I was able to put several differing articles of gear to the test under trying conditions a few weeks ago and thought I would share the results. Most of the following was a first time addition  due to QJ suggestions.

1) merino wool underwear made a huge difference in the comfort level I had during a week long cold rainy session.

2) down booties are the bomb!

3) Thank God I didn't wet boot it and instead ran chota neoprene muckluks.

4) Montebell teeny tiny down parka reviewed by Marlin here on QJ saved my tush as I used it to sleep in when my 30 degree big agnes bag wasn't going to do much in 40 degree weather (who rates these things anyway?)

5) silk underwear is the ticket to sleep in and keep your bag clean

6) I did not have a good experience with the campmor sil nylon poncho. My fault as I didn't tie it off and had poncho swirling all over the place. Plus my legs kept getting wet. I will always have it though as it is a quality piece of gear and nice back up should something happen to my first set.   

here is the info from the Marmot - REI has thier bags tested as well - I don't see that Big A has the EN Testing done


EN Tested

How do I read the EN information?

Basically the EN graphic shows a temperature range:

Comfort Limit The first number is based on a standard woman having a comfortable nights sleep
Lower Limit The next number is based on a standard man at the lowest temp to have a comfortable nights sleep
Extreme Rating The last number is a survival rating for a standard woman

For example, the rating on our Pinnacle 15º Sleeping Bag shows:

Comfort Limit 22.2 degrees
Lower Limit 10 degrees
Extreme Rating Minus 24.7 degrees

This can be helpful in selling on the floor. Below is an example dialogue between a female customer and a store employee.

Female Buyer - “I think I need a 15 degree bag.”
Store Employee – “What temperatures are you expecting on your trip?”
Female Buyer – “Between 15 and 25 degrees. I tend to sleep cold however.”
Store Employee – “You can definitely use this Pinnacle 15 bag, but you may consider buying a Zero degree bag to sleep more comfortably at the lower temperatures.”


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Facts don't lie!

Marmot began as a sleeping bag company and we continue to pioneer performance, value and insulation standards in the outdoor industry. All Marmot sleeping bags are EN tested to ensure quality and performance. During the development process, we send all samples to the Thelma Testing Center in Norway. We continually use the Thelma Center to achieve continuity in our results.

What is the EN 13537 test? EN, short for European Norm, is a government test for sleeping bags.



How is the EN test conducted? First let’s be clear that it is challenging to test temp ratings because there are so many variables. Every person will sleep differently in the same bag. Choices like clothing, sleeping pad, tent or no tent, eating and drinking before bed can all affect one’s sleeping experience. For the EN test, a copper mannequin named Charlie is fitted with 20 sensors and a clothing layer (top, bottom, and socks) that provide a consistent thermal value. The mannequin is placed in the sleeping bag and put onto a wood platform roughly 12mm thick. The board is held above the floor with some support which allows air circulation under the board. The board is covered with a mattress that has a consistent thermal value then placed in a cold room. A mathematical formula is used to measure the data received from the sensors based on human modeling.

Why is there an EN Test hangtag on Marmot bags? Marmot sleeping bags sold in Europe require this testing and hangtag. We include this hangtag on all of our bags, as we believe it is the most reliable and accurate measure of the performance of a sleeping bag currently available.

How does EN testing differ from other methods and is it better? When Marmot first started testing bags, especially when we used Gore-Tex® fabric, our designers would go into meat lockers and sleep over night. Once they were able to sleep through the night they looked at the amount of fill to determine the temp range. Nowadays it is a bit more scientific. The testing method used in the US is very similar to the EN test. They use a copper mannequin, but the clothing, pad, and math formula are different. Again we feel the EN test is the most reliable and accurate measure of the performance of a sleeping bag currently available.

Has the feedback from the EN testing improved the designs of Marmot bags? Yes it has. The vast majority of our bags have tested to our current temp ratings. In some cases, the tests showed our bags were actually warmer than the rating we gave it. In another instance, there was a spot that showed room for improvement which led to more efficient baffle construction. With our baseline testing started in 2004, we can now measure improvement over time through new fabrics, insulation, and construction techniques.

Will the EN test become an industry wide standard? That is unknown. Currently our industry can’t agree on how the testing should be done because of all the variables. The European government has stepped in and taken control of standardized testing. For the meantime, Marmot will continue to test with the EN standard.


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Marmot rating vs. EN rating?

Marmot’s assigned temperatures are comparable
to the EN lower limit rating.

During Marmot’s development process we send
all samples to the Thelma Testing Center in Norway.

Continually using the Thelma Center allows us to achieve continuity in our results.

Ratings in North America are useless.  Whatever the mfg feels like rating it as.  I've had a sleeping bag rated for -15C, but is cold at +5C in a gore-tex bivvy.

The Board of Directors/Managers for the company should be required to spend a week at the declared rating.

Thanks for taking the time Mat..........that was quite comprehensive.

I really like the Big Agnes system and will likely use it for the forseeable future. It is worth condsidering, however, that the bag is not filled completely all the way around but rather they omit the pad area. I have an insulated pad and wore silkies PLUS fleece hat, fleece fingerless gloves, added the additional set of merino wool plus down parka and down booties on the really cool nights and although I was warm enough it was barely. Tough call as the only thing worse than being cold is being to hot IMO. At least with being cool you can add clothes.

My canoeing hero suggested the silkies and I can second their effectiveness. I picked up my set at REI. Extremely light and airy yet another layer of warmth without additional bulk. Clean clothes are a must for sleeping especially if your bag is down where constant washings would be counterproductive. Besides, being odor free certainly makes you less interesting to bears (you don't want to be "a fish in a bun").