|
What are the major advantages of Synthetic insulation in Moondyne Sleeping Bags?
Synthetic fibres have come along way since first being introduced in Sleeping Bags 80 or so years ago. They have become increasing more affordable and now replicate Down-like warmth and compressibility. Another huge advantage to those people using their Bags whilst trekking is synthetic fibres still retain heat whilst wet, whereas Down will not loft at all.
Moondyne has invested significant time and cost in developing a range of Synthetic Fills to match our Sleeping Bag models. Each fill is made from unique fibres which compliment the Sleeping Bag's use. For example, the Quantum Velocity Fill used on Moondyne Travel Sleeping Bags comprises of ultra-fine fibres which are bonded to ensure they hold together when being compressed into smaller Stuff Sacks, though will effectively 'bounce back' when removed for use.
  
How do I clean my Moondyne Sleeping Bag?
All of our Sleeping Bags can be laundered using a Machine Wash, gentle cycle, in cool water with a mild soap, in a large front loading washer. Never use an agitator-style top-loading machine to wash your Sleeping Bag, as damage can occur to the outer shell and insulation. Do not use bleach or fabric softener as this again will damage the outer shell fabrics.
Tumble dry on a low heat setting. Note that heat levels in dryers are not always consistent. Check your Sleeping Bag frequently during drying to make sure that no "hot spots" are developing which might melt the shell or insulation. Heat should never exceed 50 degrees Celsius. If ever in doubt, air-dry your Sleeping Bag, or use a no-heat setting with a hair dryer.
How should I store my Sleeping Bag?
Between trips, it's best to store your bag outside of your Stuff Sack.
This can be done by purchasing a large Coat Hanger and simply threading the Sleeping Bag through to hang, or alternatively by using a Mesh Storage Bag from your local Camping/Outdoor store.
Avoid storing your Bag in any compression stuff sack for extended periods of time as this will reduce your Sleeping Bag's loft from over compression.
When in use, lofting of the Bag can be improved by shaking the Sleeping Bag before jumping in for the night. Remember, the more air between you and the outside world, means more insulation (more heat retention).
Never use a plastic bag since it can trap moisture and encourage mold, mildew and bacterial growth. |
 |
What's the difference between the two stuff sacks that come with the Sleeping Bags?
General Camping Sleeping Bags come with our Two Stage Stuff Sack, which allows easy packing on your next camping trip. Simply stuff the Sleeping Bag into the bag with both drawcords lossened. Once the Bag is inside the Stuff Sack, draw the outer cord, push the top layer down and pull the secondary cord. This compacts the Sleeping Bag for easy transit.
Our other stuff sack is used on Travel or Trekking style Sleeping Bags. The 'Green Hornet as it is affectionatel known is a oval shaped, dual shaped compression stuff sack, constructed of siliconised rip-stop Nylon material. This effectively makes the sack weather-proof and provide protection when strapped to a rucksack.
Another benefit of the material is that the Bag easy slides into the Stuff Sack as it's slippery to touch. No more stressful packups, trying to somehow get your old Sleeping Bag back into its Stuff Sack.
 
How to determine the various temperature ratings for Sleeping Bags?
Temperature ratings in sleeping bags are one of the most talking about subjects in the Outdoor industry. They have always been intended as general guidelines, but not as absolutes. This is due to the fact that everyone sleeps differently. A combination of influences will ultiamtely judge how cool or warm you sleep.
We at Moondyne have always aired on the side of caution when calculating the various Temperature Ratings. Guidelines have been set out for all European brands (EN13537) which has certainly helped compare our models with the various testing methods employed by other manufacturers, and we are constantly in discussions with various agencies to ensure accuracy.
All of our Moondyne Sleeping Bags have the comfort temperature rating (as seen above) which demonstrates a temperature which as standard person will sleep uninterupted. This label is located both on the Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack and inside the Bag on the Draft Tube.
One misconception about sleeping bags is that they generate the heat necessary to keep your body warm. Of course, this is not the case, as a sleeping bag is an insulator—it will keep hot things hot and cold things cold.
Here are a few of the user-controlled variables and how they can affect the apparent warmth of the sleeping bag:
Metabolism: Every person's metabolism is different. Some one in their early twenties, who exercises 3 times a week will generate much more heat than a person over 40 year's old. Our Sleeping bags are designed to accommodate the middle ground, so there are some who need warmer-rated bags to stay warm. Additionally, it is clinically documented that women's metabolism differ greatly from men's. A woman's body shuts down circulation to the extremities (hands and feet) sooner than in men, as it tries to protect the body's core.
Food consumption: Your body needs fuel to stay warm. Eating a high-carb meal prior to going to bed will provide your body with plenty of energy to burn through the night. Going to bed on an empty stomach is a sure way of ending up waking up cold.
Alcohol consumption: Contrary to what most people think, alcohol will reduce the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream and will dehydrate you quickly. Water and oxygen are vital elements of your body's engine and it can't run without them.
Full bladder or empty bladder: When you have a full bladder, you effectively have a heat sink in the middle of your body. Water can absorb over 20 times the amount of heat energy that air can before it will raise 1 degree. So if you're trying to warm the air in the bag around you, it's best to do so with an empty bladder. It also sure beats waking up in the middle of the night to do the midnight sprint into the bushes.
Radiative heat loss from your head: Your head is naturally poorly insulated: 40% of your body's heat loss goes out of your head. Sleeping with your head covered with either a beanie or the hood of the bag will go a long way towards insuring your warmth.
Keep your bags separate: Although all Moondyne Sleeping Bags are designed to be joined, it doesn't make great sense on a cold night. Our Bags were designed to encapsulate the sleeper and their produced heat when closed. If you sleep with two bags zipped together, neither bag will be as insulative as originally designed. The large opening created around your shoulders will also lose a lot of warmth being generated by your body.
Conductive heat loss through the ground: Our bags are rated with the assumption that a 5cm Self-Inflating Mattress is used. They ensure a more comfortable sleep and provide great insulation from the ground.
Exposure: Most people will find that inexperienced campers may be less tolerant of the cold then regular trekkers.
Health Complaints: The general health of a person, particularly with circulatory problems may affect the user of the sleeping bag's susceptibility to the cold.
Clothing: Although you might go 'commando' at home, it's best to sleep in comfortable close-to-skin, natural fibre clothing when in one of our Sleeping Bags. We recommend socks, thermals or a cotton tracksuit and a beanie if you don't like using the Sleeping Bag's Hood. This not only keeps you warmer, it is also eliminates the frequency of cleaning your Sleeping Bag.
Altitude: Higher altitudes decrease in air temperature by approximately 2C every 1000ft. The higher the altitude, the lower the available oxygen in the air, whilst can also have an impact on metabolism, resulting in cooler sleeps.
Wind Chill: Sleeping in the open air, rather than a tent is more likely to allow more heat loss throughout the night. This is due to the heat lost through the relative air movement through convention.
If you have purchased a Sleeping Bag recently and find that you still feel the cold, we suggest that you look at an additional Sleeping Bag Liner, available from all good Camping/Outdoor stores.
If you have anymore questions regarding our Sleeping Bags, please do not hesitate in contacting us to discuss further.
 
|
