Space Blanket Projects

[Deadphans]

A friend of mine was getting rid of some stuff to lighten his load when he leaves college and travels down to GA for boot camp. Among the things I grabbed was a space blanket. I figured it must be good for some DIY project.

Any ideas?

[dimeotane]

I've read posts saying how it improved the warmth of their underquilt and such.
The problem with the stuff is how easily it tears.

Just brainstorming here, but I wonder if by sewing it against some nylon fabric, it might improve the durability of it, and it could be made into an underquilt insert to add some warmth? I imagine it might be a bit noisy in the hammock though.
Maybe it could be sewn (or glued) against some very thin closed cell foam pad.
Kind of like a DIY reflectix?

There's some good discussion of the properties of space blankets and reflectix in this thread.

[Deadphans]

hmmmm interesting....it would be kind of noisy but if the warmth added is decent enough then I feel it would be worth it.

I was wondering if it could be used as a summer super shelter so to speak where instead of keeping warm it would keep you a bit cooler....My thought is since the fabric is highly reflective and a bright colored material it might help keep the space underneath a bit cooler by reflecting sunrays.... (???) It would be a pretty neat test. Although, then I would be covering up my nice view...but if I am napping I wouldn't mind the cover to keep cool.

and your right, it is a very flimsy material....some reinforcing would be needed.

[Skylar]

Here is a guy who used a space blanket as a tarp.

http://youtu.be/m9brPgNwf3c

[Skylar]

It looks a bit flimsy but if you look at his warbonnet blackbird video. He says this is what he uses.

[lubbockhammockguy]

Or if its windy or really cold out you could put in on the outside of your UQ to hold in the heat and block the wind

[mbiraman]

I carry a space blanket on all my hikes. i carry the two person adventure medical one, larger than most, 5'x8'. A couple of times on my winter hikes nearing the end of lunch i've gotten cold so i take the bushbuddy and set it between my legs, no flames just coals, and wrap the SB around me sort of tipi like. You'd be surprised how much heat happens inside that little space.



bill

[JohnSawyer]

I carry a space blanket on all my hikes. i carry the two person adventure medical one, larger than most, 5'x8'. A couple of times on my winter hikes nearing the end of lunch i've gotten cold so i take the bushbuddy and set it between my legs, no flames just coals, and wrap the SB around me sort of tipi like. You'd be surprised how much heat happens inside that little space.



bill

Brilliant and toasty! I can see the point about only coals... "Hey Jim, what's that smell... smells like roast pork!"

[Bannerstone]

Possibly as a field expedient undercover for those sideways rain storm, that would keep your UQ dry.

David