Advice: EN13537

EN13537: Requirements for Sleeping Bags

What is it and how does it work?
EN13537 is the new European Standard for sleeping bags. It's main impact is that it uses a new test to calculate the warmth of a sleeping bag, and then specifies how this warmth information is displayed to the consumer (i.e. labelling). From the beginning of 2005, sleeping bags that meet the standard will display 4 temperature ratings:
• Upper Limit - highest temperature at which a standard MAN would have a comfortable nights sleep without sweating.
• Comfort - lowest temperature at which a standard WOMAN would have a comfortable nights sleep.
• Lower Limit - lowest temperature at which a standard MAN would have a comfortable nights sleep.
• Extreme - temperature below which a standard WOMAN would expect actual physical injury from cold (e.g. frost bite or hypothermia).

What are it’s benefits?

The 'comfort' temperatures are based on average people, not on more 'hardy' young male mountaineers, soldiers, or outdoor professionals, as has tended to be the case in the past.
It makes a clear differentiation between the differing warmth requirements of men and women.
It makes comparing the performance of different brands, types and prices of sleeping bag much easier.
Because of this, consumers are more likely to purchase a bag appropriate to their needs.

What are it’s drawbacks?

Testing a sleeping bag to the new standard is very expensive for the manufacturer. This may have 2 effects: retail prices go up, or manufacturers produce a smaller range of bags (every different model of sleeping bag must be tested).
Opposers of the standard say that the test uses an unrealistic amount of insulation under the bag, giving unrealistically high temperature ratings for light (summer) weight bags, and unrealistically low temperature ratings for winter-weight bags.
The 'Extreme' temperature rating may be miss-interpreted by consumers as meaning 'the coldest you may use the bag' - for this reason, many retailers will probably not quote this figure.
The 'Upper Limit' temperature rating could be considered to be unhelpful and/or unnecessary. In reality, most users would have almost no 'upper limit' - as they get too hot, the bags side zip can be opened for ventilation, arms and legs can be poked out, clothing can be removed, or even the bag can be used like a duvet.
It is not designed to test sleeping bags for military use.
It is not designed to test extreme cold/expedition sleeping bags (designed for conditions of about -25°C and below).

What does it cost?
Time will tell if the retail price of sleeping bags goes up, or the range available on the market is reduced because of the increased cost to the manufacturer. Otherwise, it should not cost the consumer anything.

How do I find out more?

[ EN13537 Information For Consumers DOC ] [ Sleep Well PDF ]

[ Return to Advice ] [ escape2 home ]

Last updated February 23, 2005