[pct-l] Tents vs Tarps - Bivies?

[Timothy Nye]

Moisture integrity of sleeping bag shells.  Marmot Helium, Western
Mountaineering Summer-Lite and Northface Cat's Meow

Ron had suggested the cup of water on the sleeping bag test to see whether
or not any additional moisture protection was necessary in response to my
question about epic/e-vent covered bags vs a light bivy.  I let the water
stand fora half hour.

I hadn't done this for awhile with my Marmot Helium.  In fact, not since I
bought it two years ago.  It passed the test then, but I've washed a couple
of times since then with down soap since then.  It didn't leak, although it
was starting to penetrate.

I bought the Western Mountaineering Summer-Lite last summer and used it for
250 miles.  It didn't seem to live up to it's 32 degree temp rating;
however, I'm a cold sleeper.  More alarmingly, although it hasn't been
washed, at the end of the half hour all of the water ad drained through and
run down the terrace.  I mean ALL of the water; nothing was left in the
depression.

I have the Cat's Meow from 9 years ago and I like having a synthetic
available and it sleeps warm.  It's also been washed several times although
hasn't seen any real use in many years.  This bag actually fared the best.

I'd note that cowboy camping both the Helium and Summer-Lite the fabric
would get wet from dew if forced to sleep out from under cover or where
heavier damp air traversed where I slept while on it's way down hill during
the night.  I have used the MLD Superlight  Bivy with the Summer-Lite, but
to boost it's temp rating as opposed to wearing my jacket.  No condensation
was noted in the bivy or the bag. (The bivy has a Cuben bottom and Momentum
top)

I have to say that I'm a little nonplussed about the Summerlite.