Testing Helsport fjellduk
Several “fjellduk” manufacturers have tested their models by only measuring the temperature inside the fjellduk, as a value for insulation and protection. Based on our many years of experience with sleeping bags, we believe there is a more effect test method. In co-operation the norwegian scientific institute thelma, Helsport have developed a new test method based on the eu standard en 13537 for temperature rating of sleeping bags. The test is done with thelma’s thermal mannequin “louise”. We decided to test “louise” with three different sets of clothing. We measured thermal insulation properties of each of the three sets of clothing on the thermal manequin both in still wind and with a wind speed of approx. 5 - 6 m/s. ‘louise’ sat on a thermal mattress in normal sitting position and heat dissipation was measured.
The results:
We calculated the various temperature values based on t-ext (extreme temperature) of the en 13537 EU standard (t-ext is the temperature at which hypothermia can occur for an average woman after approximately 6 hours). Note that this temperature is based on that the person is sitting still. by keeping your body in motion, heat is produced and the extreme temperature rises. However, the value is relevant in emergency situation (ie. in case of injury) and shows how important it is to have safety equipment like “fjellduk” when you are in the field.
The following are the results:
The figure shows lowest temperature, without the protection of a fjellduk, when the person is sitting or lying totally still. With no wind and ‘summer clothing’, the person can expect to be comfortable for approximately 6 hours if the air temperature is 15°c. if under same circumstances the wind is blowing 5 - 6 m/s, the person can expect to be comfortable for approximately 6 hours if the air temperature is 22°c. with a 5 - 6 m/s wind, using Helsport fjellduk, the person can expect to be comfortable for approximately 6 hours if the temperature outside the fjellduk is 14°c. under same circumstances but using Helsport fjellduk X-Trem, the temperature is lowered to 3°c. From the tabel you can read the values wearing spring/autumn or winter clothing.
During the test none of the other competitors showed better results than Helsport fjellduk.
