Tyvek Bivy

“I'm considering making a bivy out of tyvek. Anybody got any suggestions, designs, tips, etc.? I have some of my own, but I'd like some input. Have any of you done this before? Know someone who has? Let's hear it.

Also, I've thought about using tyvek for a tarp but I'm concerned about the noise. Have any of you tried this? Just how noisy is it after it's been washed? Compare it to other tarp materials for noise, weight, ease of use, etc.”

“The tyvek from Quest Outfitters is softer and not as noisy as the kind commonly sold to backpackers. I had a piece from Quest on the RRG trip and Jerbear remarked that it wasn't as noisy as his. You can order from Quest at 800-359-6931. They don't have a website yet. My 5x8 piece cost a total of $15.79 including shipping.”

“I have that from a previous thread (and our conversation at RRG), but thank you steve hiker. What I'm looking for are some personal anecdotes and experiences using it as a sewing material. I've read that water-based adhesives work best on tyvek. Can any of you verify/dispute that? I have read a little bit about heat seal treatments for medical grade tyvek. So what about heat-taped seams? Does this work with tyvek? Has anyone ever tried making their own bivy from tyvek? How did it work out (pros and cons)?

I have read that grommets don't work well in tyvek. I have also read that they do. Can anyone clear that up?”

“I also am about to start this same project. A friend of mine made one using his hiking poles as the front and tapering down to the foot. He said condensation was heavy and drained down to wet his bag at the foot. I was thinking of a basic tube tent design with sewn in flaps for a front door and like the old pup tents. I also would sew in a solid rear with a triangle piece of netting for ventilation at the ridge. Tyvek makes a tape also if the sewing doesn't work? As far as the tarp idea I'm going to look at the harware store for some nylon nuts to use as light pieces to tie cord around for tie outs. You've probably seen people do this with a pebble you wrap some tyvek around it then wrap cord around the whole thing leaving tieouts to stake down. Luck to ya and let us know how you do it.”

“I'm thinking maybe of something like this:



But I'm not that crazy about the design at the foot.

I was also considering just a sleeping bag cover used with a tarp.”

“Does that thing have a floor?”

“No, no floor. The one pictured is made out of silnylon (23 oz. total) and uses trekking poles for the support with a guy at each end. It's supposed to withstand winds up to 50 mph. BTW, I'm pretty sure you can get tyvek tape at Home Depot.”

“You could also find some good advice at the Make Your Own forum at www.backpacking.net. Full of tech heads who are into making their own gear. (Click on Messages on the main page to access.)”

“sklukaz, what's your reason for tyvek over sil/non?”

“Here's a design you might want to copy.



I use the SIL Shelter and the design is great. I'd be interested in knowing how much a comparable amount of Tyvek weighs. I know the SIL Shelter is only 14 oz. I also know that it will take a helluva wind.

Here's me in it (notice the smile):


”

“didjfan, tyvek=cheap. I'm on a "how cheap can gear get" kick right now...again...ok, perpetually.”

“Thanks for the tip, steve hiker, I got some good info there. I had been to that site before but not the forum.

I have also read that tyvek tends to absorb and retain water, and that it dries slowly. I would think this would make it heavy. Has anybody had any experience with that?”

“I found another possible source for Tyvek at another site......
Into The Wind

They also sell supply's to build kites, hence Tyvek as well as fiberglass rods, up to 3/16"

They sell it for $2.50 a yard.......”

“mtnsteve, that looks and sounds just like what they sell at Quest except they have it at $4.45 a yard. Thanx!”

“You can buy 1.1 oz. Sil nylon for $5.85 a yard [Slight seconds,62-65" wide]
from Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics Inc. www.owfinc.com/”

“Wolfsister:

As for condensation - you really must use a vapour barrier liner (VBL) with a non breathable bivy bag. I'm thinking of sewing one out of silnyl.

Happy trails”

“If you made a Tyvek bivy, and it dosen't breathe (it don't), and you perspire (I do), your bag will get soaked, eh?”

“Oh yea.....”

“I wonder what it would do if you spraypainted it camo with some kind of flexable paint. It might not absorb water, it might quiet it down a little and make it less visable too. Gremlin-you are talking winter only right?”

“Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. I think I have a modified design worked out with a combination tyvek/silny/mesh worked out and I'll post a pic when it's done. One thing; I haven't located a pole cup like what's pictured in the design China Chas posted. Anyone know where I can get one?”

“You might try getting some heavy duty cordura nylong and sewing into a sort of cone then attaching that to the apex.”

“Thanks, I think that's probably what I'll end up doing. It'll need some kind of reinforcing, I know that.”

“If you go on ebay, there's a seller campcovers that sells tyvek by the piece or by the foot and he's very reasonable and gives away anchoring hardware for free”

“Jesus, and to think there are probably 25 tyvek threads. This dude will be here all afternoon.”

“just trying to help”

“oh... zinsco is a brand-name of circuit breaker. this troll obviously belongs to the person selling tyvek on ebay and they are hoping to scam business selling their worthless product. they probably work on a construction site an electrician (who else would chose a name like "zinsco"?) and are stealing their stock from their employer to sell for a little extra money on the side.”

“Hey Yogi! ARe you who I think you may be?”

“he's our one and only stomper :)”

“Good, I'd hate to think someone else took the name.”

“hehe”

“I know of three names you have, any more you want to disclose?”

“Uhoh! Stompers on the hunt now!”

“i have three and as i took a new one i abandoned the previous one. they all list the prior names in the profile. i do not post under false names unless you count that time i torlled nowslimmer and that was a classic TT moment for which matt banned me and i did my time.”

“and i will add that my good friend meangreen gave me this name and i am damn proud of it!”

“So did you just get back from Jellystone?”

“hehe... with my pick-a-nick basket!”

“I made a tyvek airplane, but I parked it outside under a tree and now it's a porcuplane.”