Great Gear: Condensation not an issue with this sleeping bag

BOISE, Idaho -- If you're really into minimalist backpacking, here's a sleeping bag shortcut.

The SOL Escape Bivvy is billed as a replacement for a sleeping bag. The new bivvy combines breathability, body heat reflectivity and water resistance for a sleeping system or emergency shelter.

With a lot of emergency shelters, the complaint is the same. Condensation builds up inside as you get warm, leaving your clothes soaking wet.

That's what happens with my emergency bivvy. I tried to use it as a sleeping bag cover on a backpacking trip. That's why this system caught my eye.

The company says that with the Escape Bivvy, condensation is no longer an issue, and you never have to choose between staying dry and staying warm.

The fabric lets moisture escape at the same time that it keeps rain, snow, and wind on the outside, all while reflecting your body heat back to you.

The cost is around $50 and can be found at www.adventuremedicalkits.com.

This story was originally published June 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Great Gear: Condensation not an issue with this sleeping bag ."