Reducing the Fiddle Factor

[jimmyjam]

Sometimes I wake up and my ground sheet, foam pad and air mat have all shifted. It looks like train wreck sometimes so I decided to fix it. I got some elastic cord, glove hooks and plastic grommets from Quest Outfitters reinforced the corners of my ground sheet and used the cord and glove hooks to secure the sheet to my shelter corners. No more fiddling there.

Next I put hook velcro on my foam pad and loop velcro on my air mat. Now everything stays put.

My ground sheet has 5 tie outs because I'm using it with the Gatewood Cape. There is also a little 2"x4" flap of tyvek at the middle that goes under the heel of my hiking pole to further help secure the sheet.

[todd]

I like what you did here!

I LOVE it though, when I see people on here adapt something for THEIR specific preferences. Having done so a few times it really feels good to have the "just right" piece of gear to suit.

[jimmyjam]

Thanks Todd. Yeah the elastic tie-outs on the tyvek really work great and add very little weight. I think my tyvek was 3 oz before and is 3.4oz now. I know my exped is heavy at 19oz but it's pretty much bomb proof and I just can't breakdown and fork out the big bucks for a neoair or similar mat so I add the 3/16" evo to it for warmth in the shoulder seasons.

[todd]

James,

I love my Gatewood. Curious, though, Not that it adds much weight, but is the rear tie-out needed? I guess it will reduce side shift as you sleep.

[jimmyjam]

I added the rear tie out and the little flap for the pole handle to rest on because it really does help a lot to stabilize things- I'm a side sleeper and tend to flip sides a few times while I sleep. The gatewood really is a great shelter. After I set it up I crawl inside and in about 30 seconds I've got my ground sheet clipped to all the tie outs and it stays put while I get everything else set up.

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