The Making of a Cuben Fiber Karo Step Under-Quilt

[SPIKEwillKILL]

how and where did you buy your cuben fiber? how expensive was it?

[ProfessorHammock]

@SPIKEwillKILL I got this batch from an on-line store called questoutfitters. It is very pricey, in the $25 - $30 per linear yard range.

[coolkayaker1]

Gorgeous UQ, Grizz. Q: in wet weather, esp since located at ends, isn't the camo section going to get soaked thru to the down?  Is there a method to vent with lightweight valves, similar to a Thermarest pad valve, so they can be closed in the wet? Just thinking it through. Another gr8 video.

[ProfessorHammock]

@coolkayaker1 I'll be under a tarp, with beaks (smile). But actually I've thought about cuben flaps that could cover those ends against exactly the possibility you mention. There is a guy who makes all cuben over-quilts and uses a valve. You don't want to inflate with your breath though, because of the moisture. One uses a sack, filled with air, and squeezed in.

[coolkayaker1]

@ProfessorHammock Thx, Grizz. Hmm, cuban flaps...u have a good idea there. U could proto-test the flaps by just taping at first, I suppose. Good thought, Grizz.

[coolkayaker1]

@coolkayaker1 Grizz Beaks...meet Grizz Flaps lol

[OldePete]

"... There is a guy who makes all cuben over-quilts and uses a valve..."

Do you recall who this is; or do you have a link?

[ProfessorHammock]

@OldePete Fellow named Tim Marshall makes these, see the enlightenedequipment web site, name of the quilt is the "Epiphany". Just looked it up, pretty cool design. All cuben but for a nylon strip, over which there is some kind of bag you fill with air and push into the quilt..

[dragonflyhiker]

you have a lot more patients than I do ;)

[ProfessorHammock]

@dragonflyhiker and a touch of compulsive attention to detail! The joy is in the process, because in the end it is just a quilt...albeit a unique one.

[johniac7078]

Hi Professor. I really enjoy your vids, thanks for such great information. You and Shuge are fantastic ambassadors for hammock life. As a newbie, I have a question. For a three seasons kind of person, what type of under quilt would you recommend? I live in the northeast, so the coldest it will get is probably around 20F. It is for a blackbird. Happy Thanksgiving.

[KIFQHESE]

Hi!

It's yet another your video I found to be great educational material.

I have two questions:

Are those tunnels and extra shockcord needed? With that length you shouldn't move it up and down too much.

What's with condensation/moisture? I think that lack of breathable bottom may affect your comfort while sleeping.

[ProfessorHammock]

@KIFQHESE My first attempts at the suspension did not have shock cord in the channels, only outside at the corners. Wasn't able to keep the underquilt pull up and next to the hammock in the middle that way though. That shockcord is heavy and I'd like to find another way. I think if the shock cord from the corners attach higher up the suspension triangle it might pull the under quilt in.

[KIFQHESE]

@ProfessorHammock How about, apart from raising the mounting point, also shaping UQ not as a flat rectangle, but a little bit concave? I imagine adding only a short section of elastic material on the sides - like 1/4 of overall length - that should provide the tension needed to hold things tight, at least in theory. I hope I'll be able to design and experiment with UQs this winter.

Happy Thanksgiving :)

[ProfessorHammock]

@KIFQHESE shaped more like the body of the bridge hammock...yes...that will help pull up the center. This time around I didn't do that because anything other than an orthogonal-to-edges cut in cuben fiber is a real pain (but guys who put curves in cuben tarps do it), also I habor the hope of this quilt working with a gathered end hammock also. Next time (if there is a next time!) I may do that sort of fitting. Thanks for the interest and comments!

[ProfessorHammock]

@KIFQHESE On condensation, I made an UQ a couple of years ago that has cuben against the hammock and mom-90 on the outside, for warmer temps. I've had no condensation issues with it. I think it varies with the individual though. I imagine it helps that I'm not laying directly on top of it.

[SweetLoujdoggy]

With the differential cut, are the baffles the same distance apart on the bottom as the top, leaving a slightly larger chamber on the sides? Or did you move the baffles a little farther apart to keep the ratio the same? Do you think it matters?

[ProfessorHammock]

@SweetLoujdoggy I realized in editing that the voice description of the baffle distance across (12") spoke only to the side closest to the hammock, because I did place them 13" apart on the other side, and put a text overlay to that effect briefly explaining. That said, I doubt it matters very much because there are only three lines of baffles in that direction, and one of those is in the center.

[wilemuse]

Beautifully done!

[abclandscapingfx]

Have you tried sewing the cuben fiber, and if so how difficult or easily can it be sewn?

[ProfessorHammock]

@abclandscapingfx Yes I've sewn it. It is no more difficult than sewing un-coated nylon, and a sight easier than sewing silnylon. You don't want any stress on a sewn stitch because the holes will open up, and the fabric may even tear. I didn't sew the baffles on this mainly because I didn't want punctures that would pass water vapor into the quilt.

[sousaville]

that is a fantastic project and "How To" video....you truely are the hammock prof....have a great Thanksgiving.

[ProfessorHammock]

@sousaville yep, the Professor, that's what I am...and me mum had me pegged at age 5 for that when I set up a lecture hall for my little friends, with me the featured lecturer! Thanks for watching.

[RallohE]

Great HOW-TO video Grizz! Also shows me why I really don't want to make any more down gear! Ha!

Really a great piece of gear! Loved the video opening! Slick presentation!

[ProfessorHammock]

@RallohE Thanks Hawkeye---no kidding these down projects are a time-sink! When I saw the interior of the quilt I knew I needed a webcam I could drop in there to get an interior view. Fun!