Bridgeskin II

**Dutch** · 03-28-2009, 16:48

I have been working on my new bridgeskin design all winter. I am glad to be done with this project b/c it was never ending. The more I worked on it the more things I would decide to put on it.

It looks like my first one but I made some changes. First of all it is made from one peice of fabric and it is waterproof. I loved my first one but I was always afraid of the 1.9 ripstop wings tearing at the sewn seam. This one is made from OWF stormproof 4 oz per yard w/ some kind of DWR. Very strong stuff.

Some other changes are it has a hip belt, a removable mesh pocket, a dedicated sleeve for my poles, and the endcaps have a pocket to store the suspension.

It also can be used as an emergency bivy.

The one thing I didn't like about the first BS is I had to remove the suspension every time. Having the endcap act as a stow-away pocket is very convenient. It also has a pocket on the endcap for something small like a headlamp. I made the mesh pocket removable so I don't have to take it if I don't need it. Another advantage to it is if my tarp is wet I can flip it over to help it dry. The sleeve for my poles also hold pole that act a spreader bars for my tarp. The hip belt is actually an extra from my ULA P-2 and has pockets on the front. When I thru'd I lost weight and Brian sent me a second hipbelt. I kind of feel like i cheated by using commercial hipbelt on it so please forgive me. I will use this for weekend hikes (which is most of my hikes) that aren't terribly buggy.

**LostCause** · 03-28-2009, 17:02

Awesome!!! Thanks for feeding the DIY gear fix for me!

This is the coolest piece of gear I've seen. Super multifunctional. How much weight does the new material add? Does it stick to the skin when you sleep in it?

**Dutch** · 03-28-2009, 17:27

LC the DWR is on the outside of the hammock so it feels just like any ripstop except you can feel the sturdiness. i don't know how but you just can. The amount of fabric that make up the wings is very unsubstantial. I weighed the fabric alone and it was just 3/4 of a pound. I don't know that I would actually use it like a bivy but when I was out West in the New Mexico desert this winter I could have used it then.

**Arkwater** · 03-28-2009, 17:47

Looks great! Have you thought about using the spreader bars as some sort of frame when in pack mode? Would be sweet if you could!

**pedro** · 03-28-2009, 17:57

Nicely done! Very well thought out, Dutch.

**JayS** · 03-28-2009, 18:13

Great job. You learned well from your first bridgeskin, grasshopper.
Seriously, they just keep getting better. Knowing you, the craftsmanship is as good as the design. Thanks for sharing.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 03-28-2009, 19:43

Cool job Dutch. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.

Grizz

**jeffjenn** · 03-28-2009, 20:28

I have been waiting for this day since you first mentioned a version #2. I must say you didn't dissapoint! Looks great!!! Now when can we expect the step by step instructions?