Reflectix = Invaluable

[goanywhere]

IT's good stuff.. has many applications.

wonder how it would work for a Solar still/ Cooker??.

Certainly can use them for that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT8JXxCPe1M

Also, it makes a great reflector for a campfire, just prop it up with a couple of rocks and you will double the heat you get from your campfire.

[daveocelott]

Careful sewing into a hammock. I landed on my butt a couple times I tried that.
In trying to lighten our load we r going to try the reflectix pads with a layer of cloth glued to it.

Experiment#1.

[perrito]

I'm a rank noob here, but as part of my setup that I'm still putting together I bought a truck-size windscreen reflector. It's about 28" wide by 5'6" long (I cut off the little flaps that fit inside the doors to hold it on the vehicle). This stuff is amazing. It is so warm. It's not bubble wrap but a thin closed cell foam (like packaging foam for electrical items).

...

Some people have commented that these things can slide around in a hammock, but if that happens I might try using some velcro spots on the screen and sewn onto the hammock to keep it in place. It is also very thin, so on extremely cold nights I think it would be possible to use 2 layers, or to make a foot box that could slide over a sleeping bag using part of a second one.

Careful sewing into a hammock. I landed on my butt a couple times I tried that.
In trying to lighten our load we r going to try the reflectix pads with a layer of cloth glued to it.

Vapor barrier warning here!
I use a piece of Reflectix inside a post office Tyvek envelope as a sitpad and at night I put this Reflectix in between the hammock layers in the footbox area. I almost always have moisture on the Reflectix in the morning.

[SouthCarolinaMike]

Just wanted to reiterate what most on here already know. There are always little pieces of gear that don't seem very important until you put in the trail time and you find yourself going for them all the time. Trekking poles are like that for me, headlamp (was like pulling teeth to convince my GF to pick one up instead of her little pocket flashlight. Now she wont shut up about it)

Reflectix has moved itself into that category for me. It weighs practically nothing. It's really about as little bulky as can be compared to CCF. I bought one 25' roll for 15.00 at Home Depot (found in the housing insulation section). That's 4 bedrolls and enough for cozies for a cook set. Cheap.

It's a great portable bail-out if you hit weather that's colder than the gear you brought was made for. It's water-proof. Use it as a pad outside of your hammock. You could probably even use it as a leg or arm brace if you needed it on the trail. However, using it around the campfire at night was the bread and butter for me. Shoes off, laying alongside the fire I was remarkably comfortable not having to sit up and not having to lay on the damp ground. In the winter it worked just as well in this function, just with shoes on

For those who haven't experienced the utility of this material, you're missing out. This will be a regular in my pack for the foreseeable future.

Remember, Housing Insulation, not the Plumbing section. At least not at Home Depot.

I'll have to check into this stuff, you say Home Depot huh? Recon trip

[rottenpossum]

I just bought some @ Lowes this weekend and tried it out for a short 30 min nap outside. I woke up feeling almost hot even tho I was in the shade & the wind was blowing pretty hard. Definitely glad I added it to my purchase. I'm concerned with the vapor barrier issue, but will have to see how it performs overnight.

[c0wb0y_hubs]

Careful sewing into a hammock. I landed on my butt a couple times I tried that.
In trying to lighten our load we r going to try the reflectix pads with a layer of cloth glued to it.

Experiment#1.

What kind of material did you use? I'd love to hear how it worked out.

[Red Wing]

I only experienced the condensation issue when it warmed up on our 2nd night out on the last trip. It went from 20* Friday night to 50* Saturday night. On the 50* night I didn't vent my bag when I woke up sweating as I was beat but I imagine it works a bit like synthetic insulation.

With down, you can use a 30* bag at 50-60* and be ok. With synthetic insulation, I've found you have to take more of what rating you're expecting. I've used 0* at 30* and had the exact same issue I had with my reflectix. I had moisture build up in the crotch area. I've heard this same result multiple times with synthetic users. Reflectix R-value is 3.7 which is well below freezing. When I've used it at freezing or below I've had NO condensation issues but when warmer there has been so I think it's more to do with whatever it is that makes synthetics make you sweat too far above their rating. Just what I surmise at least.

[daveocelott]

Im was really just trying the spray glue with experiment 1. Thats a half a twin flannel sheet we dont use anymore. Found it in the back of my closet. Was planning to try fleece next. Since I posted I haven't had time to try it. The glue seems well set now.

[Teewee]

I found this potential local equivalent on the internet, going to check it out soon at the store.
Is this reflectix lightweight or heavy?

[Datahiker]

Reflectix is lightweight. It's basically bubble wrap with mylar on both sides. That link looks like the right stuff - the label looks very similar to what's on Reflectix in the States.