[pct-l] Sleeping Bag Ratings and REI

[Hiker97 at aol.com]

Hannah writes: Sleeping bag temperature ratings are the lowest temperature  
at which you will be comfortable assuming you are INSIDE a tent and ON  TOP OF 
a crash pad.  Some companies list temperature ratings from EN  13537 test 
which they uses in Europe.  They will list the comfort range,  lower limit, and 
extreme limit for temperatures.  I know Marmot tests  their bags this way and 
they have a pretty good explanation of it on their  web-site.
----------------------------------------------
Switchback replies: Something that bugs me is that REI does not have  their 
own testing of bags.  At least any that I know of or that they  advertise.  It 
seems years ago they had a test dummy that they used to test  bags.  I have 
been a member for a billion years (back when Jim Whitaker was  in charge) and 
remember the test dummy and when they tested gear and reported to  members.
 
REI is supposed to be a co-op for its members, but years ago they went  
commercial like any big time sporting goods store, but with a twist.  For  example, 
if you go into an REI store and ask to use their scales to weigh gear,  they 
look at you like you are nuts.  But privately the help will say they  wish REI 
had scales to weigh gear.  They sell retail and then give you a  "dividend" 
back.  Yea, right.  This is really a no interest bank  account that they return 
to you.  Now you add your retail purchases and  your "free dividend" 
purchases together and you have the discount price overall  that they could have done 
in the first place without all the hassle and self  promoting praising.
 
Of course, I shop there all the time due to their return policy.   Heh, heh, 
heh.  And  a new one opened on my side of town several  months ago.  Yea!


**************Make your life easier with all your friends, email, and 
favorite sites in one place.  Try it now. 
(http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000010)