A SUB-ZERO Winter Warmth shelter that can be made for as little as $80. Read on to learn how to make your own and perhaps donate one to a homeless individual in need in your area.
In a previous post (http://bit.ly/2iV4MO3) we showed how to create a Winter Warmth shelter for around $50. That shelter is great for colder nights, but for at or below zero temperatures, we wanted to create a shelter that could handle the frigid temps and provide life-saving warmth.
We affectionately call this shelter “The Green Monster”. It consists of an olive Extreme Cold Weather Military Sleeping Bag (rated to -20F). It alone is a ‘monster’ 
😉 … weighing in at 10 lbs and made of 80% Goose Down fill.
Also upgraded from our previous design is an improved ground mat (also military surplus), plus a lighter and larger waterproof bivy cover bag. In this design, we’ve also added a few pieces of Velcro to make it easier to get in & out of the shelter.
FIELD TEST: “How did it do?” (see pics):
– After 3 hours: Outside temp 10F, with a ‘Feels Like temp’ of -3F due to wind chill. Ground temp of 2.5F …
RESULTS:
– SLEEPING BAG INTERNAL TEMP: 82F (9 degrees warmer inside than the previous shelter, while the outside ‘Feels Like’ temps were 11 degrees colder than the previous test)
– Very comfortable. Warm enough to not even need gloves during the test.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN …
Product links (approx. prices listed):
———————————————-
[$59] (Extreme Cold Weather) Military Sleeping Bag [“Used – Good” condition rating]: http://amzn.to/2iV9c7n
[$5.50 – bulk price] Military Ground Mat: http://ebay.to/2igjTB0
[$12.50] Tarp sleeping bag cover (Folded into a sleeping bag shape, edges sealed with double-sided carpet tape. Leave 24″ unsealed edge near top for Velcro tabs): http://ebay.to/2hW0hG6
[$3] Balaclava: http://amzn.to/2hj7eN8
[$0.50 worth] Double-sided carpet tape: http://amzn.to/2jfGgL0
[$0.25 worth] Velcro (Two 1.5″ pieces spread out at top side corner. One or two 1.5″ pieces at top. Offset top & bottom Velcro sides by 1.5″ to create gaps. Secured with Gorilla Super Glue Gel): http://amzn.to/2hVYxwF
[$0.25 worth] Gorilla Super Glue Gel (to help secure Velcro): http://amzn.to/2iMXUVQ
NOTE: While this is somewhat less portable than the previous version (due to weight), according to our homeless outreach friends, warmth is often more important than having less weight / portability for most living outdoors in the winter time.
