I have some old threads on here testing a wet Polarguard jacket with a minimally WPB shell, and my conclusion was that it was most definitely a lot warmer than nothing even when quite wet, while hiking in cold, light rain. But the best thing was that it seemed about bone dry(except for the very ends of the sleeves which were still soaked) by the time I finished the fast walk, probably about 30 minutes worth. I remember also noting that I was using the ends of those soaked sleeves as gloves in the windy, wet cold air, and it was much warmer inside the wet sleeves than out. But, part of that was probably wind block. Also, in the field under normal use, I have never had any trouble with a synthetic bag vs moisture. Not saying you can't, just saying I haven't, on trips where my friends had noticeably decreased loft in their untreated down. And one of those trips I soaked the foot end of my bag with condensation on the first night, still no problems, and completly dry by the following camp. But, I have no doubt that dry synthetic is warmer than damp, plus the risk of moisture freezing inside of the insulation is about the same. That can't be the warmest, having ice as part of your insulation.
Have you had such wet quilts when using your VB liner? I.E., moisture that you are sure didn't come from your breath or an outside source? "Maybe my warm air is just hitting that outer shell to easily?". Well, it does seem it would have an easier time making it to the cold shell and the dew point, as well as making it to the outside of the shell and condensing.
CM, very interesting about the 1.5 oz weight increase after 1 night and 35 minutes air drying. A few nights like that could definitely influence the warmth of the quilts. And I can only guess that might be worse at colder temps and if zero drying time is available?
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