Rain passing through the tarp?

**gargoyle** · 09-01-2010, 05:20

Originally Posted by hutzelbein

I'm just wondering when it will compromise the down quilts? If you expect heavy rain, do you protect your quilts with some kind of extra layer?

I've used my poncho as a "quilt protector" before. I sewed small grosgrain loops on the four corners of the poncho and suspend the poncho loosely under the quilt. Some grosgrain and a few feet of shockcord did the trick.
Blocks a lot of wind, protects the quilt from rainsplash. Leaving the hood opened seemed to diminish any condensation worries. If it is really cold, using the poncho under the uq provides another dead air space as well.
I can also hang the poncho over the hammock ridgeline, adds a few degrees of warmth, if needed.
I carry the poncho anyway so using it for multipurpose made sense.

Staking the tarp down tight to the ground (especially on the windward side) helps prevent alot of wind driven rain from getting in the tarp.

**Rain Man** · 09-01-2010, 07:52

Originally Posted by gargoyle

I've used my poncho as a "quilt protector" before. I sewed small grosgrain loops on the four corners of the poncho and suspend the poncho loosely under the quilt. Some grosgrain and a few feet of shockcord did the trick. ... I carry the poncho anyway so using it for multipurpose made sense.

Same here, except in my case I use an over-sized blaze orange pack cover. For me, it's my blaze orange in hunting season, it's my pack cover, and it's my under-shield, all in one.

Rain Man

.

**jtbradyl** · 09-01-2010, 08:12

2Q & ZQ sells a quilt protector.

**hutzelbein** · 09-01-2010, 08:20

Has anybody ever tried something like this? If it does what they claim, it should keep hammock and underquilt breathable, but should keep water from soaking it... I assume it would be the most lightweight option?

**jtbradyl** · 09-01-2010, 08:31

From nanotechnology site: "Percenta AG is a wholesale company for products based on chemical nanotechnology and provides purchase prices only on presentation of a trade certificate." I believe that I have read somewhere that at present nanotechnology is something of a myth. The possibilities are there but that's about it.

**Barefoot Child** · 09-01-2010, 13:36

Well if the rain drops were in fact caused by rain splash or blown rain, a weather shield would offer much more protection to keep the down from getting wet. YMMV

I have a silnylon weather shield from 2Q/ZQ that works very well (and weighs almost nothing at all), but because the silnylon prevents breathability it is very important to employ a vapor barrier between the hammock bottom and the weather shield, especially when you are using a top quilt. This is no problem for myself since I have a double layer WB traveler and always carry a space blanket bivy. 2Q was the person that pointed out this very important detail to me, and I found it to be the case.

Now, with all of that said...I believe if the weather shield is breatheable material than you don't have to have a vapor barrier installed.

The weather shield also adds some added insulation as stated prior, but it can also be used as a pack cover/hiker cover/wind block/sunvisor and other useful wind and precip protection when you need something quick!

I have found it to be a very useful piece of gear, so it rides along with the other stuff my cottage industry friends have contributed to my pack, and whenever I am all hunkered down under it and enjoying a quick rain shower I just think to myself "2Q/ZQ made this for me...how did they know I was going to need this, at this time? That is what friends are for!"

Oh....this olde' halfling sure does like to go wanderin' though the forest with his buddies...even when he goes solo.

And as always HYOH/YMMV

**nacra533** · 09-01-2010, 14:56

What I expericenced in my deluge was not enough to concern me if I had a down quilt in place. The DWR would have been more than enough to stop the moisture.

I would be more concerned about the down in a heavy fog or a soggy day that just keeps raining all day than I was in the thunderstorm I rode out.

**Bags4266** · 09-01-2010, 15:09

Same thing happened to me once in my Contrail TT. No mist, drops of rain. However it poured for 11 hours, hard rain. I guess it is to be expected with a heavy downpour.

**hutzelbein** · 09-02-2010, 10:23

Could I use a Tyvek ground sheet as a quilt protector in those situations where the weather is this bad? I would carry that anyway, so it would save weight.

**Roundtrip** · 09-04-2010, 09:16

Originally Posted by Barefoot Child

I have a silnylon weather shield from 2Q/ZQ that works very well (and weighs almost nothing at all), but because the silnylon prevents breathability it is very important to employ a vapor barrier between the hammock bottom and the weather shield, especially when you are using a top quilt. This is no problem for myself since I have a double layer WB traveler and always carry a space blanket bivy. 2Q was the person that pointed out this very important detail to me, and I found it to be the case.

Noob question here but...why?

-jeff