Why no SPE vendor?

[GaryBunk]

I was wondering why there are mentions of Speer selling SPEs but no one else currently does? Surely the concept isn't patented? I would think there is a need therefore there is a market for them?



Thanks

[Cannibal]

They were the creation of a gentleman named "Youngblood". When he and Ed Speer ended their business partnership a couple of years ago, the Speer Winter Tarp, SPEs, and SnugFit were dropped from the line-up since Youngblood was the designer.

As to copying the design if it isn't patented, well, that's just good manners to not do something like that; patent or otherwise. But, you are correct, they are a very easy item to DIY.

[titanium_hiker]

they are pretty easy to DIY. I think Youngblood was responsible for the design- you could ask him!

Or... what Cannibal just said.

[Cannibal]

Also, the trend for the past many years has definitely been leaning towards underquilt solutions instead of pads. I can understand why they (or something like them) aren't real high on anybody's list of products to offer. I can't imagine they would be a hot seller, especially since they are so easy to replicate.

An SPE was my very first form of an insulation system. It is probably one of the only pad-related topics that I think of fondly.

[GaryBunk]

Ok I understand, It just seems as though it is the first place a person deals with when going to a hammock. Yes UQ and TQ are where people may end up but most it would seem transition to that (crawl before they walk) and it seems not much is in diy patterns or even pictures. I am making an off shoot of the one I saw Shug using with his orange Thermarest pad. 28" sleeve for Thermarest pad with two pockets on both sides for 34 x 8 WM blue foam.

Thanks

[thegreatjesse]

ENO is marketing one now.. I saw it on the ENO Facebook page a few weeks back. I forget what they're calling it, but I'd keep an eye out on their website. I think they're charging like twenty bucks.

EDIT: Just checked out their site.. they named it the "Hot Spot" and it's $30.

[Pj1008]

I was wondering the same thing.. Good to hear that ENO will have them but according to their website they won't be available until the fall. I was hoping to get an underquilt by then... They really are something that should be on the market. My guess is that most new hammockers start with pads so they should sell well. Ohh well, I'll probably just end up making my own.

(EDIT: Sorry! That wasn't ENO's website i saw it was another site that was really out of date. I'll most likely order one soon.)

[GaryBunk]

I hope to get a chance to sew one up this weekend and will post it.

Thanks

[GaryBunk]

How do you like your UL?

[BillyBob58]

Ok I understand, It just seems as though it is the first place a person deals with when going to a hammock. Yes UQ and TQ are where people may end up but most it would seem transition to that (crawl before they walk) and it seems not much is in diy patterns or even pictures. I am making an off shoot of the one I saw Shug using with his orange Thermarest pad. 28" sleeve for Thermarest pad with two pockets on both sides for 34 x 8 WM blue foam.

Thanks

I have often asked the same question: why does no one offer this? ( I also ask why no one offers a version of the original WB torso UQ with removable layers of Climashield). I mean, if the original guys are not going to offer them, and unless patents interfere? It was just such a great product.

But in addition to UQs, PeaPods and Super Shelters repacing pads for most folks, there is also the now very common double layer(pad pocket) hammock. Which accomplishes many things that the SPE did. And there is one set up- a JRB bridge double layer- that handle pads better than ANY other hammock whether double layer or with an SPE IMO.

So, as others have already said. it must just be there is not enough anticipated demand for any one to bother sewing them. That along with the relative ease of DIY.