JCP Puffer - wearable TQ & Hood

**the_lorax** · 02-14-2013, 00:02

Originally Posted by Agfadoc

Back to the Original design, (sorry about that... ) I am thinking of keeping the arms on the bottom jacket and putting them inside out, covering the neck hole with them and giving extra insulation at the feet.

It would defeat the vest portion, but my feet seem to always get colder anyway.

Nothing wrong with that idea - a long coat is just as usable as a long vest. Hey if it's really cold around camp you can put both on and give your arms a double layer.

My feet tend to be cold too - that's why I turned the sleeves into down socks.

Originally Posted by Agfadoc

How did you plan to seal off the arms and the neck? Velcro?

I have added zippers to the arm openings and snaps to the neck. By putting a pair of snaps on the outside of the jacket right along the collar seam front and back I can fold the collar inward and snap the opening closed. I'm figuring that being able to open the collar and/or arm opening will be good for venting when it is warmer though.

Originally Posted by Agfadoc

I also noticed that you have the jacket on backwards for the top half, would it be more even insulation on the shoulders if you put it normal, and just lay on the areas that compress?

For the picture I happen to have it all on backwards, but I haven't really decided which way is "right". By wearing it backwards you can use it as a quilt (i.e without your arms in the - um yeah arms). You could just as easily wear it forwards and really zip yourself in. To me it seems like the front of these jackets is a bit puffier, which means front up could be warmer, BUT then you also end up with an un-insulated line down your front from the zipper.

Only experimenting a bit will tell - and since I'm in Minnesota it'll be a while yet cause I'm certain this quilt isn't a <20* quilt

**Agfadoc** · 02-14-2013, 06:51

Originally Posted by the_lorax

and since I'm in Minnesota it'll be a while yet cause I'm certain this quilt isn't a <20* quilt

You could wear two...

I'm in Wisconsin, and I can't wait for spring!

**Duffy** · 02-14-2013, 07:48

This is my effort. Modeled by the lovely and talented Mighty Mouse.

Came in at 1.7 lbs, by my bathroom scale. It is double layer in the torso area, pretty sure it will work in the high 30's. Hope to test this weekend.

**Agfadoc** · 02-14-2013, 09:47

Originally Posted by Duffy

This is my effort. Modeled by the lovely and talented Mighty Mouse.

Came in at 1.7 lbs, by my bathroom scale. It is double layer in the torso area, pretty sure it will work in the high 30's. Hope to test this weekend.

Wow, that is Pro!
How many jackets did you use up to get the double layer and entire quilt?

**Duffy** · 02-14-2013, 13:17

I used 3 jackets for the quilt, and a vest for the doubled torso area. Inspired by the JRB Sniveler. It came out a little long, but I think I can just bunch it up in cool spots..thats what I have been doing with my Rayway quilt for years.

**MightyMouse** · 02-14-2013, 14:05

I'm kinda biased here...but I think it's terrific!

BTW, Duffy made me an underquilt this afternoon. JCP Puffer Fierce Blue...absolutely awesome...better than valentine flowers ANY DAY!
(Pics tomorrow, when it's finished)

**Duffy** · 02-17-2013, 18:04

Field_tested my topquilt lastnight. I had hiking clothes and a jcp puffer vest on, but the quilt was good down to 35. Actually, 35 is the temp I started to get CBS. I added a layer to my pad, then used the quilt the rest of the night, down to 29. I'm very pleased! This will be my go-to topquilt from now on! Next project..the Lorax hood! Wish I would've had one last night.

-Duffy

**MightyMouse** · 02-20-2013, 12:53

I took a couple pictures to show the new underquilt. Duffy will get this one, and he's making me one in Hunter Orange.

I didn't get cold. Except for my feet, when they moved themselves to where the underquilt and top quilt footbox weren't. I have a VERY warm top quilt that Duffy made from a Frostline down sleeping bag, and I was wearing longjohn top & bottom with long-sleeve flannel shirt & hiking pants. I was quite impressed with how warm it was, especially when Duffy announced that it was +29F!

**pinballwizard** · 05-16-2014, 08:11

This is great looking stuff! I am working with my puffers now. I'm curious what exactly you used to make the hood? That thing looks great.

**dtp2c111** · 11-10-2014, 15:20

I know I'm about a year late to all the JCP vest puffer stuff. I'm new here!

But what vest is it exactly? I want to be on the lookout in case it comes back...but I can't seem to find it on the website.

This isn't it, right?
http://www.jcpenney.com/kids/shop-al...417104954M.tif