Gina Johnson
Sleeping bag ratings are indicated by EN or ISO and are useful for making comparisons between sleeping bags from different brands. The EN standard, which stands for European Norm, was the original standard adopted by the sleeping bag industry. In 2005, the EN 13537 Standard was introduced to ensure that consumers could directly compare sleeping bags of a given rating. The ISO standard, overseen by the International Standards Organization, is the updated version of the EN ratings, introduced in 2017. Both systems are still in use and are broadly similar. The ratings from these tests allow users to reliably compare bags of similar ratings and choose a bag that suits their needs.
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What You'll Learn
- EN is the abbreviation for European Norm, the original standard for sleeping bag specs
- ISO, or International Standards Organization, is the new standard for testing sleeping bags
- EN and ISO tests use a heated mannequin with sensors to represent a sleeping person
- The EN/ISO standards reflect a range that accounts for your body size, giving you an idea of how a bag will perform
- EN and ISO ratings are comparable, and you can use them to compare bags from different brands
EN is the abbreviation for European Norm, the original standard for sleeping bag specs
EN is the abbreviation for European Norm, the original standard for sleeping bag specifications. The EN standard was introduced in 2005 as EN 13537 to ensure that consumers could directly compare sleeping bags with a given rating. The test procedure involves placing a heated mannequin with 15 temperature sensors, dressed in a base layer, inside a sleeping bag on a foam mat inside a cold chamber. As the temperature drops, measurements are recorded via the sensors on the mannequin. This test procedure is now known as ISO 23537, which was introduced in 2017 as an updated standard. Both systems are broadly similar, and sleeping bags with either rating can be compared.
The EN rating is a lab-tested temperature rating that indicates the comfort and limit ratings of a sleeping bag. The comfort rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "cold sleeper" comfortable, and is generally the temperature assigned to women's bags. The limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep a "warm sleeper" comfortable, and is generally the temperature assigned to men's or unisex bags. These ratings provide a baseline for comparison, but it is important to note that other factors such as body size, shape, and age can also affect how warm a person sleeps.
The EN rating system has been replaced by the ISO (International Standards Organization) rating system, which is now the standard for sleeping bag testing. However, the ISO testing method is almost identical to the EN test, and bags with EN ratings can still be compared to those with ISO ratings. Not all sleeping bags have an ISO or EN rating, as the test standard is not valid for bags designed for extreme cold or children's bags.
The EN and ISO standards are useful tools for consumers to compare the performance of different sleeping bags and make an informed purchase decision. By providing a range of temperatures, these standards account for different body sizes and help consumers estimate the insulation provided by a sleeping bag.
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ISO, or International Standards Organization, is the new standard for testing sleeping bags
The International Standards Organization (ISO) is the new standard for testing sleeping bags. ISO 23537-1:2016 specifies the requirements, test methods, and provisions for labelling adult-sized sleeping bags for sports and leisure activities. The standard does not apply to sleeping bags for extreme climate expeditions or military use, nor does it cover children's bags.
ISO testing is similar to the original EN (European Norm) standard, which was previously used by the sleeping bag industry. Both systems use a heated mannequin with temperature sensors to represent a sleeping person. The mannequin is dressed in a base layer and placed inside the sleeping bag on a sleeping mat inside a cold chamber. As the temperature drops, the sensors record measurements.
The key difference between the two standards is that ISO provides three temperature ranges: Comfort, Transition, and Extreme. The Comfort Range indicates the temperature at which a standard woman feels "not cold," while the Transition Range is where a standard man is "fighting against the cold" but not shivering. The Extreme Range warns of the risk of hypothermia and is only for emergency use.
It's important to note that sleeping bag temperature ratings are just a baseline for comparison. Real-world comfort may differ from lab-tested ratings due to individual factors such as body shape, size, age, and metabolism. Other variables include the environment, the fit of the sleeping bag, and the warmth of the sleeping mat.
When shopping for a sleeping bag, consumers can compare old EN-rated bags with newer ISO-rated bags. However, not all sleeping bags have an ISO rating, and brands may choose to forego ISO testing for bags designed for mild conditions or casual use. Therefore, it is essential to consider other factors beyond temperature ratings when selecting a sleeping bag.
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EN and ISO tests use a heated mannequin with sensors to represent a sleeping person
EN, or European Norm, was the original standard adopted by the sleeping bag industry for testing the warmth of a sleeping bag. In 2005, a standardised test known as EN 13537 was introduced to ensure that consumers could make ‘like-for-like’ comparisons between sleeping bags. In 2017, an updated standard was introduced, called ISO 23537. Both systems are still in use, and the testing methods remain broadly similar.
The EN and ISO tests use a heated mannequin fitted with 15 temperature sensors to represent a sleeping person. The mannequin is heated to a set surface (skin) temperature, generally 34 °C. The mannequin is powered to maintain this temperature at a constant and regulated level. The calculations made to give an EN rating are generally generated from the total thermal resistance. This is defined as the ratio between the temperature difference between the mannequin and the ambient air and the electrical power needed for the mannequin temperature to stay a constant 34 °C. The insulating properties of the sleeping bags are calculated and give the three ratings.
The mannequin is dressed in a baselayer top, tights, long socks and a hat, then placed inside the sleeping bag on top of a closed-cell foam sleeping mat, inside a cold chamber. As the ambient temperature drops, measurements are recorded via the sensors on the mannequin. The results are used to calculate the EN or ISO temperature ranges and limits.
EN 13537 offers four different temperature ratings to help guide users as to the warmth of a sleeping bag. These are: EN Upper Comfort is the highest temperature at which an average man weighing 70kg should feel comfortable. EN Comfort is the temperature at which an average 60kg female can sleep comfortably through the night. ISO Comfort and Lower Limit ratings are very similar to the EN system, but this standard also gives three different temperature ranges: ISO Comfort Range is defined as the temperature range at which a standard woman is “not feeling cold,” while sleeping in a “relaxed posture”. ISO Transition Range is where a standard man is “in a situation of fighting against cold (posture is curled up inside the sleeping bag), but in thermal equilibrium” and not shivering. ISO Extreme Range states that “In this range, a strong sensation of cold has to be expected. There is a risk of health damage by hypothermia. A sleeping bag should only be used in this range in an emergency.”
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The EN/ISO standards reflect a range that accounts for your body size, giving you an idea of how a bag will perform
Sleeping bag ratings are a complex and sometimes confusing topic. The EN/ISO standards were introduced to make it easier to compare bags from different brands. The EN standard, which stands for European Norm, was the original standard adopted by the sleeping bag industry. Now, the ISO (International Standards Organization) oversees bag testing, but the method is almost identical to the old EN test.
The tests look for benchmarks such as when the mannequin's heat accumulates in the bag, the range where the temperature remains steady, and the point at which heat is lost. The tests also determine when heat is lost at a rate where continued use of the bag would put the user at risk. Based on these measurements, each bag is assigned a "comfort" and "limit" rating. The comfort rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep the average "cold sleeper" comfortable, and is generally used for women's bags. The limit rating is the lowest temperature at which the bag will keep a "warm sleeper" comfortable, and is generally used for men's or unisex bags.
It's important to note that real-world comfort may not match the lab-tested temperature ratings due to the many variables that a lab cannot simulate. Additionally, the numbers on bag names may not match the exact temperature ratings, as brands may round up or down for simplicity. Therefore, it is always recommended to look at the actual test rating on the bag rather than relying solely on the number in its name.
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EN and ISO ratings are comparable, and you can use them to compare bags from different brands
The world of sleeping bag ratings can be a confusing one, with many different ratings and specifications to consider. However, when it comes to EN (European Norm) and ISO (International Standards Organization) ratings, these are indeed comparable, and you can use them to compare bags from different brands.
Before 2005, there was no standardised way to test the warmth of a sleeping bag, which was misleading for consumers. To address this, the EN 13537 standardised test was introduced, and in 2017, this was updated to ISO 23537. The ISO test is almost identical to the EN test, so you can compare bags with either rating. Both systems use a heated mannequin with temperature sensors to represent a sleeping person. The mannequin is dressed in a base layer and placed inside the sleeping bag on a sleeping mat inside a cold chamber. As the temperature drops, the sensors on the mannequin record measurements.
These 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 indicates the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable, and this is the rating used for women's bags. The lower limit rating is always lower than the comfort rating and indicates the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable. This is the rating used for men's bags. It's important to note that these ratings are estimates and are based on lab tests, so they may not perfectly match your real-world experience due to various variables that a lab cannot simulate.
When shopping for a sleeping bag, you can use these EN and ISO ratings to compare bags from different brands and make an informed decision. If you find an EN-rated bag that suits your needs, you can compare it with newer bags that have ISO ratings. Additionally, you can consider other factors such as the fill power and fill weight, the shape and size of the bag, and the type of insulation (down or synthetic). All these factors, along with the EN and ISO ratings, will help you choose the right sleeping bag for your specific needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
EN stands for European Norm, which was the original standard for testing sleeping bags.
Sleeping bags are independently tested using a heated mannequin with 15 temperature sensors to represent a sleeping person. The mannequin is dressed in a base layer and placed on a sleeping mat inside a cold chamber. Measurements are taken as the temperature drops.
There are two key ratings in the EN system: Comfort and Limit. The Comfort rating is the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable, and the Limit rating is the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still be comfortable.
ISO (International Standards Organization) is the updated standard for testing sleeping bags, which replaced the EN standard in 2017. The testing methods are almost identical, so you can compare bags with EN and ISO ratings.
While EN/ISO specifications provide a useful baseline for comparison, real-world comfort may vary due to individual factors such as body size, metabolism, and sleeping conditions.
