Condensation?

**koffar** · 09-09-2012, 06:51

Hi
Just came back from a 4 day hiking\fishing trip here in Norway.
The first nights the temp was around 46F but the last night it droped to 37F
When I woke up the morning after the coldest night I noticed that my TQ was wet under my feets and the pad was wet too.
Is this condensation? It just happend the last night...
I use my pad under my TQ not inside the footboks if it matters

My setup was:
DIY Gathered end hammock 1.5ripstop single layer
Warbonnet Yeti 3 season
Pad under feet

**MAD777** · 09-09-2012, 07:05

Most likely it was condensation. I find that just a little above freezing is the temperature range where condensation is most likely. Although it can occur anytime.

Were you wearing socks? In my experience, socks will absorb enough condensation so that you don't even notice it.

**koffar** · 09-09-2012, 07:12

Did not wear socks
Is there other ways to avoid condesation? or should I use a full length UQ when the temps are just above freezing or lower?

**Moondoggy** · 09-09-2012, 07:35

You could make a DIY Insultex full UQ cover! That would give you warmth without the footpad and give you warmth without the condensation! I hope this helps.

**koffar** · 09-09-2012, 07:40

You could make a DIY Insultex full UQ cover! That would give you warmth without the footpad and give you warmth without the condensation! I hope this helps.

never heard of that
Links, pictures, videos?

**BillyBob58** · 09-09-2012, 07:44

I think some folks report putting the pad inside the quilt footbox solves condensation problems.

**Shug** · 09-09-2012, 13:17

I put foot-pad inside my TQ and never had condensation again. Seemed that when my pad was outside my TQ I would often have dampness in that area.
Shug the Dry

**koffar** · 09-09-2012, 13:25

The footbox on my TQ isnt long enough to fit the whole pad.
The Yeti goes from shoulders to knees and from knees to feet i have a pad.

How big is the pad you use with a Yeti size UQ?

**FLRider** · 09-09-2012, 13:27

Originally Posted by Shug

I put foot-pad inside my TQ and never had condensation again. Seemed that when my pad was outside my TQ I would often have dampness in that area.
Shug the Dry

That actually tracks with what I've read of VBL usage. Since the vapor barrier (which is what a pad is, really, for the purposes of this discussion) is right next to your body, your body heat will keep the water vapor from condensing on it. Which means that it rises through your top quilt and out (hopefully not condensing in the down on the way...) rather than soaking the bottom by condensing on the (colder than quilt) pad underneath the quilt.

Makes sense, to me, at least.

Edit: almost said "VBL layer" there. Irks me when folks do that; it's like saying "ATM machine" or "ATF fluid". Meh. OCD is getting the better of me today. As are acronyms...and alliteration...

**Shug** · 09-09-2012, 13:34

Originally Posted by koffar

The footbox on my TQ isnt long enough to fit the whole pad.
The Yeti goes from shoulders to knees and from knees to feet i have a pad.

How big is the pad you use with a Yeti size UQ?

I use a Thermarest Sit Pad under my feet in TQ....http://www.rei.com/product/780983/th...rest-lite-seat