Everything you need to know about sleeping bags
Actual temperatures, EN 13537 standards, warmth-to-weight ratio, maintenance — factual answers to help you choose with confidence.
All articles
77 articles
Température
10°C comfort rated sleeping bag: what this value really covers, suitable contexts, and its limitations
A sleeping bag with a 10°C comfort rating is often presented as a "fragile summer" bag intended for lowland camping. This is a simplifica...
Température
5°C comfort rated sleeping bag: what this rating really covers, suitable contexts, and the safety margin
A certified 5°C comfort sleeping bag covers the majority of summer bivouacs in France between 1,000 and 2,200 m altitude. But "certified ...
Bivouac sleeping pad and R-value: physics of ground heat transfer and sleeping system sizing
A 0°C certified sleeping bag can lead to a cold night at an actual 8°C if the sleeping pad is undersized. The ground absorbs heat 25 time...
Comparatif
Compact and ultra-compact sleeping bags: actual volumes, physics of compressibility, and objective thresholds
"Compact" and "ultra-compact" are the most used and least defined terms on the market. This guide sets numerical thresholds in liters, ex...
Guide d'achat
Trekking sleeping bags: why weight is paramount, carrying criteria, and selecting suitable models
The trekking sleeping bag is subject to radically different constraints than those for camping: weight is the primary constraint, and eve...
Entretien
Dry cleaning a sleeping bag: risks to down, alternatives, and protocols based on the filling
Dry cleaning is the easy solution when you cannot wash your sleeping bag at home. However, not all dry cleaners accept sleeping bags, and...
Guide d'achat
Sleeping bag prices: realistic budgets by usage, optimal price range, and cost per night
The price of a quality sleeping bag ranges from 60 to over 1,000 euros depending on the intended use. This guide details realistic budget...
Comparatif
Mummy vs. rectangular sleeping bags: thermal differences, weight, and selection criteria
The shape of a sleeping bag is the primary factor determining comfort and thermal performance. Mummy, rectangular, envelope, semi-rectang...
Comparatif
Quilt vs mummy sleeping bag: differences, pros, cons, and how to choose
The quilt (bivouac blanket) is often presented as the ultralight alternative to the mummy sleeping bag. Reduced weight, freedom of moveme...
Guide d'achat
Zipperless sleeping bags: quilts, top bags, and elephant foots: pros, cons, and uses
The zipperless sleeping bag (quilt or top bag) is an ultralight alternative to the classic mummy bag. Saving 80 to 150 grams, eliminating...
Entretien
Disinfecting a sleeping bag: eliminating bacteria, odors, and adjusting washing frequency
A sleeping bag that develops persistent odors is not simply "dirty": it is an environment where anaerobic bacteria proliferate in the acc...
Entretien
Waterproofing a sleeping bag: DWR treatment, suitable products, and application procedure
The factory-applied DWR treatment on the outer fabric of a sleeping bag degrades after 10 to 20 washes. When the fabric begins to absorb ...
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