Ashwin Lewis
When it comes to choosing a sleeping bag, one of the most important factors is its temperature rating. EN-tested sleeping bags are those that have been tested according to the European Norm (EN) standard, which was originally adopted by the sleeping bag industry to standardize temperature ratings. The EN test involves placing a sleeping bag with a test dummy inside on a sleeping pad in a laboratory, simulating how the bag would be used. The results of these tests produce a rating range for each sleeping bag, with two temperature ratings: the comfort rating and the lower limit rating. The comfort rating indicates the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable, and it is typically used for women's bags. The lower limit rating is the temperature at which a standard man can sleep without excessive perspiration. While EN testing provides a standardized way to compare sleeping bags, it's important to remember that it doesn't account for all variables, such as differences in people's clothing, body types, and weather conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | EN (European Norm) |
| Testing Protocol | EN 13537:2002 Requirements for Sleeping Bags |
| Testing Body | ISO (International Standards Organization) |
| Scope | All sleeping bags except military and extreme temperature bags |
| Testing Method | Heated test mannequin dressed in standardized base layers, inserted into a sleeping bag on an insulated pad in a cold chamber |
| Ratings | Comfort, Lower, Upper Limit, Extreme |
| Purpose | Standardize temperature ratings, allowing for apples-to-apples comparison between brands |
| Key Benchmarks | Heat accumulation, steady temperature range, heat loss, risk of hypothermia |
| Limitations | Doesn't account for variations in people's clothing, body types, weather conditions, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
EN is the original standard for testing sleeping bags
EN, or European Norm, was the original standard for testing sleeping bags. It was designed to standardize the temperature ratings on sleeping bags manufactured and/or sold in Europe. The protocol requires a heated test mannequin to be dressed in standardized base layers and inserted into a sleeping bag, which is then placed on an insulated sleeping pad in a cold chamber. Measurements are taken at multiple points on the surface of the mannequin to determine how much energy per given area is required to maintain a standard skin temperature. This is then compared to standard reference sleeping bags.
The EN test produces four temperature results: upper limit, comfort, lower limit, and extreme. The comfort rating is the temperature at which a standard woman would sleep for eight hours. The lower rating is the temperature at which a standard man would sleep for eight hours. The extreme rating is a 'survival' rating that does not rule out frostbite.
The EN test is conducted in third-party laboratories, providing an 'even playing field' between brands and an objective comparison between different models from the same brand. However, it does not account for variations such as differences in people's clothing and gear, body types, changing weather conditions, and other factors. Therefore, a sleeping bag's comfort level in real-world use may differ from its tested temperature rating.
In 2017, the EN standard was updated by the ISO (International Standards Organization) standard, which now serves as the testing protocol for all certified sleeping bags. The ISO test is very similar to the EN test, allowing consumers to compare EN-rated bags with newer ISO-rated bags.
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EN tests are conducted in third-party laboratories
The EN test protocol involves placing a heated test mannequin dressed in standardised base layers into a sleeping bag, which is then placed on an insulated sleeping pad in a cold chamber. Measurements are taken at multiple points on the mannequin's surface to determine how much energy per square area is needed to maintain a standard skin temperature. These measurements are then compared to standard reference sleeping bags, and three ratings are calculated: comfort, lower, and extreme. The comfort rating indicates the temperature at which a standard woman could sleep for eight hours, the lower rating is for a standard man, and the extreme rating is a 'survival' rating that does not rule out frostbite.
The EN test is a European standard, known as EN 13537, designed to standardise temperature ratings on sleeping bags manufactured and sold in Europe. It has also become the de facto standard in North America. The EN test was superseded by the ISO (International Standards Organisation) test, which uses a nearly identical method. The ISO test is overseen by a new entity but follows the same testing standards as the EN test, allowing consumers to compare EN-rated bags with newer ISO-rated bags.
It is important to note that temperature ratings are estimates, and real-world comfort may differ from the tested temperature rating due to variations in individuals' clothing, gear, body types, weather conditions, and other factors. Additionally, not all sleeping bags have an EN or ISO rating, as the test standard does not apply to bags designed for extreme cold or children's bags.
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EN tests use a heated test mannequin dressed in base layers
EN-tested sleeping bags are those that have been tested according to the European Norm (EN) standard. This standard was originally adopted by the sleeping bag industry to ensure consistent testing methods for all brands. The EN standard specifically refers to the temperature ratings assigned to sleeping bags following laboratory testing.
EN 13537 is the specific protocol for testing sleeping bags to provide a performance rating. This protocol involves the use of a heated test mannequin dressed in standardised base layers, which is then inserted into a sleeping bag. The bag is placed on an insulated sleeping pad inside a cold chamber. Measurements are taken at multiple points on the mannequin's surface to determine the energy required per unit area to maintain a standard skin temperature.
The EN 13537 test procedure produces four temperature results: upper limit, comfort, lower limit, and extreme. The comfort rating is the temperature at which a standard woman would sleep comfortably for eight hours. The lower limit is the temperature at which a standard man would sleep for eight hours without excessive perspiration. The extreme rating is a 'survival' rating, indicating a temperature at which frostbite cannot be ruled out.
It is important to note that EN ratings are estimates and do not account for all variables that can affect an individual's comfort when using a sleeping bag outdoors. These variables include differences in body types, clothing, gear, weather conditions, and more. Therefore, the actual comfort level of a sleeping bag may differ from its assigned EN rating.
Today, the EN standard has been largely superseded by the ISO (International Standards Organization) standard, which uses a nearly identical testing method. Sleeping bags with ISO ratings can be directly compared to older bags with EN ratings.
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EN tests produce four temperature results
EN (European Norm) is the original standard adopted by the sleeping bag industry for temperature testing. The test is conducted in certified laboratories, with a heated test mannequin dressed in standardised base layers and inserted into a sleeping bag. The bag is then placed on an insulated sleeping pad inside a cold chamber. Measurements are taken at multiple points on the mannequin's surface to determine how much energy per given area is required to maintain a standard skin temperature. This data is then compared to standard reference sleeping bags.
- Comfort rating (indicated by red numbers on the ratings scale): This is the temperature at which a standard woman would be able to sleep for eight hours. It is the temperature rating used for women's bags, as women tend to feel colder than men in the same bag.
- Lower rating (indicated by yellow numbers on the ratings scale): This is the temperature at which a standard man would be able to sleep for eight hours. It is the temperature rating used for men's bags, as men tend to be warmer sleepers.
- Extreme rating (indicated by blue numbers on the ratings scale): This is a 'survival' rating, indicating a temperature at which frostbite cannot be ruled out.
- Upper rating: This rating is not explicitly mentioned, but it is implied by the fact that the range has two specific ratings called out within it.
It is important to note that temperature ratings are estimates, and real-world comfort may differ from the lab-tested temperature ratings due to variations in factors such as clothing, gear, body type, weather conditions, and individual physiology.
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EN ratings allow for comparisons between different sleeping bags
EN ratings, or European Norm, were the original standard for testing the warmth of sleeping bags. The protocol, EN 13537, was introduced in 2005 to ensure that consumers could make like-for-like comparisons between sleeping bags. EN tests are conducted in third-party laboratories, providing an ''even playing field'' between brands and an objective comparison between different models from the same brand. This standard test is useful for making direct comparisons between sleeping bags from different brands.
The EN test involves placing a heated test mannequin, dressed in standardised base layers, inside the sleeping bag, which is then placed on an insulated sleeping pad in a cold chamber. Measurements are taken at multiple points on the surface of the mannequin to see how much energy per given area is necessary to maintain standard skin temperature. This is then compared to standard reference sleeping bags.
The EN test produces 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 is the rating used for women's bags. The lower limit rating, which is always lower than the comfort rating, indicates the temperature at which a warm sleeper might still feel comfortable; this is the rating used for men's bags.
The ISO (International Standards Organisation) has since taken over the testing standard, but the method is almost identical to the EN test. Therefore, consumers can still compare EN-rated bags to newer bags with ISO temperature ratings.
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Frequently asked questions
EN stands for European Norm, which was the original standard for testing sleeping bags. The test is conducted in a laboratory with a heated test mannequin dressed in standardised base layers and placed inside a sleeping bag on an insulated sleeping pad in a cold chamber.
EN tested sleeping bags have four temperature ratings: upper limit, comfort, lower limit, and extreme. The comfort rating is the temperature at which a standard woman would sleep for eight hours. The lower rating is the temperature at which a standard man would sleep for eight hours.
Sleeping bags that have been EN tested will have a rating range with two temperature ratings: a comfort rating and a lower-limit rating. The comfort rating is the temperature at which a cold sleeper might feel comfortable, and the lower-limit rating is the temperature at which a warmer sleeper might feel comfortable.
EN testing provides an objective comparison between different sleeping bags from different brands. This allows consumers to make an informed decision when purchasing a sleeping bag, ensuring that they stay warm enough in the coldest conditions they anticipate encountering.
In 2017, a new ISO (International Standards Organisation) standard was introduced, which serves as the testing protocol for all certified sleeping bags. The ISO test is very similar to the EN test, so you can compare EN-rated bags with newer ISO-rated bags.
