camping blanket

[sidvicious]

hey folks, thanks for the suggestions. i'd considered a very light down blanket and may do that. the poncho liner sounds like a great place to start - something i hadn't considered at all. thanks much.

something i'm going to experiment with - microfiber. i have a friend thats one of these guys always running up on a deal. well, he was driving by a cut-and-sew near the gulf coast the other day and they had a special - bolts of microfiber cloth. anyway, he snagged some and told me about it. i'm going to cut a section and try it as a blanket. i'm sure it's fairly heavy, but on short overnighters it should do fine. i'll report on this when i can.

thanks again for the poncho liner tip.

sv-

[JohnSawyer]

I love my USED military issue poncho liner... check your local surplus shops... They're normally $20 or less in decent shape.

Fleece is great, if you want a heavier blanket, there's a quick way to make a double layer... Take 2 pieces of equal size, Make 4" long cuts inward all the way around on both layers at about 1" apart. Cut off the loose corners. Tie a single knot with both layers... Really warm, but heavier than a poncho liner. Sleeping in your clothes makes you warmer, too...

Here is one method, like I described...
http://www.instructables.com/id/No-S...ece-Blanket-1/

Since fleece doesn't really unravel, you can do a single layer with no edging, if you wish...

Or go back to the army-navy store and buy a wool blanket. Of course, the fleece might be heavy for backpacking, but you can cut it to the exact size you want. I could see a blanket that's a light liner with fleece being really warm and comfortable, if you can sew...

If the microfiber is really light, 2 layers of that with either Insultex or Insul-Brite in the middle and it'd be toasty warm... Heck, 1 layer of IX would be ok for summer, though it doesn't breathe well, so sweating might be an issue.

[ljcsov]

OK, looks like I'm still looking to down for something that is for Fall use

[NFA]

Down just doesn't meet my criteria for camping clothes and gear...too expensive, too moisture sensitive, requires too much care and consideration...

I'm not saying people shouldn't use it, just that there are people who camp year round who aren't members of the down cult...I offer this only as food for thought...

Jamie - nfa

[olddog]

Check out your local WM, I was in yesterday and saw the twin size fleece blankets for $5.00,they're about 65" x 90" if memory serves. Can't buy the fabric for that and this is alittle thicker. Eazy to cut down without having to hem. I made 2 out of a queen/king size last year for $10.00.

[jloden]

You could also look into a travel blanket. There's the silk ones from Sea to Summit - packs very small and light but it's only good for very warm temps. There's also a brand called Cloudz that they sell at many of the airports right now, made of "viscose" which I think is Rayon or something like it. They're a good size, pack quite small (think soda can) and they're $16.99 so it's affordable enough to give it a try.

These won't work for you for anything other than really warm temps but if that's what you're looking for then these will be a lot smaller than a fleece blanket or poncho liner. If you're looking for something for moderate temps then I would recommend the poncho liner also, it'll be a little lighter than fleece but reasonably warm.

[default]

with anything, including poncho liners, everything can be adapted to make it warmer, the only issues will be weight and bulk. if you like PL's, you can layer them to make them warmer, or use them with things like insultex (like mr sawyer said).

if weights no an issue, may i suggest this with the PL's

get 2, and with one sew a layer or 2 of the insulation of your choice. use the non sewn one until it gets too cold to use alone,then use the tie outs on the sides to tie them both together with the insulation between them. instantly you have a double PL with extra insulation.

PL's are awesome just because they do keep cool in the summer and warm you when you need.


Oh, and a big thanks to John Sawyer for pointing me in the direction of the PLUQ, because i would have never tried it and never would have even known it was such a versatile piece of material

[mph5]

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c....aspx?a=372697

new, military-issue $21.97

Marti

[default]

those have a different pattern for the ties, if you decided to make it a PLUQ youd need one top and bottom in the middle.

try this: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=....c0.m270.l1313

youre going to want to look for this tag otherwise theyre not military. and military PL's dont have "head holes" unless GI's put them there.


your best be is hit an army navy store locally.

[Steve D]

Don't have a huge amount of experience here but I can say I've had my Sew-em Up PLUQ down into the low 40s a couple of times (used a heavy Coleman sleeping bag for top insulation) and was quite warm...not just fairly comfortable...I'm talkin toasty warm!!