anyone use tyvek

“They're building a new house near me - a scrap of tyvek got cought on one of my trees. I picked it up and examined the thin material.
It is very light and strong, waterproof, comes in 9 foot (?) width on a roll. It must be pretty inexpensive.
Does anyone use it for a tent groundcloth or tarp ?”

“If you do a search on tyvek, you'll find a number of loyal followers on this page. Good observation on its' usefullness, though.”

“8' 9" wide on the role that is used for construction. Extremely tough. We use suits that are made of it for chemical splash protection. I haven't ever tried it for any other purpose (other than envelopes).”

“Sure...as a Level D or C full-suit for dry particulate and dust protection. Not for hiking though!”

“Yes, I use it for groundcloths. It ain't cheap though if you buy a whole roll. I have a friend who works for a place that makes medical envelopes (whatever that is) and she gives me the roll ends.”

“There is a guy selling some on E-bay right now. $2.25 a linear foot I belive. Search for Tyvek® or tent. He is advertising as tyvek groundcloths for The North Face Tent I think.”

“Yo bear where are ya the boys are in need of some tyvek! Oh where oh where has that Jerbear gone oh where oh where can he be..........just go on a ECT trip with Jerbear and stay close behind him.....after the first day ya never know what he'll pass out to lighten his load and reduce bulk. I gots myself enough tyvek to make footprints for 3 tents. LOL and I think he keep the rest of the Home Depot and Campmor surplus in his jeep.”

“Try Quest Outfitters in Sarasota, Fl Ph # 1-800-359-6931. They sell it by the yard, around 50-60" wide and about 4-5 dollars a yard. I haven't used any for a ground cloth but have used haz mat suits made from it and it's tough. Quest sells outdoor fabrics. I have bought goretex and heavy coated oxford nylon for a bivy sack I made, and I am very happy with their service. So not only is this a source for tyvek but a great source if you want to make your own quality gear.”

“Have some but don't use it much. Noisey and slick to sleep on.
Strong stuff though.”

“A number of people use it, but I don't think it's absolutely waterproof. Isn't it supposed to "breathe" a little?

It sure is lightweight and tough. We use it for race number bibs.”

“Stalker, were they Level A suits? If so they were probably Tychem which has tyvek in them but also have a Saranec(sp) coating. I think all of your impervious Tyvek materials have a coating of some sort.”

“baume 66, as for the tyvek suits we use, one type is a Level B for acids and a Level C Bunny suit for absestos work. Our Level A's I don't know off hand what material their made of, but I sure it's not Tyvex. The stuff the suits are made of don't breathe any (beleive me) but that could be the different coating that is used. Here's what is listed in Quest's; Tyvek - WT/Sq Yd=1.25 oz. Spunbonded olefi. Style 1443R. Strong, durable, flexible, water & tear resistant. (use 6-8 stutches per inch). Seams can be glued (water based adhesives that provide quick tack & fast drying are recommeded. Uses: great for ground clothes, clothing, caving suits. 60" white $4.45 per yd.”

“I made a G-string from Tyvek before, but I couldn't get the poopie stains from the fabric. I am sure that inbred related to gojo knows that about which I type. . . .

Quit being a scavenger and go BUY something, dammit--do something to help our economy, not screw the construction company which, I am sure, clearcut trees right next door to your earth-friendly mud hut.”

“I use it alot, mostly to rap houses but as a ground cloth and a 9x10 tarp. The tarp with gromets is 1 lb. It is a moisture barrier so lets air through not water.”

“Thanks for the input - I'll try to get apeice locally - If that doesn't pan out I try ordering from the places you guys mentioned.”

“I was under the impression that Tyvek IS an air infiltration barrier, and a water barrier only incidentially.”

“I think you are right Le Subtil ...”

“I've seen people using it as ground cloths, and thought I'd like to have some.
The expense is a bit of a deterrent.
As for the noise?
As long as I tie Larry up near the tent, he drowns out most other noise.
Didj..
Just don't sleep on a slope. You won't slide.
Think a little rubber cement would work on it?”

“"They" claim you can run tyvek through the washer a few times and it will not be noisy. I have not tried it; it's only noisy unfolding.”

“Hey Sky Seacher if you can't locate any let me know. I got mine through the mail from a guy pretty cheap.
Gonna try washing mine, thanks for the tip Le Subtil. I guess I'm kind of a quiet freak.”

“Didj....
I want some too!!
How can you incorporate some yardage for me?”

“Mel there is a guy that is selling it on ebay by the sq yd.
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?MfcISAPICommand=GetResult&query=tyvek&categoryid=&ht=1&st=0&category2=2021&maxRecordsPerPage=100&SortProperty=MetaEndSort. kinda long eh? just go to ebay and do a search for tyvek, it's the only one in there. BTW hows the weather out there looks like you are about to get some Snow. so are we”

“very strong and light...I used to use it alot...but I would look into the brand name TYPAR instead..it is stronger...softer and doesn't get the white glow of tyvek..if you do any cold weather it also sheds ice much better....if you get lucky with your timing and find a job site you might be able to get a scrap for free...but it is expensive”

“Try this source: www.paddysgear.com. From this site you get this guys email and send him a order. You pay AFTER you get your order!! No Sh!t.”

“My brother, who works in the modular housing industry, says it's used as a windproofing barrier, and that its extremely water-resistant (though not totally moisture-proof). At his plant, when they finish wrapping a new house, he says they often throw out the shorter left overs rather than piece them to a new roll on the next house. One person's garbage can be another's treasure, so he got me a 9'x15' dumpster-bound length for free, and I'll be trying it out on my next trips - probably as a rain trap. Maybe I'll have him get me another shorter piece too, for use as a tent footprint. It's very lightweight, and seems super strong.”

“After seeing Mel's tyvek on the llama trek, I am considering making my tent groundcloth out of some. Lightweight and tough. I don't need 100% water proof.

I will start looking at Home Depot...then the internet options after that.”

“there is always a guy that sells it by the linear foot on ebay just search tyvek. If you go to agent orange you will see that it only comes in a big roll, go to a jobsite and ask the contractors they usually have excess after a house wrap. Jerbear gave me a piece on our last trip together. It's a little noisey but better after its washed.”

“Thanks! I may do that. The earlier posts were quite informative also.”

“OK, lets all invent a tyvek tent, make millions, and just hike the world the rest of our lives. Just a thought.”

“We'll call the company TTytent, Inc. We can carry lines of tyvek realted materials, from poncho, to tarps, tents, pack covers, etc. We call sell the stuff prewashed, for a higher charge, and unwashed. You see where I am going.


OK, I'll let my never ending entrepenurial mind stop now. However, if anyone thinks this is a good idea, post below.”

“Phil, my folks are adding on to their house, and I am good friends with the contractor. He has already stated that I can have any excess tyvek. It may be a month or so, but If you still need some by then, I would be happy to send you some.”

“switchback - I will standby then. I am in no hurry. I don't need very much. Thanks!”

“A friend had some tyvek and gave me enough to make 2 footprints. It only noisy when folding/unfolding. Its cut to fit the tent, and I use small rocks to hold the ends down, so I don't hear it at all. It weighs only 7 oz. I had a 15 oz footprint for the Walrus Rapeede, which is smaller than the Stephenson's Warmlite I use now.”

“I found a Tyvek site especially for backpackers. This guy sells pieces from 9-foot rolls. For example, a 9 x 4 piece sells for $14 plus $4 shipping. He also has a few tips on preparing tyvek for use in backpacking. Click the link below:

Austin's Tyvek”

“A more detailed page describing the qualities and uses of Tyvek in backpacking is here

Looks like pretty good stuff.”

“Mel had a couple of huge pieces on the Llama trip and it looked like great groundcloth material to me.”

“Here's another source:

Tyvek

”

“I have some. I stopped by a house under construction a few weeks ago and they gave me the end of the roll they were using. It is crazy noisy. I cut a small piece not much bigger than a sleeping bag and washed it in the washer. It helped some but it is all crinkly now. I am not sure if I like it but I will take it once and see. It may be light but my painter's drop cloths are lighter. The drawback to them is that I buy a new one almost every trip.”

“I hope ours lasts 30 days. Maybe we should send an extra in the last resupply.”

“Wow SN--that is a long time to me. You two ought to come out of that changed people. I could never get the boyfriend to even think about being out for more than a week.”

“Got a 5' x 8' strip of Tyvek today, from Quest Outfitters (1-800-359-6931). Total cost including shipping $15.79.

The type Quest sells is slightly different from the house wrap variety most commonly mentioned. It's also Dupont but this variety is less stiff than the house wrap.
Mine is soft and very flexible and doesn't make any noise when you fold it.

Before I ordered I asked the lady on the phone if it's waterproof, and she said they did a test by weighing down a piece into a tub of water with a brick, and no water came through at all.

I'll give a report after I return from Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock next week. Gonna do a shakedown hike and break in some new equipment!”

“Tyvek from a kite shop

I guess kite freaks use Tyvek to make kites. This kind is used for packaging and might be the stuff Steve Hiker got? BTW, how did it work out?

60" wide by 36" length (minimum) $2.50 + $5.00 shipping.”

“After the 30 day trip, the tyvek is still in good shape. Except now it doesn't make all the noise, and its not so stiff. I like it!”

“I just got some all white Tyvek off ebay. It's got a shinny smooth side and a rougher dull side. Which side goes down?

Also, I think I've seen on here, or somewhere else, how to make it not as stiff (insert #&%!$ joke here). Maybe in the dryer?”

“Either side, doesn't matter.
Many will post to disagree with me but I have spoken to the engineers at DuPont about it and that what they told me.

Crumple it up. A front load dryer on air will work but I just crumple it a bit and use it.”

“It stops being so noisy after a few uses. It does make it quieter if you wash and dry it but it also speeds the tyveks demise.”

“Many will post to disagree with me...

not on here ;) i love when gear threads degrade to fuego

thanks hpm”

“I only said that as a preemptive shush.”

“Damn, I forgot to disagree. Is it too late?!”

“It's never too late.
Life is "do-over" ya know?
last edited: 9/15/06 7:46:43 AM”