Vapor barrier liner - All day and all night long?

[hikingfish]

Hi,
I know a lot of threads talk about VBL, however none talk about this specific concern I have. I've been reading up on polar exploration (thepoles.com for example) and it is highly suggested that one wears the following (or something similar) in extreme cold:

liner sock
plastic bag (VBL)
insulating sock (wool)
(for polar exploration, they add a kartander over the insulating wool sock, but I doubt I'll go anywhere soon where it's going to get -80C).
boot

It's suggested that you allow your feet to breath while in camp. However, I was also thinking (since I'm going to give the VBL thing a try over the weekend) of sleeping in a VBL (for now, it's simply 2 garbage bags taped together). Do you guys seen any problems with having my feet in a plastic bag during the day, then sleeping in a VBL at night?

Cheers!

Fish

 

[dug]

I have done it, but your feet get really stinky and swampy. I've tried a variation where I pulled into camp, took the VBLs off and let them dry out, then put them back on. It was better than just leaving them on for 24 straight hours.

Ideally, I take them off and go without until putting them back on in the morning. My camp booties are warm enough that they aren't needed.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

It's extremely important to let your feet dry at least once a day.

Do a search on "trench foot" if you need any further convincing. Seeing skin slough off in large chunks is gross, to say the least.

 

[Chugach001]

Trenchfoot

I have permanent nerve damage in 3 toes from trench foot. Let those puppies breathe or pay the price.

 

[weatherman]

I was also thinking (since I'm going to give the VBL thing a try over the weekend) of sleeping in a VBL (for now, it's simply 2 garbage bags taped together). Do you guys seen any problems with having my feet in a plastic bag during the day, then sleeping in a VBL at night?

Um... it's late, but somehow the idea of "trench foot" extending to one's whole body makes me think of bad horror movies.