1. Can all sleeping bags be interlinked?

That depends upon the type of zip fastener that’s been used. Only those zips of the same model range can be interlinked. That means, sleeping bag A with zip fastener YKK No. 5 can only be interlinked with sleeping bag B if the latter also has zip fastener YKK No. 5. If you already possess a sleeping bag, it’s best to take it into the specialist shop with you and try to connect it there with the new sleeping bag that you are interested in.

2. Does ten years make my sleeping bag too old?

The amount of warmth provided reduces with age. The continual packing and unpacking on tour and the storage in the cellar – in the worst case squashed into a packsack – reduces the filling’s insulation capacity. The sleeping bag should therefore be tested at home before going on a longer tour, during which the anticipated night temperatures lie close to the lowest declared temperature of the sleeping bag. If used and stored carefully, as well as washing as infrequently as possible, the sleeping bag will still provide good insulation after years.

3. Can I improve upon the amount of warmth provided by my sleeping bag?

Yes, through the use of thin inner sleeping bags made of silk, cotton or thin fleece, the amount of warmth provided can be increased by a maximum of 5° celsius. The inner sleeping bags have the additional advantage that the sleeping bag doesn’t get dirty and therefore hardly ever needs to be washed. This protects the insulation filling and ensures that the sleeping bag has a longer lifespan.

4. Which clothing should I wear in the sleeping bag?

In summer, as little as necessary in order to be able to sleep comfortably. For reasons of hygiene, always use a thin inner sleeping bag as well. In the autumn or winter, the wearing of function underwear is recommended (trousers, long sleeved shirt, socks and possibly thin gloves). Anyone wanting to slip into the sleeping bag fully clothed should make sure that this is loose and comfortably cut so that the blood can circulate freely. Anyone wanting to have warm clothing upon getting up in the morning should preferably place this in the foot section of the sleeping bag, or else lightly cover their body with it.

5. How do I sleep in my sleeping bag in extremely cold temperatures?

Touch the limit temperature, start at –5°, then go to –15°, continue until –25° etc. Below –25°, it’s best to sleep in function underwear, socks and gloves, and in an extremely well insulated sleeping bag. The clothing, which you want to put on when you get up, should also be placed in the sleeping bag - as well as the inner shoes of boots or tour ski boots. There is nothing more unpleasant in the morning than stepping into frozen shoes!
In order to keep the filling dry and to limit the loss of moisture due to the cold, a VBL (Vapour Barrier Liner) is used. This is a plastic bag in the shape of a mummy, which is used like an inner sleeping bag inside the sleeping bag. This is enclosed at the neck. The body’s moisture collects inside the lining. As soon as 100% humidity is reached on the inside, the body emits only a small amount of moisture, and the sleeping bag remains dry. Absolutely make sure: Wear function underwear because damp cotton clothing can result in serious damage to the health! All of the damp washing dries the following morning beneath the warm layer that has been pulled over it. Tough conditions require tough measures!!

6. Which sleeping bag underlay should I use for which conditions?

Camping: Most comfortable of all are large inflated beds with nylon covers, which are very soft and comfortable, but also large and bulky.
Trekking: Very pleasant are the self-inflatable mats in different thicknesses; they are chosen according to comfort – or the demands made by weight. A mat from 3.8 cm thickness keeps you warm at temperatures as low as –20°.
Light and cheap are the foam mats, which have the advantage that they also provide insulation if they are ripped.
Winter: At temperatures below 0° Celsius, the mats don’t inflate themselves - they have to be inflated manually. The moisture of the exhaled air condenses inside the mat and freezes. During lying, the crystals of ice can destroy the structure of the mat’s foam. Anyone who has a hole in their mat at a temperature of below –20° Celsius cannot repair this because the glue from the repair set will no longer stick. This can be life threatening in extreme cases. For this reason, take two foam mats of approximately 12 cm thickness each. One of these can be laid inside the sleeping bag in mummy form (cut to fit!), the second is placed below the sleeping bag.

7. What do the four temperature indicators mean?

From left to right:
The high positive temperature indicates by which temperature a standard-sized woman (weighing 60 kg) in a closed sleeping bag does not quite start to sweat.
The left middle temperature indicates by which temperature a standard-sized woman (60 kg) is able to sleep comfortably.
The right middle temperature indicates by which temperature a standard-sized man (80 kg) can sleep comfortably.
The right temperature indicates by which temperature a standard-sized man (80 kg) can survive the night without suffering any permanent bodily damage – but sleep is out of the question!

8. Is the warmth of my sleeping bag always consistent?

The warmth is generated by the human body and not the sleeping bag. Depending upon whether one is trained or untrained, full or hungry, healthy or sick, the body’s ability to perform is also stronger or weaker. The sensation of cold in one and the same sleeping bag changes accordingly.

9. What are the recommendations for humid regions?

Basically, we recommend a synthetic fibre sleeping bag. The filling is less fragile and also warms fairly well in damp conditions.

10. What are the recommendations for cold regions?

We recommend a down sleepingbag (combined with a VBL – see
"How do I sleep in my sleeping bag in extremely cold temperatures?"). The packing bulk is less for warm sleeping bags than for synthetic fibre sleeping bags. Be sure to check that the sleeping bag possesses a cover that is water resistant and allows air circulation.

11. How do I store my sleeping bag?

On the tour, the sleeping bag is placed in the packsack or, better still, directly in the rucksack. This prevents “air pockets” in the rucksack and the sleeping bag can spread out within the empty spaces. At home, the sleeping bag is kept in a dark, dry place. It is preferably hung up loosely or placed in a large net bag (accessory) or old bedcover.

12. Can I wash my sleeping bag?

See care instruction