The right sleeping bag size – How to find the right sleeping bag
The choice of correct sleeping bag size is a crucial factor for a restful night when camping, hiking or trekking. Unfortunately, the sleeping bag size Often underestimated when purchasing – many people choose a model that's too small. This leads to heat loss, cold spots, and poor sleep quality.
A sleeping bag should fit your body shape – Something too big is always better than too smallFor this reason, we cut our sleeping bags a little more generously than international standards. You can find out why this is the case further down in the section Background knowledge.
Calculating sleeping bag size – How to do it correctly
A well-fitting sleeping bag should be sized so that you neither with the head nor with the feet on the inside. Otherwise, cold bridges and noticeable heat loss will occur.
Please note: When lying down, your feet are no longer bent. This means you are about 15 cm taller when lying down than when standing.
Our recommendation for calculating sleeping bag size:
Body height + at least 25–30 cm = inner length of the sleeping bag
How do I know if the sleeping bag size fits?
- They lie stretched out and have some space at the head and foot ends.
- They encounter not on the inside of the sleeping bag.
- You can turn, without compressing the filling.
- As a side sleeper, the sleeping bag should Do not tense the shoulder area.
Size chart Grüezi bag mummy sleeping bags
DownWool and synthetic fiber sleeping bags
| Size specification | 175 | 185 | 200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| inside length | 200 cm | 215 cm | 230 cm |
| Shoulder width | 77 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| foot width | 50 cm | 50 cm | 60 cm |
| Recommended height | up to approx. 175 cm | up to approx. 185 cm | up to approx. 200 cm |
DownWool Hybrid Winter & Expedition Sleeping Bags
| Size specification | 180 wide | 190 wide | 200 wide |
|---|---|---|---|
| inside length | 203 cm | 215 cm | 230 cm |
| Shoulder width | 82 cm | 87 cm | 90 cm |
| foot width | 52 cm | 53 cm | 60 cm |
| Recommended height | up to approx. 180 cm | up to approx. 190 cm | up to approx. 200 cm |
Background information: How EN temperature values are determined
The EN temperature ratings (T-Comf., T-Lim., T-Ext.) are determined through a standardized test: A dummy equipped with temperature sensors—wearing long underwear and a hat—is placed in the sleeping bag and heated. The rate at which its temperature drops is then measured.
Since the doll not moved, cut tighter sleeping bags performed better in this test than wider cut ones – although people move naturally in reality.
Why a larger sleeping bag size is often better
A wider cut sleeping bag offers greater comfort and warmth. The additional freedom of movement reduces cold spots and increases well-being – which improves sleep quality.
Cold spots occur when the sleeping bag is too tight or too short. This causes the outer fabric to stretch, compresses the insulation, and reduces heat retention – especially in the shoulder area for side sleepers.
A tight-fitting sleeping bag feels warm quickly, but the warm air escapes when you move. A looser-fitting model retains the warm air—a clear advantage not taken into account by the EN standard.
Of course, a larger sleeping bag is a bit heavier and more voluminous. But especially for winter and expedition sleeping bags for temperatures below -5 °C The advantages of a longer and wider cut clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
Sleep better with the right sleeping bag size
Good sleep is the key to recovery and performance – especially on demanding outdoor tours. A sleeping bag that is too tight can lead to restless sleep even when it's not exactly cold. This noticeably impairs regeneration.
This may not be a big deal on a short trip, but on a longer trekking tour it can be crucial.
Our advice:
Test the sleeping bag size before buying! You'll immediately feel whether the sleeping bag fits or is too tight. This significantly reduces the risk of buying the wrong thing and experiencing cold nights.
