Why People Make DIY Foam-Lined Clothing

In extreme environments and perilous situations, ingenuity and creativity are most often what help people get by, not the quick and easy, pre-packaged solution. So while traditional parkas and down-filled jackets will fit the bill for people shoveling their driveway or walking from their car into a store, some people gleefully push their boundaries with adventures few others would dare to attempt.

For these outdoor argonauts, cold-weather endurance is one of the greatest tests of know-how and ability. Days and nights in frigid temperatures are dangerous, even for those with experience and knowledge. This is why the right equipment is so important, and to survive in areas where big-box store gear won’t get the job done, many enthusiasts have turned to creating their own survival gear, using open-cell foam as their secret insulating ingredient.

By those who swear by their own DIY foam-based clothing, open-cell cushion inserts are said to retain heat better than the most expensive apparel. The foam materials minimalize transfer of heat through the clothing, so while the body stays warm, the outside of the material doesn’t warm ice and snow around the user. This is incredibly important, especially when sleeping or resting, because the water from melted snow can quickly make an individual uncomfortable. Water serves to draw heat away from the body, making for an incredibly dangerous circumstance in extreme situations.

Folding foam sheets and cushions into DIY coats and pants made from breathable outer fabrics creates a protective layer that individuals claim dries quickly from generated body moisture while maintaining heat. This concept can be applied to sleeping bags as well, with the right cushion size having the same effect of staying warm without warming the areas around you.

It’s imperative that you never place yourself in a dangerous situation without having the knowledge and preparation to handle it. But for those who are equipped with the right skills, creating their own custom foam-filled gear can help them weather extreme situations.