Gas Canisters vs. Sleeping Bags
Comparing 2 standards across 17 specifications. 17 key differences identified.
Portable camping gas canisters are certified under European standard EN 417 and US DOT-2P/2Q specifications. The international outdoor standard is the threaded Lindal B188 self-sealing valve featuring a 7/16"-28 UNEF thread (used by MSR, Jetboil, Primus, Snow Peak in 100g, 230g, and 450g sizes). The fuel mixture is typically an 80/20 or 70/30 Isobutane/Propane blend (with boiling points of -11.7 °C and -42 °C) to ensure vapor pressure in cold mountain conditions.
Sleeping bag temperature ratings are standardized internationally under ISO 23537-1 (which superseded European standard EN 13537). Using a calibrated thermal manikin in a climate chamber, tests establish four standardized temperature metrics: Comfort Temperature (T_comf, where a standard woman sleeps comfortably in a relaxed posture), Limit Temperature (T_lim, where a standard man sleeps in a curled posture without shivering), Extreme Temperature (T_ext, minimum survival threshold for women against hypothermia for 6 hours), and Maximum Temperature (T_max).
Specification Comparison Table
17 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Valve Thread Standard
|
7/16-28 UNEF (Lindal B188 Self-Sealing Valve) EN 417 Standard | — |
|
Standard Small Canister Mass (100g)
|
100.0 / ~198.0 g fuel / gross weight (fits inside 1L cookpots) | — |
|
Standard Medium Canister Mass (230g)
|
230.0 / ~380.0 g fuel / gross weight (standard backpacking size) | — |
|
Standard Large Canister Mass (450g)
|
450.0 / ~660.0 g fuel / gross weight (basecamp size) | — |
|
Premium Fuel Blend Ratio
|
80% Isobutane / 20% Propane 4-Season Fuel | — |
|
Propane Boiling Point
|
-42.1 °C (-43.8 °F / delivers high vapor pressure) | — |
|
Isobutane Boiling Point
|
-11.7 °C (10.9 °F / superior to n-butane at -0.5 °C) | — |
|
Safety Burst Pressure Standard
|
≥ 17.5 bar (254 psi DOT-2P / 19.3 bar DOT-2Q) | — |
|
Piercable Canister Standard
|
EN 417 Type 200 (190g non-threaded pierceable canister) Legacy / European Campingaz | — |
|
Testing Standard
|
— | ISO 23537-1 (Supersedes EN 13537) Thermal Manikin Standard |
|
Comfort Temperature (T_comf)
|
— | Standard Adult Female (25 yrs, 60 kg, 1.60 m) Relaxed posture without feeling cold |
|
Limit Temperature (T_lim)
|
— | Standard Adult Male (25 yrs, 70 kg, 1.73 m) Curled posture without shivering for 8 hrs |
|
Extreme Temperature (T_ext)
|
— | Hypothermia Survival Threshold for Female 6-hour survival limit without frostbite/death |
|
Down Fill Power (FP) Tiers
|
— | 600, 700, 800, 850, 900+ cu in/oz IDFB Loft Volume Standard |
|
RDS Down Certification
|
— | Responsible Down Standard (RDS) or Downpass Ethical Sourcing |
|
Synthetic Insulation Types
|
— | Continuous Filament (Climashield) or Short-Staple (PrimaLoft) Moisture-resistant polyfill |
|
Standard Internal Length
|
— | Regular: 180–185 cm / Long: 195–200 cm Internal Usable Length |