November 14, 2022
4-season sleeping bag - The winter sleeping bag for the whole year?
Is a 4-season sleeping bag a winter sleeping bag?
In summer, a 4-season sleeping bag is mainly used in higher regions or areas where temperatures can drop significantly even in summer. In summer, the temperature can also drop below 0 in higher mountain regions. If you spend the night on a glacier in summer and have ice underneath you, the question of which sleeping bag to use becomes obsolete - to avoid freezing on this adventure, you absolutely need a warm 4-season sleeping bag and, above all, good insulation from below - i.e. a sleeping mat.
So the answer to the question is yes and no!
Some manufacturers also refer to it as a 5-season sleeping bag. However, this refers to the same model as a 4-season sleeping bag.
What does 4-season sleeping bag mean?
Under certain conditions, a 4-season sleeping bag is suitable for use all year round .
Above all, a year-round sleeping bag must also be usable in winter. This means that
its insulation must be able to cover temperatures from -17°C to +4°C. In other words, the comfort temperature should be around -10 °C. You can find out what is meant by comfort temperature in our blog post: "Winter sleeping bag for outdoor use, help with buying a sleeping bag" to read more.
As the name suggests, the 4-season sleeping bag can be used all year round - under certain conditions.
How long should the zipper of a 4-year-old sleeping bag be?
The 4-season sleeping bag needs both very good insulation and sufficient ventilation so that it doesn't get too warm on warmer nights. The zip of the sleeping bag should therefore be openable up to ¾ of the sleeping bag length if possible or even longer.
The zip of the sleeping bag should be openable up to ¾ of the sleeping bag length if possible.
What else is important when buying a 4-season sleeping bag?
In addition to the temperature specification, it is worth investing time in choosing the right size and shape. The best-known and most common form of all-season sleeping bag is the mummy sleeping bag. It is cut close to the body from top to bottom and has a hood. Some models also have a neck warmer. Due to the close-fitting cut to the body, this sleeping bag retains body heat most efficiently compared to other types of sleeping bag and also has a small pack size.
Other details you should pay attention to when buying are, for example, the chamber construction, the quality and origin of the down and whether the outer material is water-repellent and/or windproof.
If your sleeping bag is connectable, you can zip it to your partner's and the two of you can sleep in it together.
Hood and collar are essential for a 4-season sleeping bag.
Important: The thickest and most insulating sleeping bag will only work if you have a well insulating base. Most of the heat is lost through the ground.
Guidelines and features of good 4-season sleeping bags
- A sleeping bag for four seasons must be able to cover temperatures from approx. +4 °C to approx. -16 °C.
- The shape is adapted to the body: Mummy sleeping bags or egg-shaped sleeping bags.
- Synthetic fiber sleeping bags are for wet and humid climates.
- Low weight
- Down is for dry cold/regions and has a smaller pack size.
- Look out for the designation 4-season sleeping bag or 5-season sleeping bag.
- Small pack size (compression)
- Easy to operate
- Different sizes: Choose a sleeping bag length according to your size.
- Robust upper material
- Sustainable or recycled down
This sleeping bag has a very small pack size. Down can be compressed very well and therefore achieves an even smaller pack size.
Related blog posts
Winter sleeping bag for outdoor use
If you don't want to miss out on outdoor adventures in the cold season, you need a high-quality winter sleeping bag. It reliably protects you from the cold and ensures a restful night's sleep.
- But how can you recognize a good outdoor sleeping bag for extreme temperatures?
- Perhaps your existing model is already sufficient?
You can find out all this and much more in the following blog post. We'll show you what you should look out for when buying, tell you about materials and temperature ranges and show you important life hacks. Sounds exciting? It is too! So let's get started.
When do I need a winter sleeping bag?
A warm sleeping bag in winter is an absolute must-have. That much is certain. But in what other situations do you actually need it?
- Cold winter in the lowlands
- All seasons in the mountains (it can get very cold here even in summer)
- For overnight stays in unheated huts
- If you generally get cold quickly, are easily exhausted
- If you suffer from hypothyroidism
- Even extremely lightweight people use a down sleeping bag not only in winter
What is important when buying a winter sleeping bag?
To ensure that your outdoor sleeping bag serves you well in winter, you should consider the following criteria before buying:
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Size: A winter sleeping bag for men and women should be neither too big nor too small. It is important that you can stretch out comfortably. However, make sure that there is not too much "air" at the sides so as not to jeopardize the thermal performance.
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Shape: For this reason, you should also pay attention to the shape. A mummy sleeping bag is cut close to the body. As a result, it offers you much better insulation performance than egg-shaped or rectangular blanket sleeping bags.
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Pack size: The pack size is also crucial. This is one of the reasons why a down sleeping bag is more suitable for winter than other models. You can transport it more easily in your rucksack due to its small pack size.
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Weight: The same applies to weight. Due to the down filling used, these models weigh less. Our Down Pro 4-season down sleeping bag weighs just 1520 g in the 170 cm version. This makes the winter sleeping bag for men and women particularly easy to transport.
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Material: Synthetic fiber sleeping bags are particularly easy-care and quick-drying due to the materials used. However, their thermal performance is very low. That's why we recommend a down sleeping bag for winter.
Our 4-season down sleeping bag is not only cozy and warm, but also breathable and 100% free of harmful substances. The outer material made of 20 D ripstop nylon, just like the sustainable down filling, is absolutely environmentally and skin-friendly. So you can enjoy the sleeping comfort you deserve: the best.
- Cost: The cost factor naturally plays an important role, especially in today's world. Synthetic fiber sleeping bags are of course cheaper than a natural product such as down. But always remember: a warm sleeping bag in winter is more important than other equipment. Especially as you can use a high-quality down sleeping bag for years if you look after it properly.
This puts the purchase costs into perspective. While cheaper models often lose a lot of warmth after the second season, our Down Pro 4 will keep you toasty warm for years.
What does the temperature range mean for sleeping bags?
There are up to three different temperature ratings that you can find on the sleeping bag:
1. comfort temperature:
This value is calculated for a "standard woman" (25 years, 60 kg, 1.60 m) who is not yet cold. For example: You can still sleep comfortably in a sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of 0° without freezing.
2. limit temperature:
This value shows the temperature at which a "standard man" (25 years, 70 kg, 1.73 m) does not freeze in a sleeping bag.
3. temperature range according to season:
- Summer sleeping bags: comfort temperature above 12 °C
- Three-season sleeping bags: comfort temperature down to 0 °C
- Winter sleeping bags: comfort temperature below 0 °C
Are winter sleeping bags automatically heavier than other models?
"Yes and no. This depends very much on the materials used. Sleeping bags are either filled with synthetic fibers or down.
A down is a small, delicate feather with a soft keel and very soft and long, arranged feather branches. They are found under the cover feathers of birds. Down is much lighter than synthetic fibers and is relatively warmer than synthetic fibers.
Synthetic fibers require a lot of additional material to achieve the same comfort temperature as down.
This means that a sleeping bag filled with synthetic fibers will always be heavier in order to achieve the same insulating properties. A down sleeping bag is therefore often more suitable in winter.
Why is a down sleeping bag best for winter?
As you know, down has a special ability. They give you perfect warmth despite their low weight. This is why they are ideal for thermal insulation in winter sleeping bags for men and women.
High-quality goose and duck down provide the best thermal insulation in relation to volume and weight. The soft filling is very light, snug and highly compressible.
As you have already seen, this has the following advantages:
- Down sleeping bags are not only lighter than synthetic fiber sleeping bags with the same insulation performance.
- They are also more compressible and therefore have a smaller pack size.
The rule applies:
If warmth, weight and pack size are important, you should only use down sleeping bags.
The sleeping climate in a down sleeping bag is much more comfortable because the fluffy feathers are very breathable and can also absorb body moisture excellently. The only disadvantage of down is that it loses its insulating effect when it gets wet. The down collapses and clumps together.
However, if you use your down sleeping bag in winter in sub-zero temperatures, you don't need to worry about this. Incidentally, you should never use down sleeping bags in the rain without shelter. The same applies to heavy dew.
You may be wondering how you can avoid clumping in general.
Expert tip: In winter and at any other time of year, shake out your outdoor sleeping bag thoroughly after getting up and leave it to dry, preferably hanging in the sun. If there is not a ray of sunshine in sight, simply choose a dry place.
Special - Sleeping bag comparison:
Alpin Loacker Down Pro 4 seasons down sleeping bag & Deuter Astro Pro 1000 down sleeping bag
| Properties | ALPIN LOACKER Down Pro 4 | Deuter Astro Pro 1000 |
| Specifications | -10°C | -12°C |
| Comfort temperature | -15°C | -21°C |
| Season | 4 seasons sleeping bag | 4 seasons sleeping bag |
| Weight without storage | 1620 g (195 cm version) L |
1500 g (185 cm |
| Field of application | Trekking, alpine tours | Trekking, alpine tours |
| Material properties | water-repellent | water-repellent |
| Mixing ratio | 90/10 down/feathers | 90/10 down/feathers |
| Bulking power | 750 cuin | 650+ cuin |
| Filling material | white duck down 1000 g RDS (Responsible Down Standard) | gray duck down 1000 g |
| Pack size | ø 23cm x 32cm | ø 23cm x 42cm |
| PFC free* | Yes | Yes |
| Main material | 100 % recycled 20D ripstop nylon (PA) | 20 D Ripstop PA (polyamide) |
| Featueres | water-repellent DowntekTM PFC-free hydrophobic down, so that the sleeping bag is still warm even when wet | water-repellent down DWR Durable Water Repellency PFC free |
| Suitable for | unisex | unisex |
| Construction | Mummy sleeping bag | Mummy sleeping bag |
| Extras | Adjustable hood (hood design precisely adapted to the head) Compression bag, storage net (for longer periods of non-use) | Thermal collar, adjustable hood, compression sack, inner pocket, 3D foot box, incl. pack sack |
| Certificates | Responsible Down Standard |
Certified Animal Welfare Green button Bluesign® Product |
*PFC - What are PFC？
PFC is an abbreviation for per- and polyfluorinated chemicals- also known as PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) or PFT (perfluorinated surfactants).
This group of substances comprises more than 3000 different substances. PFCs do not occur naturally. Chemically speaking, the organic compounds consist of carbon chains of different lengths in which the hydrogen atoms are completely (perfluorinated) or partially (polyfluorinated) replaced by fluorine atoms.
PFCs are hardly degradable and therefore remain in the environment for a very long time. Some PFCs accumulate in the environment and in organisms and are also harmful to human health.
Conclusion
What criteria should you use when buying your ideal sleeping bag? In principle, it's simple: the sleeping bag with a comfort temperature of zero degrees, the smaller pack size and the lower weight is the "better" one.
If it also has a robust and water-repellent ripstop nylon, you're on the safe side.
Do you already know the most important care instructions for down sleeping bags? You can find them in our blog post: Washing down sleeping bags " Tips & step-by-step instructions
FAQ
What should I look out for when washing a winter sleeping bag?
No question: a warm sleeping bag in winter is worth its weight in gold. To ensure that you can enjoy it for a long time, you should wash your down sleeping bag as little as possible. If it does need a wash, you should first check it for damage.
If there are holes or tears, you should not wash a winter sleeping bag for men and women, but have it repaired by a specialist first. If no damage is visible, close all fasteners (except for any laces) after a careful check and turn your winter sleeping bag inside out.
A down sleeping bag must never (!) be washed in the washing machine. The down will clump together and no longer provide any warmth.
Instead, soak your winter sleeping bag for adults (and children) in lukewarm water with a little mild or functional detergent. The bathtub or a large bowl is suitable for this.
Then rinse it under running water and lay it out to dry. Please refrain from wringing it out and the like. Squeeze out the water carefully so as not to damage the down.
Are there special children's sleeping bags for winter?
Yes, there is not only a suitable winter sleeping bag for adults, but also for children.
What clothes do you wear in a winter sleeping bag?
To optimize the thermal performance of your outdoor sleeping bag in winter, you should only use temperature-regulating clothing. Cotton and synthetics are completely out of the question.
Our experience has shown that in merino clothing optimal sleeping comfort. With its thermoregulatory properties, this natural fiber offers you excellent thermal performance. It is also odorless, breathable and non-scratchy.
