Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Tue 23 Jun, 2020 7:34 pmHi,
Do we still need groundsheets? If so, polycro or tyvek?
Do we still need groundsheets? If so, polycro or tyvek?
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Polycro or Tyvek
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Posted: Tue 23 Jun, 2020 7:34 pmRe: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Tue 23 Jun, 2020 7:46 pmNever for tents but I often take polycro if I plan to stay in a hut or Tyvek when I think I’m going to cowboy on some granite.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Tue 23 Jun, 2020 7:56 pmYep, depends what's under or likely to be. I use normal or double thickness polycryo. Don't have any Tyvek.. want a small bit to sit on though. Although was grinding around seated for a couple of hours before bed on a scrap of the double thickness poly on hard ground and didn't puncture it.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Tue 23 Jun, 2020 7:58 pmThink tyvek would be stronger and last longer than polycro? Builders plastic can be a bit heavy.
I do use one for tents or under a tarp. Saves the air mattress and tent floor a bit.
I do use one for tents or under a tarp. Saves the air mattress and tent floor a bit.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Tue 23 Jun, 2020 8:37 pmI like Tyvec because it's stiffer and won't get blown around as easily. Good ground sheet and to lay gear out, prepare food but it's a lot heavier than Polycro. Polycro is really only good as a waterproof layer so great when Tarping as ground sheet but not much else.
Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 7:22 amI prefer polychro. I have used the same sheet for 3 years and it's still in excellent condition. I highly recommend folding and taping the edges. I have tie outs at the corners too (with Bungy) which stop it blowing or moving around. Used with a tarp and as a ground sheet under my tent.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 8:51 amBTW, Polycryo is a name made up by Gossamer Gear as their brand name for the type of polyolefin used for window insulation.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 9:00 amGreat idea. Could you please post a pic showing how you did the tie outs?Petew wrote:I prefer polychro. I have used the same sheet for 3 years and it's still in excellent condition. I highly recommend folding and taping the edges. I have tie outs at the corners too (with Bungy) which stop it blowing or moving around. Used with a tarp and as a ground sheet under my tent.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 9:13 amgood to know...reason I asked is that I've never used anything under my tents and I just got fancy DCF tent I'm worried that rocks and all the spicky little things in the dessert puncture that new fancy tent.
I also never worried about the weight and suddenly its a thing that I think about
I also never worried about the weight and suddenly its a thing that I think about
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 9:17 amI used a bit of plastic (ice cream container) then two small bits of duct tape to reinforce. Then a hole punch. It has held up extremely well. Made from a double sliding door insulation kit, big enough for two people with room to spare. Even with the heavy tape, rolled edges and Bungy cord it only weighs 99g
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 10:17 amThanks, Pete. Looks great. Also, what's the benefit of the rolled edges, and what tape did you use?
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 10:19 amDouble sided tape. Rolled edges stop it from tearing due to nicks/cuts.
The door insulation kit came with the tape but any Scotchgard type double sided tape will do.
The door insulation kit came with the tape but any Scotchgard type double sided tape will do.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 10:27 amPictured here in typical setup on Hilltop to Katoomba walk, winter 2017.
Tyvek semi Bivi bag/bag cover things from Terra Rosa gear are excellent if you do a lot of tarp camping.
Tyvek semi Bivi bag/bag cover things from Terra Rosa gear are excellent if you do a lot of tarp camping.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 2:00 pmI used Polycro when forced to go to ground on the Larapinta (i.e. no trees around to hang my hammock from.
Lasted one night on the rocks!
Lasted one night on the rocks!
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 2:18 pmMine is three years old and in good condition. It is the slightly heavier weight polychro and edges are taped. I also clear rocks and pointy sticks out of the way if possible.
Obviously not easy on the Larapinta as it's made from sharp rocks and sticks.....
Obviously not easy on the Larapinta as it's made from sharp rocks and sticks.....
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 3:44 pmAfter getting a leaky tent floor while the rest of the tent was in good nick I decided to always use a groundsheet with my new tents. I haven't quite lived up to that resolution, but at least I always use one when car camping (tyvek) and sometimes on hikes, especially if I think I'll be pitching on gravelly/rocky ground. Or if I'm not taking the tent inner. The tyvek is much easier to use and more durable in my opinion, but much heavier than polycryo.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Wed 24 Jun, 2020 10:06 pmWould always use a footprint or a groundsheet (having had a really nice Exped tent floor get a bit leaky over time although the top part is still in perfect condition).
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Sun 22 Nov, 2020 9:02 amZapruda wrote:Tyvek when I think I’m going to cowboy
Builder's Tyvek was light and durable on the Larapinta Trail but noisy, even though it was really crumpled.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Sun 22 Nov, 2020 10:13 amflywire wrote:Zapruda wrote:Tyvek when I think I’m going to cowboy
Builder's Tyvek was light and durable on the Larapinta Trail but noisy, even though it was really crumpled.
I put my Tyvek ground sheets in the wash and they come out silent and soft.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Sun 22 Nov, 2020 10:37 am@Zapruda OK next wash. I'll be pissed if it leaks but I wouldn't mind if it breathes more.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Sun 22 Nov, 2020 1:56 pmI recommend that if you are going to machine wash Tyvek use a cold wash setting without using any detergent & definitely no fabric softener!
I machine wash ours after each trip to get the accumulated grot off & it’s now super soft & silent.
I machine wash ours after each trip to get the accumulated grot off & it’s now super soft & silent.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Mon 23 Nov, 2020 7:42 amAre these last few posts about washing and washing machines referring to Home Wrap or 1443R ?
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Mon 23 Nov, 2020 12:07 pmThere is no need to wash 1443R (not in my mind anyway) but keep in mind that there are several versions of the Home Wrap type .
All stiffer and more waterproof than 1443R but at a different level.
A few years ago I had 4 different versions of that Home Wrap (they have different numbers) .
Tyvek starting with 10 is of the hard type, starting with 14 or 16 is the soft type.
All stiffer and more waterproof than 1443R but at a different level.
A few years ago I had 4 different versions of that Home Wrap (they have different numbers) .
Tyvek starting with 10 is of the hard type, starting with 14 or 16 is the soft type.
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Mon 23 Nov, 2020 4:25 pmstry wrote:Are these last few posts about washing and washing machines referring to Home Wrap or 1443R ?
Bam [in a PM] wrote:Just to clarify a few things:
* Home Wrap not the thinner 1443R version
* [I] use it as a ground sheet
* use a front load washing machine - Which cycle? Cold wash, short cycle, max spin
Only takes a couple of washes before it softens up nicely, a lot quieter too!
Re: Polycro or Tyvek
Posted: Mon 23 Nov, 2020 5:46 pmThank you.
I have some HomeWrap (don't know which one Franco) to make a FP for the Unna. That can be the guinea pig once I've cut it out.
I have some HomeWrap (don't know which one Franco) to make a FP for the Unna. That can be the guinea pig once I've cut it out.