View Full Version : Hail and Cuben Fiber
I am wondering if anyone has any experience of using CF tarps or miss in a Hail? I hike primarily on the TA where Hail with high winds happen often enough to ask the question. My question is, Does it hold up or get shredded?
Its used for sails in sailboats. Im sure it will hold up just fine.
I've had my zPacks Hexamid tent in hail and it has held up just fine.
Kaptainkriz
12-09-2015, 20:45
I don't have any CTF3 tarps, but have sailed in hail/squall conditions and the stuff held up just fine. To the extent that a tarp floggs relative to what a sail does uncontrolled in high wind, you'll never shred it. :)
keep your cigarette ashes away from it or the skipper will keel haul you. :)
Its used for sails in sailboats. Im sure it will hold up just fine.
GA_Windbreaker
12-09-2015, 21:00
Redbeard (Will Wood on YouTube) rode out a hail storm in his zpacks duplex tent. Ended up with a few holes in the tent he had to patch IIRC.
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MuddyWaters
12-09-2015, 23:18
Ive had 1/4 " hail in hexamid, no problems and it came down heavy.
Hail the size of oranges might not fare as well
There are many , and very different, versions of Cuben fiber , so as usual "it depends"
Just to make it a bit clearer, you could get totally conflicting but accurate reports.
That is because (apart from the hail stone size...) they could all describe a different fabric.
I can't tell you how far you can drive a Ford with 1 gallon of gas , particularly if I don't know what Ford you drive.
FamilyGuy
12-21-2015, 00:11
The 0.51 stuff is fragile. The 0.74 stuff is quite bomber. Doesn't sound like much of an increase but the strength difference is significant.
ChrisJackson
12-21-2015, 11:40
^Yikes, that is discouraging if true. Was about to spend a bit on a 0.52/sq yd tarp. Where can one get 0.74?
related thread:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/111369-For-a-cuben-fiber-tent-what-weight-(0-51-or-0-74)-is-ideal
The general consensus in that thread seems to be 0.51 is okay, but I'd still probably consider 0.74. I've pushed the purchase off for a year or so anyway...
colorado_rob
12-21-2015, 11:44
^Yikes, that is discouraging if true. Was about to spend a bit on a 0.52/sq yd tarp. Where can one get 0.74?
related thread:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/111369-For-a-cuben-fiber-tent-what-weight-(0-51-or-0-74)-is-idealMy 0.51 cuben doesn't seem to be fragile, my tent seems pretty darn strong, but "fragile" is subjective. I'm pretty sure Zpacks sells both, I remember having the option for the slightly heavier and more expensive 0.74 when I bought my 0.51.
SWODaddy
12-21-2015, 14:36
Redbeard (Will Wood on YouTube) rode out a hail storm in his zpacks duplex tent. Ended up with a few holes in the tent he had to patch IIRC.
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It looked like he has more than a few. To be fair, that was a hell of a hail storm, though. I recall him using cuben tape to fix the holes.
My 0.51 cuben doesn't seem to be fragile, my tent seems pretty darn strong, but "fragile" is subjective. I'm pretty sure Zpacks sells both, I remember having the option for the slightly heavier and more expensive 0.74 when I bought my 0.51.
They will make shelters in 0.74. I would personally order 0.51 again without hesitation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gfcuCh7h04
that is a pretty good comparison between the two CF's and Sil Nylon. YMMV
FamilyGuy
12-28-2015, 10:45
^Yikes, that is discouraging if true. Was about to spend a bit on a 0.52/sq yd tarp. Where can one get 0.74?
related thread:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/111369-For-a-cuben-fiber-tent-what-weight-(0-51-or-0-74)-is-ideal
The general consensus in that thread seems to be 0.51 is okay, but I'd still probably consider 0.74. I've pushed the purchase off for a year or so anyway...
0.51 cuben is pretty fragile stuff. If it was 'bomber' then 0.74 would not be available from the same manufacturer. The lighter stuff is available because someone will buy it.
Z Packs, Mountain Laurel Designs, Yama Mountain Gear, Hyperlite Mountain Gear all offer (or have as standard) the heavier cuben.
Good luck.
FamilyGuy
12-28-2015, 10:46
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gfcuCh7h04
that is a pretty good comparison between the two CF's and Sil Nylon. YMMV
It is? Did you know that most CF failures occur at the tie outs?
There are some hail storms that will break a cars windshields and dent the metal, so I suspect that any material can be destroyed by a strong enough hail storm. The proper question should be, can CF handle a typical hail storm that most people will likely see rather than look at the more extreme cases. Another thing to consider is the design of the shelter and whether it presents a flat surface to the downpour or is more angled. The more angled the sides and roof is, the less likely it will tear.
That said, I still use a CF tarp bought early 2008 as my primary shelter. It uses the first generation .60 cuben fiber and has not had any issues with hail on the PCT or AT or numerous other hikes, mainly in the mountains out west. So I'm pretty confident with the material. As for the latest material weights, if I was just going to use the shelter for a thru-hike and not much else afterwards, then I'd go with the 0.51 stuff. If I was planning on using it as long as I have with my present tarp, I'd get the 0.74 stuff, which is what I'm going to do when I replace it next year.
CoconutTree
12-28-2015, 15:23
Miner, are you replacing your tarp due to wear? If so, what areas are worn?
For a coupIe of years, its had a few pin holes; cause unknown. But they were too tiny to let water through. But this past year it finally wore a small hole through the fabric with some wear showing around it. Likely abrasion caused from the appearance. I could patch it with cuben tape as the whole worn area is about a penny size with the actual hole smaller. But the Tarp is almost 8 years old. The surface isn't as smooth as it use to be and I suspecting its holding more moisture when packing up wet than it did when it was smoother. I likely could make it work for awhile longer as I still stay dry under it. No problem with the tie outs and its been in some very strong winds (30-50mph gusts). But some tent designs have more stress on certain panel tie outs then a trap's along the edges. And MLD is good about reinforcing them.
It is? Did you know that most CF failures occur at the tie outs?
I didnt say it was a pretty good comparison between each and every maker that makes each tie out. I said its a pretty good comparison between two CF's and Sil...
FamilyGuy
12-30-2015, 22:12
I didnt say it was a pretty good comparison between each and every maker that makes each tie out. I said its a pretty good comparison between two CF's and Sil...
My point is the the comparison is bunk.
MuddyWaters
12-30-2015, 22:19
0.51 cuben is pretty fragile stuff. If it was 'bomber' then 0.74 would not be available from the same manufacturer. The lighter stuff is available because someone will buy it.
Z Packs, Mountain Laurel Designs, Yama Mountain Gear, Hyperlite Mountain Gear all offer (or have as standard) the heavier cuben.
Good luck.
0.51 is fragile to abrasion and pointy things.
Pointy things include squirrel claws, falling pine cones and sticks, briars, cactus needles, etc
I have a few repairs. Its simple and on trail ducttape works fine and is semi-permanent.
Its plenty strong for a tent canopy that is well cared for.
0.74 fares only marginally better with pointy things.