How to choose a sleeping bag 😴

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Are you struggling to choose the perfect sleeping bag for your next hiking trip? Whether you're a seasoned hiker or buying gear for your child's school camping trip, selecting the right sleeping bag is crucial. With over 30 years of hiking experience, I'll guide you through the essential factors such as temperature ratings, weight, insulation types, and fit. Learn about international standards like EN 13537 and ISO 23537, and discover how to ensure a comfortable night's sleep in any weather. Don't miss this comprehensive guide to finding the ideal sleeping bag for all your outdoor adventures.
*🔗 VIDEO LINKS:*
Temperature ratings explained:
wild.com.au/gear/cold-weather-sleeping-bags-explained/
Thermolite fleece reactor liner
geni.us/pUvvHm
My Quilt Video
kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpnWnIOdhcZ1fqssi=oBAHJf20AzYouXPN
Synthetic vs Down sleeping bags
www.snowys.com.au/blog/down-vs-synthetic-sleeping-bags-how-to-choose/
Sea to Summit Altitude sleeping bag
geni.us/JEAlUg
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*⏱ TIMESTAMPS:*
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Welcome
01:09 - What to consider when buying a Sleeping Bag
02:10 - Temperature Rating
03:43 - What is involved in temperature ratings?
04:26 - Thermal mannekin testing
05:52 - Temperature rating standards
07:30 - How the mannekin tests temperature
08:00 - Temperature ratings
10:03 - Why the different ratings?
10:45 - What do the temperature ratings mean for you?
12:24 - Sleeping bag weight
13:59 - Insulation type
15:27 - Shape and fit of sleeping bag
17:01 - Other things to consider
*🔗 VIDEO LINKS:*
Temperature ratings explained:
wild.com.au/gear/cold-weather-sleeping-bags-explained/
Thermolite fleece reactor liner
geni.us/pUvvHm
My Quilt Video
kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpnWnIOdhcZ1fqssi=oBAHJf20AzYouXPN
Synthetic vs Down sleeping bags
www.snowys.com.au/blog/down-vs-synthetic-sleeping-bags-how-to-choose/
Sea to Summit Altitude sleeping bag
geni.us/JEAlUg

[@dungeonsanddeadlifts7610]

Hey Mowser, longtime backpacker here. Initially found your videos last week by looking up backpacking tips for extremely wet and rainy conditions as I'm going backpacking in the Scottish Highlands alone next month. Now I'm working through your entire channel checking out your videos. Big fan, partner. Keep up the great work, vids are fantastic and full of useful info. Even considering coming to Tasmania with some friends for next year's trip. Never knew how gorgeous it was.

[@mowsertas]

Thank you so much for your support and kind words! I'm glad you're finding the videos helpful. I need to get to Scotland some day myself. Tasmania truly is beautiful!

[@WoodswomanWrites]

Thermal mannequins--who knew these existed! Thanks for the info.

[@mowsertas]

Who would've thought mannequins could have a temperature preference, right? Thanks for watching!

[@guillaumekeulen219]

I use my Dutch army modular sleep system! The Con the weight because synthetic The pro it was for free and superbe foolprove zipper In summer i only use the cover + 2 poncho liners Because it has 4 parts i can adapt it to the expected weather/ season of the trip Also its wider than civilian bags that is a plus for tall people A lot of brands have a large xlarge variant, but forgot that talk people can have wide shoulders or side sleepers Its a pro that unzip in an emergency its open in 7 seconds Ofcourse in the past emergency was limited to bathroom issues The kind of 50+ problems Ok the system was tot totally free A reservist has duties / work to do for it Ofcourse Trolls would say the taxpayers paid for it!

[@mowsertas]

That sleep system sounds like a game-changer for camping trips! Thanks for the info!

[@guillaumekeulen219]

@@mowsertas Naturally, not everybody get the sleep system for free, but army surplus ones are very good Ok you get cheaper sleeping bags ( complete surplus ones in size xl around €140 incl goretex sleepingbag cover, but no sleepingpad) Brand New they cost around €900 ( carintia) and extreme rating is - 40

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Great advice 👍

[@mowsertas]

Thanks!

[@jamesb7563]

Good thorough advice. Something I found out not long ago is for the EN/ISO testing of sleeping bags a pad with an R value of 4.8 is used. So that’s something to bear in mind and to know what your personal pad is rated to. As far as I’m aware there isn’t a way of calculating what a bag would actually be rated to if your pad R value was less or more than 4.8?

[@mowsertas]

Wow. This is a really really great point! I haven’t seen this anywhere in my research but a standard rating used for sleeping pads for sleeping bag testing would make sense!

[@wobblysauce]

Yep, the CLE is just a quick reference, numbers are accurate if you are on a good pad/mat totalling a minimum of 4.0R value with a long base layer top and bottom. “standard man” is assumed to be 25 years old, with a height of 1.73 m and a weight of 73 kg; a “standard woman” is assumed to be 25 years old, with a height of 1.60 m and a weight of 60 kg. The manikin is wearing one layer of long underwear and is placed inside the sleeping bag on an insulating mat. The test doesn't move so no compression of other areas knees/hips, and draft from zip or draft collar are not tested but the real world can make a difference. Some companies like to round up or down to end with a 0/5 with labelling so care to double-check can help, nothing stops them from doing so to extrapolate the values for segments marketing, and some test every model in a range. Some brands that don't display the test cert might have done the work but chose not to display the results, some can't eg kid's items that are just shorter adult products and are a rough guess at the rating and some may use lesser quality materials. Most think they can just jump in with a t-shirt and boxers and call it a day and wonder why they are cold, hence people opting for going a few degrees colder than what they are predicting to see. With that, you can augment your choice of gear on the conditions you think you are going to face, just like adding the inner to the bag but pad/mat combinations. Eg get one nice bag you like and change the pad you can lower or raise the bag value by 10ºC easily, just like adding socks, gloves and a beanie. Air pads are good but if you are in wet/snowy conditions the R-value reduces unless you can get some separation from the ground, making self-inflating and foams better to bring, that said some newer air pads deal with the issue better with separation of layers and not being just one volume. Personally, it is a balance as you don't want to be too warm or you can sweat and then make you uncomfortable. But back to the question, ASTM F3340-18 is the standard for pads and most foam mats are around 2R. Air Temperature (C): 10 -1 -4 -12 -18 -26 -32 -40 Minimum R-Value 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

[@hannahv8903]

I’ve found I would either get a women’s specific bag or choose the wide option. I get a cold bum 😂 in my one planet bungle where it compresses the down, only downside to a great bag.

[@mowsertas]

Cold bum is never good so best protect it!

[@patrickburke9382]

I really enjoy your videos; keep it up! I am sure many others will as well!! Thanks!!

[@mowsertas]

Thanks so much, it means a lot!