The Speer PeaPod and Top Blanket
Offer
BAFFLED 900-Fill down PeaPods and Top Blankets
Ed Speer January 2007
Speer PeaPod III Speer
Top Blanket III
The
Speer Peapod III, our current version with 900-fill down and baffle
construction, is our warmest Peapod ever!
It’s actually 40% thicker than the PeaPod II without any increase in
weight. Likewise, our Top Blanket III,
with 900 down and baffles, also offers a major increase in warmth over previous
versions. Together, they offer the
ultimate in uncomplicated lightweight hammock warmth! Now hammock comfort at any temperature is
possible.
PeaPods
are insulated ‘sleeping bags’ that completely surround an occupied top-entry
camping hammock while Top Blankets are insulated quilts designed for use on top
of a hammock sleeper. These are
exclusive Speer Hammocks’ designs.
Together they replace the camper’s usual sleeping bag and provide
lightweight, low-bulk warmth that is flexible and efficient over a wide range
of temperatures and field conditions.
The
unique Speer PeaPod/Top Blanket stay-warm system is based on many years of
field testing in all kinds of weather conditions. It is designed with the hammock camper in
mind and has many user-friendly features not found in other outdoor gear.
PeaPod Design
The
Speer PeaPod III is designed with extra girth and length to accommodate the fit
around an occupied hammock. It is
symmetrical and tapered at both ends to reduce cold spots and to save
unnecessary weight and bulk. It’s made
with lightweight, breathable ripstop nylon shells with Durable Water Resistant
(DWR) finish. The insulation is 900
fill-power goose down, meaning that one ounce will expand to fill a volume of
900 cubic inches—this is the lightest and highest quality down available. No-see-um bug-netting baffles keep the down
in place and give maximum loft. Down
tubes run the entire length of the PeaPod, allowing the down to be manually
shifted during use for maximum warmth when and where needed.
The
PeaPod III has drawstring end closures and a full-length hook-&-loop
central closure so it can be placed on, or removed from, a hammock that is
already strung between trees without having to take the hammock down.
The
PeaPod III is designed to work with any top-entry hammock, including, but not
limited to the Speer Hammock (with ridgeline and bug net removed). Unfortunately it does not fit around camping
hammocks that have a permanent ridgeline and bug net.
In
addition to its primary use, the PeaPod III is designed with multiple uses in mind,
including use as a:
1) Robe
2) Sleeping bag
3) Over bag for a sleeping bag to
extend its range
4) Large blanket
The
Speer PeaPod III is produced in two sizes—8.0 and 8.5. The 8.0 PeaPod fits the Speer 8.0 Hammock,
which is for folks up to 6’ tall. The
8.5 PeaPod fits the Speer 8.5 Hammock, which is for folks up to 6.5’ tall. The PeaPods also fit comparable-size
top-entry hammocks made by other manufactures.
The
PeaPod III comes with three insulation choices:
A) regular fill, B) 1 ounce overfill, or C) 2
ounce overfill. See Table 1 for more
details.
|
PRODUCT |
Size (ft) |
Weight Down Fill (oz) |
Total Weight (oz) |
Loft (in) |
Temperature Rating (OF) |
|
8.0
PeaPod III 900 Fill Down |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Normal Fill |
9 x 6 |
16 |
32 |
4.2 |
30 |
|
1 oz Overfill |
9 x 6 |
17 |
33 |
4.5 |
25 |
|
2 oz Overfill |
9 x 6 |
18 |
34 |
5.0 |
20 |
|
8.5
PeaPod III 900 Fill Down |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Normal Fill |
9.5 x 6 |
17 |
35 |
4.2 |
30 |
|
1 oz Overfill |
9.5 x 6 |
18 |
36 |
4.5 |
25 |
|
2 oz Overfill |
9.5 x 6 |
19 |
38 |
5.0 |
20 |
|
Top
Blanket III 900 Fill Down |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Normal Fill |
3.5 x 6 |
9 |
17 |
2.0 |
30 |
|
1 oz Overfill |
3.5 x 6 |
10 |
18 |
2.5 |
25 |
Table 1 Speer PeaPod III & Top Blanket III
Specifications
Top Blanket Design
The
Speer Top Blanket III is designed similar to the PeaPod III. It is made with lightweight, breathable
ripstop nylon shells with Durable Water Resistant (DWR) finish. The insulation is the same 900 fill-power
goose down used in our PeaPods.
No-see-um bug-netting baffles keep the down in place and give maximum
loft.
The
Top Blanket III has an 18-inch-deep foot pocket at one end. The foot pocket is created with
hook-&-loop fasteners, allowing the blanket to be opened flat for other
uses. When employed, the foot pocket, in
combination with the sides of the hammock, keeps the Top Blanket in place over
the sleeper’s body.
In
addition it its primary use, the Top Blanket III is also designed with multiple
uses in mind, including use as a:
1) PeaPod liner
2) Sleeping bag liner
3) Jacket liner
4) Lap blanket
The
Speer Top Blanket III comes with a one-ounce overfill option---See Table 1 for
details.
PeaPod Setup
The
PeaPod III should be positioned around a hammock that is already strung between
two trees and has the proper amount of hammock sag that is suitable for that
hammock sleeper. The PeaPod should be
tied so it has slightly more sag than that of the occupied hammock—trial and
error is the best teacher. Too much air
space between the hammock and the PeaPod will result in a layer of cold air,
while too little sag of the PeaPod will result in stretching it resulting in
loss of loft and the resultant loss of heat, especially under one’s bottom
where the maximum stretch occurs. The
object is to get the PeaPod as snug against the occupied hammock as possible
without stretching the PeaPod itself.
When
setting the correct sag of the Peapod, one should allow for the anticipated
hammock stretch that will occur during occupancy. Especially when they are new, most fabric
hammocks stretch as much as 6 inches during the course of a single night. The need to readjust the PeaPod during the
night can be eliminated by correctly anticipating this stretch when first
setting it up.
Attach
PeaPod to hammock (Figure 1):
1. Cinch the drawstring toggles tight on
one end of the PeaPod
2. Position that end of the PeaPod
around the hammock and close the hook-&-loop fasteners just below the hammock
end knot
3. Adjust the distance between the end
of the PeaPod and the hammock end knot to set the proper sag of the PeaPod (see
additional comments below)
4. Gather the ends of the drawstrings
and wrap 3-4 times above the hammock end knot, securing with a simple slip knot
to prevent the closed PeaPod end from sliding toward the center of the hammock
during use
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the other end of
hammock
When
placing more insulation inside the PeaPod (see discussions below), additional
PeaPod sag is necessary to prevent loss of loft due to stretching—just loosen
the PeaPod drawstrings and allow the PeaPod ends to move further down the ends
of the hammock—even 3” to 5” inside the hammock end knots may be necessary for
some setups (Figure 1). Remember that
each hammock setup is different—thus re-adjusting the PeaPod tie offs may be
necessary each time your set up your hammock.
I”
2” 4”
Figure 1 PeaPod III End Tie Offs on Speer
Hammock
Of
course, should the weather be too warm and you’re looking for a cooler setup, a
similar tie-out procedures may be called for---increase the sag of the PeaPod by
lengthening the drawstring ties until you have a layer of air between your
PeaPod and your hammock.
Closing the PeaPod
Close
the PeaPod over the hammock with the hook-&-loop fasteners, leaving a
suitable breather hole near your head (Figures 2-7). Yes, you can even close the PeaPod entirely
(it has breathable shells), but be aware that your exhaled breath may add
considerable moisture to the inside of the PeaPod. On some really cold windy nights, the
tradeoff may be worth it!
Figure 2 PeaPod III open for
ventilation Figure 3 PeaPod III open with windward side up
Figure 4 PeaPod III 2/3 closed Figure 5 PeaPod III with large breather hole
Figure 6 PeaPod III with
small breather hole Figure 7 PeaPod III for maximum warmth
The
lightweight hook-&-loop fasteners are reliable, fast and easy to use; they provide
easy opening and closing of the PeaPod for entry, exit or venting. However, the biggest advantage of
hook-&-loop fasteners is they avoid the ‘stuck-in-the-fabric’ problems
common with zippers. Eventually every
zipper fails, and in the confines of a hammock this can be dangerous and may
result in injury. Besides, being trapped
in a hammock on a dark night because your gear failed or because you can’t find
the zipper slider is no fun.
Hook-&-loop solves these problems forever.
Closing
the PeaPod is best done from inside the hammock itself:
1.
Reach
above your head with both hands, grab the PeaPod edges, pull them straight
toward you and touch them together (Figure 8).
The hook-&-loop strips will stick together enough for you to next
run your hands along them to tighten the closure.
2.
Reach
down to your knees, grab the PeaPod edges, pull them up towards your waist,
touch them together and run your hands along them to tighten the closure
(Figure 9). CAUTION: Do not sit up and
lean forward in an attempt to close the hook-&-loop fasteners near the foot
end of your hammock—this could raise your center of gravity enough for the
hammock to tip over! If needed, use your
knees or feet while lying down to press up against the hook-&-loop on the
center closure where your hands can’t reach.
3.
Repeat
the process for your torso, closing the PeaPod as much or as little as needed
for warmth
Note: You may find it easier to start
closing the ends of the PeaPod prior to lying in your hammock, but it can
easily be closed entirely from a lying-down position with minimal practice.
Figure 8 Closing head end of
PeaPod III Figure 9 Closing foot end of PeaPod III
Repositioning Down in
the PeaPod
Each
PeaPod III is designed so the down can be repositioned as needed. For instance, if you find your shoulders or
bottom getting cold during the night, you can reposition some of the down from
the ends of the PeaPod where less insulation is needed anyway, to the center of
the PeaPod where it is needed more.
Simply grasp the ends of the PeaPod with your hands and slide them
toward the center of the PeaPod. This
shifts down from the ends to the center of the PeaPod and might give you just
the extra warmth you need to remain toasty until morning. In this manner, the down can be shifted while
one is inside or outside the hammock (Figure 10). Of course, the opposite down shift might be
called for if you’re too warm.
Figure 10 Repositioning down in PeaPod III
(This can
also be done in similar manner while inside the hammock)
Venting the PeaPod
In
many situations, you may find the closed PeaPod is too warm and you need to
vent it. No problem, just open the
PeaPod’s central closure as much as needed (Figures 2-7). You can even open it at your head and at your
feet, leaving it closed in between! You
can completely open the PeaPod and let the sides droop down both sides of the
hammock, thus allowing warm air to escape from beneath the hammock and cooler
air to enter (Figure 2). You can open
the PeaPod, droop the lee side down while keeping the windward side tucked
inside the hammock to block cold wind (Figure 3). For those hot summer nights, you might want
to untie one end of the PeaPod and let it fall to the ground for maximum
cooling, until later in the night when it’s colder and you can easily retie the
PeaPod and close it around you as much as needed. The adjustable combinations are endless and
allow you to ‘match the conditions’ no matter what they are or how much they
change while you’re in the hammock.
PeaPod & Top
Blanket for
While
a PeaPod is comfortable by itself over a wide range of temperatures, there
comes a time when more insulation is needed (Table 2). The Speer Top Blanket is the perfect
solution.
A
PeaPod’s lower temperature rating is based on the thickness of the bottom
insulation since that is the most critical area of heat loss. However as outside temperatures drop, PeaPods
can become colder on top sooner than they do on the bottom because there is an
unoccupied air space above the sleeper’s body.
Since PeaPods go completely around an occupied hammock and the sleeper
is down inside the hammock, a potentially cold empty air space is left above
the sleeper’s body. Top Blankets are
designed to fill this space; of course any lightweight blanket, quilt or
sleeping bag might work as well.
Therefore a Top Blanket, or a suitable substitute, may be necessary to
reach the PeaPod’s lower temperature rating.
When used as a quilt over the sleeper, the Top Blanket or substitute
also blocks the PeaPod’s central closure and prevents the escape of heat
through that less-insulated strip.
|
Temperature OF |
Speer
PeaPod III |
Speer
Top Blanket III |
|||
|
reg fill |
1
oz overfill |
2
oz overfill |
reg fill |
1
oz overfill |
|
|
+65 |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
65-50 |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
50-30 |
X |
|
|
X |
|
|
30-25 |
|
X |
|
|
X |
|
25-20 |
|
|
X |
|
X |
|
less than 20 |
See additional information below |
||||
Table 2 Using Speer PeaPods and Top Blankets
together for Superior Warmth
As
discussed below, Top Blankets, summer sleeping bags or winter sleeping bags are
just some of the items that can be used with PeaPods for hammock camping in
extremely low temperatures. Other items
include sleeping pads, extra clothes, jackets, raingear, pack covers, and
ground cloths--even leaves can be used for insulation. Read on!
The Plus 30oF
PeaPod III Solution
Bottom
insulation is typically needed in a hammock anytime the temperature is below
about 65OF. Therefore, I
carry my PeaPod most of the time. No
matter which PeaPod model you use, it can easily be vented as described above
for temperatures up to about 65OF.
The full-length hook-&-loop closure can be opened as much as needed
and the PeaPod sides can be drooped to allow cool air to circulate around and
under the hammock. However, the PeaPod can
also be closed as much as needed once the temperature begins to cool during the
night—this is the ultimate in flexibility!
The 30oF
PeaPod III Solution Regular Fill
The
regular-fill 900 PeaPod III with a loft of 4.2 inches is designed for hammock warmth
to about 30OF. As noted
earlier, some folks might also need a light quilt like the Speer Top Blanket to
fill the space above their body. At only
32 ounces for the 8.0 model or 35 ounces for the 8.5 model, the regular PeaPod
III is not only an elegant solution, but is extremely lightweight as well. Read the discussions below to learn how to
also use this PeaPod at much colder temperatures.
The 25oF
PeaPod III Solution 1 oz Overfill
By
adding an extra ounce of the 900-fill down, the 1 ounce overfill PeaPod III has
4.5” loft and offers increased warmth to 25OF. As above, some folks will want a light quilt
over them, and the Top Blanket III is ideal for this use. It’s at these colder temperatures that the
Top Blanket III proves its’ worth. Now
it can serve many purposes, such as jacket liner, lap blanket, or even PeaPod
liner (see discussions below for more ways to use Top Blankets). Also read the discussions below to learn how
to use this PeaPod at much colder temperatures.
The 20oF
PeaPod III Solution 2 oz Overfill
With
2 ounces overfill, our warmest PeaPods have 5” loft and are rated to 20OF. The addition of a one-ounce-overfill Speer
Top Blanket, or a summer-weight sleeping bag, makes this a cozy winter bed
(Table 2). At only 34 ounces for the 8.0
model or 38 ounces for the 8.5 model, these PeaPods are the ultimate in hammock
warmth. However, read the discussions
below to learn how to also use this PeaPod at much colder temperatures.
The Less Than 20oF PeaPod III Solution
No matter which PeaPod III model you use, lower temperature ratings are easy to achieve! Once a PeaPod is positioned around a hammock, it can now easily serve as part of a component system combining with numerous other types of insulation. Additional bottom and top insulation are necessary for extreme cold–weather hammocking and the discussions below should give you plenty of ideas; just remember to successfully test your