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  1. #1

    Default Need fabric advice, something strong, waterproof and lightweight

    Hello everyone, it’s my first time on here so be gentle with me. I come seeking the wisdom of those more experienced than myself.

    This winter I am hoping to make a gear sling/sit hammock that can also be worn as a rain skirt. I’m still in the early stages of planning so I’m open to ideas. But specifically does anyone have a suggestion for a good fabric to use? It would need to be able to be strong enough to be used as a sit hammock to support ~200lbs, waterproof enough to be used as rain gear, preferably breathable, and obviously lightweight.

  2. #2
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    Default

    When you figure out what you need, you can find what you need here:
    https://ripstopbytheroll.com

    Good luck!
    Wayne

  3. #3

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    Breathable really limits the fabric choices to Gortex or something similar. Rain skirts are usually made of Sil-nylon. It's more important to be waterproof then breathable. I haven't had good luck with Sil-nylon skirts, it helps but tends to bleed through where the knees press against the material.

    I've often thought that Tyvak would make a good skirt. And it is a little breathable. Its probably strong enough to make a sitting hammock out of. If you have a way to sew strong seams to thread the rope though. But you'd need to be able to do that regardless of material.
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  4. #4

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    I looked around on the ripstop website and I sent them an email to see what they would suggest.

    When you say tyvek do you mean the standard house wrap? It’s like a woven polypropylene tarp. I have worked with that stuff often building houses and it gets degraded by sunlight rather quickly. Or is there a different tyvek that people always reference for backpacking gear?

  5. #5

    Default

    Tyvek isn't totally waterproof. Also as stated above, breathability is less of a priority in a rain skirt. You could probably try a totally unbreathable fabric for an initial test, then proceed accordingly.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ginger.Snap View Post
    I looked around on the ripstop website and I sent them an email to see what they would suggest.
    When you say tyvek do you mean the standard house wrap? It’s like a woven polypropylene tarp. I have worked with that stuff often building houses and it gets degraded by sunlight rather quickly. Or is there a different tyvek that people always reference for backpacking gear?
    Yes, the house wrap stuff. Mostly it's used as tent footprint/ground cloth so it doesn't see much sun. It's not like it's on the side of a house getting 12-14 hours of sun everyday. Same would be true of a rain skirt (the suns not out when it's raining).
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  7. #7
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    Default Need fabric advice, something strong, waterproof and lightweight

    you could contact Dutchware about his xenon sil fabric. It is pretty cheap, so a good material to experiment with.
    You can walk in another person's shoes, but only with your feet

  8. #8

    Default

    I already contacted Dutch and he recommended a silnylon that they use for a similar application.

    RSBTR however recommended this
    https://ripstopbytheroll.com/product...ant=7580593409

    They put a waterproof coating on a Hexon ripstop fabric. I’m leaning toward the hexon as i think it’s a slightly heavier weight fabric so for my first time it would probably be easier to work with.

  9. #9
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    Eddie Valiant: "That lame-brain freeway idea could only be cooked up by a toon."
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