#wissen
Sleeping Bag Basics
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each synthetic fiber and down sleeping bags?
The down has unique properties thanks to its structure. This creates a very good ratio of weight to insulation performance and pack size. It is small compressible, breathable and gives a cozy feeling. The big disadvantage: In damp or wet conditions, the down clumps together and it can no longer build up sufficient volume. The result: the insulation performance drops massively.
Good down also has its price. The most important quality factor is the fill power, which is given in CUIN. Sleeping bags from 700 or 800 CUIN belong to the absolute top class.
Synthetic fibers have only been able to make a name for themselves as down substitutes in recent years. Highloft premium insulations from Europe can now achieve very good filling power values (in CUIN), which are also comparable with a good down. In addition, they offer other advantages: they dry much faster and are easier to care for. Unlike down, it is insensitive to moisture and has a much higher thermal performance when wet. To the delight of many, it is also perfectly suitable for allergy sufferers.
The Carinthia sleeping bag collection has been completely revised. So there are down sleeping bags from Carinthia only from a Comfort Limit Temp. of - 7.5 °C. The reason for this are the associated weather and environmental conditions. In most climes it can rain to slightly below zero degrees and there is high humidity. This is where the most important advantages of the synthetic fiber score. Here the G-LOFT® synthetic fiber can convince with all its advantages.
At low temperatures, it no longer rains, so the risk of moisture sources is also much lower. The lower the temperature, the more the down scores with its high thermal performance and comparatively small pack size. It is not for nothing that extreme alpinists and mountaineers rely on down for short high-alpine tours or expeditions.
Products are becoming more and more specialized and this also applies to sleeping bags. The right choice is ultimately determined by the area of use.
Weight/packing size are essential for trekking: But what disadvantages do you have to accept with particularly lightweight models with a small pack size?
With ultralight sleeping bags, you must always strive for a certain minimalism, but do so without compromising performance. And that is precisely the challenge. Essential here are the materials used and the construction inside the sleeping bag. All components from the fabric to the zipper must be lighter and thinner. Additional features that have no impact on product performance are removed. The disadvantage here is obvious. You have to sacrifice some comfort. The fabrics are thin and can be damaged more easily. Some manufacturers save on the length and width of the sleeping bag to save on weight and so they are not suitable for everyone. So, when making a comparison, it is not only thermal performance and weight that count, but also the dimensions of the sleeping bag. It should also be emphasized that the purchase cost of ultralight products is higher due to the use of special materials. Thus, an ultralight sleeping bag around 0°C can be more expensive than a winter sleeping bag for low temperatures.
Sleeping bags come in different shapes: Which shape is ideal for trekking use?
For trekking tours we recommend the mummy shape. Of all shapes, it has the best pack size and warmth-to-weight ratio. Particular attention should be paid to the fit of the hood. People can lose a lot of heat through the head. The hood has a very large influence on the heat performance and should be able to be pulled up to a small hole. An integrated heat collar ensures that the heat remains in the sleeping bag.
How to find the right size and how important is it?
The rule of thumb is: the lower the temperature, the tighter the sleeping bag. Summer sleeping bags may well be larger. Regardless of the appropriate length or width of the sleeping bag, you must follow these principles. "A sleeping bag does not warm, it retains heat." The more empty space I have in a sleeping bag, the more body heat I need to warm it up. If you buy a larger sleeping bag so that you can sleep in it with all your winter clothes, it is counterproductive, because the body heat can not penetrate into the sleeping bag and is stored.
How should you treat and care for your sleeping bag to make it live as long as possible?
The sleeping bag should be dried at every opportunity, but at the latest aired after each tour, because the moisture released by the body overnight reduces the insulating power and provides an unpleasant odor in the long run. Each product needs appropriate care. The sleeping bag should be washed only when it is really necessary, because any filling - whether down or synthetic - loses loft and function with each wash.
Synthetic fiber sleeping bags are particularly easy to care for and are suitable for washing machine and dryer. However, the capacity of the washing machine should have a filling weight of 7 kg. It is important to wash in gentle cycle and not to use fabric softener. Dry the sleeping bag in the dryer only at low temperature and avoid overheating.
Down sleeping bags should be hand washed. It is best to soak in a bathtub for several hours and use a special down detergent to preserve the natural fat content of the down. Otherwise, it can cause the down to dry out and break. Never wring out the sleeping bag, always squeeze it. Then place on a clothes horse and dry in the shade. This can take several days. In between, the clumped down must be loosened with your fingers and if necessary distributed in the chamber. When the down is completely dry, you can shake the sleeping bag to finish.
How can you tell that an old sleeping bag has had its day?
You can't write off a sleeping bag based on its age. There are many outdoor enthusiasts who buy a sleeping bag but use it only 1-2 times a year. As mentioned earlier, a sleeping bag loses loft or bulk after each wash, regardless of whether it is down or synthetic fiber. Experience shows that you rarely sleep in the comfort limit range because you usually always buy a warmer sleeping bag for additional safety. According to the motto "Better too warm than too cold." Therefore, every now and then you should consciously think about what temperatures prevailed and how the sleep sensation was. If one has to complain already far before the indicated Comfort limit temperature with increased cold feeling, one should think of a new acquisition. When a sleeping bag has served its purpose is decided by the personal feeling. Because only if you feel comfortable in the sleeping bag, you have enough energy for the next day.