Polystyrene as a down additive?

**MatthewMeredith** · 04-21-2017, 17:21

Hey all, it's been a while! Some of you may remember me as the guy who made those hammocks with integrated insulation... And, well... I'm at it again

I'm thinking of deconstructing my first build to re-use the fabric to make a 90-degree hammock (a la http://www.hammocktent.com/en) with integrated insulation. I want to use down so it can shift with the hammock depending on a fully stretched out back lay or a scrunched up fetal lay. However, I'm cheap and I live in the PNW so moisture if a factor.

Then I had a though. I know of a material that's super light, 95% air, cheap, and unaffected by moisture... Packing peanuts! Specifically polystyrene beads (the tiny little things that make a huge mess). They're 95% air and are often used to insulate already-built walls by being blown in.

What do you guys think? They wouldn't compress at all, but they would still insulate when wet, and they are CHEAP as dirt.

50-50 mix?

EDIT: These things (http://univfoam.com/styrofoam-projec...tyrofoam-beads) for anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about.

**DiyGuy83** · 04-21-2017, 17:23

Compressibility would be a factor

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**Flatliner** · 04-21-2017, 17:36

It doesn't seem ideal to me if you are going to hike with it. I might consider a zipper to pack/unpack them from the baffles. I'm guessing that no matter how careful you are, they will get compressed and need replaced on a pretty regular basis.

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**BrianWillan** · 04-21-2017, 18:15

Another issue I've found with packing peanuts, is that they tend to stick to everything via static electricity. So encasing them in a nylon hammock body would be an adventure in getting them evenly spread out in the baffle chamber.

Other than the previously mentioned lack of compressibility, styrofoam does make a pretty good insulation. Look at those thin styrofoam cups and how well they prevent hot liquids from burning your fingers from holding the cup.

Give it a shot and report back. If the packing peanuts don't work well, it wasn't an expensive test and you could always refill the baffles with down insulation.

Cheers

Brian

**MatthewMeredith** · 04-21-2017, 18:35

Yes, the static charge could be troublesome, but I think there's a chance it could actually help too. If the styrofoam beads are statically attracted to the nylon, then they would theoretically create an even coating on the nylon instead of clumping up. Maybe :P

Compressibility will definitely be an issue... But I think as long as I don't cram it into a stuff sack (I usually stuff lightly into the bottom of a pack to fill voids) I think it will be fine.

I think I will! The only trouble will be separating the beads out of the down if it doesn't work!

**gargoyle** · 04-22-2017, 08:54

Your styro-quilt will float.

Find an old bean bag chair and scavenge some beads?
A cubic foot of beads will be a cubic foot of pack space. Are you willing to loose that much space?