I am thinking about making my own windshirt out of Momentum90, but don't know whether to use the calendered side on the inside or outside. What do you guys think?

Shiny side should go inside. Momentum is awesome. Have fun and don't skip the "sear the edges" step. I did and it is incredibly hard to sear fraying threads once the garment is done!

Logan

OK, I've only had experience with momentum with down, so I didn't know how the shiny side would feel on skin. The Libery Ridge Windshirt Kit almost looks as though the shiny side is on the outside...

> Shiny side should go inside.

Would you care to explain your reasoning on that one?

I can see a number of reasons why I'd want the calendered side outermost.

non-calendered side will
i) wick better
ii) not feel so clammy

calendered side will
i) be more water-repellent

Per posts on Thru-Hiker forum, DWR is applied to the non-calendared side- AYCE responded to the thread but didn't personally say the DWR was on just one side. On the other hand AYCE says that the non-calendared taffeta feels very nice against the skin.

Make it reversible!

EDIT: added more info

Edited by jimqpublic on 05/14/2010 16:27:32 MDT.

Good thoughts...

Anyone in the evening crowd want to give their opinion?

Have you got a link to the Thru-hiker thread, Jim?

Is the DWR you mention the DWR as the fabric comes (i.e. manufacturer's DWR), or user applied after making up the garment? I can see that it might bind better to the non-calendered face, but I wonder how it's applied; spray or dip? And, in a fabric so thin, can any DWR application be restricted to one side; might it not soak in to the entire thickness of the fabric?

[all questions intended as open: I have no pre-conceived ideas of the answers]

I don't know

Thru-Hiker and Mountain Laurel Designs work cooperatively on many fabrics, so here are two references:

MLD's fabric page with discussion of Momentum:
www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/fabric.php

Thru-hiker forum where a reader posted some assumptions about the fabric, along with some links to other forums. AYCE (Thru-Hiker owner) replied, but didn't address the assumption that the DWR is on the non-calendared side only.
http://www.thru-hiker.com/x/index.php/forums/viewthread/217/

Thanks, Jim.

From a very quick look (as that's all I've got tonight...), it looks to be discussing Momentum as being used for quilts and similar, where, for comfort reasons, I'd want the non-calendered side outermost (i.e. against the skin). It might also help for down retention to have the calendered side innermost.

Hey Ben,
How did the windshirt turnout? What side of the fabric did you use? Is it good/okay/bad to hike in? I'm thinking about making a windshirt out of momentum as well. Any particular pattern to recommend?

Turned out great! I use the shiny side in, but for a windshirt, I'm not sure that it matters other than for aesthetics.

It works very well to hike in, no durability problems yet, although I only use it under cuben fiber pack straps, so that may prolong the life of the shoulder area.

I used the Thru-Hiker pattern to start with.

Ben -- no pictures?

I have been using one since I had some extra Momentum90 laying around from a project about 3 years ago. I used a Marmot Ion as a pattern for the person who sewed it. It is a great little jacket and I waterproofed it with the Nixwax Tech Wash. It is not as good as a rain jacket but it is what I use for going around town when temps are above 45F or if there is going to be precipitation.

Timothy - how about a video?

I made one with the liberty ridge pattern with a 10" zipper that came out to 2.3 ounces using momentum 90.
The pattern is very easy to make.

Aaron,

What size is yours? Also, are the seams surged or tucked under?

Ben,

Good job!

Ben,
I am 5' 11" and 160 lbs. I used a medium but I tailored it to my size to fit with just a shirt under it but still have good movement. I also made the back about 4 inches longer to keep it from riding up with a pack.

I care about function more than looks and I just did a single stitch a 1/4" in the pieces and left it that way.