MYOG Liberty Ridge Shell Kit

[jimmyjam]

A couple of years ago I made the Liberty Ridge wind shirt/jacket fro Thru-Hiker. I have really liked it and gotten a lot of use out of it. My only regret was it did not have a hood. I considered adding one, it would be easy enough. but then I saw AYCE has this new material Pertex Quantum which is a breathable waterproof fabric. The other is water resistant and wets out after about 15 minutes of rain. This time I made a hood pattern from another jacket I have and sewed the hood on in place of the collar. The finished jacket weighs in at 3.3 oz. Now to field test it.

Liberty Ridge Jacket.jpg

[Rocket Jones]

Looking forward to your impressions after the test. I like the kit, but wonder if the Pertex Quantum, even though "breathable" won't be like wearing a sauna suit.

[Just Bill]

Jimmyjam-
I could be wrong, but I thought the quantum was a DWR level of waterproofness? Never used it personally, but I know Zpacks uses it in their bivy and calls it a "water resistant breathable". Thru-hiker does sell the Pertex Shield, which I believe would be a better choice- http://thru-hiker.com/materials/coated.php.

I used the STORMFIT WPB with some success, both for a bivy top and rain cape- http://questoutfitters.com/h20.html#...oof/breathable Fabrics.

That said- if testing is successful, please pass the good word! Nice looking work as always!
If not, looks like you got a real sweet windshell for less weight than a Houdini.

A random tip- I got some 1/16" tent pole shock cord to play with in poles. Bit to flimsy for that, but good for wrist cuffs, waist, or pack pockets in a channel. YMMV, but I found the stretch lycra binding to be annoying as it wet out and made me "feel" wetter than I was.

If you are happy with your hood, great. If not, if you have access to one, I copied the Hood off the Patagonia Houdini. It's a four piece hood (two sides, "Mohawk" head panel, and drawcord/brim panel. Once I got the pattern set up it has been my favorite hood for any project. I did not use the crown of the head drawcord in it. I did let the face cords run long and ran the tails through a third cordlock, when it's windy enough to justify the extra cinch, I just pull the cord over my head and cinch down to get the same effect with out the extra sewing hassle of the crown of the head channel.

[jimmyjam]

Damn Bill you are right, I mean I was wrong. or I posted wrong- the fabric that I used was the Pertex Endurance not the Quantum. I'll let you know how it works in the rain. First I am going to experiment with sealing the seams on some scraps. I'm so confused.