XLC over cover mod

[Crowell392]

I do that, but on really cold nights there is some condensation, besides that's too easy and not any fun everybody likes to mod there gear

[William Munny]

Not the same mod, but I just got my wbbb xlc on Friday, and one of the things I was thinking about was trying to figure out a way to have the topcover double as a UQP. For my uses, I think it would be more likely that I would pack as a dual function piece of gear, rather than a "just in case" item.

[Crowell392]

That's a good idea too but I like the fact that the top cover traps in at least 10* on a regular basis for me

[Ratdog]

I have used the XlC top cover almost every day since November. There are some days where I have battled pretty fair amounts of condensation.

As a rule I keep it zipped up tight to keep that extra 10 degrees in and SilvrSurfr out.

Having a pretty good feel now for the combination of factors that will lead to condensation (330+ days sleeping outside), my solution has been to unzip to down below the shoulders, clip one tie out mitten hook to the other mitten hook (or line) to create enough slack and then push the top up and over the ridgeline.

To keep the fabric out of the way, I take anything I have attached to the ridgeline, a light, swag bag, larksheaded headlamp and swing it up and over the ridgeline. That pins the fabric down.

Just unzipping the cover provides some relief but it really does help to open it up above your head. Much less condensation that way.

I hesitate to install a venting zipper because one, don't want to create an irreversible mod and two, I fear losing some protection from precip should I be foolish enough not to deploy a tarp one rainy night.

That said, if there were a way to do it with a little fabric overlap on top of the zipper, could be pretty cool.

And I do remember someone posting about a similar mod done by Brandon to help the owner out with CPAP use.

Will keep an eye on this thread.

[Yojimbo]

I have a DangerBird and was considering a similar mod to the overcover as well. The problem with opening the zippers is that it brings the cold air directly on my head. So instead I was thinking of putting a netted window near the ridge line in the middle. This also is where I have noticed the most condensation. This also adds a window to see out (gotta keep an eye on the scouts you know). Reading the thread about fusing ripstop talks about a way of using stitchwitchery to connect the ripstop to the netting. Right now I am just trying to decide on the size for the window.

[packeteer]

the problem with unzipping a portion of overcover is bugs, so the idea of adding some netting is great

[Crowell392]

What I'm thinking is maybe a flap that folds to the inside that way you can open the flap from inside the hammock. But also having no see um on top

[hawghangar]

the problem with unzipping a portion of overcover is bugs, so the idea of adding some netting is great

I would think that if it is cold enough to use the overcover then bugs should be dormant.... otherwise, use the bugnet. At least that is the situation here... down under may be much different.

[packeteer]

bugs are always an issue here

the other weekend we camped on a mountain top, it was wet and cold 5C (40F). while there were still a few mozzies about, we had more issue with leeches

[packeteer]

what about a an inch or so of noseeum along the length of the zipper (just the head end) ?