the right sleeping bag size how to find the right sleeping bag
Choosing the right sleeping bag size is crucial for a restful night while camping, hiking, or trekking. Unfortunately, sleeping bag size is often underestimated when purchasing a sleeping bag—many people choose a model that's too small. This leads to heat loss, cold spots, and poor sleep quality.
A sleeping bag should fit your body type – a little too big is always better than too small . For this reason, we cut our sleeping bags a little more generously than international standards. You can find out why this is the case in the background information section below .
Calculate sleeping bag size – How to do it correctly
A well-fitting sleeping bag should be sized so that your head and feet don't touch the inside. Otherwise, cold spots and noticeable heat loss will occur.
Please note: When lying down, your feet are no longer bent. This makes you about 15 cm taller when lying down than when standing .
Our recommendation for calculating sleeping bag size:
Body height + at least 25–30 cm = inner length of the sleeping bag
How do I know if the sleeping bag size fits?
- You lie stretched out and still have some space at the head and foot ends .
- They do not touch the inside of the sleeping bag.
- They can rotate without compressing the filling .
- If you are a side sleeper, the sleeping bag should not be tight in the shoulder area .
Size chart Grüezi bag mummy sleeping bags
DownWool and synthetic fiber sleeping bags
| Size information | 175 | 185 | 200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| inner length | 200 cm | 215 cm | 230 cm |
| Shoulder width | 77 cm | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| Foot width | 50 cm | 50 cm | 60 cm |
| Recommended height | up to approx. 175 cm | up to approx. 185 cm | up to approx. 200 cm |
DownWool Hybrid Winter & Expedition Sleeping Bags
| Size information | 180 wide | 190 wide | 200 wide |
|---|---|---|---|
| inner length | 203 cm | 215 cm | 230 cm |
| Shoulder width | 82 cm | 87 cm | 90 cm |
| Foot width | 52 cm | 53 cm | 60 cm |
| Recommended height | up to approx. 180 cm | up to approx. 190 cm | up to approx. 200 cm |
Background information: How EN temperature values are determined
The EN temperature ratings (T-Comf., T-Lim, T-Ext) are determined through a standardized test: A dummy equipped with temperature sensors—wearing long underwear and a hat—is placed in the sleeping bag and heated. The rate at which its temperature drops is then measured.
Since the doll does not move , tighter sleeping bags perform better in this test than looser ones – although people do move in reality.
Why a larger sleeping bag size is often better
A wider-cut sleeping bag offers more comfort and warmth. The additional freedom of movement reduces cold spots and increases well-being—which improves sleep quality.
Cold spots occur when the sleeping bag is too tight or too short. This causes the outer fabric to stretch, compressing the insulation, and reducing heat retention – especially in the shoulder area for side sleepers.
A tight-fitting sleeping bag feels warm quickly, but the warm air escapes when you move. A looser-fitting model retains the warm air—a clear advantage not taken into account by the EN standard.
Of course, a larger sleeping bag is somewhat heavier and bulkier. However, especially for winter and expedition sleeping bags designed for temperatures below -5°C, the advantages of a longer and wider cut clearly outweigh the disadvantages.
Sleep better with the right sleeping bag size
Good sleep is key to recovery and performance – especially on demanding outdoor tours. A sleeping bag that's too tight can lead to restless sleep , even when it's not exactly cold. This noticeably impairs recovery.
This may not be a big deal on a short trip, but on a longer trekking tour it can be crucial.
Our tip:
Test the sleeping bag size before buying! You'll immediately feel whether the sleeping bag fits or is too tight. This significantly reduces the risk of making the wrong purchase and experiencing cold nights.
