Size information for sleeping bags, jackets and shirts

On physically demanding tours, regeneration and restful sleep are extremely important for the success of the tour.

It is easy to overlook the fact that different climatic conditions, physical exertion, possibly the unfamiliar altitude and other hygiene conditions place unusual strain on and weaken our bodies and our immune systems. 

We therefore recommend that you do not compromise on sleep quality and comfort.

What should you consider when buying a sleeping bag?

Choosing the right sleeping bag depends on several factors. And this principle naturally also applies to our insulation jackets.

Temperature

What temperatures can be expected predominantly at night? This is the temperature used to determine the comfort temperature (T comf). If there is a colder night as an outlier, then it is important to consider whether

  • whether you should take an additional sleeping bag warmer as an inner lining.
  • a sleeping bag with an additional carbon heating element.
  • A sleeping bag with a lower T comfort rating may require more packing volume/weight. We recommend this if you're more sensitive to cold or want to factor in a safety buffer (for exhaustion, etc.).

The temperature ranges of sleeping bags are specified according to ISO EN 23537-1 with the three values ​​"extreme temperature, limit temperature, and comfort temperature." These values ​​are intended as a guide only and are determined under laboratory conditions. More on this topic Temperature measurements sleeping bags can be found in another post.

What is the right size for my sleeping bag?

Grüezi bag tailors its clothing according to German clothing standards. This allows for excellent freedom of movement, as a sophisticated cut also works with the layering principle.

The sleeping bags have a comfort fit, ensuring restful sleep without feeling cramped like you're wearing a sausage skin.

No, a sleeping bag shouldn't be too tight. Because if you touch the sleeping bag at your shoulders, for example, the filling will be compressed in that area, creating the notorious cold spots.

The We have already considered sleeping bag tests on dolls as unrealistic They don't move, are back sleepers, and have standardized heights and weights.

We therefore recommend considering both your height and body type when selecting our sleeping bags in our product descriptions. Of course, you can also choose the next larger sleeping bag size; you'll just need to warm up more air.

Apart from that, we are convinced that sleep with sufficient opportunity for movement leads to recovery and attach great importance to the comfort cut.

Length

A sleeping bag has to fit, and very often, the sleeping bag size is overlooked when purchasing. We recommend trying on a sleeping bag in a specialist store before buying. Only then can you be sure that the sleeping bag really fits. You can also feel the materials and know whether you feel comfortable in the sleeping bag.

Better a big sleeping bag than too small

If your sleeping bag is too tight, you won't feel comfortable. But restful sleep generally has a lot to do with feeling comfortable.

Furthermore, the risk of cold spots increases. These occur when the sleeping bag is too tight or too short and the filling is compressed due to the stretched outer material.

A sleeping bag should be approximately 25-30 cm longer than your height. We recommend a shoulder width of approximately 80 cm, and for winter and expedition sleeping bags, approximately 90 cm.

Don't rely on labels like "regular" or "large" or recommended body sizes. We strongly recommend comparing actual lengths and widths.

Better a wide sleeping bag than too narrow

Most people intuitively assume that a tight sleeping bag is warmer than one that's too big. This may be true for the first 20 minutes of the night. A tight sleeping bag feels warm more quickly than a larger sleeping bag.

However, a wider sleeping bag will stay warm all night. A sleeping bag that's too small will continually lose heat when turning due to compressed insulation and cold spots in the back area.

Sleeping bag dimensions

Grüezi bag provides the interior dimensions of the sleeping bags. And to save you the complicated calculation of how many centimeters to add to your height, we've included everything:

  • We take foot length into account. Because the feet fold forward while sleeping, the total body length = body length + foot length.
  • We take comfort into account: that's why we add 30 cm to your height so that you feel comfortable without hitting your head or feet.
  • We also consider body type when recommending lengths. See "tight fit."

For a Grüezi bag sleeping bag with the suffix "185", this means it has a length of 215 cm and a shoulder width of 80 cm; for a suffix "175", this means it has a length of 200 cm and a shoulder width of 78 cm.

How do you know if the sleeping bag fits?

  1. When you lie stretched out in your sleeping bag, there should still be enough air at the head and foot ends.
  2. You should be able to turn around in your sleeping bag without the sleeping bag moving and the filling being compressed.
  3. If you are a side sleeper, the sleeping bag should not be tight in the shoulder area to avoid cold spots.

Weight and packing volume

Weight and packing volume are often overestimated when making a purchase decision.

  • Of course, it's more comfortable to wear a slightly lighter sleeping bag than a slightly heavier one. But even the lightest sleeping bag won't do its job if you don't sleep well and restfully in it.
  • Sleeping bags with the same temperature rating but significantly different weight specifications usually also differ significantly in size. Manufacturers often save weight by reducing the length and width of the sleeping bag. This can easily save 200 grams.

Isolation

What climatic conditions are predominantly to be expected? This question is also a selection criterion for our innovative insulation: DownWool® and Alpine wool fillings are suitable for different climates:

  1. Humidity is high on rivers, lakes, on boats, and in the tropics. Here we recommend Sleeping bags with Alpine wool insulation, Because Alpine wool is insensitive to moisture and creates a warm and dry sleeping environment.
  2. In all other locations we recommend Sleeping bags with DownWool® insulation. DownWool® remains stable in moisture and even increases the bulking power. It insulates even in high humidity and creates a warm, dry, comfortable climate.

  3. DownWool® hybrid sleeping bags We recommend them for temperatures below freezing. They provide an excellent, dry sleeping environment in extreme cold and stabilize the insulation even in high humidity.