I have seen a few bags that are made with WPB materials and welded seams (Ajungilak Shield, Exped waterbloc, Crux torpedo...

Im intrigued with this:
1) do US companies make these as well(I know FF and such make bags with WPB but are they welded - ie completely closed to water?
2) do they really work as advertised? can you literally sleep in the rain with them like a bivi?? (putting condensation inside the down aside for a minute
3) and back to condensation - so it makes sense to use a vbl??

enlighten me!
M

I believe Big Agnes does -- it's a US company, although the bags are made in China (like most everything else this day and age).

No real experience with them, but one annoying thing -- they're almost like balloons -- takes a heck of a lot more time and effort to deflate out the air when packing.

I like what tim did on hos WP non breathable bag...although this isnt something that translates well to more commercial bags.

I wonder why they dont do something similar but maybe with a roll closure like a dry bag - that could work and be fool proof enough

Hi Michael,

I looked at the Crux Torpedo 800 for Winter camping last year but the weight turned out to be the same as my PHD Winter bag and Rab event Bivy so didnt take it any further.

I do have a Crux Lava Event Down jacket and its a cracker.

Cheers,

Stephen

yeah - i remember you mentioning you have the lava - but can you really just standin the rain all day with it?? sounds scary?
what is the inside made of?
M

What about a waterproof bivy?

I saw an interesting waterproof breathable bag at REI today--the Igneo (sp?). It's just under 2 lbs, probably a 25 degree bag (EN 30 comfort for a woman, 19 limit for a man), and 60" shoulder. 14.7 oz of 800 fill for a size regular. Not stellar light for that amount of down, but it seemed very well made, with a full length no snag zipper, nice hood, Marie Antoinette neck yoke, and I'll bet the shell blocks wind well. I don't think this had welded seams, but I didn't check. For folks who like tiny tarps or cowboy camping and want a mummy bag, this might be worth looking at.

I have not had the Lava in the rain much but did use its little brother the Plasma in some horrible weather is Scotland and it worked well.

The inside is a 15 nylon which is failry water restiant.

Cheers,

Yes, condensation would be an issue in a waterproof sleeping bag, VBL would be required.

Also consider that it is difficult to keep water from coming in through the head opening.
Many bivys improve on this by having some sort of tent like suspension over the head area.