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Some help please

S

sasha

Joined
Feb 28, 2006
Messages
2,435
Im on a mission to save weight after going on a short backpacking trip with Rueben. He had a pack around 16lb. Same time i carried a pack around 40lb. Now i do know i carried some stuff that i could do without but thought it would be cool. I want to see if i can lose atlist 10lb to start with. Also get some of the bulk down. Money is tight so im thinking of making some of my own things. As always i talked to my mom first.. yes i know i know at my age and still has to pass it by mom. One thing i did learn she has more common sence and know how then many people out there as she lived in a small town and also on a farm. I pass by her the idea of a Quilt and some threads on how people make there own. After looking at some and me telling her how it supposed to be used. Her answer people used something like it in Russia. They didnt have sleeping bags when she was a kid. She already came with a few idea to improve on it.. She says the only way to make it right is to use real down. She also picked up a few idea from the threads as well. My mom used to make a living for a while sawing. She is willing to make it for me so i know it would be good. My main Q is where is a good place to buy goose down. Other material to make the outside and the no see um mesh netting.. Also where can i find some of the synthetic insulation as well.
As soon as i get it done i would post pics as i know you would like to see how it comes out. Thanks

Sasha
 
I don't know whether they sell down but, if they don't, they might be able to tell you where to look. www.featheredfriends.com I had an expedition overbag made by them with some custom modifications. I like down a lot for conditions in which you can keep it dry.

You could probably buy some material and make your own lightweight pack. You are welcome to measure/inspect my Go-Lite Gust for ideas.

DancesWithKnives
 
Hi Sasha,

Know any waterfowl hunters in your area?

Here in NY, there is a special month-long early Canada Goose season in September to try and help manage the growing local population of these birds. There are also special extra seasons with VERY liberal bag limits for Snow Geese. If your state has a similar situation, you may be able to offer to help some local hunters pluck or process their geese in exchange for the down.

Just a thought....

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Desmobob This is CA not much of water fowl hunting going on. Im sure there are some kind or rules that would make what ever i want to do aginst the law. Found a few intresting sites that sell alot for do it your self..
 
There's a fair amount of waterfowl hunting in CA but the problem is that most is quite a bit north of Los Smogeles. I've hunted ducks/geese around Willow (north of Sac) a few times.

I really like the do-it-yourself nature of desmobob's suggestion. The tradeoff is that if you want an ultralight down quilt, you'll want to use goose down that runs 6-700+ cu. inch per ounce fill power. 850-900 would be even better. I doubt you'll achieve that harvesting your own down, despite the benefits in personal satisfaction and cost savings.

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
There's a fair amount of waterfowl hunting in CA but the problem is that most is quite a bit north of Los Smogeles. I've hunted ducks/geese around Willow (north of Sac) a few times.
Click to expand...


I know of some very serious waterfowl hunters from Sacramento. But I don't know much about the state and I guess there isn't much goose hunting going on in the LA area! :o

I'm guessing Sasha is the kind of guy that would enjoy doing the whole thing "from scratch," so to speak. It would be cool to be able to collect the down yourself (and for free, too). I'm almost completely positive it's legal to do what you want with the plumage from waterfowl you've legally taken. Goose feathers get used for everything from insulation and pillow stuffing (down) to arrow fletching (primary flight feathers) to fly tying (biots).

Good luck in your project, Sasha!

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Cooke Custom Sewing has some raw materials, including mosquito netting and silnylon.

Good luck!
 
Desmobob its funny you mentioned pillows... My mom has a few pillows she made long time ago with down and asked if can have two of them... been told i have to wait for long time lol... Siguy thanks for the info im going to check them out...

Sasha
 
In all honesty, I would still go with a synthetic. I've got to use and test about 5 light weight down quilts now, and I love the quick drying feature of the go lite holofill (or whatever they call it) the best.


oh and Did he beg for food from you :P
 
I found everything i would need except the fill for insulation... Forgot all about the Holofill, heard good things about it.. Thanks
Now you lost me who beg for food from me????

Sasha
 
Sasha,
For the record it was Gina who had the 16 pound pack. I was the guy with the 5 pound pack (base weight, gear only). I think the best place is from Ace at Thru-Hiker!
http://thru-hiker.com/materials/insulation.php

-RB

Sasha I got the best Viking sewing machine if you want to see it or use it. Just don't tell the guys on W&SS forum or I will be the laughing stock of the outdoor industry. Imagine that, Bear the Sewing Dog!
 
Bear would know better than I, but as I recall, Hollofil was 1980s era technology in synthetic insulation. I imagine there are more advanced synthetics available.

DancesWithKnives
 
Now Primaloft Sport, POLARGUARD Delta, Climashield XP, Climashield Combat, are all choices.

Ray Way Quilt kits from Ray Jardine used POLARGUARD 3D but since switched to Climashield, I think.

-RB
 
I had a bad experience with North Face's Polarguard 3D insulation but perhaps the Delta version is better.

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
I had a bad experience with North Face's Polarguard 3D insulation but perhaps the Delta version is better.

DancesWithKnives
Click to expand...

The Delta is lighter but I don't know if you can get it still. I haven't been keeping up with my fabric politics.

-RB
 
Hey Rueben i had no idea you are back lol... What did you use in your quilt???? My mom has a sewing machine if she says its not strong enough i might take you on your offer. Just to let you know i can sew too. I think a real man should be able to do everything from cooking to mending socks. Are you telling me that you had Gina carry the heavy pack???? Im going to see how much weight i can save and the bulk before im going to go to a light pack... I found a pack that is 4lb lighter if i can save another 2lb in the sleeping bag then carry less good food(i dont know if i can pass good food).

Sasha
 
None of the synthetics come close to down ... still!

I think synthetics are easier to work with, though. Thru-hiker has links to various DIY resources for down or synthetic.

I've ordered lots of things from Thru-hiker and they are great. Don't hesitate to order from them.
 
Thanks Stieg... im looking at there site now... Im still going to keep for cold weather my sleeping bag but for warm weather im going to make a Quilt.

Sasha
 
If you want to lose weight, head over yo backpackinglight.com. My 3 day pack with food and water and plenty of knives is under 20 pounds, with lots of areas for improvement. There are plenty of extremists there, but lots of great ideas. The community can be quite frugal, so there is a ton of info about making your own gear (myog). I use that form and BF the most.
 
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