Waterproof down bags

imported
#1

I’d like to hear hiker’s experience with waterproof/breathable fabrics for down bags: pertec vs. epic vs. DWR. How waterproof and/or breathable are they really? Annie K

Annie K

#2

Works great. We have Mountain Harware Universe Sl model 0* down jobbies. (mouthfull) They have Pertex 4 as the shell, a water repellant breathable shell they call Conduit. I have some of this fabric I made into a jacket. Its a super upgrade that lets you sleep in a shelter when the rain or snow blows in and get the bottom of your bag covered. It won’t get wet. Some bag makers show someone sleeping in a down pour but that’s a little bogus. Water does run right off it if held under the faucet and it is very breathable. Monte treid drying his wet sox inside the bad, a no-no if you have down, they were dry and the bag wasn’t wet in the AM. As far as the two fabrics go I think they’re both similar although I couldn’t get any info from the manufacturer, trade secrets. Pertex comes in several weights and finishes Epic in one I think, both from Nextec, Google your today!http://www.pointnorth.co.uk/shop_sub_cat.asp?cat_id=1&sub_cat_id=3&txt_cat=FABRICS&txt_sub_cat=BREATHABLE+COATED+FABRICS

I got my Fabric from these folks, they may answer some of your questions.

Bushwhack

#3

The Pertex Quantum fabric on the Marmot Helium is really remarkably resistant to moisture. For example, if you put a $350 Helium bag on the back porch and the neighbor’s cat pees on it, then you’re likely to find a significant pool still on the shell days later. At least in my experience.

On the other hand, the Pertex Quantum shell is not so impermeable as to make the bag unwashable, should it somehow acquire a particularly pungent odor.

Eric

#4

Nice. I believe that the recommended washing, if you have an oder problem, is to do it inside out and in a huge front loader at the laundry with one of those down care soaps from your loacl outfitters. Lift it out VERY CAREFULLY so the baffles won’t tear and tumble on delicate with a tenis ball or two and watch it for overheating which could obviously melt it.

Bushwhacky

#5

I have a piece of Pertex left over if you wanna play with it. Give a yell and i’ll snail it to you.

Bushwhack