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Silnylon as VBL


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Home Forums General Forums Winter Hiking Silnylon as VBL

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  • #1242329
    Jim MacDiarmid
    BPL Member

    @jrmacd

    Edit: Just answered my own question; in the comments to Andrew Skurka article on VBL's, it's mentioned that he used silnylon to make his clothes.

    I noticed on another thread where Lynn said she made VBL clothes out of cuben. Can silnylon be used for VBL clothes as well? I've been meaning to order some 2nds silnylon to practice sewing before embarking on making a down quilt + insulated pants. If I could actually make something useful as practice, that'd be great.

    I need VBL clothes because I plan on using my insulated clothes as part of my sleep system, which rules out the VBL sack I already own.

    #1546779
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    Yes, of course you can use silnylon.

    But a word of caution about making 'pygamas': make them very loose! I make my own 'liner pygamas' out of 8 mm silk. The first pair I made were modelled more on lycra ski clothing. One wrong movement in bed and they split right across my back! Get some pygama patterns and see how loose the patterns are.

    Then report!

    Cheers

    #1546782
    Joshua Gilbert
    Member

    @joshcgil2

    Locale: Seattle

    Hope you don't mind if I jump on here with some questions.

    I've been thinking about borrowing a friends sewing machine and trying this out with Silnylon or Cuben. Any thoughts on how you should set up wrists and ankle closures? I'm sure if the VB clothes are to be effective, you need a seal, otherwise moisture could escape into your insulation. I was thinking velcro tabs. How about around the neck? Zipper? Velcro? should you make some kind of VBL hood?

    #1546784
    Brad Groves
    BPL Member

    @4quietwoods

    Locale: Michigan

    It's kinda relative, really. You don't really need an airtight seal… you're going to prevent 99% of the evaporative heat loss and moisture into the bag. Elastic at the wrist would work, or a velcro closure. If it were mine, I'd just sew a collar onto it kinda like most down vests have. Just don't make it huge, and it should seal well enough when you zip it closed.

    #1546797
    David Olsen
    Spectator

    @oware

    Locale: Steptoe Butte

    Loose openings are nice if you want to vent, otherwise
    wear them under a stretchy layer to keep the most vapor
    right next to your skin.

    No need for cuffs etc.

    #1546809
    Roger Caffin
    BPL Member

    @rcaffin

    Locale: Wollemi & Kosciusko NPs, Europe

    Wrist and ankles – don't make them too tight. 1 mm hat elastic isn't bad, but make the tubes large and carry spare elastic. Close, but not tight.

    Neck opening – I think you may need a gusset here and a velcro tab across the neck. You should integrate the shirt with a hood, but it is worth wearing a very light soft hood under the VBL hood – and light thermals as well.

    Cheers

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