Ok, backstory on this DIY goes like this:
Hooch, the wonderful boyfriend that he is, bought me a Speer SPE (Pad Extender) and I like it. The problem that I've run into now is that I have a Big Agnes Lost Ranger Long 15 degree bag that I LOVE!! It has no bottom insulation, but a pad sleeve, and that is where I used to put my thermarest. Now my thermarest goes in the SPE.
Hooch and I discussed that the lack of under insulation with my bag could be a problem and he recommended that on our upcoming overnight that I take my ridgerest as well and put it in the bag sleeve. I couldn't get my head around carrying two full pads and the wing inserts for the SPE and have been pondering this extensively.
In the middle of the night last night......It hit me! I had an idea!
I went to my junk/gear room and rummaged up a space blanket, orange duct tape, spray adhesive and heavy duty velcro
This is what I ended up with:
It is real primitive and the space blanket wrinkled and refused to cooperate with the spray adhesive but I measured my thermarest and divided the space blanket in sections of that width. Ended up about 2 and a half. I sprayed the middle with adhesive, folded in the half....sprayed that with adhesive and folded over the full side. Then for stability I bound the edges with duct tape, more on the ends than the sides, and attached velcro to the bag and my new creation.
I slid the blanket creation into the sleeve and hooked the velcro.....LIKE BUTTA!!!!! Fit like a dream. Got in the bag, zipped up and started rolling and moving...not much noise at all for a space blanket...I was very pleased. It fit so perfectly that it didn't move around either, no gaps.
Ok, so I'm going to try this out Sunday night on the trail. I think it's going to work like a charm. If anything it might be too warm. Tell me what you think...no holds barred....was I just kinda freaking out in my sleep or was this a good idea? Oh! and Hooch hasn't seen it yet!
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