Homemade gear on a tight budget

**Just Jeff** · 12-22-2006, 00:15

Slowhike is right about the PeaPod...the hammock holds the pod off of your body so it gets chilly somewhere in the 50s. But if the bottom is snug to the hammock, using a top quilt makes it a great system...and brings the weight up to what an over-/underquilt weighs for similar temps.

**Coffee** · 12-22-2006, 00:44

Are the weights of pea pods/top quilts and bottom/top quilts the same? I always thought that pea pods where a heavier option. I figured that they had more material and insulation then the bottom quilt.

**Just Jeff** · 12-22-2006, 01:31

IIRC, my 900fp PeaPod is 31 oz, with a 2 oz overstuff. Add a 16 oz top quilt and it'll probably get me into the low 30s for 47 oz.

My JRB 3 Season Set is close to that if I include suspension and overstuff, and it'll get me to upper 30s...but I can wear it and leave the jacket at home, so IMO the weight still slightly favors the JRB set.

So if you're willing to spend the money on the 900fp PeaPod, the weight is pretty much a wash and the cost is close. If I were choosing between JRB underquilts or a Speer PeaPod, I'd set aside weight and base my decision on what hammock I use. In my experience, the PeaPod works better on Speer-type hammocks than the Nest, but obviously the PeaPod doesn't work on a Hennessy. Then look at the multi-use of the JRB if you're willing to leave a jacket at home. Remember that you can wear a PeaPod as a camp robe but it's a bit bulky for my taste.

Of course, if you make your own hammock you can use the money you saved to go all out on a PeaPod with a No Sniveler top quilt. Add a pad and you're probably set for below zero temps.

All just my opinions, of course...YMMV.

**NCPatrick** · 12-22-2006, 08:12

Originally Posted by Just Jeff

Of course, if you make your own hammock you can use the money you saved to go all out on a PeaPod with a No Sniveler top quilt.

Whoa there, you'd have to go way way all out if you include the No Sniveler on a tight budget discussion, even after making your own hammock. Ogri, how tight a budget are we talking about here?

Not trying to start anything, esp. with JRB being so well represented on this site and all, but please explain to me how the No Sniveler fits in there. (ducking and cringing

)

**Just Jeff** · 12-22-2006, 10:02

Yeah, good point. If the budget is that tight, you could always make a quilt with a head hole. Making a baffled down PeaPod would be a bit tougher, but making a synthetic one should be pretty easy. Compared to a down one, at least.

**Coffee** · 12-22-2006, 10:23

Thaks Jeff that was what I was looking for. I am pretty set with my nest, but next year I see myself upgrading from using my sleeping bag to something else. First I may try to make my own and see what happens.

**Ogri the trog** · 12-22-2006, 17:19

Originally Posted by NCPatrick

Ogri, how tight a budget are we talking about here?

Thanks all,
Not sure I could put a figure on it as I have other hobies and a family to support, lets just say as little as possible. So far I've paid less than £20 for a hammock, a few pounds on tie straps and cord, probably near £60 on tarps. My thoughts behind my pod project were to keep it as thrifty as possible (£10 for the duvet, £7 for the sock material, then add a few pounds [Sterling] for sundries like thread, zips etc). Its hard to justify several hundred pounds on a winter hammock set-up that only I can enjoy while the kids want to play outdoors as well. Thats when it gets really expensive!
I suppose I was wondering what the early modern hammock campers used before all the latest modern equipment became available. I'm enjoying the process of making the bits and pieces, but I need to keep a tight rein on the money as the good lady will want her pound-of-flesh if things get beyond her comfort zone.

Cheers everyone, have a great Christmas.

Ogri the trog

**slowhike** · 12-22-2006, 17:39

Originally Posted by Ogri the trog;.

Thanks all..I suppose I was wondering what the early modern hammock campers used before all the latest modern equipment became available. .Cheers everyone, have a great Christmas.

Ogri the trog

i suspect the early hammockers were only found in the tropics... or moderate climates anyway<g>.
and merry Christmas to you & to all!!!
God bless us... God bless us every one. ...tim

**Just Jeff** · 12-22-2006, 18:43

Make a homemade Speer-type, a homemade SPE, and use your existing bag as a top quilt (or cut off the zippers and convert it to a real top quilt). Cheap and easy.

**Ogri the trog** · 01-07-2007, 16:18

Well I don't want to say that it was a complete success but at the least it was the first step on the journey of warm hammocking. I've posted the full story on BushcraftUK and heres a link http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community...ad.php?t=17722
...The result is not lightweight and not compact but it worked for the night I spent out and I'm willing to try it again at a lower temperature as the winter progresses here in the UK. My kids now want their own so they can join in the fun!

ATB

Ogri the trog