My New DIY Winter Sock

[Lost_Biker]

You do beautiful work, thanks for the pictures and report.

Is there any considerable condensation at that low temperature? With the open top, does it vent it all out? I have made a sock about like yours, but, have not used it yet. It's PU ripstop.

Please let us know how it works out in the future.

Thanks psyculman.No condensation in temps of 27-29 degrees. The gap at the top is about an inch and vents very well. I'll be installing a cap today. I also have 2 side vents that I can open and close. Pics of that later. I'm wondering if I install the cap if I'll start having condensation - only one way to find out. I'll report again tomorrow if I have any rain in the sock.

The waterproof "floor" looks to be really useful.
You have me thinking....

Exactly why I wanted to make one. This is similar to the one I saw at the Hoosier Hang a few weeks ago. I can store my pack, boots, etc., also change clothes (ever tried changing clothes in a hammock?) and not have to worry about the weather or flooding up to 18 inches. It's heavy, but I wanted a puncture/wear proof material that I can actually stand on. Sylnylon will work great, but be more prone to punctures or tearing, but will be 1/4 the weight. If it floods from the inside I'll have a nice bathtub.

+1 on the floor! That looks like it will work nicely.

How much bigger is this sock than our last sock?

Sincerely,
Dave-o

Thanks Dave-0. It's about 18" bigger all around. 108" long (3yds of ripstop) by 48" wide + 18" for the oxford nylon minus seam allowances for a total of 62" high. The ripstop is the 48" wide stuff that DIY Gear Supply sells (great material and a dark olive color). I used it so I wouldn't have to do any cutting except on the curve. The 48" wide stuff would work all by itself - 48+48 =96" diameter for my WBBB and my UQ, but I just wanted something bigger and roomier. Due to the length I have to hang it from prusiks on the whoopie slings. On the plus side, it bellows out nicely and doesn't give me the "cocoon" feeling.

Wow! Nice

Thanks Dos!

Great looking work and innovation. +1 on the PVC pipe with string for making curves--that's a neat approach. Thanks for sharing it.

Thanks Les! 2 small holes and some mason's line and I can make big curves now. It's also a spare pipe if my water pipes break this winter - dual purpose!

[MDSH]

Very nice, Lost. I like that you can stand up inside it.

Mike

[Lost_Biker]

Very nice, Lost. I like that you can stand up inside it.

Mike

Thanks Mike - that's pretty much the reason I made it. Heck of alot easier to put on boots or change clothes than looking silly by doing it inside a hammock.

[Lost_Biker]

Finally got the ridge cap on. It's a 4 way stretch ripstop material DIY Gear Supply discounted to get rid of. A little heavy, but I'm way beyond heavy already.

I like this material for the stretchy qualities and you can see right thru it . A breeze barely slows down going thru it.

Tonight will be the real test to see what heat and/or condensation is trapped. Didn't have any condensation last night at 30*. Temps in the hammock stayed around 45* - even higher with my laptop going.

Picture of the cinch type side vents included (first picture). I also made some tabs so I can "roll" the sock walls up and down to snug it up or let it rest on the ground. The last 2 pics show the difference in up and down.

Total weight is truly appalling for the lightweight among us - 18oz! I don't mind the weight as it's proven (so far) to make winter more bearable. A 15 degree gain is nothing to sneeze at.

Last report will be tomorrow.

[Lost_Biker]

Yes, I know the navy blue clashes with the dark olive. I'm color blind, so it doesn't matter.

[Lost_Biker]

Final report - The temps for the last week have only been down to the low 30's. Combined with my big ol' down UQ it gets too warm inside with everything buttoned up. I have to vent the ends and top to control my comfort zone. No condensation so far.

This thing works as advertized and I can't wait to use it in really cold weather - 10 to 20 degrees. I also like the added space - doesn't make me feel crowded at all.

[Lost_Biker]

Pics of the fabric gathering thingie I made from mini d-rings, 1 cord lock and a bit of cord. It gathers up to 12 inches on each side and can be adjusted quickly from inside.

[Dos]

truly innovative.
I love your work

[MAD777]

Hey, I'm color-blind too! Looks great to me!

[Lost_Biker]

truly innovative.
I love your work

Thanks Dos!

Hey, I'm color-blind too! Looks great to me!

Thanks MAD!

Everyone please have a SAFE and Happy Thanksgiving!