What's the hydro head on cuben ?

**Shewie** · 06-21-2011, 17:08

Does anyone know the hydrostatic head ratings for the various grades of cuben ?

Just curious how it compares to sil or pu coated nylon.

I'm thinking a large cuben tarp maybe by big purchase for next winter, UK winters can be pretty wet though so I don't want leaks after a couple of days of the wet stuff.

**trunks** · 06-21-2011, 18:15

One site i've looked at states a 3000mm hydrostatic head, but worryingly, the (below) thread on backpacking light shows otherwise! It starts off with a failure at 422mm.

If you're willing to read through the entire thread, you might find your answer

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...to_post=379265

**gnome** · 06-21-2011, 23:14

I have made a water Carry bag of cuben. I think I used about a 30 in circle . It will Carry about 1 gal. completely water Tite, and as it is about a .5 oz/yd weighs with the cord maybe an oz. good use for cuben. with the circle you do not need to seal and seams. gnome

**dragon360** · 06-22-2011, 08:23

Originally Posted by trunks

One site i've looked at states a 3000mm hydrostatic head, but worryingly, the (below) thread on backpacking light shows otherwise! It starts off with a failure at 422mm.

If you're willing to read through the entire thread, you might find your answer

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...to_post=379265

That is an absolutely insane thread. So, so much information leading to overload!

**trunks** · 06-22-2011, 10:44

Originally Posted by dragon360

That is an absolutely insane thread. So, so much information leading to overload!

Tell me about it! I'm still none the wiser...

**hangnout** · 06-22-2011, 10:52

I have had a diy cuben tarp for a couple years.

It is my non technical opinion that you will stay dry when using cuben for your tarp.

**Shewie** · 06-22-2011, 15:06

This is pretty scarey, not sure what weight of cuben it is though ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSlpqGxax-c

**SteelerNation** · 06-22-2011, 15:22

I'm no expert, but I'm trying to figure out the relevance with regard to this material as a tarp. How much pressure are you looking at from a rain storm?

If we were building water towers or something, it would seem more relevant. Just asking and looking forward to smarter folks explaining to me.

Thx,

SN

**dragon360** · 06-22-2011, 15:38

I think that this might be an area where people are overthinking the situation. I agree with SN in regards to the amount of pressure exerted on the material. In most cases, tarps are pitched at angles allowing the rain to glance or run off. In this case, it is more that waterproof for the need. Now if I were to sleep on it or perhaps make a small boat to set sail well...