Home-made body suit

[stripe55]

I want to start a winter project,build a Heater body suit. I have a friends suit to use for the pattern, but am looking for advice on what type of insulation to use and a source for same.

                        Thanks for any and all, John

[team fudd]

what about some old sleeping bags?  Just a thought but it looks kind of like a mummy sleeping bag to begin with doesnt it?  Good luck!

[Kapellmeister]

I've found Primaloft to be the best synthetic insulation available (very warm, light weight, not bulky, etc.).  I have a shirt/jacket that I use as an insulating layer.

Following is a contact for manufacturers.  I don't know that they will deal with an individual, but it wouldn't hurt to contact them.  Tell them you're working on a "prototype" garment.  You never know, they might give you a "free sample"!        A quick internet search provided this:

PrimaLoft
 1373 Broadway
 Albany, NY 12204
 phone: (800) 833-3836
 fax: (518) 447-6498
[email protected]

[laxbowman]

i second the primaloft

not that i have a lot of experience with different types but i too have a jacket with it and its combination of light weight and warmth is top notch

[Hawkeye]

I think a kid's Smurfette sleeping bag could be an interesting start!    :rolleyes:  

Hope it works out well for you.  I remember seeing a post somewhere a while back from someone who had the same idea.  They paid a local seamstress to sew it up for them, and said although the camo pattern matched their locale better, in the end they did not realize nearly as much savings as they thought they would...

[stripe55]

The only thing I m paying$ for are the materials, the labor cost will come out of my soul!

[Bladepeek]

I've never seen the one I have here in the States, but while in Germany my wife got me an "ansitzsack". It's basically a quilted lining, heavy loden bag with a zipper across the bottom and up the side with suspenders. The back comes up over your shoulders. Chest high in front. I'd walk out to the tree seat and once up in the seat, zip it down and closed. Feet stayed toasty warm and any body heat that leaked out the top was trapped under my coat. Hunted pigs at night when it was REALLY cold and often sat from dark 'till dawn in complete comfort.

[calgarychef]

I made a heater suit with multiple layers of fleece and some kink of super expensive miracle fiber, although I can't remember the name right now.  I have a vest of primaloft and I love the stuff, light ,warm as heck, super compressable.  

Make sure you have a wind blocking layer.  If it's for super cold conditions I'd incorporate a hood into the suit too.  All arctic gear has a hood for good reason. A wire in the hood would be nice. Put baffles on the zippers and one around the inside of the neck to keep heat from rising out of the suit.  Some pockets inside for organizing stuff. You need a heavy duty zipper that can be operated from outside as well as inside.  Also a slit in the back to run your safety harness lanyard out of.

[beendare]

I've got an old Sponge Bob sleeping bag [royal blue and bright yellow] I can sell you CHEAP.....but how tall are you...grin

[lpcjon2]

I would get a few military wool blankets. or a good goose down comforter(maybe at good will) and use one of those.

[calgarychef]

The problem with wool and down is although they do work well they are a bear to wash and wool is bulky and heavy.  

Mine is quite bulky and like a big sleeping bag when it's rolled up, it works well but isn't the smallest thing to carry especially when it's tough going.  Prima loft is expensive but it will compress very well and is light.  I suppose if you dont have far to walk it doesn't matter much how bulky the suit is,

[lpcjon2]

The military blankets are not that bulky and are really warm.