Moisture/Condensation inside sleeping bag?

[Mw01313]

I am a bit of a newby at camping. The last two hunts I have noticed a lot of moisture build up inside my bag. For more information, I use an older Outdoor vitals 20°bag with their liner. According to them, the liner adds about 10° to the bag rating. Both trips I mainly slept in merino base layers, socks, and a beanie.Both of these have been October hunts. Last year lows were in the low 30s and high 20s. This year lows were in the mid to high teens.
My problem is that I wake up every morning with what I can only call a serious case of the swamp ass. Sorry, but if I describe it the details it sounds a lot worse. Obviously, waking up with wet nether regions on a cold morning is less than ideal. I am not hot in the bag. This year I wasn't even warm enough to be comfortable due to a deflating sleeping pad.
Is there something I could be doing to mitigate this? Or is it due to the bag and I'll have to live with it or get a new bag?

 

[danjssp]

Are you sleeping with your head inside the bag? The only thing I could think of is your breath inside your bag causing the issue but who knows really.


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[Poser]

Are you sleeping with your head inside the bag? The only thing I could think of is your breath inside your bag causing the issue but who knows really.


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That's typically only going to result in localized condensation build up immediately around where you are breathing. Hard to imagine a scenario where pulling the bag over your head results in "swamp ass" as described.

 

[justinspicher]

You probably sleep warmer than you realize. I have to sleep in a base layer top and a pair of shorts or I’ll overheat in a bag, regardless of the temperature.

 

[Sundodger]

Are you getting too hot and sweating in the night? I know that happens to me sometimes.

Go to bed cold, from being on a windblown glassing knob, with too many layers on, couple hours later dyeing of heat stroke.

 

[doverpack12]

I wake up and the top of my SG bag has condensation in the mid body. Others I’m with are dry. My thought is I’m sweating or just normal moisture loss from body but the SG is moving that to the outside from heat inside.

Maybe the OV is trapping moisture inside the bag? Maybe the liner is moving moisture but then the bag is not moving moisture or not fast enough

 

[Mw01313]

Are you sleeping with your head inside the bag? The only thing I could think of is your breath inside your bag causing the issue but who knows really.


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My usual position is with my head out and the bag up to my neck. I am not breathing into the bag.

 

[Mw01313]

You probably sleep warmer than you realize. I have to sleep in a base layer top and a pair of shorts or I’ll overheat in a bag, regardless of the temperature.

Are you getting too hot and sweating in the night? I know that happens to me sometimes.

Go to bed cold, from being on a windblown glassing knob, with too many layers on, couple hours later dyeing of heat stroke.

This may be the case. It may just be me. I will sweat from time to time in bed if I have too much of a blanket. Guess it is possible that the covers on the bed allow the moisture to escape while the bag is trapping it inside.
It's not a huge deal. Just uncomfortable while trying to sleep. Crawling out of the tent last week at 12 and 13 degrees in the morning while wet sucked tho.

 

[croben]

Maybe try synthetic base layers. They dry faster than merino. You might be getting sweaty and just not drying out at night.

 

[Mw01313]

Maybe try synthetic base layers. They dry faster than merino. You might be getting sweaty and just not drying out at night.

Thinking about it, I may just keep a spare set to sleep in. I may be bringing the moisture in.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Thinking about it, I may just keep a spare set to sleep in. I may be bringing the moisture in.

I sleep in lightweight silk long john's. Works well.

 

[Mw01313]

I sleep in lightweight silk long john's. Works well.

Would think that would keep the bag cleaner as well. Mine gets pretty grungy after a few days.

 

[dtrkyman]

Make sure you are fully dried out prior to getting in the bag! When I truck camp I swap out layers before I get in, maybe not an option packing in.

 

[cptcornwault]

Stress sweats? Maybe try wearing all natural fibers like wool and cotton. I sleep in some wools that a family member knit for me.

 

[*zap*]

You peeing in your drawers?
Swamp ass is a rash resulting from friction while walking in sweaty bottoms.

 

[j3h8]

You peeing in your drawers?
Swamp ass is a rash resulting from friction while walking in sweaty bottoms.

Swamp ass is wetness from sweating. Nothing to do with a rash. It can cause a rash however.