Lightest Material for Tarp?

**jnelson871** · 06-08-2012, 22:06

Anyone have a recomendation on the lightest fabric to use for making an Asym tarp, besides Cuben of course

. Just did one out of 30d Silnylon and it weighs in a bit above 8 oz. I am not sure how well some of the lighter fabrics would fair as tarps so wanted to get some feedback before purchasing some more expensive fabrics to try for a lighter design.

**DivaB** · 06-08-2012, 23:15

Are you not satisfied with an 8oz tarp? I think you gonna have to go cuben at this point

**jnelson871** · 06-08-2012, 23:17

LOL good point. Just the constant search for a lighter pack.

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-08-2012, 23:44

Tyvek is actually lighter than silnylon, as I recall. However, some have their doubts about its effectiveness as a tarp material. I'm still experimenting and will withhold comment, but Tyvek has a lot of uses for our hobby.

**lymphocytosis** · 06-09-2012, 00:23

Depends on what kind of Tyvek you are using. According to Zpacks the home wrap verion of Tyvek weighs in around 1.85 oz per square yard. Most finished "1.1 oz" silnylon weighs in at 1.3-1.4 oz. There are other lighter Tyveks but they may not be durable enough for a tarp. Here is a chart from Dupont. Kind of hard to read, but you get the picture.

**rip waverly** · 06-09-2012, 01:20

cubencubencubencuben

you'll fall in love if you haven't had the pleasure yet

**brucky** · 06-09-2012, 12:12

If you want to go lighter than silnylon, cuben is probably the only option, well trusted option that is. You could try a polycro tarp (window heatshrink material), but there's a chance it will fail when it's important.

**Acer** · 06-09-2012, 12:25

Greatest thing about cuben is weight...no water inside tarp when it is raining as you brush against it,,as well as in a heavy rain,,no misting either,,the underneath of your tarp is totally dry,,but oh,,so light,,,even tho my pocket book is lighter as well,,cuben is so friggin addictive!

**DivaB** · 06-09-2012, 13:10

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Tyvek is actually lighter than silnylon, as I recall. However, some have their doubts about its effectiveness as a tarp material. I'm still experimenting and will withhold comment, but Tyvek has a lot of uses for our hobby.

...where are you getting your Tyvek? I'd like some to just play around with and the stuff I have isn't real light at all. That's if you don't mind sharing.

**jnelson871** · 06-09-2012, 14:26

Originally Posted by Acer

Greatest thing about cuben is weight...no water inside tarp when it is raining as you brush against it,,as well as in a heavy rain,,no misting either,,the underneath of your tarp is totally dry,,but oh,,so light,,,even tho my pocket book is lighter as well,,cuben is so friggin addictive!

I have some larger cuben tarps. They work great but do not pack down as small as sil does. Looks like that is where I will stay for now LOL Heck 8oz is still pretty sweet.