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Well, I hate to be a wise guy (no, that’s not true…), but I will quote a line from the Integral Designs Web site. This is in reference to the aforementioned Endurance Bivy. Ahem:

Conduit SL Bivy

“You will experience some condensation build-up in humid conditions.”

“You” in this case would be, well, you. The “condensation build-up in humid conditions” no doubt covers your own experience—to recap, inside a tent on a damp night in the 30s, you got soaked.

The “why” is easy enough. While it’s true Pertex Endurance finds its way into sleeping bags, in the case of the Endurance Bivy ($120; www.integraldesigns.com) it coats the fabric—rendering the bivy totally waterproof and totally non-breathable. The moisture on your bag in the morning was actually exuded by you. It got through the sleeping bag cover just fine, but hit the waterproof shell, chilled, and condensed. Generally speaking, the minor drips and splashes you encounter even in winter camping don’t do much to affect a down bag. Modern bags all have shells that are treated for water repellency, so they do a pretty good job of shedding incidental moisture. True, a week spent outside in the damp, chilly Pacific Northwest is bound to take a few degrees out of any down bag, but you should still be OK without having to resort to a bag cover.

If you do, be sure it’s one that is breathable. Mountain Hardwear makes a decent, inexpensive light bivy called the Conduit SL Bivy, which uses that company’s proprietary waterproof-breathable fabric. It’s only $105 (www.mountainhardwear.com). Or, Outdoor Research makes a bag shell specifically designed for use as a light bivy or inside a tent as a bag cover. It’s simply called the Sleeping Bag Cover, and sells for $120 (www.orgear.com).

Stay dry!

Until December 15, the Gear Guy is unveiling his ten favorite pieces of gear, and in the spirit of the season we’re giving it all away. to find out what makes his all-star Hall of Gear and enter the !