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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: gunwharfman on 12:46:46, 17/12/19

Title: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 12:46:46, 17/12/19
I bought an Alpkit Hunker a few years ago and have hardly used it. I'm planning to take it on my La Palma hike in January so I practised with it yesterday. Its drawback then and now is that because its just a large tube of material and I personally find it difficult to wiggle into and wiggle out of. I tried a couple of techniques to improve this but failed.

The solution for me, if it could be achieved, would be to fit a 3/4 zip down one side and this would make in and out access so much easier. My Snugpack Stratosphere bivi has a 3/4 zip and this works very well. If you are a Hunker owner have you ever tried this and if so did it work?

I ask because I know if I start modifying it myself I'll only make matters worse so I want to be cautious before I attempt anything.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: ninthace on 14:13:26, 17/12/19
Two problems I foresee from looking at pictures of the bag.  The zip would compromise the water resistance unless you fitted a specialist zip.  How do you get the zip past the hood draw cord or do you intend to enter and leave through the side and slide up to the hood?
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 15:07:38, 17/12/19
Yes, the zip is the weak point, on my Strosphere the zip length is covered by a waterproof flap. If I sewed an ordinary zip to the Hunker that would create I'm sure a long water leak area. I'm not intending to involve the hood at all, it's useful but it's not that useful in the rain. I relied on my tarp to keep my head and torso dry and to store my rucksack and boots, this worked well when I used it in the rain. I'm seeking advice from a lady that has a reputation of being skilled in zip matters. I've never bought a 'waterproof' zipped item before, do they actually work?

Another issue for me is that once inside, if I need to get out quickly, I find that a very difficult thing to do. I'm lying on the material and to get out I have to wiggle around, first raise my back, then push the material above and below me towards my bottom, then raise my bottom and continue to push the material down towards my legs. It's only then that I can get out. Having a zipped area would transform it for the better.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: ninthace on 15:22:45, 17/12/19
I've never bought a 'waterproof' zipped item before, do they actually work?

I can vouch for the zip on an immersion suit but it may be a bit dear and a bit lumpy.  Of course, you could just sleep in an immersion suit, that way you would have no mobility problems but going for a wee small hours micturation might be an issue.  They are nice and warm with a woolly bear worn underneath. https://www.hammond-drysuits.co.uk/crewsaver-undersuit.html (https://www.hammond-drysuits.co.uk/crewsaver-undersuit.html)
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: jimbob on 16:23:09, 17/12/19
Profabrics sell waterproof zips. Use polyester thread, you can buy waxed thread which may self seal the stitch holes or you can use waterproofing seam sealer (Silnet) or tape. ( again from Profabrics). Good luck with the hood.


Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: ninthace on 16:59:08, 17/12/19
Amazon have waterproof zips too.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: Ridge on 17:08:38, 17/12/19
There looks to be off centre seams, think dentist's tunic. If the zip goes in to one of those then you could sew the drawstring at that point and then still use the hood.
It is much easier to put the zip in a seam rather than launching in to the middle of the fabric, though if they are waterproofed sealed seams possibly not much better.
How far down do you want the zip to come and how much of you is under the tarp? It may be that you don't need a waterproof zip at all.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: Pitboot on 18:22:58, 17/12/19
Sell the Hunka,
get one of these:

 

https://www.snugpak.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/600x900/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/d/e/default_special_forces_bivvi_bag_black_1.jpg

Snugpak SF Bivvy bag.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: richardh1905 on 18:42:39, 17/12/19
I've never bought a 'waterproof' zipped item before, do they actually work?

Yes - my Lhotse jacket has YKK AquaGuard zips and they are absolutely watertight - withstood almost daily use through 4 Orkney winters - and you can imagine what the driving rain is like there!
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: Skippy 2019 on 16:21:20, 19/12/19
Sell the Hunka,
get one
Snugpak SF Bivvy bag.


 
No way! Not in the same league. From someone who bivvies all year.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: jimbob on 17:41:57, 19/12/19
My walking acquired mate has  three bivi sacks, forces, snugpack and Hunka XL. He swears by the Hunka for when it is forecast to be really wet weather. So much so that the only thing putting me off one is, as per GWM, lack of zips to make a quick exit when nature screams at me at around 3 a. m.  :-[
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:45:10, 19/12/19
Use a bottle :D
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: jimbob on 17:54:52, 19/12/19
Use a bottle :D
  can hardly get my size 12s into a bottle...... 😂😜😜😜Boom, boom
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 19:59:20, 19/12/19
Don't use a bottle, use a Uriwell! The best bit of kit I own, no more having to get out of my tent in the dark and wet, no more having to stroll across the grass to get to the toilet block and its lightweight as well.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: jimbob on 20:39:23, 19/12/19
Serious head on now.

Have you heard of URIBAG. They are really small and practical.Google them. I do carry one for when I do risk the odd night out.



Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:45:32, 19/12/19
I'm seeing my wife's friend tomorrow evening, I sent her an email with the Alkit photo of the Hunka attached. She thinks the idea of her sewing in a 3 or 4 foot waterproof zip along one side of the Hunker is viable but she will not know for sure until she sees it.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:01:42, 22/12/19
It took me an age but I finally tracked down a 42" waterproof zip on eBay. Once it's delivered and I hope its before I am due to go to La Palma in the second week of January, my wife's friend will modify my Hunker for me, she said it will just take her about an hour to do. If it arrives late I'll just take my heavier Snugpack Stratosphere with me which already has a side zip.

I'm not going to take my long waterproof coat with me this time, just my Marmot Precip. My plan is to be as minimalist and as lightweight as possible. I would normally take my rain skirt but I'm waiting for a new one to be made, so for this four-day journey, I'm going to go back to an 'old faithful,' my very lightweight Peter Storm leggings. I've cut off the bottom 6" of each leg and by doing so they now slip over my boots and gaiters very easily now that the narrowest part of the leggings has gone. I don't know why I didn't think of doing this years ago?
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 12:09:34, 05/01/20
My modified Alpkit Hunker has been returned to me, it now has a 4' waterproof zip down one side. The lady who did it for me has done a wonderful job and has for more protection fitted a waterproof flap over the waterproof zip. She refused my offer to pay for it, so later today I'll take her what I hope is a good bottle of French red wine, she won't say no to that!

I'm planning to sleep in it, for the next 4 nights on La Palma with my Alpkit tarp to cover my head and torso if it rains.

The other matter I'm going to assess is, if successful, shall I stick with my present Hunker or buy the larger model? Is it best to have the correct space or more space than one needs? I'm thinking along the lines of, is it better to buy a one-man tent for one man or is it better to buy a two-man tent for one man?
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: ninthace on 13:08:39, 05/01/20
How did she make a 3' 6" zip fit a 4' hole?
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: jimbob on 13:12:16, 05/01/20
Take a tube of seam grip, just in case.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 14:48:37, 05/01/20
Sorry, NinthAce, I don't understand? I'm looking at it now, the lady with the sewing skills has cut one side from the base of the hood area for four feet down one side and then fitted the zip.

My wife has now gone to Gatwick Airport to pick my daughter in law so I have the house to myself and everything I need for my trip is laid out in front of me on the lounge floor. I have been practising getting in and out of my Hunker, with my sleeping quilt inside because I need to know how to make it work best when I'm in darkness and especially if it's raining as well. I can now confirm unless I've missed something really important, that the long zip has made the Hunker much more usable than it was before.

I can foresee a possible problem when I wild camp, it's a volcanic mountainous area so how do I secure my tarp if I cannot find an earthy place to push in my tent pegs? If not I may have to resort to placing rocks on the corners to keep it in shape? When I was on Gran Canaria last year I just sought out small olive orchards to sleep, hopefully, it will be just as easy this time?

I'm now experimenting as to how I pack my rucksack so I can take it on the plane as hand luggage. I'm planning to pack all of my soft materials in my rucksack and compress then down to the Easyjet sizing requirements. I'll then wear all of my 'hard' stuff in my sleeveless, many pockets Columbia 'waistcoat.'

If I don't suceed it will cost me, dearly!
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: ninthace on 14:51:59, 05/01/20
I was just wondering how she fitted a 42" zip into a 48" hole without leaving a gap at one end or the other.
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:03:24, 12/01/20
I recently spent a few days on La Palma and took my modified Hunker with me. A friend of my wife fitted a 4' long zip down one side of it and it really improved its usability. I camped out twice, both nights were warm, no wind and in bright moonlight. The zip made it so easier to get in and out of and it made getting organised so much easier. I just put down my groundsheet, laid my Thermarest Prolight on top, then the Hunker. I undid the zip pushed my sleeping quilt into position and I was ready to sleep!

My Hunker is the standard sized version which fits me well, but to really improve my lot the Hunker XL with a 4' zip would be an even better purchase, giving me more room to move around in and be able to store some items of clothing in, etc as well. A great way to stealth camp. I personally felt so much better knowing that if I opened my eyes I could see ahead and around me, rather than be entombed in my tent just making decisions based on noises.

What was so great was to be able to turn onto my back and to look directly up at the stars, looking at them fro 7000 feet up was truly beautiful and 'out of this world!'

I took my Alpkit 3.5 Tarp as well. I never erected it, I just tucked one of the narrow ends under my rucksack, which was just behind my head, the rucksack weight secured it to the ground and my plan would have been just to pull it over my head if it rained. It didn't so I was unable to test it.

Added together, my groundsheet, inflatable matress, Hunker sleeping quilt and Tarp was noticably lighter than carrying my tent
Title: Re: Modifying an Alpkit Hunker
Post by: gunwharfman on 11:20:47, 08/02/20
My Hunka is the medium size. The decision I want to make now is, would my camping experience improve if I invested in the larger size? My present Hunker fits me OK so it's not just me feeling that it's the wrong size as such, its just the idea of having a bit more space that appeals. Has anyone on the Forum bought the medium and then moved on to the XL model and if they did was it a good move? For example, with more space to move around in, does that mean the problems of inner condensation might be greater?