DYI Synthetic Vest Made from a M65 Field Jacket Liner Final weight 8.2 oz.

[mainebob]

I really wanted a synthetic vest, but I could not justify spending over $120, so I came up with the idea to make one from a m65 field jacket liner. I think it came out great. it cost $10.45 and weighs 8.2 oz. Here is a picture and a video on how I made it.005.jpg

[Damn Yankee]

great idea!

[Rocket Jones]

I did the same thing a few years ago based on instructions (from Sgt. Rock?). Works great, and I'd suggest adding a couple of patch pockets to the front. Good job!

[Wise Old Owl]

Hey SGT Bob... (kidding) Hey I am so with these posts... but the gear is very heavy and who are you hiding from?

If I was backpacking Afghanistan... it would be the best gear for a 20 year old. - And I have pounds of this stuff at home!

[mainebob]

Hey SGT Bob... (kidding) Hey I am so with these posts... but the gear is very heavy and who are you hiding from?

If I was backpacking Afghanistan... it would be the best gear for a 20 year old. - And I have pounds of this stuff at home!

This particular item is very comparable in weight to the high end gear I have. THe vest weighed in at 8.2 oz. a patagonia nano puff vest listed weight is 8.5 oz. I used a nano puff pullover last year until VA. that weighed 11.5 oz. (I hiked from Springer to Conn last year with my daughter who was 13 y/o at the time).I know the vest does not look great, but I wanted one just for my week trip thru the whites and did not want to spend $120 on a vest. I has fun making it and if I only bring it on this one trip, that will be fine.

[BuckeyeBill]

Check on Jacks R Better for their down sleeves and add a 2" strip of elastic for a set of pull on sleeves.

[daddytwosticks]

This particular item is very comparable in weight to the high end gear I have. THe vest weighed in at 8.2 oz. a patagonia nano puff vest listed weight is 8.5 oz. I used a nano puff pullover last year until VA. that weighed 11.5 oz. (I hiked from Springer to Conn last year with my daughter who was 13 y/o at the time).I know the vest does not look great, but I wanted one just for my week trip thru the whites and did not want to spend $120 on a vest. I has fun making it and if I only bring it on this one trip, that will be fine.

It looks great! Wish I had the talent to do something like that.

[Tipi Walter]

These liners have been around since the 1970's(?) and were popular for backpackers back in the 1980s when I started using them. See below---


My backpacking buddy Johnny B comes up to my tipi in NC for a visit and brings his friend and takes this pic of me and her standing by the lodge. This would be around 1992? I'm wearing a liner configured with two buttons to keep the thing closed and as can be seen it is a little worn. Liners are not meant to be worn unprotected and so they rip easily when hiking thru brush.


Here's a pic of Little Mitten on the North Fork Citico wilderness trail in 2002 wearing an old pair of my liner bottoms which make a great in-camp warm layer. Liner pants are too short of course and they are meant to be buttoned into heavy army pants and not designed to come down all the way to the pants cuff.

[mainebob]

These liners have been around since the 1970's(?) and were popular for backpackers back in the 1980s when I started using them. See below---


My backpacking buddy Johnny B comes up to my tipi in NC for a visit and brings his friend and takes this pic of me and her standing by the lodge. This would be around 1992? I'm wearing a liner configured with two buttons to keep the thing closed and as can be seen it is a little worn. Liners are not meant to be worn unprotected and so they rip easily when hiking thru brush.


Here's a pic of Little Mitten on the North Fork Citico wilderness trail in 2002 wearing an old pair of my liner bottoms which make a great in-camp warm layer. Liner pants are too short of course and they are meant to be buttoned into heavy army pants and not designed to come down all the way to the pants cuff.

cool pics, thanks for sharing

[lemon b]

Is that the same material as the old jungle poncho liners from the early 70's?

[mainebob]

Is that the same material as the old jungle poncho liners from the early 70's?

I think it is just a little thicker.

[Cutty]

one of my favorite Bible verses!...cutty