New HMG Dirigo 2

[AG]

trying to drift back a bit, i’d be curious if anyone has further insight into the DCF WPB fabric. beyond the obvious issues – it’s expensive, the small triangle on the dirigo seems gimmicky.. i did see in one review of the dirigo that the WPB triangle was dry while the rest of the fabric was covered in condensation. if true, that’s significant.

[Sam Farrington]

Had the same thought, but confess doubts that any SUL single wall material can prevent condensation on the inside of the wall.  There was a thread that hypothesized a material with far greater water repellence (not resistance) than is now possible; but since it does not yet exist, it is tough to know for sure if it would work.  Meantime, remain a skeptic.  Black Diamond has probably led the way, and there have been issues with its WPB single walls – first with leakage, and later with fragility of the material.  Even if it were true, what’s it going to be like living in a tent that is otherwise “covered in condensation.”  And I think there may be some other explanation; such as maybe the WPB material had not quite reached its dew point, whereas the DCF had; or that “covered in condensation” pertained to the outside of the tent..  Remain a believer in SUL inner walls that are solid on top and highly water repellant, and very vapor permeable, but will shed water while the tent is being pitched and the outer fly is not yet installed.  With that approach, and the materials now available, a double wall can weigh less than an ounce and a half per square yard, which can still yield a very light tent that is much more comfortable than any single wall..

 

[Author]

Posts