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  1. #1
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
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    Insultex Breathable...really?

    This came up in another thread (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=25059) but I thought it deserved to be discussed on its own.

    After using a weathershield made of insultex for just one night (very toasty) I woke to discover that the IX was soaking wet. Reached in and ran my fingers along it and I could see the water on my hands. This pic shows a couple sheets of toilette paper that I patted on the IX. You can see how it blotted up the moisture.


    So, the big question is can we really use IX over down insulation? To me it just doesn't seem to breath well enough to use on the cold side (farthest away from body) of an insulation system. It just acted too much like a vapor barrier.

    What's been your experience?
    Knotty
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  2. #2
    Senior Member Running Feather's Avatar
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    What was your overnight low Knotty?

    Is it possibly melted frost or dew?

    Interested!
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  3. #3
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
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    Temps were mid-thirties and I was under a tarp. Hanging from a hammock stand over a patio. Didn't detect any moisture on the outside of the weathershield.
    Knotty
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  4. #4
    Senior Member Running Feather's Avatar
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    That doesn't bode well. I think The Hangin' Burrito made a IX/RS weather shield. I'll ask him to comment in the AM.
    Last edited by Running Feather; 11-26-2010 at 08:15.
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  5. #5
    Senior Member BillyBob58's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Knotty View Post
    ...........................
    So, the big question is can we really use IX over down insulation? To me it just doesn't seem to breath well enough to use on the cold side (farthest away from body) of an insulation system. It just acted too much like a vapor barrier.

    What's been your experience?
    Well, this seems clear enough. But I'm surprised this problem has not already come up, for ex: with the hammock socks that are out there.

  6. #6
    Senior Member MarshLaw303's Avatar
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    i totally agree that IX is nearly a VB. The tiny holes left by the quilting process aren't enough to move all the vapor that gets trapped in there. I think as an underquilt or first layer in under insulation it is a good option as i really like having VB under me, just not with any other insulation in the middle.

    I have made an IX UQ shelled with cuben but am slightly concerned that the tiny amount of vapor the quilting holes do pass will get trapped between the IX and cuben so i plan to use a cuben liner against the hammock to keep all vapors off the ix and guaranteeing that i have VB under me.

    -Tim

  7. #7
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by BillyBob58 View Post
    Well, this seems clear enough. But I'm surprised this problem has not already come up, for ex: with the hammock socks that are out there.
    Don't hammock socks already have problems with condensation, because of exhaled breath? Maybe they just consider it par for the course...

  8. #8
    MacEntyre's Avatar
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    Knotty, what was between your weathershield and the hammock?
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  9. #9
    canoebie's Avatar
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    I have been using two layers of IX sandwiched between two layers of breathable rip stop since last March as an UQ and have had no problems with condensation. I have noticed a clammy feeling occasionally when I have used a TQ with the same configuration. When I use the UQ I usually have some airspace between the hammock and the quilt, maybe that helps.

    I do not view IX as "breathable" nor do I view it as a complete vapor barrier. I like it because for me it was an inexpensive way to get a light UQ so I could give up the pad and a light TQ for summer. This will be my first winter with it, so I am going to experiment with it in different configurations.

    I am not sure of the exact name of the stuff, but I also got some material at JoAnne's that is used to insulate windows. I put that between the layers of my hammock with the IX UQ under that and I have gone down to 20 degrees comfortably. It is bulky, but again for a canoeist that is not a huge concern.
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  10. #10
    MacEntyre's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by canoebie View Post
    I have been using two layers of IX sandwiched between two layers of breathable rip stop since last March as an UQ and have had no problems with condensation. I have noticed a clammy feeling occasionally when I have used a TQ with the same configuration.
    I just posted something very similar on the weathershield thread. Only an IX TQ with no nylon cover has caused condensation in my experience.

    Quote Originally Posted by canoebie View Post
    I do not view IX as "breathable" nor do I view it as a complete vapor barrier.
    Me too.

    Quote Originally Posted by canoebie View Post
    I am not sure of the exact name of the stuff, but I also got some material at JoAnne's that is used to insulate windows.
    My first anti-CBS pad was a 2'x3' piece of WarmWindow from Hancock Fabrics. It works very well! Wiggy's window insulation is cheaper, similarly effective, and just as heavy.
    - MacEntyre
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