Has anyone ever used one of these as a tarp in side their shelter to keep the heat in during the winter? Or even on the ground as a mat or something? I was thinking of getting one and trying it out to see if it had any impact. I have heard that they do not breath very well and can cause a lot of condensation inside the shelter.
Space Blanket Tarp
Space blankets don't breathe so you'll probably get condensation. Its really for emergency or tight situations . A breathable top cover would be better, and an UQP. I use a space blanket sometimes in winter when i stop for lunch. I'll make a lean to with a fire in front. I use this
http://www.mec.ca/product/4013-760/s...pace%2Bblanket
Its light weight and tough. I made a camp last spring and left the blanket set up and its like the day i set it up weathering thru some major storms, snow etc. If you use a wood burner you can set the stove between your legs, no flames just coals, and wrap the blanket around you for instant warmth.
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Standard cool weather on ground setup was a space blanket with a ccf pad over it and a shorty thermarest on on that. It may sound like overkill but I usually canoe and it was comfortable for ground dwelling.
Once I switched to hammocks I figured out the CCF pad trick and used an emergency weight space blanket for a partial overcover. Weight was next to nothing but it kept the wind and rain off under the small Hennessy tarp. Upgraded the hammock and bought an overcover but still take along a space blanket as they have a multitude of uses. Two are as a tarp door or hammock cover. If you keep them away from embers they also block wind or rain as a dining fly. ;-)
YMMV
HYOH
Free advice worth what you paid for it. ;-)
I am thinking that it might not work because of the condensation. I am just trying to think of some cool ways to keep warm.
I would reserve Space blankets for emergencies only. They do work well but I believe you have to be in pretty close proximity to them for the to work with body heat. I have used them on the backside of a lean'to to bounce the fire heat back at me and tried to use one as recommended for the HH super shelter but tall that did was result in a sopping wet back which promptly froze when I got out to "do my midnight business"
As to the condensation issue it is a vapor barrier but then again so are coated tarps.
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