This is just a follow-up to this thread
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...=Insultex%2CIX
and this one:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...615#post241615
But clearly experience with this material will be and is advancing rapidly.
I don't see how this stuff can even work other than a vapor/radiant barrier. There is obviously some warmth ( maybe quite significant) with even one layer. But it looks like I have a thin piece of paper hung under my hammock. Other than VB/RB effects, how can that even insulate more than a couple of degrees? I think it does, but how does it? I know there is supposed to be some trapped air, but a CCF pad has trapped air. And .021" of CCF ( and even less so with down or CS) is not going to insulate much! So, what is going on?
The insulation claims at these websites seem preposterous:
http://www.insultex.com/index2.html (One layer = -13 degrees F
(2.0 CLO value) )
http://www.idigear.com/insultex.php
lightest thinnest warmest
A factual example of the efficiency of Insultex™ is as follows:
- 1 layer of Insultex™ protects a person to –25º C (-13º F)
- 1 square yard of insultex™ is 0.021 inches thick and weighs 0.42 oz.
- 8.8 oz. of insultex™ can float approx. 287 lbs. of body weight
- Insultex™ has a melting point of 194°F
- Insultex™ material can be sewn and/or laminated
- Multiple layers of Insultex™ can be used to provide practically unlimited levels of insulation
I don't understand these outrageous claims. They seem to be saying one layer is good to MINUS 13F? Even if one .42 oz/sq.yd layer is good to 40 or 50, I still think that is great, but -13? Come on! What could they be basing such a claim on? And if accurate, does it have something to do with the shells and fit? And again, I don't see how this stuff is even insulating 10*F worth( i.e. warm at 60F), but it definitely is.
OTOH, it is hard to argue with the testimonials ( large numbers of ice fishermen 100% positive) and videos. Many videos of newspeople, wearing the Arctic Armour product, jumping into an ice bound lake. After initial yells due to the shock of cold, they completely float and settle down quickly. And after the end of the test, they are all warm enough. This stuff seems like magic.
And is it a vapor barrior, and waterproof, or not? The above IDI page shows it being like a waterproof/breathable fabric, per the illustration shown. "Other properties possessed by Insultex™ include being very thin, lightweight, flexible, waterproof, windproof and buoyant."
So, what is going on here? What is this material, where did it come from and is it as good as they claim? I think it definitely has major potential for us hammock hangers, for a super lightweight booster or stand alone. But can it be as good as the companies, newsfolks and testimonials claim?
But it is good to know that if I my hammock falls into a river, I will float rather than drown! ( actually, if I was an ice fisherman, I would be thrilled with that property!)
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