Herbie Murray
Sleeping bag temperature ratings are a crucial factor to consider when selecting a sleeping bag, as they indicate the lowest temperature at which the bag is designed to keep the average sleeper warm. The rating for a sleeping bag is for survival, not comfort. A 50°F (10°C) sleeping bag is sufficient only for very mild weather. Sleeping bag ratings are generally based on the lowest temp you can survive in, not the lowest temperature you will be comfortable in. Lab-tested temperature ratings (as indicated by EN or ISO ratings) are useful for making an apples-to-apples comparison between sleeping bags from different brands.
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What You'll Learn
- Sleeping bag temperature ratings are for survival, not comfort
- Temperature ratings are based on the lowest temp you can survive, not stay cosy
- The comfort rating is for women's bags, the lower limit rating is for men's bags
- Ratings are based on a 'standard woman' and 'standard man'
- You can boost a 50°F bag with layers, blankets, and a hot water bottle
Sleeping bag temperature ratings are for survival, not comfort
Sleeping bag temperature ratings are a guide to survival, rather than comfort. The assumption is that you will be wearing a base layer of thermo underwear and a hat, and using a sleeping pad with an R-value of 5. However, there are many variables that lab testing cannot simulate, such as differences in body types, metabolism, clothing, gear, and weather conditions.
A 50°F sleeping bag is only suitable for very mild weather. It is unlikely to be comfortable in 45°F weather, and you will need to take extra measures to ensure you are warm enough. These measures could include wearing full winter camping pajamas, such as a silk bottom layer and a good insulating outer layer, as well as thick socks. Eating a warm meal before bed and keeping a high-fat snack by your sleeping bag to eat in the middle of the night can also help, as your metabolism drops at night and you become more susceptible to the cold.
You can also increase the warmth of your sleeping bag by fluffing it fully to maximize its insulating capacity, using a liner, or wearing wool long underwear. A hot water bottle or a stone heated by the fire can also provide extra warmth. If you are car camping, you could also use reflective flooring insulation. If you are backpacking, consider investing in an inflatable ground mat to insulate yourself from the ground.
Sleeping bag temperature ratings are not always accurate, and it is better to buy a bag rated for 15° colder than the expected temperatures. It is also important to build in a margin of safety, as the efficiency of your bag will decline over time. The EN rating, which is the standard in Europe, only covers traditional hooded sleeping bags and does not apply to children's bags or those designed for extreme cold. In the US, there is no standard, and some companies do not test their bags at all, so it is important to check the testing protocol and whether the bag has been lab tested.
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Temperature ratings are based on the lowest temp you can survive, not stay cosy
Sleeping bag temperature ratings are based on survival, not comfort. A 50°F (10°C) sleeping bag is only sufficient for very mild weather. It is important to remember that you will not be doing anything energetic to warm yourself up while you are lying in the bag.
The EN Rating scale is a scientific test to determine the warmth of a sleeping bag. The test produces a Lower rating (for male sleepers) and a Comfort rating (for female sleepers). Both are listed in the features table on the product page. A unisex sleeping bag with a Lower limit of 14ºF means a man should be comfortable down to air temperatures of 14ºF. The same bag will also have a Comfort limit, in the realm of 27°F, so a woman would be comfortable down to an air temperature of 27ºF.
Lab-tested temperature ratings (as indicated by "EN" or "ISO" ratings) are useful for making comparisons between sleeping bags from different brands. However, real-world comfort probably won't match lab-tested temperature ratings because of all the variables that a lab can't simulate. For example, a sleeping bag temperature rating assumes that you wear a base layer of thermo underwear. It also assumes that you close the hood except for a small breathing hole. However, this may not be practical, as breathing into the sleeping bag hood can create moisture.
In addition to a sleeping bag, it is important to have proper insulation from the ground in the form of a sleeping pad. A sleeping bag holds in your body's warmth, and a good insulated pad will ensure that you are warm enough.
If you are using a 50°F sleeping bag, there are some things you can do to increase your warmth. You can use a liner and hand warmers, change into clean, dry clothes before bed, eat a warm meal before bed, use a ground pad, and bring a light fleece throw and lay your bag on top of it. You can also wear lots of layers and a hat and pour hot water into a Nalgene to snuggle.
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The comfort rating is for women's bags, the lower limit rating is for men's bags
Sleeping bags are designed to cater to different needs, depending on the user's preferences and the environmental conditions. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a sleeping bag is its temperature rating, which is based on comfort and lower-limit ratings.
The comfort rating is typically used for women's sleeping bags. This rating indicates the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable. It takes into account the physiological differences between genders, as data has shown that the "average woman" tends to feel colder than the "average man" in the same sleeping bag. By using the comfort rating, manufacturers ensure that women can achieve a comfortable night's rest. This rating is particularly important for women who identify as cold sleepers.
On the other hand, the lower limit rating is usually applied to men's sleeping bags. This rating signifies the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable. It is always lower than the comfort rating, indicating that men's bags are designed for warmer conditions or individuals who sleep warm. This rating is ideal for men who identify as warm sleepers, helping them maintain comfort without the need for additional insulation.
It's worth noting that temperature ratings are just estimates, and actual experiences may vary. Factors such as clothing, gear, body type, weather conditions, and food choices can influence the comfort level of the sleeping bag. Additionally, the effectiveness of a sleeping bag can decline over time, and it's important to build in a margin of safety when considering the temperature ratings.
To enhance the warmth and comfort of your sleeping bag, consider using a liner, wearing appropriate thermal clothing, and utilising insulated pads or blankets. These additional measures can help extend the temperature range of your sleeping bag, ensuring a more pleasant outdoor experience.
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Ratings are based on a 'standard woman' and 'standard man'
Sleeping bag temperature ratings are based on standardised testing methods, such as the EN (European Norm) 13537 test or the ISO (International Standards Organisation) 23537 test. These tests provide a consistent basis for comparing sleeping bags from different manufacturers. The tests involve placing a sleeping pad under the bag and a test dummy inside the bag, dressed in base layers.
The standardised tests produce a rating range for each sleeping bag, with two temperature ratings within that range: the comfort rating and the lower limit rating. The comfort rating is based on a "standard woman" who can sleep comfortably in a relaxed position. The lower limit rating is based on a "standard man" who can just sleep and needs to take a curled-up position to avoid waking up due to feeling cold. The comfort rating is used on women's bags, and the lower limit rating is used on men's bags.
The comfort rating is the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable, while the lower limit rating is the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable. It's important to note that these ratings are estimates and can be affected by various factors, including the sleeper's metabolism, clothing, sleeping pad insulation, and tent shelter. Therefore, it's recommended to choose a sleeping bag with a temperature rating lower than the coldest temperature you anticipate encountering.
For example, a 50°F (10°C) sleeping bag might be sufficient for very mild weather, but it may not provide enough warmth for colder conditions. Layering clothes to boost the sleeping bag's warmth can be impractical due to bulkiness, and it may not fit into the sleeping bag. Instead, a second summer sleeping bag to layer or combine with the primary bag can be a better option. Additionally, insulation from the ground is crucial, and a sleeping pad or inflatable ground mat can provide extra insulation.
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You can boost a 50°F bag with layers, blankets, and a hot water bottle
A 50°F sleeping bag is only suitable for very mild weather. Sleeping bag temperature ratings are based on the lowest temperature at which you can survive, not the temperature at which you would be comfortable. A 50°F sleeping bag will not be sufficient in 45°F weather, for example.
If you want to boost the warmth of a 50°F bag, you can use layers, blankets, and a hot water bottle. Firstly, it is important to wear the right clothing to bed. A silk bottom layer and a good insulating outer layer are recommended, along with thick socks. You can also wear a hat and a down jacket or other non-breathable insulation layer to boost heat to your torso. Eating a calorie and fat-rich meal before bed will also help your body stay warm.
To insulate yourself from the ground, you can use a blanket inside your sleeping bag. A thin blanket or a light fleece throw can provide extra warmth without taking up too much space. You can also use a liner, such as an army poncho liner, to add warmth and protect your sleeping bag from dirt and oils.
To boost the warmth of your sleeping bag with a hot water bottle, fill a sturdy plastic bottle, such as a Nalgene bottle, with hot (not boiling) water and place it near your core. Placing the hot water bottle between your legs near your femoral artery will circulate warmth throughout your body. You can also put a second bottle near your feet.
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Frequently asked questions
50F is the temperature rating of a sleeping bag, indicating the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average sleeper warm.
Temperature ratings are established through standardized testing methods, such as the EN (European Norm) 13537 test or the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 23537 test.
A sleeping pad is placed under the bag, and a test dummy inside the bag is dressed in base layers. The tests produce a rating range for each sleeping bag, with two temperature ratings within that range: comfort rating and lower limit rating.
The comfort rating indicates the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable. This is the temperature rating used for women's bags. The lower limit rating indicates the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable. This is the temperature rating used for men's bags.
A 50F sleeping bag is generally not considered sufficient for 45F weather. It is recommended to have a sleeping bag with a rating of at least 20 degrees lower than the lowest expected temperature.
