Diy Spe?

[storm1]

are there any plans on here for making a DIY SPE? i searched around but haven't found anything?

i think i read that the back of the SPEER SPE is spandex?

[Just Jeff]

http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearSPE.html

[Kaliram]

Here's my DIY SPE CCF Space Blanket whatchmacallit:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14196

Two nights last week at 9.600 ft and 0 degrees, then 9 degrees....and toasty warm (thank God!)

[dragonfly.hiker]

make me one too Storm ;)

[Bluenose Climbers]

What kind do you have in mind Storm1?

[storm1]

are there any plans on here for making a DIY SPE? i searched around but haven't found anything?

i think i read that the back of the SPEER SPE is spandex?

does anyone have any detailed/ close-up pics of the Speer SPE? i'd like to see pics of where the wings attach to the body? is there a small gap between the pad and wing and also between the wings on the 4X4 model?

what would be a good fabric to use? is the back side spandex?

[Just Jeff]

There are some pretty close-up pics on the SPE website: http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/SPE.htm

And some close-up pics of my DIY version on the link above.

The back side is spandex, but it doesn't have to be. I made mine with shockcord and elastic strips and it works fine. I also made one with a zipper that mates to my sleeping bag...that one needs spandex on the back and a draft tube on the inside. But for a normal SPE it doesn't have to be made of spandex.

Depending on how thick your wings are and how wide your pad is, there can be a small gap between the wings and pad. I've never heard of anyone complaining about getting a cold spot there, though.

The design is very simple...you just sew some small tubes to a bigger tube. Simple designs make the best gear, IMO. The SPE pretty ingenious.

[storm1]

Jeff - the space between the upper and lower wings appears to be about 4" on the Speer but i don't see much of a gap on your DIY? any recommendations?

[rigidpsycho]

Here's my no-sew SPE altough I have since added more wings to it

[Just Jeff]

Your wing pad can't run the full length of the SPE b/c it will buckle when you lay on it...so you need one pad at your shoulders and another pad at your hips. Ed's SPE holds each pad in its own sleeve...for ease of construction, I just made one long tube down each side. I still put two pads in each tube so it has one at your shoulders and one at your hips, though. The tiny bit of extra fabric was worth it IMO to save construction time and complexity.

[rigidpsycho]

I actually just added wings around the hip area on mine. After the first time using it at the Thanksgiving hang at Red River gorge without the hip wings and was cold, I decided to add hip wings.

[L.D. Cakes]

I've taken Just Jeff's idea and made a PE out of some 60" wide ripstop I found at Hamricks Fabrics. I simply folded it over and sewed it together. Made a 20" channel down the middle leaving smaller channels on both sides for the wings. I made it full length because I wanted extra protection for my feet (I sleep very cold especially my feet) and I like the feeling of being cocooned. My thermarest (partially deflated) goes in the middle and I cut 2 pieces for each side of Reflectix for the wings. Like Jeff I leave the space empty where the extender bends on each side where the wings are. I had to get in it in my hammock to adjust t to exactly where I wanted it. I also sewed some Velcro strips at the openings so all would stay contained. It all folds up and roles into a bundle small enough to fit into the green dry sack made by Outdoors that comes in a multi size pack I found at Wally World. I made an extra sit pad out of the Reflectix that doubles as a little extra insulation for under my butt.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=725&pictureid=5312
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=725&pictureid=5311
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=725&pictureid=5310
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=725&pictureid=5305
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=725&pictureid=5314

[stretch]

I made an effective torso length SPE in the same fashion as ldcakes. Doubled up blue walmart pats got me to 28*F without complaint.
Once you have used a foam pad a few times it should have some wrinkles about where your waist would be lying on it. Slicing these areas with a razor blade can almost eliminate the buckling improving comfort.

[islander]

Nice pad project. I like this allot.

Makes me wonder if I should break down and find a $50-$100 sewing machine [thread injector] to do these types of simple projects.

Thanks for the detailed photos too.


I've taken Just Jeff's idea and made a PE out of some 60" wide ripstop I found at Hamricks Fabrics. I simply folded it over and sewed it together. Made a 20" channel down the middle leaving smaller channels on both sides for the wings. I made it full length because I wanted extra protection for my feet (I sleep very cold especially my feet) and I like the feeling of being cocooned. My thermarest (partially deflated) goes in the middle and I cut 2 pieces for each side of Reflectix for the wings. Like Jeff I leave the space empty where the extender bends on each side where the wings are. I had to get in it in my hammock to adjust t to exactly where I wanted it. I also sewed some Velcro strips at the openings so all would stay contained. It all folds up and roles into a bundle small enough to fit into the green dry sack made by Outdoors that comes in a multi size pack I found at Wally World. I made an extra sit pad out of the Reflectix that doubles as a little extra insulation for under my butt.

[Duffy]

I'm going to try to attach pics of my diy SPE(first time with pics!). I guess I'm a minimalist, more of a hiker than a camper. I made this in about 15 minutes, and I've been camping in it for 5 or 6 years, including several hundred miles on the AT. It works! When disassembled, the SPE with wings is the perfect size for a back pad for my Mariposa, or easily packs in the same spot in my ULA Catalyst. I just tie the folded Z-lite on top of my pack, where it's handy for quick naps on the trail!

As you can see (I hope), I just took a length of silnylon, folded it in half, and ran a few seams for wing pockets. I left the edges un-hemmed, and they haven't come unraveled yet. I tacked the wing pads in place after they slipped out a time or two.