Late Night DIY (First DIY)

[Dancer]

Ok, backstory on this DIY goes like this:

Hooch, the wonderful boyfriend that he is, bought me a Speer SPE (Pad Extender) and I like it. The problem that I've run into now is that I have a Big Agnes Lost Ranger Long 15 degree bag that I LOVE!! It has no bottom insulation, but a pad sleeve, and that is where I used to put my thermarest. Now my thermarest goes in the SPE.

Hooch and I discussed that the lack of under insulation with my bag could be a problem and he recommended that on our upcoming overnight that I take my ridgerest as well and put it in the bag sleeve. I couldn't get my head around carrying two full pads and the wing inserts for the SPE and have been pondering this extensively.

In the middle of the night last night......It hit me! I had an idea!

I went to my junk/gear room and rummaged up a space blanket, orange duct tape, spray adhesive and heavy duty velcro

This is what I ended up with:



It is real primitive and the space blanket wrinkled and refused to cooperate with the spray adhesive but I measured my thermarest and divided the space blanket in sections of that width. Ended up about 2 and a half. I sprayed the middle with adhesive, folded in the half....sprayed that with adhesive and folded over the full side. Then for stability I bound the edges with duct tape, more on the ends than the sides, and attached velcro to the bag and my new creation.

I slid the blanket creation into the sleeve and hooked the velcro.....LIKE BUTTA!!!!! Fit like a dream. Got in the bag, zipped up and started rolling and moving...not much noise at all for a space blanket...I was very pleased. It fit so perfectly that it didn't move around either, no gaps.



Ok, so I'm going to try this out Sunday night on the trail. I think it's going to work like a charm. If anything it might be too warm. Tell me what you think...no holds barred....was I just kinda freaking out in my sleep or was this a good idea? Oh! and Hooch hasn't seen it yet!

[Cannibal]

Hmmm. It's a neat idea. Not much of a space blanket user (I sweat too much), but I'm curious how it works out for you. That's a pretty inexpensive way to solve a problem. Hope it works!

[headchange4u]

Sweet. Nice way to improvise.

[Ewker]

There is no difference in laying on the pad while in the sleeping bag vs the SPE. It is still there under you. Just take it and the wings for the SPE.

[Cannibal]

There is no difference in laying on the pad while in the sleeping bag vs the SPE. It is still there under you. Just take it and the wings for the SPE.

You keep trying to make things simple. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Dancer]

There is no difference in laying on the pad while in the sleeping bag vs the SPE. It is still there under you. Just take it and the wings for the SPE.

but the pad is in the SPE and the bottom of the sleeping bag has no insulation, if the bag were to twist around, my back or side would be exposed, or could be.

[Ewker]

but the pad is in the SPE and the bottom of the sleeping bag has no insulation, if the bag were to twist around, my back or side would be exposed, or could be.

then keep it in the bag so it is always under you. The bag will protect your sides just like if you are laying on the ground. Either way will work

[Hooch]

Excellent idea, babe! We'll see how it works out this weekend on the trail. BTW, we're hiking Max Patch to Standing Bear Farm if anyone is interested in joining us.

.......The bag will protect your sides just like if you are laying on the ground.......

Sorry Ewker, we wouldn't know about laying on the ground.

[Peter_pan]

There is no difference in laying on the pad while in the sleeping bag vs the SPE. It is still there under you. Just take it and the wings for the SPE.

Take note....Ewker is right on..... Bottoms are overrated....so say thousands of quilt (and open bags, like quilts) users....It is just a matter of turning in the bag vs turning the bag.

Pan

[Dancer]

Take note....Ewker is right on..... Bottoms are overrated....so say thousands of quilt (and open bags, like quilts) users....It is just a matter of turning in the bag vs turning the bag.

Pan

I get that but I also know that I move around alot in my sleep and tend to move the sleeping bag with me. We'll see how it works out.