View Full Version : How to best use this chunk of APEX
So, I've gotten a chunk (36" x 60") of 5oz Climashield APEX. My original plan was to use this to beef up my PLUQ so I could use it at lower temps. But the more I read about people doing that that, the more I'm hearing that maybe I'd just be better off creating a brand new UQ, since the PLUQ+APEX will be a big, bulky mess. However, my sewing skills are non-existent and I don't have any faith in my ability to craft a decent UQ suspension (I think I got lucky on my PLUQ, as it does hang well).
I found some UQ shells at underquilts.com, but those seem to be made for down, since they have baffles (which would be a pain to deal with since my climashield is a solid piece). Does anyone know where to get shells for synthetics?
Although, I'm starting to feel like I'm going down the road of "buy a little this and buy a little that" and suddenly I could've bought a nice Jarbidge for what I've spent in materials. :(
PappyAmos
11-25-2014, 11:49
Hi DF, Hope you and those great boys of yours ready for Turkey Day.
Underquilts.com is, sadly, not in business any longer. Search for posts on Lost_Biker (owner of Underquilts.com) for info.
I am not aware of anyone currently selling shells for synthetic insulation, or for use with down for that matter.
36" wide is a little narrow for an underquilt. 42" or a little more more typical.
Perhaps someone else will have a better answer for you.
Pappy
I did exactly this last year .... I added 5 oz Climashield Apex to my pluq... Honestly ... yes it is a BIT more bulky than a new apex UQ ... but not really that much. It still packs down pretty small. As a reference I can fit my PLUQ in the same stuff sack as my AHE New River. It weighs a bit more, but stuffs down pretty similarly. I CAN tell you that the Beefed up PLUQ works GREAT! as well as the new river.
So ... long story short, if you do decide to add it to the PLUQ, it will work just fine. But, you're probably going to want to build/buy another one anyway :P
Boy, that 36" is just a little bit smaller than I'd want to use for an UQ, but you could give it a shot (it might work well for one of your boys). I'd pick up 2 yards of ripstop (maybe just a little extra for good measure). Cut the rip stop in half so you have two pieces of 36" x 60" ripstop and one piece of 36" x 60" APEX. I'd then follow the instructions at DIY gear supply to make the UQ.
Good luck and keep us posted on your decisions and progress.
ronniedobbs42
11-25-2014, 13:09
If you're willing to experiment a bit, you could attempt to separate the 5.0APEX into two 2.5APEX sheets. Then put the APEX pieces back together with a bit of an overlap to make a wider sheet. 44" wide would be 8" at 2.5APEX, 28" at 5.0APEX, then 8" at 2.5APEX. The thickness would be less consistent than normal, but it might work. Then get 3 yards of 1.1 2nds from diygearsupply for the liner/shell. Attached is a photo showing some APEX5.0 separated a bit.
97676
nuttysquirrel
11-25-2014, 13:14
A synthetic shell is nothing but to pieces of fabric the size of your insulation. A synth uq is really easy but 36" is a bit to narow. You could add a full width piece of 2.5 csa under it?
Personally with that size piece I would attack it in the other direction. Cut it and turn as a 4?" by the 36 long. Torso coverage / shorter partial length. Got 45,46 as your width. You would have a little waste but better coverage and your not trying to do some separation of the thickness that is tough to get even. 36" long should give you shoulders to butt or below depending on your torso length. For me it would be almost to the backs of my knees. A good sized leg/foot pad would cover that and you would have a pretty light weight and small quilt.
FireInMyBones
11-25-2014, 14:00
I have a sheet that size coming to me and I'm going to experiment making insulated socks for the winter. Once I have a working pattern, I'll share it on the forums.
Just Bill
11-25-2014, 17:59
Paul's idea is good- to add to it- you could tack the cut off piece to the bottom. Then you'd have a wide enough piece at the torso, and enough left over to make a piece under your legs. Basically the shape of a sleeping pad with wings but 3/4 uq sized. then add a ccf pad for your feet.
If you don't sew at all- and weren't too rough with it- you could probably bring a piece of shell material to a local tailor or even dry cleaner and have them make a pillow case for you to slip the insulation in.
Thanks, all. I think for now, I'm going to try and do what brino did and shove it between the layers of my PLUQ and see how it works next weekend. If it works well, I'll stick with that for now. Otherwise, I'll explore the layering option with some fabrics.
And like most of my gear, this will probably eventually get handed down to one of my kids, since I have a Jarbidge on my Christmas list. :)
Show us your results! Isn't it cool when cottage vendors give DIY tips!
pinballwizard
11-26-2014, 12:17
Isn't it cool when cottage vendors give DIY tips!
+1
Need2noCallahan
11-28-2014, 22:33
A synthetic shell is nothing but to pieces of fabric the size of your insulation. A synth uq is really easy but 36" is a bit to narow. You could add a full width piece of 2.5 csa under it?
I used a 60" x 2.5 yd sheet of 2.5 oz per sq yd and 5.0 oz per sq yd to make my diy tq
Need2noCallahan
11-28-2014, 22:49
To finish my last statement, I then used a 60" x 2.5 yd pc of 5.0 oz for an under quilt and since I only wanted a 6' x 54" uq, I cut the excess and stitched to center. Last week I got to test it and worked very well at 34 deg.
Why has no one talked about making and using small throw blankets? Just asking.
Make a vest. If its too hot, it would make a great pillow too.
Vests are easy to make
Update:
So, as I mentioned, I did end up stuffing my pluq with APEX. Here's some shots of it before:
98884
The APEX
98880
(My PLUQ is a new-sew, gatefold style, which makes this a bit easier.)
98879
98878
and done
And it obviously did bulk up the PLUQ, but really didn't change the weight significantly (the total is 3 lbs, including stuff sack). I sling my UQ under my pack, so it didn't take up much more room.
So I got to test it out on an overnight backpacking trip to Pine Mountain, GA (Beech Bottom Campsite, for those familiar with the area). Temps dropped to 31°F (had some frost on my tarp in the morning. Here's some picks of the area (sorry, my camera isn't that great).
98883
Setup on Saturday morning after hiking in
98882
View inside (you can see the APEX peeking out)
98881
Sunday morning (fuzzy because my camera is cold)
Coupled with my WallyWorld synth bag (used as a top quilt) I started warm all night. Two important lessons I learned:
1) Pitch the tarp low in cold weather, even if you're not expecting precip. Around 2am a gentle breeze started sliding under the tarp and across my face. I was too cold/tired to change the tarp pitch and just tried to block it with the hood of the mummy bag, but it was unpleasant.
2) Regular socks aren't enough! At one point in the night, my feet slipped out of the bag and I woke up with painful, frozen toes. Now I understand why people like the Flamethrower socks! I loke FIMB's ideas of making socks from the APEX, so I might try that.
Not related to the PLUQ, but I also fought with shoulder squeeze all night -- I can't get used to my new PolyD hammock (used to have an ENO DN). When I get diagonal enough for a flat lay, I feel like I'm going to fall out. But when I line up straighter, it's shoulder squeeze time. (Didn't help that I forgot to readjust my PLUQ for the longer hammock). I'm hoping it will just take some more tweaking, because I really like the lighter weight of the PolyD.
gunner76
12-15-2014, 15:59
Officially I do not know this yet, but the family went in and got me some Clamashield for XMas (my son made the mistake of opening the box in front of me). I am planning my projects now
mountain_man_mike
12-16-2014, 17:53
I saw this too late or I would have suggested taking the UQ shell you have and snipping through the baffles then inserting the APEX into the shell, stitching it in place with channels along the sides and using it as a liner to your existing UQ during really cold weather. That way you still have an UQ for summer treks yet a beefier one for colder times, rather like layering our clothes. It looks like things worked out fine though, yes?
FireInMyBones
12-18-2014, 11:14
Update:
So, as I mentioned, I did end up stuffing my pluq with APEX. Here's some shots of it before:
98884
The APEX
98880
(My PLUQ is a new-sew, gatefold style, which makes this a bit easier.)
98879
98878
and done
And it obviously did bulk up the PLUQ, but really didn't change the weight significantly (the total is 3 lbs, including stuff sack). I sling my UQ under my pack, so it didn't take up much more room.
So I got to test it out on an overnight backpacking trip to Pine Mountain, GA (Beech Bottom Campsite, for those familiar with the area). Temps dropped to 31°F (had some frost on my tarp in the morning. Here's some picks of the area (sorry, my camera isn't that great).
98883
Setup on Saturday morning after hiking in
98882
View inside (you can see the APEX peeking out)
98881
Sunday morning (fuzzy because my camera is cold)
Coupled with my WallyWorld synth bag (used as a top quilt) I started warm all night. Two important lessons I learned:
1) Pitch the tarp low in cold weather, even if you're not expecting precip. Around 2am a gentle breeze started sliding under the tarp and across my face. I was too cold/tired to change the tarp pitch and just tried to block it with the hood of the mummy bag, but it was unpleasant.
2) Regular socks aren't enough! At one point in the night, my feet slipped out of the bag and I woke up with painful, frozen toes. Now I understand why people like the Flamethrower socks! I loke FIMB's ideas of making socks from the APEX, so I might try that.
Not related to the PLUQ, but I also fought with shoulder squeeze all night -- I can't get used to my new PolyD hammock (used to have an ENO DN). When I get diagonal enough for a flat lay, I feel like I'm going to fall out. But when I line up straighter, it's shoulder squeeze time. (Didn't help that I forgot to readjust my PLUQ for the longer hammock). I'm hoping it will just take some more tweaking, because I really like the lighter weight of the PolyD.
Once I have a workable pattern (I'm very close), I'll post it on the forums in the Donating Members area. I look forward to seeing your results. Thanks for the trip report.