Re: Re: Ultralight synthetic base layer

> > I would suggest that *any* synthetic will not perform
> as well as a natural 
> > fiber under a VBL.
> > Typically the plastic does not absorb water to any
> significant degree. 
> > Much of the comfort
> > of sleeping in a VBL is the absorption they supply.
> True, but the secret to sleeping in a VBL is to sleep COOL.

Is it that clear that the lack of absorption is a liability? If one of the advantages of a VBL is suppression of evaporation from skin due to water vapor saturation within the VBL, then maybe total evaporation is potentially a tad lower without an absorbent water sink?  The less absorbent it is, the less there is to dry out in the morning, too.  Or is this just about comfort? Do moist, partially or completely saturated natural, absorbent fibers inherently feel nicer than moist non-absorbent fibers?

Bill S.