Tyvek Pack Cover/Gear Hammock

**dukedante** · 08-23-2011, 10:44

I've been playing with Tyvek recently. A lot. My wife is wondering if I'm ever going to put it down. Last night she said to me, "Wherever you are, there's Tyvek". So, that's not good, but my new gear is......

I was inspired by Just Jeff's pack cover and gear hammock http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGe...arHammock.html and thought I could make one out of tyvek.

I started with a pretty big piece- about 5' by 4' to make sure it would cover my mondo size pack. I used skinny pieces of carpet tape to make a channel for the cord, and rolled them with a wallpaper seam roller to make the pieces stick nicely.

I left the corners slightly open so the cord can be accessed on all 4 corners for utility once complete.

I fished some wire through the channel and then pulled mason line through the channel on all 4 sides, leaving an extra length for a single cordlock on the loose end.

The finished project is 54" x 42" (I trimmed the piece a few times before making the channels) and weighs in at 4.75 oz.

I set it up as a gear hammock with about 20# of stuff in it. (Pic)

One thing that I noticed is that I will need to add another cordlock on the opposite corner of the first one, as I have to pull from those corners to cinch it down as a pack cover. If I'd used smaller, lighter cordlocks I could drop a fraction of an oz, but I used what I had on hand from an old tent bag. It packs down pretty tight as well. (pic)

**raiffnuke** · 08-23-2011, 10:50

Nice looking work.

**olddog** · 08-23-2011, 13:53

Nice work! Maybe I'll go play with mine.

**NewtonGT** · 08-23-2011, 14:33

very cool man

**mangus7175** · 08-23-2011, 15:03

I really need to go get some Tyvek...looks really good!

**dukedante** · 08-23-2011, 21:54

Originally Posted by mangus7175

I really need to go get some Tyvek...looks really good!

You are in luck: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...021#post532021

**lori** · 08-23-2011, 22:16

Wouldn't you rather use something waterproof?

I can tell you from experience that Tyvek really isn't great in ongoing downpour.

**mangus7175** · 08-24-2011, 00:38

Originally Posted by dukedante

You are in luck: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...021#post532021

Thanks but not sure if I have anything of value for a return PIF

**AaronAlso** · 08-24-2011, 06:56

Originally Posted by lori

Wouldn't you rather use something waterproof?

I can tell you from experience that Tyvek really isn't great in ongoing downpour.

I think I'm gonna have to do a video series on demystifying tyvek. I have worked with it several things outside of camping gear. From construction to the micro-bio lab.

It has been my experience that the "house wrap" type 12 tyvek is almost as waterproof as silny. (ok perhaps cheap low quality sil, but close) The type 14 is more like a good DWR, and type 16 is, while very breathable, barely water resistant at best. There is an article here that talks about dying the tyvek with a silcone based leather dye. I'm sure that would plug at least some of the micropores and increase the waterproofness.

**dukedante** · 08-24-2011, 08:33

Originally Posted by lori

Wouldn't you rather use something waterproof?

I can tell you from experience that Tyvek really isn't great in ongoing downpour.

Well, my experience has been good so far. I made a tarp out of tyvek and hung under it during rain this past weekend and was dry. We had a huge downpour in the early afternoon and everything beneath the tarp was dry when I got under it 20 minutes later. Everything I've heard from others backs up what I've experienced.