Multi-use down gear.

[dant8ro]

First, heads up mods! I wasn't quite sure where to put this so please move it if I chose wrongly.

Ok all! I'm looking to set up a multi purpose down gear setup. I was thinking of getting a down vest, a set of JRB down sleeves, and a JRB down hood. I like the idea of going modular because the separate pieces can be used for different tasks.

I've already thought of a few ideas, but want to know how other hammock hangers are using thier down gear to keep it useful when your not wearing it as a jacket.

1. Full down jacket (hood, sleeves, vest)
2. keep my feet warm at night (down sleeves)
3. pillow (fold over the jacket in a light stuff sack)
4. beef up my top quilt (lay the vest on top of my quilt)
5. keep my arms/sholders warm at night (down sleeves alone)

Any other ideas or peices of down gear to add to the list (UQ/TQ excluded)?

[Wags]

i like using my down sweater as you described a pillow, however, i end up basically jamming my down jacket up over the top of my head and sort of creating a little seal near the top part of my hammock with it. this then drapes down onto the top of my head and it adds considerable warmth as my quilt doesn't have a hood...

[dant8ro]

I like it swoosh, Head cold has been a problem for me. That was why I wanted a JRB hood, but using the vest in this way might work also! keep the good ideas rolling.

[jhunt87]

When I take my down jacket, if I get cold at night I put it on backwards and let it drape on top of me, it does a good job of keeping drafts from coming in along the edges of my TQ.

I have also put it on backwards and upside down and tucked the jacket under my neck, this does a great job of keeping the draft coming in around my neck.

[JCINMA]

I saw one person (don't remember who) who took his down vest and wrapped it around the footbox of his BB because his UQ didn't cover it.

[exup]

I love the idea of wrapping it around the footbox. Sounds warm.

[Festus Hagen]

Buddy of mine (ground dweller, he sleeps under a poncho-tarp) wore his down sweater, a pair of down pants (Cabelas down long underwear), and down booties inside his sleeping bag when we were camping recently. His Marmot bag is rated to 20F, we got down to 16F and he reported being toasty warm (and that poncho wasn't doing much to help!) Not something I care to do but he seemed happy.