Shamu !!!!!

I received my shamu under quilt about two weeks ago and I just got to set it up on my switchback hammock. Being a full length uq it only weighs about ten ounces. So far I haven't slept with it but today is going to be the day!!! I am finally getting some insulation dialed in. This is going to be my summer quilt and the customer service and the quality are outstandingly superior. Now I also just sent a mac pack to be updated and re fitted for me! Yeah me!
Pics as soon possible.
added pics but cant rotate? lol

I love my shamu... It's the only under quilt I have... I have used it by itself down to 35*... With a sock down to 25* and with a CCF pad down to 18*!!! It has been amazing for me...

Same here, I love my IX underquilts!

I slept out yesterday in it and the temps were 42-52*. I was nice and comfy, I also was using a enlightened equipment 20* top quilt with it. I was using my sw 1.9dl under a dd tarp and wind was 10-20mph.. GOTTA LOVE THAT! suppose to get to 25 or so here tonight so thinking this with a cabela's self inflating pad and we will see:)

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Originally Posted by mountainhanger

I slept out yesterday in it and the temps were 42-52*. I was nice and comfy, I also was using a enlightened equipment 20* top quilt with it. I was using my sw 1.9dl under a dd tarp and wind was 10-20mph.. GOTTA LOVE THAT! suppose to get to 25 or so here tonight so thinking this with a cabela's self inflating pad and we will see:)

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If it were me playing with new gear... I would lay that mat down under the hammock... Sleep until I woke up cold... Check the temp throw in the mat and go back to sleep... Weather channel will do hourly updates in most areas... Should give you a good guesstimate of your temps in the shamu...

good idea! thanks brute :)

Waiting anxiously on this field report

Sorry guys but due to life getting in the way i wasnt able to test this down to the temp i wanted will keep you updated:(:(

Dang... every time I see that heading "Shamu" I think somebody caught me napping again...

So what kind of stuffing does the Shamus have, down?

I believe its Insultex IX insulation

I believe macentyre calls it ppfe. It also has the piece in the middle that helps with heat retention. His Web page gives good description of his under quilt. Had down to about 45* for a nap and was warm! Giving it another run tomorrow. If all works well gonna use it on my vacation hike.

The Shamu and Baby Orca use PPEF, or Perforated Poly Ethylene Foam. It's the same thing as Insultex, without the polypropylene scrim. Since it is covered inside and out with nylon, we figured we could do without the quilted poly scrim (and the expense) of Insultex. It works exactly as IX and is a tad bit lighter.

The Shamu is one of my favorite pieces of gear. It really covers a wide range of conditions and can easily be supplemented as was already stated.

Miguel

You have my attention. This Shamu looks like it might be just what I'm after.

The way Brute1100 drops "Shamu, Shamu" into so many UQ threads, I was starting to think it was an ancient hammocker blessing ! :laugh:

So what size does it pack down to ?

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Originally Posted by Picaro

You have my attention. This Shamu looks like it might be just what I'm after.

The way Brute1100 drops "Shamu, Shamu" into so many UQ threads, I was starting to think it was an ancient hammocker blessing ! :laugh:

So what size does it pack down to ?

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Size of an American footballish... Not really compact, but if its only 40* your not going to save but 4oz by going to down underquilt... It is cost effective, but you do take a size hit...

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Originally Posted by MacEntyre

The Shamu and Baby Orca use PPEF, or Perforated Poly Ethylene Foam. It's the same thing as Insultex, without the polypropylene scrim. Since it is covered inside and out with nylon, we figured we could do without the quilted poly scrim (and the expense) of Insultex. It works exactly as IX and is a tad bit lighter.

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What!!!

You changed the material on me. I have an original Shamu bought from TtTTG about to years ago. When did the change happen?

I really like my Shamu. I'm 5'11" and I'd call it a 5/6th UQ, but that's splitting hairs. It has faithfully worked for me down to 40degF. Mine weights about 14oz. Looks like I'm gonna have to buy a new one if they are lighter.

If anyone is looking for a reasonably priced 40degF UQ I always point them to the Shamu first.

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Originally Posted by AaronAlso

You changed the material on me. I have an original Shamu bought from TtTTG about to years ago. When did the change happen?

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Not really... it's the same insulating material, without the quilted poly scrim. The insulating layer in Insultex is Polyethylene, perforated in the quilting process.

Tree to Tree Trail Gear does not make MMG any more. When they did, they used Insultex. PPEF is fragile, compared to Insultex, until you get it faced with nylon. Inside a Shamu or a Baby Orca, they both perform identically because they both use 1/32" polyethylene.

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Originally Posted by AaronAlso

Looks like I'm gonna have to buy a new one if they are lighter.

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I think the weight difference is at most 3 ounces, if I remember correctly. It might be less.

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Originally Posted by AaronAlso

If anyone is looking for a reasonably priced 40degF UQ I always point them to the Shamu first.

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Thank you very much!

The Baby Orca is my favorite. Thing1 and I will be taking ours into Linville Gorge next weekend.

- MacEntyre

i am a little confused today, slept outside last night and forgot my digital thermometer, but according to the internet, its only 41 out and i was awakened by being cold.. now i was sleeping in a 1.1 dl diy from john sawyer and not my switchback, andi had a cotton tshirt on under a nylon type winter shirt.. and with my twenty degree top quilt .. one more thing, while i did not feel like i sweated, there were areas were i was kind of damp cold and as usual mostley by my shoulders and neck area. ANY thoughts??? I am thinking that i actually got warmer as i fell asleep and then as the temp droped a little condensation or sweat stuck with the t shirt and i got cold??

You may have had a cold air intrusion, or drafts, between the UQ and hammock. It is important to get a good fit by adjusting the tension of the suspension and the drawstrings in the end channels.

Also, some folks do not fill up a Shamu. If, during the night, you slowly moved into a curled up position, you could develop cold spots. That's why the Shamu is not actually full length. Your shoulders on one end and your feet on the other end help to fill up the UQ and keep it sealed.

- MacEntyre

Mountainhanger,

First off, what Mac said is entirely true. It fits a little different than a similarly rated UQ. Just takes some experimenting to find out what works for you.

I have occasionally gotten condensation inside my Shamu. It isn't usually enough to wake me up; just enough to notice when packing up the next morning. I have found over the last two years and IDK maybe 24 nights in the Shamu that while IX is a good insulator it isn't the best thermal regulator. I think that because of it's light weight we expect it to perform like down, but down it is not. For me, it works works very best at varying degrees of venting between 50-70degF. With conscious effort to not over heat myself I can get to 40degF, but that is the source of the condensation I'm sure is over heating; for myself.

Other things I've learn...

Don't use an UQ protector, like dri ducks, or silny. The IX (even with scrim) doesn't soak up much water. I''ve found IX needs all the airflow it can get to better regulate tempurature. I even reccomend not having a full coveravge (to the ground) tarp; you need some airflow.

Mac, what are the demensions of the Shamu? Can u do an extra layer to get down to 30 degrees, and how much would that effect the weight? Thanks, sean

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Originally Posted by Jewelers

Mac, what are the demensions of the Shamu?

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I don't have the exact dimensions handy. It's 50 inches at the widest point, and about six feet long, perhaps a bit less.

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Originally Posted by Jewelers

Can u do an extra layer to get down to 30 degrees, and how much would that effect the weight? Thanks, sean

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Thing1 and I have no trouble getting to freezing with a Baby Orca and a 5-in-1 Jerry Chair, but we are warm sleepers, and we use down top blankets.

I have found that adding layers will greatly increase the likelihood of condensation. It also adds a lot to the bulk, and makes it hard to stow.

I recommend using vapor permeable insulation below freezing.

- MacEntyre

Aaron, thanks for the advice, I of course will continue to use so i can adjust properly, and i think perhaps your correct as far as thermal regulation goes. i was concerned about airflow from under tarp, but i thought it would rob me of any insulation value, but now i see i may be wrong..experience will come i am sure, but i can say that i love the coverage and the weight of the shamu, and for the temp range its hard to beat..

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Originally Posted by Jewelers

Mac, what are the demensions of the Shamu? Thanks, sean

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I just measured mine...

Tie out to tie out width 25.5"
Center width 41"
Center length 66"

You're welcome
-A.A.

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Originally Posted by MacEntyre

I don't have the exact dimensions handy. It's 50 inches at the widest point, and about six feet long, perhaps a bit less.


Thing1 and I have no trouble getting to freezing with a Baby Orca and a 5-in-1 Jerry Chair, but we are warm sleepers, and we use down top blankets.

I have found that adding layers will greatly increase the likelihood of condensation. It also adds a lot to the bulk, and makes it hard to stow.

I recommend using vapor permeable insulation below freezing.

- MacEntyre

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Thanks Mac, can You do a specific color like say multicam for the Shamu?

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Originally Posted by AaronAlso

I just measured mine...

Tie out to tie out width 25.5"
Center width 41"
Center length 6'6"

You're welcome
-A.A.

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Thanks a bunch

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Originally Posted by Jewelers

Thanks Mac, can You do a specific color like say multicam for the Shamu?

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I have black (outside) and white (inside) in stock. Email me to arrange a special order.

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Originally Posted by AaronAlso

Tie out to tie out width 25.5"
Center width 41"
Center length 6'6"

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How old is yours?

I enlargened the pattern not too long ago.

- MacEntyre

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Originally Posted by Jewelers

Thanks a bunch

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Ok this just happened!

I work third shift and was half passed out when I posted that tbis morning. I go to sleep for a few bours and wake when it hits me. I typed that last measurement wrong on The forum. 6'6" has hence been corrected to 66".

Mac,

It is at least 2 years old I sure.

From your PM it is clear that yours is an early model. The current Shamu and Baby Orca are wider in the middle and at the ends, and they have end channels. The 5-in-1 Jerry Chair, which is a modified Baby Orca, has side channels as well.

For refference the prototype I have that is disassemble and never used ( yes I have two ) measures...

28" on the ends
42" width
75" length

This is probably closer to the size of the current Shamu; is that correct?

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Originally Posted by AaronAlso

This is probably closer to the size of the current Shamu; is that correct?

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Close. It's a little narrower than a Shamu.