Extra Insulation: Am I crazy?

**MoldyFrog** · 02-02-2018, 12:39

I split my down throw in half, on the diagonal it's just the right size. I loosened my suspension and stuffed one of the down throws beneath me and thought it worked great. I also use a winter tarp so I have less issue with wind getting into any spaces I might have opened up. I was warm enough to sleep at the low end rating of my base UQ with it in place and it didn't move much overnight. Companions with similar gear but no down throws did not sleep well by comparison. They take no space, are pretty light and I can wear it like a crude poncho while sitting around camp or eating so it can also serve more than one purpose.

**Knee Jerk** · 02-03-2018, 12:37

So I got the Alligator Clips from Dutch in the mail and they work perfectly in holding the Double Black Diamond throw in place inside the Ember2. (100Ton: Thanks for the suggestion!) They snap into place and seem very secure.

I slept in it for two hours last night and didn't have any movement. Right now, I have my hammock set up in the garage so I can fiddle with it - 8 degrees last night means it is still too cold to go outside yet.

Still have lots of testing to do, but I am figuring on using the Ember2 plus the DBD throw on colder nights, going to just the Ember2 when it warms up a little and then just the DBD throw when it really gets warm. This system will give me some flexibility while remaining non-destructive.

Still undecided as to whether or not I want to rip some of the seams on the DBD throw but I have noticed that several quilt manufacturers go with the cross-stitching so maybe not.

Will test some more and see what happens.

**leiavoia** · 02-03-2018, 14:10

Ripping the short seams will make it a better blanket, even if all you do is use it on the couch.

**Knee Jerk** · 02-04-2018, 11:48

Thank you lelavola for that bit of advice. I may very well go that route, but first I want to test it outside in its current form so that I have a baseline for my decision making. My plan is testing my configuration at around 30 degrees overnight and if it appears to be too cold, ripping the seams in one direction and seeing how much that improves the comfort level. (I figure 30 degrees is the coldest I will ever deal with because if it is colder, I don't want to be out there.)

But first I need the temps to climb up to 30 degrees!

**Knee Jerk** · 02-06-2018, 10:50

Of course, I realize that all of this is in effort to fix a mistake by me in the first place. That would be buying the ENO Ember2 which does not provide sufficient warmth.

But at least it's a cheap fix.

**Knee Jerk** · 02-25-2018, 13:59

Update: I have used the alligator clips to secure the Costco blanket inside my Ember2 underquilt for about a month now. At first, they worked great and held the blanket securely in place. But in the past week, the alligator clips have begun snapping off with the little black pieces flying all over the garage.

I think the idea is a good one, I just need to purchase stronger clips, which I plan on doing.

**Knee Jerk** · 03-01-2018, 14:53

I removed the Dutchware alligator clips which were snapping off and replaced them with three Tekton tarp clips on each side - much sturdier and easy to remove and adjust. Each Tekton clip weighs in at 1 oz. so I am adding 6 ounces to my overall pack weight in addition to the added weight of the Costco blanket.