I am trying to envision the use of this in a loose in layers design that is adaptable to more temperature ranges. If the thermoflect were more vapor freindly I think I have some ideas forming in my head. I like the PLUQ for its simple design and versatility (all gear worth carying should act in more than one purpose or it gets left home typically), however the tests WV is doing has me thinking about incorperating it within some other designs. So I'm hoping more testing continues.
I will be gathering materials soon for my first DIY hammock family project, thanks for the info Hammockforums folks. I'll post a few pics when we get rolling.
I wonder if the schock effect might be reduced or eliminated under an outer layer of nylon. I can't immagine it would reduce the thermal capabilities any by doing so.
Please forgive me if I've missed this but would it be possible to sew this material to a silnylon tarp? Or what would be the best way to attach it? I'm looking for an application a la Mors' Super Shelter.
Thanks.
I made a top quilt with Thermoflect, Primaloft insulation, and silk. The Thermoflect was aerated by stitching parallel rows every 1/2" in two directions with no thread in the machine. The quilt was assembled by sewing two layers of primaloft between an outer layer of Thermoflect and a silk liner. Sewing works okay, but I used the longest stitch length because I suspect that the material is not as strong as silnylon (or silk), and a line of closely spaced needle holes might tear easily.
Coincidentally, I used this quilt last night. My aeration holes let it breathe some, but not as well as ripstop nylon, which I feel is a better choice for a quilt. For a Mors Super Shelter, Thermoflect might work for a back wall, with a silnylon top and a front wall of some clear material like polyethylene. I don't know if Thermoflect is waterproof (though it should be, being a vapor barrier) or how the blue side of the material reacts to moisture. It may absorb water. It may delaminate. Test it and post your conclusions.
I have some of the silver cuben fiber, and I plan to make a Super Shelter with it and clear cuben. That could be problematical, too, because the silver cuben tends to delaminate when wet.
Thanks for the insights WV. So far in my experiments I have found it very hard to beat the mylar space blankets for effectiveness and lightweight in Super Shelters. I'm always looking for something better though.
It has been over a year since anyone commented. Anyone still playing with this stuff? Any test yet on the water proof capabilities of the thermoflect. I am thinking cold weather gloves with thermo as the outside shell.
Yosemite Sam: Are you trying to make me look a fool?
Bugs: You don't need me to make you look like a fool.
Yosemite Sam: Yer deerrrnnn right I don't!
Jazilla, prompted by your post I pulled out a sheet of Thermoflect and draped it in a large bowl over a paper towel so I could pour some water into the Thermoflect. I left a couple of pints of water sitting for over an hour, and the towel stayed dry underneath, so I'd say it's waterproof when new. I don't know how it would hold up to abrasion or wrinkling, though. Still, it's encouraging.
A couple of years ago I made some "waterproof" overmitts out of silnylon with "white widow" pack cloth palms. I even treated the seams with silicone, but it turned out that the pack cloth (which looked like it had a waterproof coating) leaked pretty badly. My possum down gloves inside were soaked after a couple of hours of hiking in the rain. No fun.
Looking forward to Mt. Rogers, I ordered some Arctic Tuff Mitts. The "roughed up surface" has the texture of heavy duty asphalt roofing, and it's about as flexible. It might be useful when cutting and hauling firewood (or ice-fishing), but it does look like it might keep water out. The good news is that the polyester pile liners are easily removable and very light weight. I might make some outer mitts with Thermoflect to use with them. They're roomy enough to fit over any other gloves I might wear. I don't know if the reflective surface will help much with liners blocking radiation, but will try anyway.
I only ordered 1 and wish I had ordered 3 or 4. Only using it for a blanket for a short nap, warm up my dog or for an emergency. It is great.
Belated update: I did make some thermoflect overmitts, and between the vapor barrier and reflective properties, they are incredibly warm. They're also very light. I'll pack them as a regular part of my rain gear for those cold Spring and Fall wet weather hikes. Best use for thermoflect I've discovered so far.
If we're on to items as small as gloves, and you want to believe in shiny, then why not recycle and fabricate from the tough, light, and resilient shipping bags FedEx and UPS use? I estimate the stuff to weigh 2oz / yd2.
Did I mention that I'm referring to filmt that may be white on the printed outside, but it sure is SILVERY shiny on the other side?
Last edited by DemostiX; 03-10-2014 at 19:39.
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