It is only recently that an official European-wide system of assessing and comparing the warmth of sleeping bags was introduced and we were delighted to sign up. The standard defines how to test, measure and label sleeping bags.
Warmth ratings
The official European-wide system defines how to test, measure and label sleeping bags. A computer-controlled dummy similar in size and shape to an average human body is placed inside a sleeping bag and monitored in a temperature-controlled climate chamber. Standard tests give a range of comfort levels for men and women. EN13537 is the code on quality sleeping bags and it certainly helps in working out what warmth a bag will offer. Outstanding insulation from the ground with a Easy Camp self-inflating mat will help to maximise any bag’s insulation performance.
Tcomfort • lower comfort limit in standard use (woman).
Tlimit • lower limit when curled up in standard use (man).
Textreme • lowest extreme temperature for survival (woman).
Tmax • upper comfort limit without over heating (man).