as you might predict for me, a few random directions here. skurka talks about the importance of vapor barrier clothing for winter camping, and the limited use/availability that it gets. so, my first question is: has anybody had any experience using Zpacks rain gear as vapor barrier clothing? it would seem to have the advantage of being incredibly light.
I am tempted to try/buy a cheapo plastic rain suit to give the whole idea a trial run: http://www.zoro.com/i/G0076623/?utm_...FW4F7AodMyoAHg
anybody have a better source for a non-permeable stupid lightweight rain suit? maybe something not so one-size large?
...then, I am a hammocker and have been trying out the approach of wearing really thin foam insulation on my back, over a base layer and under a wind shirt -- and it has worked really well for me. I am thinking about making something resembling a water skier's vest out of gossamer gear 1/4" foam, which would hang down to the bottom of my butt, and would fasten with velcro in a couple of spots across my chest, with a bit of an overlap in the front. I figure that this would provide insulation AND be a torso vapor barrier. Does anyone have experience with partial vapor barriers -- say, just using a jacket?
...if the torso thing works, i would be tempted to make leg wraps. I tried thin foam leg wraps and a wearable 1/8" foam back pad a couple of nights ago in mid-twenties hammocking, with good result.
regards to all from the lunatic fringe.