Is Cuban Fiber delicate?

**packdaddy** · 01-11-2014, 21:46

I recently purchased a cuban fiber tarp and it quickly tore the first set up. Are there certain conditions that this material will not hold up in? Or did I just get defective material?

I had the ridge line and lower corners pulled tight. Then pushed against the tarp from the inside and a tear about 4 inches wide suddenly popped open. Very heartbreaking....

**Cst** · 01-11-2014, 22:00

I think it's known for its strength. I don't have a tarp yet but several stuff sacks and they seam to be tough as nails.

**packdaddy** · 01-11-2014, 22:07

Originally Posted by Cst

I think it's known for its strength. I don't have a tarp yet but several stuff sacks and they seam to be tough as nails.

That's what I thought too, and that's one reason I paid the higher price. I'm hoping to get my money back.

**Knotty** · 01-11-2014, 22:11

I consider it fragile. The first time I hiked with someone with a new Cuben tarp I was concerned about his bridge hammock spreader bars. Sure enough, next morning there was a hole in it. Yes, we had a bad storm that night but that's when you need your tarp the most. Not saying to stay away from this material. You just need to understand what you're working with.

**bowl-maker** · 01-11-2014, 22:13

How did you get it imported past the embargo? ;-)

**Thumbs** · 01-11-2014, 22:43

If you didn't get that, the spelling is cuben not Cuban.

**ADKrella** · 01-11-2014, 22:59

Originally Posted by bowl-maker

How did you get it imported past the embargo? ;-)

I didn't get this until I saw the post under yours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sL0FIHQD84 <----- 1 min. 4 sec.

From what I have gathered much of the UL gear of today while very light is not as durable and needs some extra care.
But not sure about cuben.
I'm really wanting to pull the trigger on the Winter Palace .....
Interested to hear what happens.

**old4hats** · 01-11-2014, 23:41

I hang mine fairly tight, and usually end up pushing against it quite a bit each time I enter and leave the hammock. No problem so far. Since they are seamed with a special tape, it seems at least possible that it was a faulty seam in yours that gave, unless of course it separated somewhere else. I hope you reach a good resolution on this problem.

**bowl-maker** · 01-12-2014, 01:54

Originally Posted by Thumbs

If you didn't get that, the spelling is cuben not Cuban.

I think that I'm a real wit...everyone else thinks I am only half right.

**SilvrSurfr** · 01-12-2014, 01:59

Originally Posted by packdaddy

I had the ridge line and lower corners pulled tight. Then pushed against the tarp from the inside and a tear about 4 inches wide suddenly popped open. Very heartbreaking....

Pushed against the tarp with what?