I had heard about this wonderful idea of using only the bottom half of a sleeping bag at night with your nice big down jacket for the top half, to save weight and cut down pack size!
So I got my old sleeping bag, snipped off the top folded it over and sewed it back up with a draw cord in, added some elastic shoulder loops and hey presto... an elephant's foot!!
I haven't used it outside yet as I only made it tonight. But will hopefully get to try it this weekend.
Last edited by The Adventurer; 07-13-2012 at 10:51. Reason: To add pictures
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.
Very resourceful!
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
So do you were it over the coat or under?
I like the idea!
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately."
Benjamin Franklin
I will try both and see which works best.Originally Posted by Naegling
Underneath means my down jacket will loft better where it overlaps, but over the top means I could put my hands in it to keep them warmer!
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.
That is really cool.
Life looks better from a BIAS hammock.
What are the reductions ?? weight before and after ??.. packed size before and after .. I like the idea of the shoulder straps .. that might even do well on a TQ ..
"The wise man questions others wisdom because he questions his own, the foolish man because it is different from his own." Leo Stein
So it started off weighing 1.96kg or 4.3lb. I have lost 800g or 1.76lb so that = 1.16kg or 2.56lb or 40.9oz!
It obviously packs smaller, I'm not sure of a percentage or measurement. I may need a new stuff sack as the one it was in is a bit big for it now. But it is a lot more manageable now! I don't have to have a backpack just for my sleeping bag any more.
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.
On occasion on AT section hikes I've used an Arc AT by nunatak gear and a camp jacket, usually the Western Mountaineering Flash.
The combo works and works well. The Arc AT and the Flash overlap to a certain degree, close to 12 inches.
The Arc AT I use is right at 12 ounces. The Flash closer to 10oz.
Really interesting idea! let us know how it works out.
The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering. - St. Augustine
Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.
- Bob Marley
Don't get rid of the hood, etc!
You can make a WARM insulated hood or use all the insulation, drawcords, etc for another project, or just reattach it to the bottom of the bag for a modular system
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