Gina Johnson
Sleeping bags are rated according to the International Organization for Standardization standard, using ISO 23537 (“the ISO Test”). The test involves placing an electronic mannequin inside the sleeping bag, and measuring the amount of electrical energy needed to maintain the mannequin’s initial temperature. The comfort level of a sleeping bag is the temperature at which the average woman will feel comfortable. The comfort rating, which is the temperature for colder sleepers, is the logical spec target for women's bags, and brands continue to use the comfort rating for women's bags. The comfort rating is usually 10º-20º higher than the lower limit, meaning a unisex bag rated for 15º will probably only be comfortable down to 27º for a woman.
Characteristics and Values of Comfort Level in Sleeping Bags
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To indicate the temperature at which a person might feel comfortable |
| Testing Standard | ISO 23537, EN 13537 |
| Temperature Ratings | Comfort rating, Limit rating, Extreme rating |
| Factors Impacting Warmth | Clothing, gear, body type, weather, food, etc. |
| Unisex Bag Comfort Limit | 14ºF for men, 27ºF for women |
| Weight | Women's bags weigh more than men's bags at the same comfort rating |
| Usage | Consider lowest expected temperature and personal preference for warmth |
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What You'll Learn
- The comfort rating is the temperature at which a woman can sleep comfortably
- The lower limit rating is the temperature at which a man will feel comfortable
- The ISO test is a standardised test to determine the warmth of a sleeping bag
- The EN rating scale is a scientific test to determine the warmth of a sleeping bag
- The ISO Comfort Range is defined as the temperature range at which a standard woman does not feel cold
The comfort rating is the temperature at which a woman can sleep comfortably
The comfort rating of a sleeping bag is the temperature at which a woman can sleep comfortably. This rating is based on the understanding that the "average woman" will feel colder than the "average man" in the same sleeping bag. The comfort rating is determined by standardised laboratory tests, such as the ISO Test, which measures the amount of electrical energy needed to maintain a mannequin's temperature as the air temperature is lowered. The comfort rating is the temperature at which the mannequin, dressed in base layers, does not require a significant amount of energy input to stay warm.
The comfort rating is one of the three temperature thresholds provided by the ISO Test, the other two being the limit rating and the extreme rating. The limit rating is the temperature at which an average man can maintain his thermal equilibrium in a curled-up position without shivering. The extreme rating is the temperature at which a woman can survive for six hours without dying from hypothermia.
It's important to note that the comfort rating is just an estimate, and real-world comfort may differ from the lab-tested temperature rating due to various factors such as clothing, gear, body type, weather conditions, and individual metabolism. The comfort rating is a useful baseline for selecting a sleeping bag, but it's recommended to choose a bag with a lower comfort rating than the coldest expected temperature to ensure a warm and comfortable night's sleep.
The comfort rating is typically used for women's sleeping bags, while the lower limit rating is used for men's bags. Women's bags tend to have more insulation to match the comfort rating, making them heavier and bigger than similarly rated men's bags. However, it's worth noting that not all women will feel cold in the same way as the "standard woman" used in the ISO Test, and individual preferences and needs should also be considered when choosing a sleeping bag.
When shopping for a sleeping bag, it's important to consider the lowest temperature you're likely to encounter and your personal internal thermostat. If you tend to feel cold easily, opt for a bag with a lower comfort rating, and if you sleep warm, you may rely on the lower limit rating instead. Additionally, consider the type of insulation and the season rating of the bag to ensure it matches the intended use and provides the necessary warmth.
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The lower limit rating is the temperature at which a man will feel comfortable
Sleeping bags are rated according to the International Organization for Standardization standard, using ISO 23537 (the ISO Test). The ISO Test involves placing an electronic mannequin, dressed in long underwear, inside the sleeping bag, which is itself placed on a foam sleeping pad. The air temperature is then lowered, and the amount of electrical energy required to maintain the mannequin's initial temperature is measured. This process is repeated in several rounds of experimentation, and the results are correlated with real-world outcomes.
The ISO Test provides three temperature thresholds: a comfort rating, a limit rating, and an extreme rating. The comfort rating is based on the temperature at which the "average woman" can sleep comfortably without curling up for warmth. The limit rating, also known as the lower limit rating, is based on the temperature at which a ""standard man" can maintain thermal equilibrium in a curled-up position without shivering. This rating is always lower than the comfort rating. The extreme rating indicates the temperature at which a woman could survive for six hours without dying from hypothermia.
The lower limit rating is typically used for men's sleeping bags, while the comfort rating is used for women's sleeping bags. This is because data shows that the "average woman" tends to feel colder than the "average man" in the same sleeping bag. Women's sleeping bags require more insulation to match the lower limit rating of a similar men's bag, resulting in a higher weight. However, it is important to remember that these ratings are just standardised ranges and should be used as a baseline. Individual preferences and needs may vary, and other factors such as clothing, gear, and weather conditions can also impact the overall comfort of the sleeper.
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The ISO test is a standardised test to determine the warmth of a sleeping bag
The ISO test provides three temperature thresholds: a comfort rating, a limit rating, and an extreme rating. The comfort rating indicates the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable, and is the rating used for women's sleeping bags. The limit rating, which is always lower than the comfort rating, indicates the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable, and is the rating used for men's bags. The extreme rating, used by the EN standard, indicates a temperature at which a woman will not die of hypothermia within 6 hours.
The ISO test is designed to standardise the testing of sleeping bags across brands, allowing for easy comparison between different bags. However, it is important to note that the ISO test does not account for all variables that can affect warmth, such as differences in people's clothing, gear, body types, weather conditions, and more. Therefore, the real-world comfort of a sleeping bag may differ from its ISO test rating.
The ISO test is based on the International Organization for Standardization standard, ISO 23537. This standard was published in 2016 to replace the previous European Norm (EN) standard, which was the first widely used international standard for measuring sleeping bag temperature ratings. The ISO test method is almost identical to the EN bag test, so consumers can still compare EN-rated bags to newer ISO-rated bags.
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The EN rating scale is a scientific test to determine the warmth of a sleeping bag
The EN rating scale is based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard, which uses ISO 23537, also known as "the ISO Test". This test involves placing a heavily instrumented electronic mannequin, dressed in long underwear, inside the sleeping bag, which is placed on a foam sleeping pad. The air temperature is then lowered, and the amount of electrical energy needed to maintain the mannequin's initial temperature is measured. This process is repeated in multiple rounds of experimentation, and the results are correlated with real-world outcomes to predict the level of comfort a person can expect from the bag.
It is important to note that the EN rating scale is an estimate and may not perfectly match the real-world comfort level of a sleeping bag. The standardised testing process cannot account for all variables, such as differences in people's clothing, gear, body types, weather conditions, and other factors. Therefore, the comfort level of a sleeping bag in the outdoors may differ from its tested temperature rating.
The EN rating scale provides a scientific basis for comparing the warmth of sleeping bags from different brands. By using standardised testing methods, consumers can make more informed decisions when purchasing a sleeping bag based on their expected comfort level. However, it is recommended to consider other factors in addition to the temperature rating when selecting a sleeping bag, such as the intended use, weight, and insulation.
The EN rating scale has been widely adopted by the sleeping bag industry and provides a useful tool for consumers to assess the warmth and comfort of sleeping bags. However, it is always a good idea to consider individual preferences, sleeping habits, and specific needs when choosing a sleeping bag to ensure a comfortable and safe outdoor experience.
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The ISO Comfort Range is defined as the temperature range at which a standard woman does not feel cold
Sleeping bags are assigned temperature ratings based on standardized tests, such as the ISO Test, to help guide consumers in their purchasing decisions. The ISO Comfort Range is one of the three temperature thresholds provided by the ISO Test, the other two being the Limit rating and the Extreme rating.
The ISO Comfort Range is typically used as the temperature rating for women's sleeping bags. It is important to note that the comfort rating is an estimate and may not perfectly match an individual woman's comfort level. However, it provides a useful baseline for comparison when shopping for a sleeping bag.
When selecting a sleeping bag, it is recommended to consider the lowest temperature you are likely to encounter and your personal internal thermostat. If you tend to feel cold easily, it is advisable to use the comfort rating as a baseline and choose a bag with a lower comfort figure than the coldest expected temperature. Additionally, it is worth noting that sleeping bag temperature ratings are just rough estimates, and other factors such as clothing, gear, body type, and weather conditions can also impact your comfort level.
In summary, the ISO Comfort Range is an important consideration when choosing a sleeping bag, especially for women who tend to feel colder during sleep. By understanding the temperature range at which a standard woman does not feel cold, consumers can make more informed decisions about the sleeping bag that best suits their needs.
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Frequently asked questions
The comfort level, or comfort rating, is the temperature at which a "standard woman" can sleep comfortably through the night without curling up in a ball for warmth. It is based on data showing that the "average woman" will feel colder in the same bag as the "average man".
The comfort level is determined through standardized laboratory tests, such as the ISO Test, which involve placing an electronic mannequin dressed in long underwear inside the sleeping bag. The temperature of the air is then cooled, and the amount of electrical energy needed to maintain the mannequin's initial temperature is measured.
First, determine the lowest temperature you're likely to encounter. Then, consider your personal internal thermostat—do you tend to feel cold or run hot? If you often feel cold, use the comfort ratings as a baseline and select a bag with a lower comfort figure than the coldest expected temperature. If you tend to sleep warm, you may rely on the lower limit ratings instead, but it's recommended to give yourself a buffer of a few degrees Celsius.
