I'm surveying hikers both on and off the trail. What uses do you have or would you like to have for 'Tyvek'?

Ground Cloth
Stuff Sack
Pack Cover
Tarp
Rain Poncho

None, I like silnylon better.

I like silnylon better, too - but with 9' roll width at less than $1/yd it's tough to look away. Especially if you can do it all with 3M tape and not have to worry about sewing and seam sealing.

Btw - there are Tyvek jackets for sale on eBay.

I use Tyvek for a ground cloth to sit on and to put my pack on, but last trip out I found that it is not completely waterproof. I put it in a damp area and sat on it and got wet. It is good too sit on to keep your clothes clean when hiking, but i would not use it as a tarp.

?? Wow I find this so strange...I deal with tons of rain each backpack trip and lots of wind. My Tyvek has never leaked thru with any dampness let alone water. But then again I am not using the Home construction verison...yet that is designed to allow no moisture in also.

I like silnylon but it breaks down in time and gets all sticky. The sun is very destructive on it verses the Tyvek.

I would add to my list above a tent...I have used mine as a tarp to sleep under but a tent would be great.

http://www.tyvek.com/whatistyvek.htm

Remember this stuff is used with medical waste and with hazardous chemicals
so I guess it all depends on which version of Tyvek you are using.

Hana,
Tyvek is just high density polyethelene... Milk cartons.

I like Tyvek for kids and scouts. Its a safety deal. A Tv tarp can be used as a W/B bivy in an emergency. Kids (and grownups) generally stay dryer under Tvek tarps.

Tyvek won't take much pressure hear - which is why it leaks when used as a groundsheet on saturated ground. Contrary to popular opinion, Tv is the last choice for groundsheets.

Tv makes the most comfortable poncho or rain cape you can imagine. It breathes and has enough body that it doesn't cling. Really keeps you dry.

I read that some Tyvek series are microperforated, and those aren't as waterproof (but more breathable, I guess). But when I went to Home Depot there was nothing about the series on the rolls they had.

I wonder if a Tyvek under wrap for a hammock would work???

Here's a Tyvek stuff sack:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=8482&catid=member&imageuser=2205

Probably as well as silnylon works. My guess - good wind and water protection at the expense of some condensation.

?? I like silnylon but it breaks down in time and gets all sticky. The sun is very destructive on it verses the Tyvek.

I thought that construction grade Tyvek had to be covered up fairly quickly as it starts to degrade after being exposed to sunlight (UV) for 30 days?:-?

I use Tyvek disposable clothing as my raingear:

http://www.qcsupply.com/Products/909.aspx

I buy the full suit (because it has a zipper and a hood) and cut off the legs. I buy the pants separate.

I use Tyvek disposable clothing as my raingear:

http://www.qcsupply.com/Products/909.aspx

I buy the full suit (because it has a zipper and a hood) and cut off the legs. I buy the pants separate.

Thanks Chomp for sharing this link. I needed more of that kind of Tyvek and now that suit is sooo cheap you can cut it up and use it for all kinds of things.
Now if they would just make Tyvek disposable tents and other gear related items like the edible gear..now that is traveling ultra light:banana

I thought that construction grade Tyvek had to be covered up fairly quickly as it starts to degrade after being exposed to sunlight (UV) for 30 days?:-?

I think you may be right about that atraildreamer...that is why I do not use the cheaper grade of construction Tyvek.

Jeff,
I have used it as an undersheet or subhammock, and it works just fine, windproof and breathable. It will hold a sleeping pad or underquilt in place and if you rig it right, it will adjust to not compress the underquilt.

The only problems I have with Tyvek are the color and the bulk.

Spock - any idea what series you used?

I noticed on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/Tyvek-1016-CHEAPEST-NO-PRINTING-PURE-WHITE-7-FEET-WIDE_W0QQitemZ8820787886QQcategoryZ36120QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting) they sell Tyvek 1016 for making camping equipment, specified for "hard structure" applications. 1.65 per foot and it is 7' wide. It also does not have any printing or logos on it. This may be the non-porus Tyvek that is more water proof than the Tyvek for building.

I was wondering if anyone had tried to dye Tyvek a different color than white?

I've used a piece as a ground cloth under my rain fly (sans tent) a whole thru hike and then some. I usually cut a piece slightly bigger than i want and put it in the washer(no soap) to soften it then hang dry it.Also aren't frogg toggs made out of it?

No, Frogg Toggs are not made from Tyvek.

What kind of tape would you use instead of sewing it that would waterproof the seams? Just normal seam sealer?

3M makes a special tape - look right next to the Tyvek in Home Depot.

Has anyone used this tape to failure? How long did it last and under what conditions?

Hmm, I wonder if you could make a practice quilt with the breathable stuff? Wash it a few times to weather and soften it a bit, then use the tape and cheap fluffed batting to make a mock up of a quilt? Might even have it's own uses. I can see a lot of uses for this stuff, especially with the no sew tape and the different varieties it comes in.