Polartec Alpha was designed to be a batting insulation, encapsulated between two shells. Alpha Direct was designed as an inner lining, to be sewn to an outer shell. The cottage industry was smart to build these as stand alone garments because that allowed it to be used as a modular system. Instead of being stuck […]
The industry uses a few different metrics for assessing wind and rain shell performance. CFM (cubic feet per minute), which is a measurement of air permeability, or what volume of air can be pushed through a fabric. MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate), which is a measurement of how much moisture vapor gas can be pushed […]
As it is, assessing the temperature rating for sleep systems is tricky. Everyone’s body is different and the level of insulation each of us needs to feel comfortable at a set temp is variable. However, with sleep systems, one constant we can rely on is that everyone is going to be at, or close to, […]
There is no doubt, the sizing system that we use here at Timmermade is unique. Often times, when a process is different, it can be misunderstood as complicated because our brains are “worn in” to a different process. Usually the path of least resistance is to stick to the status quo and not question it. […]
Generally speaking, pockets are really important for carrying items for quick access and for keeping certain items warm in winter temperatures. However, like most good things, there are appropriate applications for them and inappropriate applications for them. For many mass-market items, weight and performance are minor goals and fashion and convenience take priority. For the […]
I’ve made dozens of packs for myself over the years and keep graduating to further refinement. A few of my primary goals have been bounce-free running performance, back ventilation, and better weight distribution. They are all interrelated but the running aspect is the one that really throws a wrench in the works. With a traditional […]
My go-to right now is a Timmermade Thrush false bottom bag. The false bottom bag is really the way to go for me. I tend to run fairly cold, especially when inactive. I have to build a quilt wide in order to limit the drafts that come in when I toss and turn, whereas a […]
When I first built these simple, top entry, false bottom bags, I thought they were going to be limited to colder temps because they lacked ventilation. However, for my personal temperature regulation, in many different climates and scenarios, I have not found too much limitation. I’m still looking, but so far I have found there […]
The total weight of the down fill in an item is the most often used method for determining the warmth rating of that item. However, despite it’s widespread use, total fill weight is a number that is subject to so many variables that it is far too unreliable to be used accurately to determine warmth. […]
Any loose fill item needs baffles to hold that fill in place and give shape to the item. In most down garments on the market for 3-4 season use the baffles are created by sewing the inner and outer shells together. This separates the fill into separate chambers. However, at some point in time these […]