tyvek

[OBXWaMi]

Read in several places how wonderful this stuff is. I was driving past a construction site today and saw some guys using it. I talked them into giving me a piece. 6ftx8ft.

Other than making a footprint for my tent, what else is this stuff good for? Could I sew a pack cover? or a rain suit? Since it is so light could I make a huge tarp by adding gromets at the corners?

It looks to me like the possibilities are nearly endless......btw, I put a request on FreeCycle for another piece.

--Michelle

[Chaco Taco]

Read in several places how wonderful this stuff is. I was driving past a construction site today and saw some guys using it. I talked them into giving me a piece. 6ftx8ft.

Other than making a footprint for my tent, what else is this stuff good for? Could I sew a pack cover? or a rain suit? Since it is so light could I make a huge tarp by adding gromets at the corners?

It looks to me like the possibilities are nearly endless......btw, I put a request on FreeCycle for another piece.

--Michelle

Jester made a twister board with his tyvek

[Spokes]

Wind chimes.

[Traildog & Tbone]

Oil it up & use it as a slip & slide! I worked at an 84 lumber yard few years back & we made a huge Tipi out of it, worked better than some of the tents I used to own.

[4eyedbuzzard]

There are many types of tyvek. The stuff used for clothing is much softer and less crinkly and less abrasive than the house construction stuff. The soft stuff makes much nicer ground cloths and tarps.

[jeramie75]

Even the construction stuff (crinkly) is good. It becomes more pliable with use.

[wwbriggs]

Marathon Runners and Adventure Race Enthusiasts use it for wind shirts, jackets, pants, and a variety of other things. I think it could make a great lightweight shelter/tarp that is lightweight for emergencies much like you would use a piece of cuben, but not nearly as durable I think. I use mine as a ground blanket when sitting if it is damp, or laying around the campfire. I want to make a down and dirty bivy cover to keep in my day pack for all of the above and use it if I decide to crash for the night. Get creative, it is a wonderful lightweight material. I personally like the Kite material better as it is soft, yet strong.

[Panzer1]

Ground tarps seems to be its best use as far as hikers are concerned.

[Pioneer Spirit]

You make a nice cut to fit foot print for your Hubba. Then when you get on the trail realize you brought the negative scrap piece instead.

[sbhikes]

People on the backpacking light site have made a number of nice bivy sacks. I think the Tarptent Moment comes in tyvek. And wasn't there a barefoot hiker with all tyvek gear on the AT a number of years ago? Yeah, here's a picture I found of him. Everything he's got is tyvek!
DSCF6959.JPG

[fireneck]

When I cut my footprint for me tent I am going sew a pocket on the bottom that my sleeping bag can fit into...similar to a bivy sack. That way I can slip my bag into it incase I'm sleeping in a shelter with heavy rains.

[smokeeater908]

I use it for a footprint under my hammock.

[CrumbSnatcher]

tyvek is water resistant not waterproof

[Franco]

Tyvek, Tyvek...
Tyvek is a brand not a single product
The bit from a construction site would be a type of Homewrap, the Tyvek used by marathon runners and Tarptent is of the soft (clothing) type, softer, a lot more breathable but less waterproof.
BTW the Tarptent available in Tyvek is the Sublite, great for hot and or humid weather not recommended if prolonged heavy rains are the sort of weather you expect.
Franco

[CrumbSnatcher]

sorry, tyvek homewrap is not waterproof :-)
its meant to be fastened to your house, vertically, and the water runs off of it.

[CrumbSnatcher]

best ground cloth i ever used was the clear plastic with the reinforced yarn weaved into it.

[kayak karl]

sorry, tyvek homewrap is not waterproof :-)
its meant to be fastened to your house, vertically, and the water runs off of it.

fill a piece with water. hang it in your tub and see how long it holds water. mine was 7 days no drips????
,but i guest your in the construction field like me and know what your talking about

[Slo-go'en]

Flipping through a UNLINE catalog (they sell mostly shipping supplies), I found they carry Tyvek protective clothing - and it's not too expensive. I'm thinking of getting the lab coat. ($5.00 each, min order of 5) They also have sleeves (keep your arms dry if you use a poncho for rain gear) and pants. The coverall with hood might be good for extream conditions.

[Slo-go'en]

Opps, that ULINE...

[Franco]

CrumbSnatcher
To put it another way...
clothing Tyvek is less water resistant but breathes better than Homewrap and other types of Tyvek .
I was just pointing out that the comments one one type may not apply to another.
Franco