Reflectix as a pack frame?

[Harrison Carpenter]

This may be another one of my hairbrained ideas, but I was thinking this morning: how practical would it be to create a UL pack frame out of Reflectix? It could be folded into a frame sheet that's decent thickness, would be relatively stable, and quite light.

Have any of you tried this? If so, how did it work?

[Jim W.]

It is way less stiff than a foam sleeping mat. I don't think it would work nearly as well well.

I carried some inside my pack- about 4 thicknesses folded up- and it didn't seem like it would stiffen the pack- though it would pad your back.

I'm thinking of using Reflectix for the bottom of a winter bivy. It is waterproof, puncture resistant, won't stick to snow, and provides some insulation to supplement my pad. I want the full width of the bivy bottom insulated so my gear isn't so cold.

[Dale Wambaugh]

You might get away with glueing some plastic strips to it, like battens in a sail. A folded CCF or self-inflating pad would do as well, so there's no gain for the trouble IMHO. Points for outside the box.

[Harrison Carpenter]

Well, I had to ask… thanks for the confab!

[Daniel Saunders]

I currently use a double-layer reflectix frame in my REI Flash 18 pack. The two layers are taped together on 3 sides, with the top open. I was looking for something to insulate a camelbak-type bladder and not allow condensation to soak my back or gear inside the pack. I use it with and without a bladder. It is actually quite stiff due to the use of double taped layers. I'm happy with it!

[Harrison Carpenter]

That's what I was thinking about, Daniel– with the main difference being I've a GoLite Pinnacle.

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