Field Jacket Liner Modification

[Greentick18d]

M65 Field Jacket Liner Mod - My objective was a ultra cheap representation of Mont-bell's UL thermawrap/down liner (I have the UL down inner jacket), within my sewing skills (which aren't great). I added a zipper, closed up the armpit openings, added elastic cuffs and an elastic waist drawstring. Total cost $9.77. Size large weighs in at 12oz.
Why the crooked zip? Made this for my bro in laws (Banana Dan and Mighty Mouse) who can't afford the Mont-bell right now and are V-shaped from the waist up.

Materials from Quest http://www.questoutfitters.com/
5142 20" zipper $2.35
2202 3/8" elastic, ~12" @ $.31/yd
2402 3/32" elastic cord, ~1yd @ $.32/yd

Field Jacket Liner, size large, from local surplus store $7

First I closed the enormous pit openings. The 2 sides of material don't line up exactly so I pinched up a sewed the excess. Shown are before and after.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1

I opened the cuff trim material and fed the 3/8" elastic through with a safety pin. I cut a small hole in the trim to exit the safety pin and sewed that end down. I stretched the elastic to the appropriate tension and sewed it down. I then sewed the trim back to its original configuration.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1

I put a zipper on the front. Easiest part of the whole operation.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1

I cut small holes in the bottom edge trim near each zipper half, on the left front hip, and at the back (to jump over a sewn part in the trim). At the left front hip I added a cord lock salvaged from something unservicable.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1

The finished product.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/...s&cutoffdate=1

[Mags]

This is most cool!

I'll definitely add this link to my gear docs on lightweight and cheap backpacking.

Here's what I wrote:

If you don't mind a bit of sewing, you can make a Montbell Thermwrap clone for less than $20 with the above liner jacket. A men's large comes in at 12oz! Considering a Montbell Thermawrap is $150 and weights 10oz, the cheap way is nice for those on a budget on who need something warm, light and cheap!
Check it out: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41034



Awesome..simply awesome.

[Greentick18d]

Originally Posted by Mags

This is most cool!

...Awesome..simply awesome.

Thanks for the kind words.

[Skidsteer]

That's a great idea!

[johnny quest]

great job.
ive done something similar, but not near as detailed or good as what you did.
my sleep/middle cold layer is the field jacket liner, the pants liner with its own belt and two booties made from another field jacket liner's sleeves. keeps my back paws warm in the hammock.

[Greentick18d]

Originally Posted by johnny quest

... and two booties made from another field jacket liner's sleeves. keeps my back paws warm in the hammock.

I've debated making some booties from some scraps of primaloft and ripstop nylon for camp or sleeping. Haven't had that much time on my hands.

[IceAge]

Lots of great ideas in this thread! I have a couple extra liners laying around, time to bust out the scissors

[Tipi Walter]

When I was a backpacking hobo and tipi-bum I used field liners for winter warmth and many overnighters, both tops and bottoms:

First pic: Top showing a simple two button arrangement on a large liner wrapping around torso.

Second: The liner in action, Laurel Falls, TN,

Third: Little Mitten camping on the North Fork Citico using liner bottoms over thermals.

[Wags]

greentick's got some skills!

little mitten is probably warm due to the fact she's sitting IN the fire heheh

and tipi was a hippie

[Joe8484]

Would this be suitable for the beginning of the AT?

Starting mid march

[Mags]

Absolutely! Probably good for three-season hiking (and shoulder season) in general...

[Joe8484]

Originally Posted by Mags

Absolutely! Probably good for three-season hiking (and shoulder season) in general...

Thanks Mags....just pulled out my mothers sewing machine from the depths of a black hole aka the closet. Of course like every other first time DIY'er I will start will a stuff sack or maybe mittens.

Anyhow I have a list of projects that need to be finished...I'll be sure to keep everyone updated.

[double j]

i can get the tops and bottoms local for 5$ each and some for 10

[Joe8484]

Originally Posted by blackedoutcoupe

i can get the tops and bottoms local for 5$ each and some for 10

Are you offering to ship to other hikers? The store in my town sells them for $17. Online suppliers are about the same from what I have seen.

Does anyone know the weight of the alpha liner? http://www.armynavydeals.com/asp/pro...ST=2&SKU=Liner

[Mags]

Seems expensive for what you get. Probably heavy-ish, too.

This place has liners for $10:
http://www.rddusa.com/ProductInfo.as...ctid=CL10001/2

With the sewing, you can have a nice, lightweight jacket for ~$20.

[mudhead]

I can't get the size chart to open. It lists a Large as 35-39. What is up?

[take-a-knee]

Originally Posted by mudhead

I can't get the size chart to open. It lists a Large as 35-39. What is up?

I have a 41in chest and 32in sleeves, the Large swallows and the sleeves are just right, you can move the zipper in like Greentick did and a large will work if you are similarly sized.

[mudhead]

So much for that, 36 sleeve.

Any clue on pants? 33/33inseam. I usually have trouble with long-john length.

[take-a-knee]

Originally Posted by mudhead

So much for that, 36 sleeve.

Any clue on pants? 33/33inseam. I usually have trouble with long-john length.

The pants are REALLY short, they are intended to be used with vapor barrier boots, with the field pants tucked inside the VB boots, so the pants end at "flood height" or higher. They don't really need to go down to the ankles to work okay.

[mudhead]

I stop at a surplus once in a blue moon to look at gloves. (They are too small too.) Maybe I'll get lucky and get a chance to try the pants on. They are heavy on collectables and light on practicals.

Thanks for the sizing input.