Help me keep my down bag dry

[cracked]

So I bought a nice down bag this summer and a nice bivy sack this winter, and I've used the two together a few times and I've got some questions.

 

I make sure not to breathe into the bivy so I don't soak the torso of my bag with condensed moisture. My clothes are not damp when I get into the bag. My bivy is three layer goretex. But my bag loses loft after one night; I'd be hesistant to take it out for two nights. And this is in good weather! Am I doing something wrong, or is this common? Any hardman tricks?

[DPS]

I have the same problem. Either go without the bivi bag, get a more breathable one, i.e. not Gore-Tex or use a synthetic bag.

[mattp]

Careful there, DPS, you're putting yourself out on a limb there. Go without a bivvy bag?

 

I have always maintained that bivvy bags were not needed most of the time - even in the dreaded frosty tent or damp snowcave or when using a tarp as shelter - and I actually deliberately bring my wet clothing into my sleeping bag in order to dry it out, but I catch nothing but flack for making such wild and irresponsible statements on this bulletin board. Keeping a down bag dry requires some attention, to be sure, but it can be done.

[Squid]

A nice compromise if you're not willing to 'go commando' like Mattp is to pick up a non-goretex (goretex is a racket, a cultural myth waiting to be exploded) bivy sack like the BD Winter Bivy. These things breathe very well, yet do a great job shedding water. They're also much lighter than Goretex. Ever since I got mine about two years ago, my sad Goretex bivy has been collecting dust in the basement.

[Fromage]

Here is my solution for keeping down bags dry:

 

Eat lots of cheese and chocolate with dinner. With a calorie bomb meal in the tank your body will produce enough heat to dry your bag from the inside out. Obviously this approach only works if you have a high metabolism. Just because you bring the bivy sack doesn't mean you have to use it.

 

[chucK]

That dental floss made by Gore, "Glide", is most excellent though.

[erewhon]

Bibler Winter Bivy (The only bibler product that does what it says it will!) Cheap, HIGHLY breathable, and weather resistant, and light light light!

[catbirdseat]

Yes, a more breathable and lighter bivy is the true answer.

[Figger_Eight]

I'm with MattP on this one. You don't need a bivy unless it's raining.

[fenderfour]

Don't spill the pee bottle.