bags in variations with a zipper on the left (L) or on the right side (R). If you're planning on stacking sleeping bags, consider purchasing two identical models with different zippers.

Sleeping bag temperature

EN13537 standard

Most sleeping bags pass a laboratory test to determine the temperature regime in accordance with the European EN13537 standard adopted by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). The first such standard was released in 2002 (EN 13537:2002), then it was updated in 2012 (EN 13537:2012), and the latest updates were released in 2017 as part of the ISO 23537-1:2016 standard (International Organization for Standardization, ISO; International Organization for Standardization). In addition, another project is currently in development.

The standard is called "Requirements for sleeping bags" and specifies the procedure for temperature testing and labeling rules for sleeping bags intended for sports and outdoor activities of adults. This standard does not apply to products intended for specific purposes, such as sleeping bags for the military or sleeping bags for expeditions to extreme climatic zones, as well as sleeping bags for children and infants. The limit temperature is -20°C.

On the one hand, thanks to the standard, sleeping bags of different brands can be compared with each other. On the other hand, testing and labeling sleeping bags in accordance with EN13537 is not a mandatory procedure, and the manufacturer retains the right to specify the temperature rating according to his own criteria based on his own tests. In addition, the studies on which the standard is based were mostly conducted on trained people, while how much our body loses heat is influenced by many individual factors, such as gender, build, age, experience and physical fitness.

The EN13537 standard provides for four temperature ratings:

1. Temperature maximum or Upper comfort limit T Maximum
2. Comfort temperature T Comfort
3. Limit temperature or Lower comfort limit T Limit
4. Temperature T Extreme

The first indicator can be optional, the other three must be present. Each of the four temperature indicators corresponds to either an "average" man (age 25, height 173 cm, weight 73 kg) or an "average" woman (25 years, 160 cm, 60 kg).

T maximum. The maximum ambient air temperature at which an "average" man can sleep in an unzipped sleeping bag all night without experiencing the inconvenience of feeling too warm and sweating.

T comfort. The minimum ambient temperature at which the "average" woman can sleep continuously in a sleeping bag all night in a relaxed position, with the most possible comfort.

T limit. The minimum ambient temperature at which the "average" man can sleep continuously in a sleeping bag all night in a position that helps to keep warm, with the most comfort possible.

T Extreme. The minimum ambient temperature at which an "average" woman can survive in a sleeping bag for six hours without the risk of death from hypothermia.

When choosing a sleeping bag, be guided by the plug between the comfort temperature and the lower limit of comfort and take into account your individual physiological characteristics. For girls, thin people and those who tend to freeze quickly, it is better to rely on the comfort temperature. When choosing a sleeping bag, only experienced climbers and tourists who have sufficient experience behind them can focus on the extreme temperature.

Do not forget that a tourist rug will add heat to your sleeping bag (especially if you use two at once: a karemat and an inflatable / self-inflating one), thermal underwear or warm clothes and sleeping bags. In case of cold, it is better to put outerwear under you or throw it over the sleeping bag from above.

A sleeping bag that has passed the appropriate laboratory test is marked with EN13537 or the EN logo, confirming that it has passed the temperature test and that the materials of the sleeping bag comply with EN textile standards. Also on the sleeping bag label you can find other marking options:

• "Temperature tested to EN13537" means that the sleeping bag has passed the temperature test according to EN13537, while the materials do not necessarily meet European textile standards.
• "Temperature rating in accordance with EN13537" means that the manufacturer has tested and calculated temperature ratings independently, in accordance with EN13537.

If there is only one temperature setting on the label or in the description of the sleeping bag on the website, it should be considered as the temperature of the lower limit of comfort.

Insulation used in sleeping bags

Modern sleeping bags can be filled with natural down or synthetics.

Thanks to the rapid development of technological materials, synthetics have come close in their properties to high-quality goose down, but still cannot catch up with the best quality down in terms of thermal insulation properties, plus, as a rule, it has more weight and volume when packed. Nevertheless, synthetics for the most part have an important advantage - it retains its thermal insulation properties (continues to warm) even when wet and dries faster than fluff.

fluff

Lightweight filler with excellent thermal insulation and compression properties (warms well, compresses compactly), one of the drawbacks is the fear of moisture. Although modern manufacturers are increasingly using hydrophobic fluff, treated with special impregnations and having water-repellent properties. These can be found, for example, at Montbell and Brooks-Range. In addition, sleeping bags can use a moisture-resistant outer fabric or membrane that will protect the down from getting wet.

High-quality down will cost more than synthetics. The main indicator of the quality of down is determined using the Fill Power indicator. This is the ability of the insulation to straighten out after the load. For example, a sleeping bag was in a compression bag in a backpack while moving along the route, and in the evening you took it out for an overnight stay. The higher the Fill Power value, the more efficiently the down opens up and fills the volume, and the higher quality it is considered. As a rule, down with an FP of at least 550 is used in equipment, and the highest values ​​​​reach 800-900 and even 1000 units and are used in top models.

The photo below shows the structure of fluff with different FP and how the same amount of fluff (85 grams) with different FP values ​​occupies a different volume in a measuring cup.

Due to thermal insulation, low weight and good compressibility, down sleeping bags are preferred for winter and high-altitude ascents, as well as hiking and expeditions at the lowest temperatures.

Synthetic fillers

Unlike fluff, modern technological synthetics do not lose their thermal insulation properties even when wet, dry faster and in most cases will cost less, but, as a rule, weigh more, take up more volume when packed and clump faster. Weight and compression properties depend on the specific type of synthetics. The most common insulation that is found in sleeping bags from leading manufacturers: Thihsulate, Thermolite, Primaloft, Heatseeker and Climashield.

Synthetics can be preferred if you choose a three-season sleeping bag, plan a trip to a region with high humidity or a hike with possible temperature changes.

Sleeping bag accessories

As a rule, a sleeping bag is sold complete with a compression bag, which minimizes the volume of the sleeping bag and is intended for its transportation, or a storage bag in which the sleeping bag will lie at home not in a compressed, but fluffy form. When hiking, it is better to put a sleeping bag in a compression bag at the bottom of the backpack. Some prefer to carry a sleeping bag without packaging and put it in a backpack almost last, tamping it between the rest of the equipment and clothes.

Also, as a useful accessory, you can consider a hermetic bag. It will not allow moisture to pass to the sleeping bag during transportation and keep the product dry. Especially useful for down sleeping bags.

Another useful thing is special liners in sleeping bags. They perform multiple tasks. Firstly, it is the hygiene and cleanliness of the sleeping bag. The liner will keep sweat and sebum from staining the sleeping bag, and the liner is much easier to wash than a sleeping bag. Secondly, insulated liners increase the thermal insulation properties of your sleeping bag. Liners can be made of cotton, synthetics, fleece or microfiber, depending on the tasks to be solved.

How to choose a sleeping bag size

Most brands use standard sizes based on a person's height:

• Regular. For height up to 180 cm.
• Long. For height up to 198 cm.

Some manufacturers produce additional sleeping bags designed for heights up to 205 cm, designed for tall or large people, as well as those who need more freedom for a comfortable sleep. Women's models also have their own sizes:

• WRegular. For height up to 170 cm.
• WLong. For height up to 180 cm.

The manufacturer can also simply indicate the total length of the sleeping bag, for example, this is what Sivera does. In the size indicated as 185x73x46, 186 is the full outer length of the sleeping bag with a hood, 73 is the maximum width of the sleeping bag (in the chest and shoulders), 46 is the width in the legs.

Take a sleeping bag with a margin. For example, if your height is 180 cm or close to it, choose Long, especially when it comes to low temperatures. If the sleeping bag is tight, your feet may freeze (and they begin to freeze first), in addition, you will not be able to wrap yourself in a sleeping bag with your head.

There are several sizing guidelines. When choosing a summer sleeping bag, add a margin of 15-20 cm to your height. When choosing a three-season sleeping bag (autumn, winter, spring), add 30 cm. For expedition sleeping bags, this figure can be even more, because, firstly, you need to take into account the thickness of the insulation, and secondly, it is likely that you will spend the night in a sleeping bag in outerwear and even shoes, and this requires additional space. In addition, in a winter hike or climbing, the size with a margin will allow not only to sleep in outerwear, but also to hide a flashlight, liners, clothes and other items that need to be kept dry and warm inside the sleeping bag.

If you buy a sleeping bag in a store, and not online, feel free to “try on” the equipment: climb into a sleeping bag and make sure that it fits you both in length and width, and you are comfortable not only lying inside it, but also turning over, changing position.

How to take care of your sleeping bag

• Be sure to dry your sleeping bag after the trip.
• Wash the sleeping bag strictly in accordance with the instructions on the label or on the official website of the manufacturer. In general, a delicate/manual setting, a temperature of 30°C, and detergents without bleach or chlorine are recommended. It is better to rinse the sleeping bag twice and do not use the spin cycle. It is better to dry the sleeping bag fully flattened on a horizontal surface.
• It is necessary to store the sleeping bag unfolded, or in a special bag for storage. which will not compress the product too much. This will allow the insulation not to cake and retain its properties.

Photos: Evgenia Alekseeva.

Editing: Maria Kurochkina.

When choosing a sleeping bag, it is important to remember about 3 possible types of this tourist equipment:

Sleeping bag for hiking;
- sleeping bag for camping;
- a sleeping bag for spending the night in extreme weather conditions.

Only by accurately determining the purpose of the sleeping bag, you can not make a mistake in choosing.

An important classification of sleeping bags by type of construction

Everyone who has gathered on a hike should know that there are two main designs of a sleeping bag - a sleeping bag-blanket and a sleeping bag-cocoon.

Sleeping bag-blanket therefore it is named so that it resembles an ordinary blanket in its appearance, but with a long detachable zipper. Thanks to this zipper, sleeping bags can be connected to each other in one more spacious design.

sleeping bag - this is the same sleeping bag-blanket, but its difference from the usual sleeping bag-blanket is the presence of a hood.

has the shape of a trapezoid, narrowed in the legs and expanding closer to the headboard. Like a blanket sleeping bag, this type of sleeping bag has a hood and a long longitudinal zipper. Cocoon sleeping bags take up less space in a backpack and are considered more comfortable for individual overnight stays.

The third important aspect of the choice is the quality of the sleeping bag.

The requirements for comfort, resistance to deformation and wear of sleeping bags are quite high. Only tourist equipment from a manufacturer with a name can fully correspond to them.

Sleeping bags of well-known brands always have a technical warranty card and a technical data sheet. The latest document clearly spells out the types of outer and inner fabrics, as well as the temperature limits for the use of this tourist equipment.

The temperature scale on a high-quality sleeping bag will tell the buyer about the minimum temperatures at which the tourist is guaranteed a comfortable sleep. These figures may be different for men and women.

What does the temperature scale say?

Comfort temperature - the temperature range at which a person can sleep without feeling cold all night.

Extreme temperature - the lowest temperature at which a sleeping bag protects a person from hypothermia (hypothermia). This is about 6 hours of uncomfortable sleep, but without the temperature dropping to dangerous levels.

T comfort - the lower limit of comfort for the average woman.

T limit of comfort - the lower limit of comfort for the average man.

T extreme - a zone of possible hypothermia.

This scale is for a person between the ages of 18 and 40 who is in good physical shape, eating normally and without signs of hypothermia.

Clear signs of a quality sleeping bag

In a good sleeping bag, you will never see quilted through, the so-called "cold" seams. It is distinguished from a sleeping bag of dubious quality by:

The presence of a reinforced zipper that prevents accidental capture of the fabric;
- cord fixing the hood of the sleeping bag;
- perfectly even seams;
- loop for drying;
- high-quality accessories (polyester, cotton, flannel).

The material of the sleeping bag should be able to "breathe", be pleasant to the touch, not absorb odors and moisture. Only in such a sleeping bag your sleep in nature will be comfortable.

RUB 10,699

Vaude VauDe Sioux 1000 SYN 12124.334L (blue)

Filler - synthetics. Type - cocoon. Extreme temperature -20..-25 °С. The outer fabric is polyester. With the possibility of fastening. Rolled length 35 cm. . Folded height 20 cm. Folded width 20 cm. Weight with packaging 1.8 kg. Width at feet 55 cm. Lining - polyester. Number of filler layers - 1. Shoulder width 80 cm. Appointment - three-season. With anatomical hood. Length: 220 cm.