So I'm thinking of making a karo step down jacket and have a few questions before i begin. I've looked at previous threads about this subject and the idea of where to get a pattern.
(http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=20660)
I'm looking for about 1-1.5 inches of loft and i don't think i'm looking for something as lofty as the thru-hiker kit. I think 3 oz of down should be good. Although the kit does look good since i've heard the pattern are extremely easy to follow. What i'm thinking of it finding a pattern for a basic jacket (ie. fleece or maybe the shelby windshirt pattern) and modifying it by adding a second layer since it's down.
Now my questions:
what should the baffle height be if i'm doing a karo step?
Is it possible to do a sew through karo step?
Am i better off doing something like a 1/2 inch baffle height?
Should i just get the thru-hiker whitney kit and do half the down and make 2 jackets?
If i do use a modified windshirt pattern should i size up since the down will take up space and make the jacket feel smaller?

thanks,
Michael

im no pro so take everything with a grain of organic sea salt

sewn through karo i would do 6x6 on the body 5x5 or 5x4 " the long sides running parallel with the sleeve" on the sleeves when doing the karo baffles i would leave 1 inch on each side of the stitch. so only 3 inches of stitching with 1.5 inch each side un stitched. size up if using a wind shirt pattern mcalls has some good pullover and jacket patterns.

also i'd shoot Tim Marshell a pm. I know he was planing on something similar

I made the thruhiker jacket last winter. Very great pattern and instruction booklet, I highly recommend it. I would do sew through baffles with your estimated loft. I would also think you are spot on with 3 oz of down. The pattern comes with 5.something and you can buy an extra .5 oz of down to basically bring it to 6 oz. I have 3" loft around the body and 1" around the arms and head (I added a hood which was why I ordered the extra .5 oz of down, should have put this in here the first time). About 2-2.5" if you averaged it out is what their website says. I would either shoot Tim and enlightened equipment an email or pm about karo step clothing. There was a thread a few months ago with great detail about karo step. I believe he was going to try a jacket, I am about to try it with a pair of pants based on that thread. I have no clue if he made his jacket yet, but my pants won't be done for 2-3 weeks and they won't get decent testing for about 2 months.

Good luck if you try it, and post how it goes.

I would start by finding the MYOG thread from a few months ago with detail about karo step.

Edited by earn_my_turns on 11/08/2011 11:21:21 MST.

you order a link to another thread I started? " i start way to many haha" Well anyway here it is

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=53502

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=51009

yours was a good one too. Both got me thinking about doing something Karo. I am going to do a quilt and pants karo step in the coming weeks when my down gets here...

i recently did a quilt with differential baffling " totally made that phrase up maybe it will catch on" in essence its normal baffles from the hip up, then there is two 4inch baffles running along the side vertically , and from the hip down its karo. down is completely shiftable throughout the whole quilt heres a crappy pic from my iphone

able throughout the whole quilt

Can you take better pictures please? Are your top baffles not sew-thru so that it will be warmer around your core and lighter at the feet?

I'll get some better pics tonight. Yes the torso area has 2inch cuben baffles that run from 4inches away from the side to the other side with a 4 inch baffle running vertically on both edges. And the footbox Is sewn through karo syle

Does the karo step usually have a mesh baffle or is it usually sewn through? i guess since my loft will be so low i'm just better off sewing through.

Michael,

I'm not sure 3oz of down would be enough volume to fill a jacket if you used mesh baffles. I'd sew through.