Anybody have opinions on/experience with cheap, light, emergency coverings: durability, efficacy, ease of use, etc.? I'm think of anything from heavy duty garbage bags (pennies) to "space blankets" (couple of bucks) to very light space-blanket style bivvies (tens of bucks), and the like. The situation is you're out in the bush but you are not near your tent/tarp or natural shelter but you need more protection than your clothing. Thanks. Tom *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Tom, I have used survival bivys for years which are essentially a large heavy PVC bivy bag which you set up under shelter (overhang, log cave etc) and crawl into to keep you dry and out of the wind. They do not have any thermal properties (ie not silver lined) so combining them with a space blanket or two is very effective. They are simple, cheap, pack down to nothing and are light. You can use them as pack liners, waterproofing packs when floating across deep rivers etc. There are heaps of different types for 1, 2 or more people and I've seen them as simple tents. I also carry an army surplus hoochie (fly but with heaps of loops, riveted holes etc) which you can pick up very cheap. They take a heap of abuse and you can clip them together to make one large tarp. Just fantastic things. Richard Sydney, Australia. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Tom, It is a requirement of most adventure races over here that competitors carry a survival blanket. I have never liked them, after using one, and have always wondered about the reasoning behind that. Last year one of our major events had a hard time from the weather, and survival blankets did little to help in the wet, cold, windy (read mountain hypothermia). This year competitors carried large plastic bags. One time I have used a survival blanket in a wet, windy emergency, it simply tore into pieces. I carry a large plastic bag that wrapped kitchen appliances (free from a shop) which allows several people in together. This helps with generating heat, as well as the support from a team. Remember, if one member of a party is in trouble it is likely others are too. A nylon fly sheet is another option. Cheers JKA -- John Kirk-Anderson Banks Peninsula NEW ZEALAND *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> > bought a North Face 35 degree Polarguard Delta bag from Campmor.com > > and it squishes down to about the size of a grapefruit. Pop it in a > > plastic bag and it would be windproof and reasonably dry inside. I wonder which one would it be. I'm currently using 3-lb semi-barrel 31F (0C) goose down bag, and it barely fits into 8"x10" sack. I hang it fully unfolded in a closet at home, - this is what manual recommends, and all other sources recommend the same for down sleeping bags. Pressing it into nalgen bottle will keep it dry, but will shorten its life (or decrease thermal quality), shrinking insulation irreversibly. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>> <>bought a North Face 35 degree Polarguard Delta bag from Campmor.com > >>> <>I wonder which one would it be. I'm currently using 3-lb >>> semi-barrel 31F >>> (0C) goose down bag, and it barely fits into 8"x10" sack. >>> >>> >>> I wasnt sure if Alex was asking which North Face bag I had >>> purchased. It is the Equinox. The stuff size is 7.5" x 13" but can >>> be compressed much further with the synch straps on the factory >>> sack. I have a pic of it scrunched if interested. >> Jim et al *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:40 PDT