Synthetic insulated vest options

[Owen]

I’m interested in making an insulated vest, partly just as a fun project. I have some sewing experience, but haven’t made a garment from scratch before–so I’d like to start with a pattern.

My first choice was the Thru-Hiker Minima vest kit, but the current choices are a bit limited, in terms of colour and insulation. 3.6 ounce Apex was the ideal weight I had in my head before I checked out the options at Thru-Hiker, and they just have 2.5 and 5 offered. Still considering it, though; the relaxed fit size medium sounds about right.

The other option is ordering through RBTR, which gives me a lot more flexibility in terms of colour, insulation, etc, and it’s a bit cheaper too, including the cost of a pattern. The only problem is that there is only one vest pattern that they offer:

https://ripstopbytheroll.com/products/mens-santiam-reversible-vest-pattern

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0261/6507/files/102Mwebnew-1.pdf.png?442874484532160270

I like the simplicity of the Minima, and I like the final product I’ve seen on people. I’m a bit skeptical about the “reversible” Green Pepper pattern.

Does anyone have experience with the RBTR/Green Pepper vest pattern? Or any other suggestions for options? Unfortunately Thru-Hiker doesn’t seem to sell the pattern on its own.

[Jerry Adams]

I made a vest recently so I wrote it up.  Supposedly, it’s going to be published some day.  Along with part 3 and 4.  (The delay is frustrating to me).  That would be a help.

Vest is pretty easy.  I bet any of those patterns would work.

I used 2.5 oz Apex and 0.66 oz Membrane.  #3 zipper down the front.  4.5 ounces.  Good down to 32 F or so under my WPB jacket.

5 oz Apex is pretty bulky.  I made one of those several years ago.  I use it for emergencies now, not backpacking.

[Owen]

Thanks Jerry!

Unfortunately, I’m a member but haven’t paid the big bucks to see the good stuff (in terms of articles) yet.

Maybe I would be happy with the 2.5 oz after all. The 5 oz definitely sounds like more than I would want for a vest.

[Jerry Adams]

I am very happy with my vest with 2.5 oz.  But, I also have a down vest (about 4.5 ounces) that I put over it if it gets below 32 F or so.  This is when I’m not hiking.

If I’m hiking, I usually wear just WPB jacket and base layer, but if it’s in low 20s F and/or really windy I’ll add the 2.5 oz vest.  If I had more than 2.5 oz I’d sweat.

The difficult thing about sewing, is when you’re sewing through 3 layers (shell, insulation, shell) the top layer tends to stick to the pressure foot and then slip relative to the lower two layers.  So, I mark a line where the outside of the finished vest will be.  Then I do about 20 hand stitches inside the marked line – each corner and in between.  Then I sew all the way around about 1/8 inch inside the marked line.  This will keep the insulation from slipping when you’re using it.  You might want to practice this with scraps.

Then I cut the inside two layers about even with the marked line, and I cut the outside layer about 1.5 inches away from the marked line.  Then I fold the outside layer over the marked line which hides the raw edge of the inner two layers, and fold the edge over again to hide it’s raw edge, and sew through it.

[R]

I also made a vest w/ 0.66 Membrane, but used 2 layers of Apex 2.5.  Worn with a shell and thin base layer it doesn’t get me anywhere near freezing when I’m sitting in camp.  I think a 2.5oz quilt is generally considered good down into he 40s.

Not all metabolisms are created equal :)

[Edward John M]

If you don’t already own and use a windshirt you could add sleeves and a hood to the insulated vest and get an big  increase in warmth for a small increase in weight and packed bulk.

You can ge a small increase in warmth too by using one of the UL single sided fleece fabric as the inner on the vest for a small penalty in weight

[Author]

Posts