Sleeping Bag Ratings

I have always believed that sleeping bag manufacturers just made them up. There is no American Standard rating system for sleeping bags. The European Union however does, and REI will be using it to rate its sleeping bags.

With product availability set for stores and on www.rei.com in Spring 2009, the company will incorporate the European Norm (known as EN 13537) into its new mummy-style backpacking bags above zero degrees. EN 13537 is a standard testing methodology developed and used in Europe that ensures sleeping bag temperatures above zero degrees are consistent across styles and brands. It will be easier for customers to make informed decisions when selecting a sleeping bag that will keep them warm wherever they recreate.

“To date, there has not been a consistent test for temperature ratings among sleeping bags sold in the United States, and we believe this has resulted in customer confusion,” adds Fromson. “By using the EN 13537 rating, we’re removing the guesswork for our customers, and allowing an apples-to-apples comparison to other EN-rated bags, so the customer has a comfortable night’s sleep.”

I think this is step forward.

Toxic Bottles

Blackberries in Seabeck, originally uploaded by seanfraga.

Canada is likely to list bisphenol-a as toxic.

The Canadian government is said to be ready to declare as toxic a chemical widely used in plastics for baby bottles, beverage and food containers as well as linings in food cans.

A person with knowledge of the government’s chemical review program spoke on the condition he not be named because of a confidentiality agreement. He said the staff work to list the compound, called bisphenol-a, or B.P.A., as a toxic chemical was complete and was recently endorsed by a panel of outside scientists.

A public announcement by Health Canada may come as early as Wednesday but could be delayed until the end of May. Canada would be the first country to make a health finding against B.P.A., which has been shown to disrupt the hormonal systems of animals. The department’s decision was first reported in The Globe and Mail, a Toronto newspaper, on Tuesday.

The corporation that makes the stuff already has an it is safe website up.

My Solio Review

I bought a Solio solar charger for my long distance hike last year. I hiked from Clark's Ferry Pennsylvania to Webster Cliffs in New Hampshire on the Appalachian Trail. It was a hike of about 640 miles. It was the only charger I used for the two months I was on the trail. The Solio was used to charge my ipod.

The Solio comes with multiple attachments. If you have more than one electronic device your only need the Solio to charge them. It can be used to charge you phone,mp3 player, and camera. Or whatever you carry with you.

The Solio can be plugged in. It should be plugged in to properly charge its battery, before it is used as a solar charger. I have met hikers that have not done this. They had trouble with the Solio because of not properly charging it. It comes with attachments for different countries and continents. Great for the traveler.

The battery is the best feature of the Solio. It allows you to charge your electronic device whenever you want as long as it has a charge. If it is night or has been cloudy, you can charge your device. My Solio holds about two charges for my ipod.

I made sure I left town with my ipod and Solio charged. It did not charge well on the back of my pack. The Appalachian Trail is a long green tunnel. I would find a sunny spot on my breaks. If I stopped early I would put it in the sun. I never ran out of juice. If you listen to your mp3 player all day, you might. It all depends on how much you use your toys. I believe it will work better on your pack out west.

Solio home.
Update: It weights with wall plug, attachments for ipod, and bag 9and 7/8 onces on my kitchen scale.