The influence of structure on the thermal properties of sleeping bags

Purpose To understand the thermal insulation of four common structures of sleeping bags and factors influencing the thermal insulation as well as the thermal comfort of people who use four kinds of sleeping bag structures. Design/methodology/approach Four samples corresponding to four common sleeping bag structures were made and their thermal properties were investigated through a combination of objective instrument measurement and subjective human subject tests. Findings The porosity of the samples and the length of the interlining had a main impact on the thermal resistances of the four sleeping bag structures. The thermal sensation ratings and the thermal resistances had good consistency. There was a strong correlation between human physiological parameters and thermal sensation evaluation. The male and female have significant differences in thermal sensation of different structures of sleeping bags. Originality/value Instrument measurement and human subject tests were combined to study the thermal properties of sleeping bag structures, which had little attention in the past in research fields.