Tyvek Hammock Sock?

**NewtonGT** · 08-09-2011, 22:32

I dont really DIY and I have no actual experience with the actual tyvek. I just was reading about it:

Tyvek (pronounced /taɪˈvɛk/) is a brand of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers, a synthetic material; the name is a registered trademark of DuPont. The material is very strong; it is difficult to tear but can easily be cut with scissors or a knife. Water vapor can pass through Tyvek (highly breathable), but not liquid water, so the material lends itself to a variety of applications: envelopes, car covers, air and water intrusion barriers (housewrap) under house siding, labels, wristbands, mycology, and graphics. Tyvek is sometimes erroneously referred to as "Tyvex

it says it is breathable, I mean would this work for a hammock sock? I have seen the IX , canvas, tafetta, things like that but would this work? I ask because my uncle owns a construction company and I believe I could get a decent amount of the stuff to try my idea if it were in fact a good one... thankyou for the information in advance.

**oldgringo** · 08-09-2011, 22:41

I'll get back to ya, Newt. It will certainly stop wind and water...breathability may be the issue.

**FLRider** · 08-09-2011, 23:10

According to this site, Tyvek house wrap allows between 370 and 400 grams of water vapor to pass through per square meter per day (it's the second item on the page).

Some back-of-the-envelope calculations give me that the wrap will pass between ~15.5 grams and 16.5 grams of water vapor per meter per hour. That doesn't sound like a lot to me. If you're going to be sweating at all, it's likely to be a problem. Now, if you don't cover your face with the sock, maybe it'll be okay, maybe not. Figure that the sock is a cylinder 9 ft by 4 ft (it won't be, but stay with me here). That gives a surface area of about 10 square meters. That means it'll pass about 150 grams of water per hour.

But I think (based on my completely unscientific WAG) that you'd breathe out more than ~150 grams of water per hour, which means condensation if you don't leave a rather largish hole to breathe through. Not to mention that the air permeability of this stuff might give you a few problems there with CO2 build-up.

Testing will tell, better than my thirty seconds of research and WAGs.

**NewtonGT** · 08-09-2011, 23:22

Originally Posted by oldgringo

I'll get back to ya, Newt. It will certainly stop wind and water...breathability may be the issue.

I think your right. but like the post above says. maybe you can leave a hole in it like the hennessy over cover does for air to flow. but I dont know.

**DaleW** · 08-09-2011, 23:32

You could pull off an undercover if you wash the stuff. It makes a great ground cloth and a passable tarp. There is thinner, less stiff Tyvek used by kite makers that would be more adaptable. I wouldn't think of using it on the top side without an air hole, like the Hennessy top cover. It is as noisy as a thunderstorm until you wash it and/or use it for a while.

**NewtonGT** · 08-10-2011, 14:52

Originally Posted by DaleW

You could pull off an undercover if you wash the stuff. It makes a great ground cloth and a passable tarp. There is thinner, less stiff Tyvek used by kite makers that would be more adaptable. I wouldn't think of using it on the top side without an air hole, like the Hennessy top cover. It is as noisy as a thunderstorm until you wash it and/or use it for a while.

the hennessy over cover hole was what I was thinking also

**bdbart** · 08-10-2011, 15:24

I know people use tyvek as bivys all the time...but I am not sure that they envelop themselves completely or not.... might want to ask at backpackinglight.com

**oldgringo** · 08-10-2011, 17:06

I'm going to try this configured like Pips' TED Bug Net, and either leave the ridge line cap off entirely, or make it out of uncoated ripstop. Also considering a small opening at the bottom for a cold air sump that would work like the sump in an ice cave...not too sure about that, though.

Thoughts?

**gargoyle** · 08-10-2011, 17:27

Originally Posted by oldgringo

I'm going to try this configured like Pips' TED Bug Net, and either leave the ridge line cap off entirely, or make it out of uncoated ripstop. Also considering a small opening at the bottom for a cold air sump that would work like the sump in an ice cave...not too sure about that, though.

Thoughts?

That was a direction I was leaning. Maybe a drawcord type opening to allow the occupant to dampen the draft, like a chimney. It'll work good to allow the warm air to rise, expelling moisture.
Maybe the same drawcord opening near the top.
Zippers could work too.
Venting, or the ability to vent as conditions predict is necessary. Condensation control has long been the enemy of the sock.

**BrianWillan** · 08-10-2011, 17:59

Everything is worthy of testing, IMHO.

I would say the use of Tyvek as a hammock sock would be temperature dependent. If you're going to be seeing temperatures consistently below 20F in your hanging, then I don't think Tyvek is going to be breathable enough. This is where Molly Mac Gear's Canvas Hammock Sock would come into play. That is a very windproof and highly breathable fabric and is ideal for the amount of moisture that needs to pass through the fabric is sufficiently cold temperatures.

Cheers

Brian