Vapor Barrier Problems

[BillyBob58]

Doh! My bad... You're right, it is ripstop on the hammock bottom.

Okay, I admit to being a very big girl and so regardless of whether I'm using the SS on the Hennessy or the pad pocket on the Blackbird, I'm probably squashing the pad and SB against my back.

No matter what size you might be, things should be different in the SS than the BB, if the SS is set up correctly. The SS would be closer to something like a WB Yeti UQ in function, in the sense that an elastic suspension cord is involved. This cord, and the stretch it provides, determines the tension against your back and shouldn't vary much with individuals of different weight. When the hammock is empty, the not very strong elastics of the HHSS Undercover and pad hold them just slightly in contact with the hammock bottom. When I get in ( or put a weight in the hammock or just push down on the hammock with my hands) the elastics stretch easily, the UC/pad sag down with the hammock, and the upward pressure of the UC/pad against the hammock bottom is not much different than before, it seems to me. And it is all about the same if I put my 8 year old grandson or my 120 lb wife or my 208 lb self in there.

The only way I can see to thwart this is maybe if grossly over tightening the UC/pad suspension. But then I might be in danger of breaking them. They (mine) are pretty thin, and it doesn't take much weight to stretch them.

But all of the above is fine theory if some one is interested in how the SS works. It doesn't answer the question of why so much condensation/sweating in the SS or BB with VB. And a few folks have had seemingly unsolvable problems of this sort with the SS. And as you said, things may have been even wetter WITHOUT the VB. so......

I also used to get very sweaty using a thermarest on the ground, so maybe the problem is me, not the hammocks! Most mornings I've been able to air out my bedding, but if I was doing a multi-day walk, or it was wet and miserable it wouldn't be possible to get stuff dry.

As far as temps go, mostly around 5-10C. It's happened in both high and low humdity which makes me think maybe I'm overheating as Youngblood's post says. Trouble is, I'm not awake to know it and do something about it.

2Q, thanks, yes I'd read Youngblood's post previously (I was one of the ones who needed it!) and I'm still not sure I fully comprehend the whole thing.

I'll acquire a CCF pad and try that to see if it helps, or try not using a VB until it gets down to freezing. Colour me confused (and moss green)!

Thanks all for your answers.

Have you considered that you may be one of those folks who are simply going to have to use a BREATHABLE UQ of some sort? One clue might be that you "used to get very sweaty using a thermarest on the ground". I never had that problem. So maybe unless your back is actually cool you are going to sweat? A question to consider: is this actually more of a sweat issue than a condensation against the VB issue? ( just guessing wild) So maybe it is a matter of temp regulation, both top and bottom?

Or maybe you will do better with something breathable under your back, like one of the JRB, Speer or WB quilts. The only caveat there: if it is indeed a sweat problem, and not a condensation problem, then if your back is nice and warm and then you sweat into your down UQ, that won't work out well at all. So you somehow have to figure out which it is. I'd say if your are likely to sweat anyway, you might as well sweat onto your VB, which will at least keep the moisture out of your down UQ.

Again may I ask, are you staying warm at 5*C with the HH Open Cell Foam pad in the pad pocket of a WBBB? And in fact even soaking it? Because I just don't see how that very compressible- and not all that thick to start with- HH pad can work in the BB. I have enough weight on a CCF pad in a BB that I can not move it. That should be enough to flatten the OCF and make it useless. If I am not missing something, maybe this is an indication that you are an extremely warm sleeper, and thus will sweat easily?

Keep us posted on how the CCF works. I'm projecting a wet experience.

[Bumper]

Thanks BillyBob,

Your explanation of the SS underpad makes me understand it for the first time, so, well done! I think you may be right that this is more of a sweat problem than a condensation problem. Last weekend I used the OCF in the BB and laid on my sleeping bag (a 0 deg thing) and must admit I felt hot all night.

Previously, the 5 degree nights were in the HH, and then I did feel cool until I used the VB.

So, I think I may just be, as you say, a very warm sleeper. I normally have my feet out of bed at home and the window open all year round. It just may be this is a heat problem not a condensation problem.

I'm wondering, if I use a breathable underquilt, would I be better going for synthetic so it will keep its loft even if I do sweat, or will I not have the problem because the UQ is breathable? Thanks for the tips on which brands to look for too. An UQ is something I hadn't considered because I was happy with the HH SS, but I may have to consider a UQ for the Black Bird, which I'm finding I enjoy more than the Explorer.

I'm going away again in a week or so, so will try without the VB to see if that makes a difference.

BillyBob, thanks for taking the time to give me such comprehensive answers to my questions.

[BillyBob58]

Thanks BillyBob,

Your explanation of the SS underpad makes me understand it for the first time, so, well done! I think you may be right that this is more of a sweat problem than a condensation problem. Last weekend I used the OCF in the BB and laid on my sleeping bag (a 0 deg thing) and must admit I felt hot all night.

Previously, the 5 degree nights were in the HH, and then I did feel cool until I used the VB.

So, I think I may just be, as you say, a very warm sleeper. I normally have my feet out of bed at home and the window open all year round. It just may be this is a heat problem not a condensation problem.

I'm wondering, if I use a breathable underquilt, would I be better going for synthetic so it will keep its loft even if I do sweat, or will I not have the problem because the UQ is breathable? Thanks for the tips on which brands to look for too. An UQ is something I hadn't considered because I was happy with the HH SS, but I may have to consider a UQ for the Black Bird, which I'm finding I enjoy more than the Explorer.

Well, if you are going to sweat into an UQ- if you can't find a way to regulate your body temp so that your body does not try to cool you off with sweat- well, I'd rather sweat into Climashield or Polarguard than into down. Though again, at least the VB will keep the moisture out of whatever UQ you choose. Your back might be wet, but at least your down/CS won't. OTOH, many of these quilts are quite vent-able, or adjustable, to allow a good bit of air to circulate under you when needed. So, maybe if your quilt is not TOO warm to start with, plus hanging it looser as needed, maybe you could achieve dryness. Anybodies guess.

I've always meant to attempt setting the SS up on the BB ( I have the LONGER Explorer model SS). But the trouble with the SS, even without the space blanket/VB, is the outer shell ( UC ) is still a VB. So if you are too hot to use the space blanket on top of the OCF HH pad, things might still get soaked from condensation against the cold outer shell/UC.

I'm going away again in a week or so, so will try without the VB to see if that makes a difference.

BillyBob, thanks for taking the time to give me such comprehensive answers to my questions.

You are very welcome. I hope the answers are correct and somehow helpful. Good luck on your next attempt!