If anyone can shed some light on this I would appreciate it.
My question is, in a synthetic bag, which shell material is better: Pertex or plain nylon taffeta?
My concern is that with pertex being water resistant, it would not pass as much moisture compared to nylon taffeta. I currently use a Wiggy's Superlight and if I want something dried out, I wear it during sleeping. In the morning all moisture is gone.
I like the Wiggy's bag but am tired of fighting the zipper snagging and am looking at something new, ID's north twin.
Thanks.

I don't know the answer, but wanted to add that I used a Big Agnes on my sheep hunt, and it felt very clammy.

My previous bag was a wiggys, and I hadn't notice the clamminess before.

The Big Agnes also has a problem with the zipper getting caught in the bag material.

I'm starting a search for a seperate bag liner.

Generally speaking, any waterproof or water resistant outer material will make the bag less breathable and slower to dry its insulating material, regardless of what that insulation is.

Vapor barrier liners will solve the moisture coming from your body problem to a big extent but require pretty cold conditions to be comfortable. It is best to wear only a silkweight synthetic underwear in a VBL, with synthetic fishnets being the best to use. Brynje fishnets, available from www.reliableracing.com , are considerably more comfortable than Wiggys fishnets.

For drying clothing in the bag while using a VBL, place the clothing outside of the VBL but inside the bag above you.

While it entails some extra weight and expense, a bivy sack can be used to protect the bag in wet conditions but will usually also cause condensation problems. The use of a bivy sack still allows you to dry your bag's insulation much faster than breathable waterproof outer bag coverings will...Rusty.

Thanks guys.
BW, did you wear anything while in your bag? I wear helly hansen lifa longies while in my bag and I have no issue with moisture. This past sheep hunt I ended up pretty wet by the end of each day and it has always worked to wear the items to sleep and wake up with them dry. The zipper was just giving me fits.
What filling is in your big agnes and what shell material does it have? And how did you like the sleeping pad arrangement? Just curious, thanks.
If a pertex shell will restrict the expulsion of moisture, than I guess I'll stick with a snagging zipper.

Dave: I also have a BA bag only mine is a down bag. The shell material is highly water repellent but isn't the newer pertex.

I also own and use an older Marmot Componet Bag System which also has no bottom. Like BA's system, the pad is your only bottom insulation and I really like both applications of this system a lot. With the Marmot systen the pad is held in place with straps, the pad is covered with a pad liner that zips to the bag. There is no hood on the Marmot bag.

The BA and Western Mountaineering Pod systems are better, more secure and more draft proof and warmer because they have hoods. You turn in the bag instead of the bag turning with you. There are no cold spots to move into and your pad is always under you, held in place by the pad compartment. If you travel during the night while sleeping because of slanted ground, the pad stays under you and goes right along for the ride.

If you like this consept, you might also look at Nunatak's bottomless and regular bags. They are quality gear and made to order. You can also get a center zip bag, which has advantages for light weight camping in tight quarters. You can see their products @

www.nunatakusa.com

The ARC series bags are bottomles and use straps and don't have hoods. All of their bags are available in a range of materials from fully breathable to water repelent to waterproof/breathable. The advantages and compromises of each are explained on their sight. I hope this is of some help to you, Rusty.