View Full Version : What size to cut my Tyvek to?
rjhouser
10-11-2011, 10:29
I just got a 9 ft by 4 ft piece of Tyvek that I want to cut down to use as a floor cover in shelters under my pad. I was thinking 7 ft by 3 ft or 7 ft by 3.5 ft would work maybe? I'm 6' tall, 175 lbs, and have a 6' sleeping bag. Just wanting to get some ideas before I take to cutting and realize I made it too small.
Farr Away
10-11-2011, 10:46
Leave it 9x4, and just fold if necessary? Does the piece you'll cut off really weigh all that much?
-FA
rjhouser
10-11-2011, 15:01
I wouldn't carry 9 by 4 unless I needed it. If anything it will just take up more room in my pack. I'm trying to save grams wherever possible.
Just for shelter use? I'd lay the Tyvek down, put my pad and sleeping bag on top and cut it to size with maybe just a titch overlap.
If it's for a tent ground cloth I'd do the same thing but cut it to size. It's a pain if there's a bunch of extra. You end up stuffing it underneath anyway to keep water from pooling.
Cheers!
Moose2001
10-11-2011, 16:27
Just for shelter use? I'd lay the Tyvek down, put my pad and sleeping bag on top and cut it to size with maybe just a titch overlap.
Yeah...no bigger than your sleeping pad. At some point, you'll be stuffed in a shelter like cordwood. You won't have space that belongs to you on either side. So no need to have more Tyvek outside the footprint of your pad.
I use a piece of Tyvek that is about 2.5 x 6 for my Hubba ground sheet - if I'm in a shelter, it works fine under my pad too
deadhorsejoe
10-11-2011, 21:28
If you intend to wash it before using it to reduce the crinkle noise then wait until after you wash it to trim because it will shrink a small amount.
ChinMusic
10-11-2011, 21:38
If it's for a tent ground cloth I'd do the same thing but cut it to size.
For a tent I would cut it an inch or two short. The last thing you want it the cloth extending past the edge of your tent and collect water. Being a bit smaller you don't have to be as precise with your placement.
rjhouser
10-11-2011, 22:16
What I really want it for is to protect my Western Mountaineering Summerlite from the dirty / splintery shelter floor... I have a small thermarest pad so just cutting it to that size wouldn't protect my bag. Guess I'll lay everything out in the yard and see if I can get a feel for how much to cut.
Hikes in Rain
10-12-2011, 12:09
That's generally what I use it for. I like to have a little bit, a foot or so, to stick out beyond my pad and bag, so I have a clean/dry place to set stuff like my glasses, contacts, headlamp, the book I'm reading, etc. The same sheet does double duty as a footprint when I use my tent.
7 by 3 or 7 by 3.5 should work just fine.
Yes, you want it a little larger than your bag and pad. Helps to keep everything clean and organized.