Down Sleeping Bag cover for condensation protection

[El Perro Negro]

I think what I am looking for and should work would be a "Pied d'Elephant" type of setup (look it up on the net!). So basically I see a Gore Tex blanket which has a foot compartment sewn into the base that you slip the bottom half metre of your sleeping bag into. Then the Gore Tex should keep you dry and it can be easily opened to let air in.

What do you think? There must be some manufacturers (seamstresses) in the UK that take a piece of Gore Tex and sew it into a system cheap enough. Maybe even not necessary to be Gore Tex. Maybe Pertex or similar?

[Grumpy Jane]

Sounds like a good idea. You could make one by cutting a 'U' shape out of the front of that purple pertex Rab bivvy bag you have ? Then you would retain the hood section for your pillow so you cant roll off it? Would be cheaper than making one ?You can take my purple bag if you want for Kiersten...I dont use it. Im leaning more towards army goretex as its REALLY breathable and seems lighter than commercial stuff ! Let me know if you want the bag and Ill arrrange to get u in.

Will be sad to miss Patagonia this year....you'll have another great adventure....and DONT FORGET to keep hold of your tent this time !! ;D

[El Perro Negro]

These guys sell pertex for 4GBP a metre.
http://www.profabrics.co.uk/shop/show_pr...p?id=PX4-1

I could buy 3m and its just a question of sewing isnt it? Or am I missing something?

[Grumpy Jane]

Have a look at the 'MSR e-bivvy bag'....could you adapt that for purpose...small weight and packsize ? Also on e-bay now if you search for 'bivy' item two the snugpack military bag is similar to mine but half the weight
and has the front opening to vent. Im going to have a go at making one anyway. Were you thinking of the blanket bit over the top to protect from the tent walls or underneath to protect from the ground condensation ?

[El Perro Negro]

MSR Looks ok.
I was thinking of basically a blanket but with a footer area (tucked back under via sewing) that would secure the sleeping bag (s) in place and stop the blanket drifting. Interested to see what you come up with. At 1.6m wide the material would suffice for 1 or 2 persons as well.

[El Perro Negro]

Got one made up and tried it out for a week in Patagonia. Coped well with light condensation issues but in an already wet tent on the Patagonian Icecap it proved to be too much and was very damp indeed.