Comparison Time Eco Camping-190 vs Kemping Scout

The season for which the sleeping bag was originally intended. Note that many models are designed for more than one season — winter and spring / autumn or spring / autumn and summer ; there are even all-season products. However, anyway, when buying, it is worth clarifying not only this nuance, but also the specific temperature characteristics of the selected model (see below).

In general, the assignment of a sleeping bag to one or another seasonality largely depends on how the manufacturer positions this model. However, in each category there are some common features, here they are:

— Winter. Sleeping bags suitable for winter usually meet the following minimum requirements: at least the temperature of the comfort limit in them should be below zero, and if it is higher, then the extreme temperature should be low enough (-20 °C or less). Also, a sleeping bag is definitely considered winter if its comfort temperature is below -5 °C.

— Spring/Autumn. Sleeping bags designed for the off-season should be comfortable enough both in warm weather and in case of sudden frosts. Therefore, the comfort temperature in them can be quite low — up to -5 °C inclusive. On the other hand, there are also combined "off-season-summer" models, where the extreme temperature is as much as +10 °C. So the specific characteristics of such a...sleeping bag should be specified especially carefully.

— Summer. A summer sleeping bag should provide comfort at high temperatures, so many models from this category have a comfort t ° of the order of +15 °C, or even higher. At the same time, summer seasonality can also be indicated for models with lower comfort temperatures (even below zero). In such cases, the manufacturer proceeds from the fact that if it is hot in the sleeping bag, you can open up or undress (recall, the temperature regimes are indicated for a person in thermal underwear).

Since a sleeping bag is a travel outfit, its weight can be one of the key characteristics. Two points should be taken into account here: firstly, more insulation usually requires more material and increases weight, and secondly, warm models with low weight are much more expensive than heavier options with the same temperature characteristics.

Also, when choosing a sleeping bag, you should decide what exactly you are buying it for. If we are talking about picnics, festivals and other simple trips to nature without long walks, or if you plan to carry equipment by car, you can not pay much attention to weight, focus on other characteristics. If you plan to go on long hiking or cycling trips, you should choose a model with a minimum weight.

As for specific numbers, most modern sleeping bags are in the range of 1.1 – 1.5 kg or 1.6 – 2 kg, although there are quite a few ultra-light models — 1 kg or less. An indicator of 2.1 – 2.5 kg is already considered quite significant, and a weight of 2.6 – 3 kg or more is found mainly in two types of sleeping bags: separate expeditionary models with a high degree of insulation, as well as double products.

Some manufacturers use their own criteria to indicate this temperature, but the generally accepted standard is EN13537. According to it, the comfort limit t is the lowest ambient temperature at which a man in thermal underwear can comfortably sleep in a sleeping bag all night (at least 8 hours) without waking up from the cold in a heat-saving position (curled up). Of course, in each individual case, comfort will also depend on the characteristics of the body and the training of the tourist.

Some manufacturers use their own criteria to indicate this temperature, but the generally accepted standard is EN13537. According to it, the comfort limit t is the lowest ambient temperature at which a woman in thermal underwear can sleep in a sleeping bag all night (at least 8 hours) in a heat-saving position (curled up), maintaining thermal balance. Of course, in each individual case, comfort will also depend on the characteristics of the body and the preparation of the tourist.

In addition to the standard elements of the sleeping bag design in the form of a hood(can also be removable), headrest, inner pocket, thermal zipper roller, drying loop and the ability to zip up, there may also be a light-accumulating loop, a compartment for a pillow, a warm collar, a fastener at the feet, a mosquito net, a compression bag.

— Hood. A classic hood that covers the head of a person in a sleeping bag. This detail provides additional thermal insulation: firstly, due to the fact that it protects the neck, the back of the head and most of the head from the cold, and secondly, due to the reduction of the space through which heat can escape from the sleeping bag.

— Removable hood. A type of hood (see above) with the ability to remove it at the user's discretion. This makes the sleeping bag more versatile: in warm weather, you can remove the hood so that it does not interfere, and when it gets cold, you can fasten it back, providing maximum protection from the cold.

— Headrest. A lining without the ability to...tighten around the head, used for more comfortable placement on the sleeping place and to reduce heat loss through the head on cool nights. Used in sleeping bags of the blanket type. Headrests for sleeping bags are often rectangular in shape and have an integrated pillow.

— Mosquito net. A protective net that covers the face of a person lying in a sleeping bag. Such a net holds back mosquitoes and other annoying insects, while at the same time air passes through it freely.

— Leg closure. A separate closure located in the leg area of the sleeping bag. In warm weather, this closure can be unzipped without opening the entire bag — this way, your legs won’t sweat in the sleeping bag, and the rest of your body will remain covered. The closure can be either a zipper or a drawstring.

— Zip-up capability. The ability to connect the sleeping bag to another bag (bags), creating a sleeping place for several people (usually for two, but in some models it is possible for more). This function will be useful in case of cold weather: it can be difficult to warm up in a sleeping bag alone, but several people in one bag additionally warm each other. When choosing, it is worth considering that sleeping bags from different manufacturers (and even different models from the same manufacturer) may differ in design and size of zippers. So if you are going to use this function, you should pay special attention to compatibility.

— Light-accumulating loop. A loop on the zipper puller that has an insert made of light-accumulating material. This material “charges” during daylight hours and glows itself in the dark. Thus, the fastener can be found even in complete darkness; this provides not only comfort, but also additional safety in case you need to quickly get out of your sleeping bag.

— Inner pocket. A pocket located on the inside of the sleeping bag. This compartment is convenient for storing documents and other small but valuable items: it is not easy to steal them from an inner pocket, and the likelihood of losing the contents while sleeping is reduced to almost zero.

— Pillow compartment. A special compartment in which you can place a pillow or its substitute (for example, a bag of spare clothes) without fear of damaging or stretching the sleeping bag itself.

— Insulated collar. An additional collar that tightly covers the neck of the person in the sleeping bag. This provides additional sealing and maximally blocks the access of outside air to the body and legs. In addition, the collar helps the head and neck warm up faster.

— Insulated zipper (fastener). A system of zipper insulation, usually in the form of a heat-insulating roller or strip along the entire fastener. The zipper is one of the weakest points of a sleeping bag in terms of thermal insulation, and therefore when choosing a sleeping bag for low temperatures (especially an expedition one, see "By Purpose"), it is worth paying attention to the presence of a thermal roller, preventing heat loss.

— Drying loops. Special loops that allow you to hang your sleeping bag to dry — on a rope or even on tree branches. Note that experienced tourists recommend “ventilating” your sleeping bag every morning, as moisture inevitably accumulates in it overnight; and in any case, a wet sleeping bag dries much faster when suspended than when lying on the ground.

— Compression bag. A bag-cover for storing and carrying a sleeping bag, equipped with compression straps. Such straps allow you to strongly compress the cover with the sleeping bag packed in it, maximally “squeeze out” the air from the inside and thus reduce the size of the package - this significantly simplifies transportation. However, we note that you cannot keep the sleeping bag compressed all the time; for long-term storage, the straps should be loosened.

The dimensions of the sleeping bag when folded, when packed in a complete cover; if this cover is made in the form of a compression bag(see "Equipment"), then the dimensions are indicated with the compression straps tightened to the maximum.

Other things being equal, the smaller the size of the sleeping bag, the more convenient it is in storage and transportation. At the same time, more compact models are usually more expensive.