My first DIY project---backpack cover/gear hammock

[Gris]

Thanks To Backwoods Daydreamer who gave me simple instructions on how to make this pack cover/gear hammock. I know people debate whether or not to use pack covers, but I was looking for a way to help protect my pack if I have to do some bushwhacking, as well as helping to keep it from getting water logged. I use plastic bags as pack liners but IMHO a waterlogged pack is still extra water weight I don’t want to carry. The cover is constructed out of coated military poncho ripstop nylon. I used 1 yd of the material, 3 ft of 1/8 inch schockcord, one cord lock, and two mitten hooks. I stuffed my Mariposa Plus GG pack with pillows to give it as much volume as possible. Then I laid the pack on the fabric and folded it around the pack till I thought I had enough coverage, and trimmed off the excess. I sewed a ½ inch hem on all four sides with the coated side roiled to the outside (to allow the schockcord to travel freely). Next I cut open the closed corners and inserted the cord. When I got to the top of the cover I threaded the cord through two mitten hooks on each side of the pack. I added the mitten hooks to give me a place to attach the cover to the pack so it wouldn’t be so easily blown off. I can also use one of these as a good point to attach it to my hammock to be used as a gear hammock. The total weight for the cover was 4.7 oz. The total cost of the materials was less than $5.00 (not including shipping) IMHO for my first attempt at DIY gear this was a good project to start with-- not very expensive and easy to do

[NCPatrick]

Looks great! That's a really good project, and a really good piece of gear to have handy.

[sclittlefield]

Looks like some good work there. This is a good first DIY project, fairly simple to build. I recently donated a bunch of these to a local summer camp that takes kids on week excursions into the beautiful Maine wilderness. Those ones I made were in bright orange silnylon though, so thet would do double duty in helping the team see each other in the woods and help in signaling if one strayed too much. .

[questtrek]

Looks awesome ....

[Black Wolf]

Super Job !!! great forethought as well with the mitten clips ... would love to a pic or two of it in use a gear hammock ... again..Nice work !!!

[rjcress]

Very cool.
Nicely done.

I'll be interested to see if the mitten hooks prove strong enough for hanging as a gear hammock.

I made a gear hammock similar to the mollymac gear box (ridgeline in channel on one side only. other side is a large flap for weather protection), and have plans to make another one soon. The first was a proof of concept using non-waterproof nylon.

Here is what I'm thinking I'll do for the next one:
The whole thing will be sil with a draw cord around the periphery of the pack cover section. Most folks use shock cord, but I'll use draw cord.

When used as a pack cover the weather flap will be tucked inside, and the draw cord will be pulled tight.

When used as a gear hammock, the draw cord will be the attachment point on each end for the gear hammock suspension (spectra whoopies).

I think this is similar to JustJeff's pack cover, only with a flap to cover the gear hammock so that it doesn't have to be hung under the tarp.

[Gris]

Very cool.
Nicely done.

I'll be interested to see if the mitten hooks prove strong enough for hanging as a gear hammock.

I made a gear hammock similar to the mollymac gear box (ridgeline in channel on one side only. other side is a large flap for weather protection), and have plans to make another one soon. The first was a proof of concept using non-waterproof nylon.

Here is what I'm thinking I'll do for the next one:
The whole thing will be sil with a draw cord around the periphery of the pack cover section. Most folks use shock cord, but I'll use draw cord.

When used as a pack cover the weather flap will be tucked inside, and the draw cord will be pulled tight.

When used as a gear hammock, the draw cord will be the attachment point on each end for the gear hammock suspension (spectra whoopies).

I think this is similar to JustJeff's pack cover, only with a flap to cover the gear hammock so that it doesn't have to be hung under the tarp.

I have the same reservations about if the mitten hook will be strong enough as well. I figured once I have my hammock set up, bear bag hung, and all the rest of the stuff out of my pack; there should be less than five pounds in the gear hammock. I carry extra mini-biner’s and if the hooks fail I can always use one of them in a pinch. Thanks for your advice on my IX quilt I’m working on as well. I hope to have it done by the 18th.

[rjcress]

I have the same reservations about if the mitten hook will be strong enough as well. I figured once I have my hammock set up, bear bag hung, and all the rest of the stuff out of my pack; there should be less than five pounds in the gear hammock. I carry extra mini-biner’s and if the hooks fail I can always use one of them in a pinch. Thanks for your advice on my IX quilt I’m working on as well. I hope to have it done by the 18th.

If they work, it is a pretty elegant solution.
Glad the IX UQ is coming along. I'm loving mine.

[bloomgorge]

very nice job - i like the camp too.

[native]

cool il have to make on for my alice pack.