Design student creates coat that turns into sleeping bag for homeless people...

[booney_1]

Interesting story on a design student that created a coat that converts to a sleeping bag. It's designed for homeless people. I applaud the initiative, but I have questions about the design. This coat/bag weighs 1lb and is "good" to 17 degrees. The cost to produce is $7-$10.

Much like commercial sleeping bag temperature ratings, I think that this rating is extremely exaggerated. I don't think there are any commercial 15 degree bags sold at any price that are only 1lb.

I know in my area (NC), efforts to help the homeless population with give-aways of sleeping bags have failed. Usually the bags end up being immediately resold or lost.

Anyways, I like the initiative, but I think the idea needs more work...

http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-09-11/bay-area/30141172_1_homeless-population-homeless-people-bag

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/13/131910...a-sleeping-bag

[4eyedbuzzard]

Kind of a poor mans Rock or Winter Wren from Feathered Friends, or the similar Dreamwalker / Wallcreeper from Exped.

[Spokes]

Folding bowls and esbit stoves; collapsible cups and hiking poles........the Packa transforms into a poncho pack cover.

The spork.....

You can see the evolution can't you?

[4eyedbuzzard]

Folding bowls and esbit stoves; collapsible cups and hiking poles........the Packa transforms into a poncho pack cover.

The spork.....

You can see the evolution can't you?

Perhaps even a designer.

[Hikes in Rain]

Not exactly new; didn't John Meir sleep in his greatcoat? And use the pockets to carry what little gear he had? Seems like a nice design, though.