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  1. #1
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    Vapor barriers -what is your opinion?

    Hello

    for winter hanging how do you determine when to use a vapor barrier? What kind of barrier do you use? What’s your go to? I am reading lots of conflicting info on this.

    Do you use one when it’s a survival situation only? Or do you always have a bag liner?

    Ok experts - let it rip!

  2. #2
    Senior Member TrailSlug's Avatar
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    I'm not sure what your are asking? I always use the same setup year round. A top quilt, a bottom quilt, a hammock and a tarp. Nothing more nothing less.

  3. #3
    SilvrSurfr's Avatar
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    Billybob58 will be along shortly - he likes vapor barriers.
    "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson

  4. #4
    cmc4free's Avatar
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    Vapor barriers of any type by definition will prevent moisture from escaping your environment. Most experienced campers will try to avoid as much condensation as possible in winter.
    Last edited by cmc4free; 11-04-2018 at 21:08.

  5. #5
    Member DownYonder's Avatar
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    The theory behind VBs is that when worn directly against your body, they trap your perspiration between your body and the VB. This prevents your perspiration from migrating into your outer clothing and/or your sleeping bag....keeping the bag/outer clothing dry and providing full insulation value. Makes sense in theory provided that you do not become chilled.

  6. #6
    cmc4free's Avatar
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    Good point; as you've implied, appropriate insulation would be very important to go along with vapor barrier clothing or a liner. You definitely don't want to be damp and cold, as this can obviously be very dangerous in cold winter weather.

  7. #7
    TxAggie's Avatar
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    I started looking at VB clothing and liners last year with some great responses. This will help get you started.

    Vapor Barrier Clothing
    https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...7&share_type=t

  8. #8
    TxAggie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DownYonder View Post
    The theory behind VBs is that when worn directly against your body, they trap your perspiration between your body and the VB. This prevents your perspiration from migrating into your outer clothing and/or your sleeping bag....keeping the bag/outer clothing dry and providing full insulation value. Makes sense in theory provided that you do not become chilled.


    Quote Originally Posted by cmc4free View Post
    Good point; as you've implied, appropriate insulation would be very important to go along with vapor barrier clothing or a liner. You definitely don't want to be damp and cold, as this can obviously be very dangerous in cold winter weather.
    You’re still advised to have a thin base layer between your skin and the VB. Yes, that layer can become damp, but because it doesn’t evaporate it stays at the same temperature as your skin. It’s the same theory as a wetsuit in some regards.

    Some VB clothing, like those from Warmlite, have this layer built into the garment.

  9. #9
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    I own one, but haven't yet camped enough in conditions where it would be an obvious benefit. The one case I think it would be invaluable is if I had only down insulation AND i was camping many nights in a row in very cold wet conditions such that the dew point was going to be inside my insulation, AND i wouldn't have opportunity to air out the bag amply between uses.

    It's kind of a bear to slither in and out of in a hammock after you get used to the ease of a topquilt.

    Poor man's VBL: contractor size garbage bag.
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    Tensa Outdoor, LLC, maker of the Tensa4, Tensa Solo, and Tensa Trekking Treez hammock stands: http://tensaoutdoor.com/

  10. #10
    Herder of Cats OutandBack's Avatar
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    You asked for opinions so here is mine. Everything below the tarp should be as breathable as possible.
    Using vapor barriers is complicated and if you do it wrong you are in for a wet cold and clammy night.

    If you are doing a K2 expedition sure go for it. But general winter camping in the US its just an expensive pain in the arse.

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