View Full Version : Sleeping bag poll from the past
Happened upon this thread and poll through the search feature here and thought i would at least renew the conversation before i purchase a new 3 season bag bordering on 4 seasons temps down to 0*.
Sooo , are the lightweight bags in the 10*range like the WM Versalite susceptible to moisture infiltration over a period of days ?
Should a more weather resistant shell be used in colder/ winter conditions climate for added protection from outside moisture?
Leaning toward a WM bag in the 0* to 10* range, i think i deserve the
best.:)
The thread and poll (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=39382&highlight=Western+Mountaineering+Versalite+sleepin g+bags#post39382)
Jan LiteShoe
10-26-2008, 17:13
The thread and poll (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=39382&highlight=Western+Mountaineering+Versalite+sleepin g+bags#post39382)
Woodsy,
I carried the WM Versalite in my 2003 thru and the weather was ,er, dampish, alot of the time.
The WM bag's exterior would feel damp sometimes, but it never affected the loft/warmth, and I'm a cold sleeper.
You can hardly go wrong with this bag.
You DO deserve the best.
:sun
Woodsy,
I carried the WM Versalite in my 2003 thru and the weather was ,er, dampish, alot of the time.
The WM bag's exterior would feel damp sometimes, but it never affected the loft/warmth, and I'm a cold sleeper.
You can hardly go wrong with this bag.
You DO deserve the best.
:sun
Thanks for the review Jan, yes i heard about the 2003 wet thru-hike
year:rolleyes:,
your comment is a testament to the bags quality. And @ 2 lbs, its a very attractive bag .
Some of the WM bags have a microshield breathable shell which add weight, $$, but also wind and moisture protection, not sure if thats the route i should go for winter camping?
Jan LiteShoe
10-26-2008, 18:46
Thanks for the review Jan, yes i heard about the 2003 wet thru-hike
year:rolleyes:,
your comment is a testament to the bags quality. And @ 2 lbs, its a very attractive bag .
Ha, you must be reading Stumpknocker's journal.
:D
That said, he carries the same bag.
In fact, he stole the idea from me! ;)
I don't know about the microshell aspect though. I've never used it in your type winters. You have winter with a "W."
:sun
I have two WM bags, like Jan said the dampness hasn't effected the loft or warmth of the bag.
Ha, you must be reading Stumpknocker's journal.
:D
That said, he carries the same bag.
In fact, he stole the idea from me! ;)
I don't know about the microshell aspect though. I've never used it in your type winters. You have winter with a "W."
:sun
I actually met Stumpknocker as he passed through Maine one year, several years ago. Nice guy!
Yes winter with a "W", not many hikers camp out during the cold and snow as compared to summer but i find it to be a surreal experience most often, and a warm, comfy bag will make it that much more appealing, yeah, i've froze my hiney out there once or twice due to extreme temp. dips.:o
Thru-hiker.com. Quite your own quilt kit. Make it to your own specs. Nothing better.
bigcranky
10-26-2008, 20:38
You are more likely to have an issue with moisture coming from inside the bag than outside the bag, at least if you are reasonably competent at choosing campsites. In severe cold your sweat can end up soaking the insulation after several days. This is more of a problem with arctic explorers and such, but it can be an issue in very cold weather along the trail.
You are more likely to have an issue with moisture coming from inside the bag than outside the bag, at least if you are reasonably competent at choosing campsites. In severe cold your sweat can end up soaking the insulation after several days. This is more of a problem with arctic explorers and such, but it can be an issue in very cold weather along the trail.
I agree, sooo, with lack of ventilation in most 4 season tents, the build up of moisture freezes on the inside tent surfaces and possibly sleeping bag, so...would a semi weatherproof breathable fabric bag be a better option than no weatherproofing at all?:-?
Winter experts, come in! Hello...Hello..
Never mind, I found this article (http://www.backpacking.net/gearbags-tips.html) which helps explain most of the dilemma in case anyone else is interested....
what they say about shells:
SHELL MATERIALS:
Gore-Tex is out as a shell material because it just didn't breathe well enough to allow body moisture to escape. It also didn't fare well when washing time came around - gtx-down bags had a penchant to delaminate - I got a brand-spankin-new Feathered Friends Swallow when my old gtx Swallow delaminated. Gore stood behind it but now knows better. No more gtx shells.
There's nylon (a tight weave), polyester, microfiber (a tightly woven material), and various flavors of Gore Dryloft and Dryloft look-alikes.
The nylon shells used by most bag makers have a coating of DWR (Durable Water Repellent) which will provide some measure of water resistance and the tight weave of the nylon provides a good measure of wind resistance, as well. Ripstop nylon adds reinforcing threads to provide a more durable material whereas nylon taffeta is silky smooth to the touch but not nearly as durable as ripstop. There is also polyester ripstop and polyester taffeta which are heavier than their nylon counterparts.
The microfiber shells offer a better water resistance and are windproof. The microfiber shells have good breathability and are lighter than Dryloft but less water resistant. The most water resistant shell material is Dryloft. In addition to being the most weather resistant, Dryloft also provides good breathability. Dryloft is the most costly, followed by microfiber and plain nylon and polyester.
Your choice should be based upon your intended application. In three season use inside a tent in generally mild conditions, you should be able to do well with the less expensive nylon shell. In wetter or wilder conditions consider the microfiber or Dryloft.
Jim Adams
10-27-2008, 12:58
You are more likely to have an issue with moisture coming from inside the bag than outside the bag, at least if you are reasonably competent at choosing campsites. In severe cold your sweat can end up soaking the insulation after several days. This is more of a problem with arctic explorers and such, but it can be an issue in very cold weather along the trail.
Woodsy,
I'd definitely go with something more breathable than waterproof. In the winter, the only time that you should have to deal with waterproofing is if you spill liquid on it constantly. If the snow is melted then it is usually from body heat and now you are back to sweating as bigcranky stated.
Most arctic sleeping bag problems occurr from sweat and or condensation. I once read where some of the arctic bags on long expeditions ended up weighing near 15 lbs due to moisture freezing in the insulation. Most had black interiors and the explorers would spend most of the sunshine time attempting to dry them.:-?
geek
Thanks everyone, Jim, seems thats the way i'm leaning, the more breathable, standard shell material. Max breathability seems to be most important thing.
Bluebearee
10-27-2008, 13:13
Woodsy,
Are you truly looking for a 3 season for Maine or a true winter bag? Winter bag ratings for our climate start at a minimum of -10, and most would say -20. Mine is a FF -15 with 4 oz of overfill. But if you're just trying to stretch out spring and Fall, that's a different story. Just clarifying. When I hear thru-hikers preparing to get their 'winter gear' on the AT for Sept/Oct I have to chuckle. So I see the term used in a multitude of ways.
BB
Bluebearee: Are you truly looking for a 3 season for Maine or a true winter bag?
Not planning to be out in anything below zero anymore, so yeah just stretching out the seasons to encompass early and late winter and possibly a February warm spell.
Any idea how much better than microfiber the standard nylon shell breathes?
10%, 20%?
Any idea how much better than microfiber the standard nylon shell breathes?
10%, 20%?
I'm no expert on such things , thats why i've been asking, but i'm learning.:)
Here is a well written summarization of bag materials (http://www.bcexp.com/guide_sleeping_bags.php) from people who seem to know what is what.
Any idea how much better than microfiber the standard nylon shell breathes?
10%, 20%?
Just call WM, and they will help you.:)