3oz Tyvek Rain Jacket...

[Wise Old Owl]

Some folk have mentioned this before but out of frustration with "breathable fabric" and prices I wanted to experiment with dirt cheap and had a Tyvek Suit to scrap. I put it under the tap and yes its water proof and the water beads.. I cut the pants off and it weigh's 3-3.5 ounces In five minutes I was quite warm with the hood on... I would not use this in winter anyway, but for a day pack or backpack its compresses and takes a beating.. cost is negligible. Wear it out and toss.




I just don't care about being fashionable on the trail so I guess I am starting a new trend?

Thoughts?

[Rasty]

Looks good to me.

[rocketsocks]

half of a "10th Mountain division"....that'll work!...Price?

[Old Hiker]

NOT quite long enough to do your laundry in town, though.

Have you tried it under a loaded pack?

[Wise Old Owl]

half of a "10th Mountain division"....that'll work!...Price?

about $10 I think - my company buys them - I used it and was about to toss it. Then wanted to see how waterproof it was and the hood can be used as a bucket.


I can make it longer for laundry day!

[Wise Old Owl]

not yet - I will give it a try on the next rainstorm in the park. I am concerned about the ventilation.... might have to cut a hole in the pits and re-enforce.

[daddytwosticks]

Use a hole punch and put a dozen or more holes under each armpit. Poor man's pit zips, plus holes make it even lighter weight!

[Wise Old Owl]

Hey that's wicked! Thanks!

[rocketsocks]

about $10 I think - my company buys them - I used it and was about to toss it. Then wanted to see how waterproof it was and the hood can be used as a bucket.


I can make it longer for laundry day!

Cool, i use to get these at work...wish i'd have saved one now.

[Wise Old Owl]

Yea surprised me... Home depot!

[leaftye]

half of a "10th Mountain division"....that'll work!...Price?

$6.50.

It's a good place to buy dropper bottles too.

[leaftye]

You didn't need a link did you??

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...3900&catid=867

[Wise Old Owl]

OK really the focus here is would you do this for the trail... 3 ounces disposable and waterproof. Am I out there or what? This is lighter than most rain jackets.

[leaftye]

I would at least do it for a wind shirt. I'd also consider it for a rain jacket under an umbrella. I wouldn't use it on its own because I've seen a few reviews that all say the seams and zipper will let rain in.

[rocketsocks]

You didn't need a link did you??

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...3900&catid=867

Naw, but links are always good...I think I have this link from you on another item??? and a few other links you've posted as well...thanks leaftye

[rickycodie]

Use a hole punch and put a dozen or more holes under each armpit. Poor man's pit zips, plus holes make it even lighter weight!

that's GENIUS!!!

[FarmerChef]

OK really the focus here is would you do this for the trail... 3 ounces disposable and waterproof. Am I out there or what? This is lighter than most rain jackets.

WOO - I was thinking of doing this for a rain top. But the heat issue coupled with no pack protection (though a pack liner could do the job) left me still wanting the poncho for most situations. That said, I have used the Tyvek pants and they work like a charm. You MUST reinforce the crotch. One slip and they tear wide open there. Easy to fix with duct tape. All this said, there's no way I would wear a poncho on Mt. Washington in the rain/wind. So I'll probably toss one of these in my pack for that just in case moment where I figure I'll trust my pack liner to do its job and let the Tyvek keep me from getting soaked and blown off the mountainside with a giant sail...

[Franco]

You can seam seal it using PVA (Elmer's glue)
Soft Tyvek is not waterproof but somewhat water resistant.
In my mind it works better as tent material (does well under light showers but not heavy thunderstorms) but not if the material is in contact with something else (your body) underneath.
A bit like the cotton tents of old.
(contact changes the surface tension)

[Wise Old Owl]

But I took the hood and it acts like a bucket?

[Franco]

1. "But I took the hood and it acts like a bucket? "
   
   Different forces at play.
   I can hold water too with (for example) the fabric used by Tarptent for their inners and that works also under light rain for a few hours at least.
   However in a decent rainfall (stronger kinetic force) it will fail .
   This is a reason why tents have a typical waterhead from 800mm to around 3000mm but rain jackets are rated between 5000 and 10000 mm.