Tell Me Your Secrets to Winter Moisture Management

[LOTW131]

I slept outside at 0F last night, and it was heavenly warm. I overdid it because I was scared of the temps, but man it was awesome.

Gear: Dutch winter sock, EE Enigma 20 and Revolt 10, with a Costco UQ and TQ doubled under them. Given how warm I was (wearing a good bit of clothes, too), man that would work to -10 at least.

But moisture is/was a problem. The inside of the sock rained icy-mist on me when I touched it in the morning, and there was some buildup on my quilts from my breath.

Given how warm I was, I'm thinking of just using the summer sock instead of the winter sock - that would act as a UQP and not trap moisture as much. But stuff I breath out would still freeze on my quilts, I assume.

Tell me your tricks!

[johnspenn]

What were the temps you were hanging in?

I just slept out in 13* weather.

Gear:
Winter tarp
20* UQ supplemented with CDT
0* TQ

No socks or UQP

Lots of folks seem to have problems with condensation using socks and/or UQP. Unless it's windy, or the temperature is substantially lower than your insulation's rating, IMO it's just not necessary. I could be sadly mistaken, however, because I've never used them, so take that with a grain of salt =)

[Vanhalo]

I am close to your temp range down south.

Here was last night's config:

IMG_3037.jpg

Screenshot at 2018-01-07 17:25:41.png

I am more afraid of the moisture than the cold and for that reason I can't do top covers. (pic above looks like I am using a TC but it's actually a bug net)

3 nights ago I ran myself into the house because I kept the quilt over my head.

Last night I made sure I kept my mouf outside of my TQ after adding a down hat from JRB. I didn't do this 3 nights ago.

I also use an UQP every night and have not seen any issues with condensation underneath.

[TrailSlug]

Have sock - have moisture. Anything that holds heat in will also, not surprisingly, hold moisture in. If you are that warm then why use a sock at all. I tried a sock once and everything was so damp I jettisoned that thing and have never looked back. If your quilts are rated to handle the temps then you shouldn't need any more than possibly a tarp to block the winds. If there's no wind then the tarp can be left in the skins as well. There will still be moisture but nothing a small piece of fleece will not handle. See Shug's video on using fleece capture system aka frost bib.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd2PNoATVbI

[LOTW131]

Have you ever had ice accumulate on the bug net?

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[Shug]

Have you ever had ice accumulate on the bug net?

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I have. On bug nets, socks and top covers.
In that kind of cold you will get ice for sure.
My solution is a frost bib.....that helps keep it off the quilt. It is amazing how much can build up.
Shug

[TrailSlug]

Have you ever had ice accumulate on the bug net?

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Oh yea. Just this week I woke up to go pee and when I unzipped that bug net I had a small snow storm.

[LOTW131]

Thanks, guys. Although I'm feeling a bit silly for having bought gear I'll move away from. Oh well.

This was my fourth hang. The temps on those went from 60 to 40 to 30 to 0. A winter sock seemed so sensible for... Winter.

Any thoughts on just a UQP with no bug net? I'm a little scarred from a windy night with inadequate insulation a few times ago.

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[Shug]

UPQ with no bugnet is a right goodie.
Used one on my -27º trip last week. Keeps that wind from robbing heat from the UQ.

[Vanhalo]

Have you ever had ice accumulate on the bug net?

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No but I haven't been doing this long....got about 60 nights and of those only 14 were @ or below freezing.