OutdoorGear Inc. - Frequently Asked Questions

SLEEPING BAGS & PADS
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Q: What temperature rating sleeping bag do I need?
A: Choose a bag rated 5-10°C colder than the coldest conditions you expect. This accounts 
for natural variation in how warm different people sleep. For 3-season camping (down to 0°C 
nights): use a 0°C or -5°C bag. For winter camping at -10°C: use our ArcticDown -20°C bag 
(P004). When in doubt, go colder — you can always vent the zipper if you're too warm.

Q: Down vs. synthetic insulation — which should I choose?
A: Down insulation: warmer per gram, compresses smaller, lasts longer. Weakness: loses 
insulation when wet. Best for: cold, dry conditions, long trips where weight matters.
Synthetic insulation: insulates when wet, cheaper, easier to wash, dries faster. Weakness: 
heavier and bulkier than equivalent down. Best for: wet environments, casual camping, 
budget-conscious buyers. Our ArcticDown bags use 800-fill power responsibly sourced down.

Q: What is a sleeping bag's "comfort rating" vs "lower limit"?
A: The EN/ISO 13537 standard defines three ratings. Comfort rating: temperature at which 
a standard woman sleeps comfortably. Lower limit: temperature at which a standard man 
sleeps without waking. Extreme rating: survival limit (not comfortable, hypothermia risk). 
Always buy based on the Comfort rating if you tend to sleep cold, or Lower limit if you 
sleep warm.

Q: How do I store a sleeping bag?
A: Never store a sleeping bag compressed in its stuff sack for long periods. The loft 
(insulation's ability to trap air) degrades permanently if compressed for months. Store 
it loosely in a large cotton storage sack, hanging, or flat under a bed. Only use the 
stuff sack during trips.

Q: Can I wash my sleeping bag?
A: Yes. Use a front-loading washing machine (never top-loading — the agitator damages down). 
Use a down-specific cleaner (like Nikwax Down Wash Direct) on cold, gentle cycle. Dry on 
low heat with three clean tennis balls to break up down clumps. This takes 2-3 cycles — 
patience is key. The bag is dry only when there are zero damp clumps.