DIY UQ from SB

[exdiver]

Slept outside in the yard last night testing a new short UQ made from a Wally World youth model 40 degree sleeping bag. Final size ended up aprox 52 inch square. Hemmed edges with a channel and used a Yeti type suspension. Suspension was 1/8 " cord with a black rubber stretch tube added to the end of each side attachment. The head and foot were cinched with shock cord and cord-locks. Have no way to weigh it at this time, but it seems light, will not compress greatly, but will fit in the pack with my usual gear. Temps last night went down to 51-52 and I was plenty warm in a light 40 degree mummy bag (unzipped until some time in the am). Did not deply any bugnet, the tarp was not closed, and the breeze was at about 2-3 mph. Slept in jeans and a t-shirt. No cold spots sleeping on my side with some leg curl(normal).

[Pitch]

Any pics yet? I'd love to see this setup - trying to come up with an inexpensive PeaPod like system or at least an under quilt that won't kill my wallet. (I know it is worth the $ but it just isn't possible atm).

If you can't get those pics up but have them, PM them to me and I will see if I can't figure it out.

Thanks for the report!!

-XexorZ

[PuckerFactor]

I can second this! I just finished sleeping in my DIY setup with a Goodwill SB underquilt. I put a channel on the ends for a drawcord, and a tab on each corner for the suspension. Didn't have any shock cord, so hung it a little loose, and was able to get down to the mid 40s. I'm a pretty warm sleeper too, so that probably helped. I need to take some material out of the ends, so I'll probably get a friend to help me pin it up into darts.
Oh, my dimensions were 54" x just under 6'.

Stay warm,
Acer

[exdiver]

[Pitch]

Looks great! Take some more pics - I'd love to see it laid out flat.

Keep us up to date on how well it works (how cold and how you feel in it at that temp)

:thumbsup:

XexorZ

[stevebo]

Great minds think alike! Just made an UQ along the same lines, using some left over insulation, a little inspiration from KAQ , some really cheap walmart fabric and a yeti type suspension. I havnt tried it out yet. Did you have trouble in the middle edges of the hammock, since its only attached at the ends? Did you have to have a tab or somthing in that area? Or, is the tension on the suspension enough to keep the UQ in place? I put darts in the edges of the fabric, but didnt dart the insulation---next time I problably will! i think it would lay down a little bit better. Thanks for the pics!Ill post mine when I get it done!

[exdiver]

Stayed in place just fine with the tension from the longitudinal suspension lines. No mid hammock connections. Width could have been reduced and still been fine.

[exdiver]

Backpacking last weekend. Night went down to 41 according to weather.com. I felt warm until time to get up in the early am when toes were getting a little cool so I put on second pair of wool socks and then just lay there in comfort refusing to leave my warm cocoon. The ground dwellers got up complaining of sleeping cold.

My toes are always the first thing to get cold. Anyone have remedies?

PS was wearing poly long underwear pants, nylon pants, base layer shirt and mid weight fleece 1/4 zip.

[animalcontrol]

Backpacking last weekend. Night went down to 41 according to weather.com. I felt warm until time to get up in the early am when toes were getting a little cool so I put on second pair of wool socks and then just lay there in comfort refusing to leave my warm cocoon. The ground dwellers got up complaining of sleeping cold.

My toes are always the first thing to get cold. Anyone have remedies?

PS was wearing poly long underwear pants, nylon pants, base layer shirt and mid weight fleece 1/4 zip.

Best solution for me...place a 16"x12" piece of reflectix inside the foot box above my feet. Could feel a difference immediatley...Solved the problem

[exdiver]

Made some fleece booties (elf shoes!). Had the fleece and haven't collected any cattail fluff yet? Will try them this weekend on an over-night trip. Not going down very cold 43 predicted. Shock-cord gathers the top.