An idea for an overquilt

**Frolicking Dino** · 04-21-2007, 13:42

I was reading about the desire for overquilts to be multi-use and the thought came to me that adding a half quilt to a standard down jacket would make a quilt that would stay put when you were wearing the jacket and could be reversed (jacket at the bottom) for those nights when you might only need to be partly covered. If a method were built in to allow you to tie the bottom of the half quilt up enough to walk & keep it off the ground, it would also be wearable in camp on those oh-so-chilly mornings. Any thoughts?

**lvleph** · 04-21-2007, 13:54

Sort of sounds like a nunatak.

**Frolicking Dino** · 04-21-2007, 16:50

Similar except I am thinking about the jacket and lower quilt being detactable parts so that the jacket functions as a jacket during the day and as part of a sleep system at night while the half quilt functions as part of the sleep system and extra warmth for camp (when the extra warmth is really needed.)

**Nest** · 04-21-2007, 18:31

I think that fancy velco stuff that doesn't scratch and everyone talks about but I can't think of the name would work.

**Frolicking Dino** · 04-21-2007, 18:56

Omni Velcro?

**lvleph** · 04-21-2007, 19:06

Yeah, I linked to the wrong one. They also have a half quilt and a parka.

**Just Jeff** · 04-21-2007, 19:35

Check the nunatak half bag.

**Nest** · 04-21-2007, 21:13

Yeah, omni. You would still have a regular down jacket for around camp, and going into town. Then just attach the blanket to the bottom of the jacket and you got your quilt. Plus you could just use the quilt without the jacket on warmer nights when full coverage isn't needed.

**Coffee** · 04-21-2007, 23:46

I was tossing around that idea awhile back. I think it is on the post hike DIY list. I figured I could make the down jacket from thru-hiker, add the strip of omnitape like you guys are talking about around the bottom of the jacket, and make a small quilt.

I am kind of hoping that someone else does it before than and works out all of the details.

**Frolicking Dino** · 04-22-2007, 03:17

Originally Posted by lvleph

Yeah, I linked to the wrong one. They also have a half quilt and a parka.

The elephant foot is the only half-size I could find on their site and it is a half bag without any way to open the sides or bottom.

HE - I already have an REI down jacket so making a half quilt would be pretty easy - make the width the same size as the bottom of my jacket and the length about a foot longer than what is needed to be floor length for me.

I'm kicking around ideas for the lower closure:
First - omni velcro slits on the lower part of both sides to about 6" above the ankle and a cinch-cord in the bottom like the nanatuk model. With the cinch cord undone, you would just flip the lower part up and secure it on the outside of the quilt to wear it plus the jacket as robe. I think this could work with the velcro on one side only.
Second - an omni velcro slit on one side to about 6" above the ankles and across the bottom and using the shortening method above.
Both of the above ideas strike me as being real difficult to undo inside a hammock at 3AM when a trip to the privy is needed.

The ideal closure would have a way to undo the cinch cord that could easily be reached while lying in the hammock. I suppose I could thread the cinch cord thru a few loops up the middle of the quilt so the toggle closure was about mid-thigh, but I have a feeling that would lead to bunching on the front of the quilt. What do nk?