Bridgeskin

**rpettit** · 12-04-2007, 20:47

I'm serious about buying one. If not, with directions maybe I can pay someone local to make it for me.

**snull** · 12-04-2007, 20:57

no doubt, start a company and sell them this is amazing

you turned a backpack into a bridge hammock

if you can do that you can make a coat that turns into an underquilt and pants that are a tarp

woot!!!

**cgul1** · 12-04-2007, 21:45

this is really kewel
innovative etc etc.
But I think most of us are saying - I want one - plans, kits, or in shrink wrap
market study over...

**cameronjreed** · 12-04-2007, 22:22

Dutch,
Two words...
TOTALLY AWESOME!!

Seeing these photos makes me want to go back to the sewing machine and star working on my next gearskin/bridge hammock.

BTW. Thanks for the hornorable mention

**Hooch** · 12-05-2007, 07:19

Dutch, that is way cool beyond belief. If it were mine, I'd call it the "Transformer" pack. More than meets the eye! Anyway, very slick design, definitely a multi-tasker and I'm sure quite the weight saver. Quite the impressive piece of gear, for sure. Congrats!

**lvleph** · 12-05-2007, 07:22

The thing that scares me most about the bridge skin is that you are going to rely on something that gets abrasions to hold all of you weight. So I guess one would want to use some heavy fabric, which obviously will add a bit of weight to the pack. However, I wonder if it still counteracts the added weight of carrying a separate shelter. How much does your bridge skin weigh?

**GrizzlyAdams** · 12-05-2007, 08:01

Originally Posted by lvleph

The thing that scares me most about the bridge skin is that you are going to rely on something that gets abrasions to hold all of you weight. So I guess one would want to use some heavy fabric, which obviously will add a bit of weight to the pack. However, I wonder if it still counteracts the added weight of carrying a separate shelter. How much does your bridge skin weigh?

The exposed material Dutch is using is 4.4 oz/yard; that's the spine, not the wings (which fold in). From the photos I'd estimate the spine is 18" wide, maybe 76" long. That's a square yard, more or less, and we could figure then a 2.5 oz penalty over the fabric cost of making a bridge solely from 1.9 oz ripstop. Throw in a little more for the seams.

So the way I'd look at it, is that if you're going to carry a bridge hammock, then you get a pack too at a weight differential from a regular pack that equals regular pack weight minus (2.5 oz plus weight of straps and such from the gearskin).

Grizz

**Dutch** · 12-05-2007, 08:35

Originally Posted by lvleph

The thing that scares me most about the bridge skin is that you are going to rely on something that gets abrasions to hold all of you weight. So I guess one would want to use some heavy fabric, which obviously will add a bit of weight to the pack. However, I wonder if it still counteracts the added weight of carrying a separate shelter. How much does your bridge skin weigh?

I know exactly what you mean. The material for the pack was sent by Grizz and it is some tough and heavy stuff. He never mentioned what it is and maybe he will chime in. I think it will work out well but I still have to be a little careful. I also think if it was raining your hammock will be at least a little wet even with a pack cover. A down quilt wouldn't work well with it. Honestly I don't even carry poles any more and I have been trying to work away from using pads and start using quilts. I was surprised no one asked me what it weighs yet. It weighs 1.7 pounds without a suspension. The current suspension I'm using is buckles and webbing that probably weighs 1/2 pound. So I think the total weight savings is only a about pound and half. I will do better on v2. I went overboard on the webbing and straps. I also made the shoulder straps thick and wide enough to carry much more then I would ever carry. I want to replace the suspension but it is so easy I don't mind the 1/2 pound.

Weight savings was pretty for down on my priorities when I made it. I wanted something that would be so sheik I could set it up in the mall outside Ambercrombie and Finch store and blend in so I wouldn't get Mall Security called on me again. Turns out it isn't that sheik.

**GrizzlyAdams** · 12-05-2007, 09:13

Originally Posted by Dutch

I know exactly what you mean. The material for the pack was sent by Grizz and it is some tough and heavy stuff. He never mentioned what it is and maybe he will chime in. I think it will work out well but I still have to be a little careful. I also think if it was raining your hammock will be at least a little wet even with a pack cover. A down quilt wouldn't work well with it. Honestly I don't even carry poles any more and I have been trying to work away from using pads and start using quilts. I was surprised no one asked me what it weighs yet. It weighs 1.7 pounds without a suspension. The current suspension I'm using is buckles and webbing that probably weighs 1/2 pound. So I think the total weight savings is only a about pound and half. I will do better on v2. I went overboard on the webbing and straps. I also made the shoulder straps thick and wide enough to carry much more then I would ever carry. I want to replace the suspension but it is so easy I don't mind the 1/2 pound.

Weight savings was pretty for down on my priorities when I made it. I wanted something that would be so sheik I could set it up in the mall outside Ambercrombie and Finch store and blend in so I wouldn't get Mall Security called on me again. Turns out it isn't that sheik.

Got it from Rochford, but the links I had (and just posted above) on it don't work anymore.

It was just called "lightweight" nylon ripstop. Lightweight turning out to be 4.4 oz/yard! Feels like the nylon Cordova material you get with heavier packs, and luggage.

Grizz

**Hooch** · 12-05-2007, 10:35

I was just thinking that the Bridgeskin in the Army ACU digital camo would be a great pack for Sgt Rock to take on his thru, but then again, after the end of January I'm sure he could do just fine if he never saw camo of any kind again.