View Full Version : making a backpack from sunbrella
pahillbillybear
05-11-2009, 19:12
I am wanting to make my own pack. I want to go somewhat light but not so much that I am sacrificing the integrity of the pack or my comfort. I have no desire to make my pack out of lightweight nylon or ripstop or whatever. I would like to use canvas. A local seamstress recommended that I go with Sunbrella. Here is the type I am considering.
http://www.sailrite.com/Top-Gun-Caribbean-Blue-62
I have thought of putting in a layer of Tyvek on the inside of the pack. Another seamstress told me that there is a material that acts like double sided tape that will actually bond the Tyvek to the Sunbrella. I'm not sure how big of a pack I need but I am thinking of the 3,500 to 3,800 range. I plan on using mail drops. Is this a doable project. I plan on going with no zippers as well. It will basically be a ruck sack with four bottle holders. Any criticisms or praise remarks? I think I can have it sewed fairly inexpensively, if not free, at the local vocational center.
I don't understand how using lightweight nylon or ripstop or whatever sacrifices the integrity of your pack or your comfort. Canvas is a fine material, and might have some arguments in terms of aesthetics and sustainability. What are you real reasons for canvas over nylon? What do you mean by integrity and comfort?
OK I see that Sunbrella isn't canvas. It's dacron. Somewhat overkill, but not a bad choice. Dacron is a type of polyester used for working sails, as in sails other than spinnakers. Wicked stiff and durable and UV resistant for sure, but overkill for a backpack. Add up the weight. If you keep the pack simple enough without too many pockets and folds and stuff it might not be too heavy.
cwayman1
05-11-2009, 20:46
hmmm... I'm kinda with JAK on this one. Why so anti-nylon? Ripstop is designed to do just that-- stop rips. And if you get a "heavy" (if you can call it heavy) enough weighted ripstop nylon then it can be SUPER abrasion resistant. Just some food for thought :D and as JAK mentioned... make sure you watch the weight- it can climb quickly!
Snowleopard
05-11-2009, 22:01
You'll enjoy making your own pack. If you have access to a sewing machine, it's not all that hard for a simple design. I like the idea of a rucksack with no zippers. My favorite daypack of all time was like that -- completely bombproof and light.
I'd say find fabric lighter than sunbrella unless you're getting it almost free.
I'd check with some of the dealers that specialize in fabrics for hiking/backpacking equipment to see what they fabrics they recommend. Sunbrella at 11 oz/sq yard is heavy and expensive. A coated (waterproof) cordura would probably be better and lighter. thru-hiker.com's dyneema fabric is very strong and only 4 oz/sq yd.
AYCE at thru-hiker.com is pretty knowledgeable as are the people at the Rainshed.
http://therainshed.com/
http://questoutfitters.com/coated.html#Coated Fabrics
http://www.owfinc.com/Fabrics/fabricmain.htm
Some patterns:
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html
This one at the rainshed may be more complex than you want but look at the fabric recommendations:
"Rugged use: Heavy Cordura for the Outer fabric – Mid-weight Cordura for the Textured pieces
Normal use: Packcloth, Lightweight Cordura for the Textured pieces
http://therainshed.com/patternpages/RSpatternPages_/RS150alpine.htm
Heavy cordura would be heavier than you need unless you're planning on running a saw across it regularly. I'd go with a lightweight cordura or a 1.9 oz coated ripstop, or if you're careful with your gear and not doing a lot of bushwhacking even a 1.1 oz silicone coated ripstop.
To see what is out there in commercial packs for 3 or 4 oz total weight, look at:http://zpacks.com/
I've got an old pack I'm considering turning into an lightweight experiment...my idea is to take one of those netted nylon laundry bags and sew the straps and hip belt from the old pack onto it...should be able to get the weight under two pounds I would think.
I've got an old pack I'm considering turning into an lightweight experiment...my idea is to take one of those netted nylon laundry bags and sew the straps and hip belt from the old pack onto it...should be able to get the weight under two pounds I would think.
As a community service, consider taking photos of your progress and post the results. I'm sure others of us have toyed with that idea.
Good luck and it will be interesting to see what weight you end up with.
cwayman1
05-18-2009, 12:26
It looks like you are thinking of something like this...?
http://hikinghq.net/gear/rock_ruck.html
Sgt. Rock knows his stuff :)
hope this helps!
cheers!