Ultra -5°

The EN (European Standard) rating is a rigorous test designed to set measurable goals and standardize the marketing of sleeping bags. It is designed to help consumers make an informed decision by using independently derived temperature ratings.

Each EN sleeping bag test results in four temperature ratings - upper limit, comfort, lower limit and extreme, with the following definitions:

From Wikipedia:

Upper limit - the temperature at which a normal man* can sleep without excessive perspiration. It is made with the hood and zippers open and with the arms outside the pocket.

Comfort - the temperature at which a normal woman* can expect to sleep comfortably in a relaxed position.

Lower limit - the temperature at which a normal man can sleep in a curled position for eight hours without waking up.

Extreme - the minimum temperature at which a normal woman can stay for six hours without risk of death from hypothermia (although frostbite is still possible).

For the purpose of these measurements, it is assumed that a "normal man" is 25 years old, 1.73 m tall, and 73 kg; a "normal woman" is 25 years old, 1.60 m tall, and 60 kg.

The three most common ratings are comfort, (lower) limit, and extreme. For men's bags, most companies advertise the Limit rating, and for women's bags, the Comfort rating, although it can vary."

It is best to store the sleeping bag in the mesh storage bag provided. This will ensure that the insulation retains its maximum bulk and thermal performance. When traveling, it is okay to compress the sleeping bag and carry it in the included stuff sack.

When you return from a trip, it is very important to let your sleeping bag dry completely. Then store it in the mesh storage bag in a dry and temperature controlled place.

If you wash your sleeping bag too often, the insulation can suffer (down or synthetic). The insulating power may decrease. We recommend cleaning the sleeping bag with a damp sponge. If the sleeping bag needs a more thorough cleaning, use only a front-loading machine (no agitator!) and a special detergent from Nikwax or McNett.

Before you put the bag in the washing machine, close the zipper. Use a cold water and gentle wash cycle, and after the wash cycle is complete, run a second rinse cycle without detergent. This will ensure that all detergent residue is removed. Two spin cycles will help get a lot of moisture out of the sleeping bag.

It is best to hang the sleeping bag afterwards and air dry it. Keep massaging the sleeping bag the down tufts apart. Depending on the humidity, it may take several days to dry completely. If you need to dry it faster, use a tumble dryer on low heat (often there are special down drying programs). To loosen up the down in the dryer, you can put some tennis balls in the dryer with it.