Waterproof trekking gear

Nylonsade

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Mar 16, 2011
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If you like nylon rainwear and the feeling of waterproof nylon, I suggest you to check bivy (bivouac) bags. They are basically like unlined sleeping bags used as emergency shelters or extra covering over the sleeping bag when trekking. Interestingly, some products are intended to fit two persons.

I have Vaude Biwak II.2 (Biwak II.2 - Bivy bag) which is thin and made of similar nylon as nylon rainwear. This is a two-person version of the bag, but there is also a single-person version available. Here's a video of the single version:

For those who understand German: contrary to what has been said in the video, to my understanding, the coating on the inner surface is not PVC but probably PU.

I have used the bag in the bedroom both by myself and together with my wife and I have to say the feeling is amazing. There is a cord in the opening for making it tighter to get a properly covered sensation.

I have just ordered Exped Bivybag Uno UL (Bivybag Uno UL - Bivybag | Exped), which is a bag intended for a single person. There is a zipper closure and a hood to cover you properly. Interestingly, the zipper can be opened from the top and from the bottom and it seems to reach about to the crotch. I wonder if we manage to exploit that feature somehow in the bedroom...

Another trekking gear to check are vapour barrier liners (VBL) intended to be used inside the sleeping bag to prevent moisture from condensating in the sleeping bag in arctic conditions. They seem to be thinner than the bivy bags and are often made of ripstop silnylon. One example of such a liner is Exped VBL Linerbag UL (VBL Linerbag UL - Accessory | Exped). I have seen it in a local trekking store and the fabric feels thin and slippery but I have no other experience. Another product is RAB Hooded Vapour Barrier Sleeping Bag Liner (Hooded Vapour Barrier Sleeping Bag Liner).

As an extra tip, these vapour barriers come also as socks to prevent your trekking boots from getting wet from the sweat, keeping them warm in arctic conditions. I have had RAB Vapour Barrier Socks for some time. They are made of similar standard waterproof nylon as the Vaude bag mentioned above. The feeling of having your feet covered in lovely nylon is just amazing. I can only recommend.

I have also a pair of Inov-8 All Terrain Pro Mitts, which are waterproof overmitts for trail running. Unfortunately they seem to be no longer available. The shell is windproof but water penetrating nylon and the waterproofing is achieveb by a separate PU membrane between the shell and a lining. I took the liberty of removing the membrane and the lining and leaving only the shell, providing lovely nylon windmittens for bedroom fun. Too bad, the mittens are a bit badly made and the seams have started to break. Now I'm looking for a replacement pair of waterproof overmitts made of thin waterproof nylon.

Have you had any experience on this kind of waterproof trekking gear?
 

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