Founded in 1953 in Wels (Austria), Carinthia specializes in extreme cold protection equipment: military and outdoor sleeping bags, G-LOFT® insulation jackets, base layers, and accessories. Its products are tested and adopted by European armed forces. This guide helps you choose the right size before ordering on Alpinstore.
Sources: official Carinthia guide (carinthia.eu). All measurements are in cm.
Up to 185 cm → size M. From 185 cm → size L. Simple and direct — Carinthia's official recommendation.
Identify the coldest temperature you will encounter. Use the T COMF as a reference: it is the temperature at which a standard woman is just not cold anymore. For a safety margin, choose a bag with T COMF 5–10°C below your coldest condition.
For hiking: prefer the L model (size M: 1.1–1.3 kg) with compact packing material. For static bivouacs or military use: weight is less critical.
The right zip (standard) opens to the right from the inside — more intuitive for right-handed people. The left zip is convenient for sleeping in pairs with two assembled bags (one left + one right). Check the product sheet.
Source: official Carinthia product sheets (carinthia.eu). External dimensions vary slightly by model.
| Size | Person Size | Typical External Length (cm) | Shoulder Width (cm) | Foot Width (cm) | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | ≤ 185 cm | 215 – 225 | 80 – 87 | 58 – 65 | Default size. Suitable for the vast majority. |
| L | ≥ 185 cm | 225 – 240 | 85 – 90 | 60 – 67 | +10–15 cm in length. Slightly higher weight. |
Exact dimensions vary by model. Check the product sheet on Alpinstore for the precise dimensions of each bag. Example: Defence 1 Top M: 215×85×60 cm, L: 230×87×60 cm.
Carinthia tests all its bags in an independent laboratory according to the European standard EN 13537. Three values are indicated on each product sheet.
| Carinthia Rating | EN 13537 Standard | Official Definition | For Your Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| T COMF | Comfort T° | Temperature at which a standard woman (25 years, 60 kg, 1.60 m) is just not cold | Main reference for purchase. Prefer T COMF 5–10°C below your expected coldest temperature. |
| T LIM | Limit T° | Temperature at which a standard man (25 years, 70 kg, 1.73 m) is not yet cold | For men who sleep warm. Not a safety value. |
| T EXT | Extreme T° | Survival temperature (standard woman) — risk of hypothermia | Do not use as a purchase reference. This is the survival limit, not comfort. |
| Model | T COMF | T LIM | Weight M (g) | Typical Use | Size Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropen | +10°C | +5°C | 1 100 | Summer bivouac, tropical areas. Lightweight summer bag. | ≤ 185 cm → M / ≥ 185 cm → L |
| Eagle | +10°C | +5°C | 900 | Survival, emergency, ultra-compact. Backup layer. | ≤ 185 cm → M / ≥ 185 cm → L |
| Defence 1 Top | +4°C | -10°C | 1 190 | 3 seasons, spring/autumn bivouac. Reference model. | ≤ 185 cm → M / ≥ 185 cm → L |
| G 250 | -8°C | -15°C | 1 500 | 4 seasons, moderate winter. Versatile and robust. | ≤ 185 cm → M / ≥ 185 cm → L |
| Defence 4 | -8°C | -15°C | 1 700 | 4 seasons winter, military use. Very robust. | ≤ 185 cm → M / ≥ 185 cm → L |
| G 280 | -15°C | -22°C | 2 100 | Rigorous winter, winter mountaineering. Very warm. | ≤ 185 cm → M / ≥ 185 cm → L |
| Brenta | -11°C | -30°C | 2 200 | Extreme cold, expedition, extreme conditions. | ≤ 185 cm → M / ≥ 185 cm → L |
| SOF 1 | +4°C | -10°C | 900 | Ultra-light trail, lightweight hiking. Minimal weight. | ≤ 185 cm → M / ≥ 185 cm → L |
T COMF = comfort temperature (woman). T LIM = limit temperature (man). Always use T COMF as a purchase reference. Source: official Carinthia product sheets (carinthia.eu).
Source: official Carinthia guide. Body measurements in cm. Body size indicated for reference.
| Size | Body Size (cm) | Chest Circumference (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hip Circumference (cm) | Sleeve Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 168 – 178 | 92 – 100 | 82 – 90 | 90 – 98 | 65 – 66 |
| M | 173 – 183 | 98 – 106 | 88 – 96 | 96 – 104 | 67 – 68 |
| L | 178 – 188 | 104 – 112 | 94 – 102 | 102 – 110 | 69 – 70 |
| XL | 183 – 191 | 110 – 120 | 100 – 108 | 108 – 118 | 71 – 72 |
| XXL | 187 – 195 | 118 – 128 | 106 – 114 | 116 – 126 | 73 – 75 |
Source: Carinthia size guide. Measurements are body measurements. The military cut includes a margin for layering.
Source: official Carinthia guide (carinthia.eu — MIG 4.0 Lady, Lady range). Body measurements in cm.
| Size | Chest Circumference (cm) | Waist Circumference (cm) | Hip Circumference (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 76 – 83 | 60 – 67 | 84 – 91 |
| S | 83 – 90 | 67 – 74 | 91 – 98 |
| M | 90 – 97 | 74 – 81 | 98 – 105 |
| L | 97 – 104 | 81 – 88 | 105 – 112 |
| XL | 104 – 114 | 88 – 98 | 112 – 120 |
| XXL | 114 – 124 | 98 – 108 | 120 – 128 |
Carinthia Women's models (MIG 4.0 Lady, ISG Lady) are specifically designed for the female morphology with a fitted cut at the waist. Do not use the Men's table. Source: carinthia.eu.
| Model | G-LOFT® Insulation | Outer Fabric | Use | Size Advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIG 4.0 Jacket | Body 125 g/m², sleeves 80 g/m² | Polyamide, PTFE membrane, water-repellent | Extreme cold protection (-30°C), winter, mountain | Usual size. +1 if thick layering underneath. |
| ECIG 4.0 Jacket | Body 220 g, sleeves 145 g | Polyamide, PTFE membrane | Extreme conditions, polar expedition (≤ -30°C) | Usual size. Voluminous cut by design. |
| G-LOFT ISG 2.0 Jacket | 40 g (light, intermediate layer) | 3L Softshell GORE®, windproof | Active intermediate layer, hiking, skiing | Usual size. Athletic cut, no over-sizing. |
| G-LOFT Ultra Vest | Ultra-light, sleeveless vest | Lightweight polyamide | Intermediate layer, active hiking | Usual size. Wear under a shell jacket. |
| MIG 4.0 Jacket Lady | Body 125 g/m², sleeves 80 g/m² | Polyamide, PTFE membrane | Women's version of the MIG 4.0. Fitted cut. | Usual women's size (table in section 6). |
G-LOFT® is Carinthia's proprietary synthetic insulation, developed for over 25 years. Its main quality: it remains insulating even when wet (unlike natural down which collapses in humidity), dries quickly, retains its loft after washing, and offers consistent thermal performance over time. This is why it is adopted by European armed forces.
It's simple: up to 185 cm → M. From 185 cm → L. If you measure exactly 185 cm, L is recommended for more comfort (space for feet). The weight of the L bag is slightly higher (± 100–150 g depending on the model). Source: official Carinthia recommendation (carinthia.eu/fr/support/faq).
Use T COMF (comfort temperature) as a reference, not T LIM (limit temperature). Identify the coldest expected temperature for your nights and choose a bag with T COMF 5 to 10°C below this value, especially if you are sensitive to cold. E.g.: nights at -5°C → choose Defence 4 or G 250 (T COMF -8°C).
Yes — the Carinthia modular system allows certain models (e.g., Defence 1 Top + Tropen) to be assembled to create a warmer sleeping system. To assemble two bags, choose one with a left zip and the other with a right zip — they fit together. Check model compatibility on the Alpinstore product sheets.
Yes — this is one of the advantages of G-LOFT®. Machine wash at a maximum of 30°C, delicate cycle, no fabric softener. Tumble dry at low temperature with tennis balls to restore loft, or air dry flat. G-LOFT® retains its properties after multiple washes, unlike natural down.
Sources: official Carinthia product sheets (carinthia.eu), official Carinthia FAQ (carinthia.eu/fr/support/faq-wissen). Sleeping bags: M = up to 185 cm, L = from 185 cm. T°C according to EN 13537 tested in independent laboratory. Data verified in June 2025.
