Cuben fiber - Ultralight gear...

**hangnout** · 08-28-2007, 19:20

Ok, I keep trying to stay away from this stuff but I could save about a pound over the tarp I have now, so it's veeery tempting. Do you think this materal would hold up for a thru-hike?

I wanted a bigger tarp than I had but did not want the weight. This seemed to be the solution. I need to use it awhile before I could recommend it for a thru hike but the stuff is pretty tough.

I thought about using a solid piece for the top and seaming the sides so that the ridge would maybe be stronger. How is it to sew? Does the fabric feel strong and secure after sewing. It's used for sails so I know it can handle the wind I just want to make sure I don't weaken it by sewing incorrectly. Any advice would be very much appreciated.

I think it would be stronger with the standard tarp design of the seam in the ridgline. My concern was just with the pullouts on the ridgeline. I am definitely not a sewing expert but made it thru this project ok. The material is tougher than it looks. You can not cut it with scissors.

What's the finished weight and dimensions of your tarp

144" ridgline 46" sides 5.9oz for tarp only.

**NCPatrick** · 08-29-2007, 08:02

Now you just need to make a comfortably sized Cuben hammock, and you'll be all set!

**headchange4u** · 08-29-2007, 10:40

DANG! 5.9oz is awesome. Over a pound lighter than my tarp. Very impressive.

**T-BACK** · 08-30-2007, 08:41

Originally Posted by headchange4u

DANG! 5.9oz is awesome. Over a pound lighter than my tarp. Very impressive.

That's just what I was thinking. I bit the bullet and ordered a panel of this stuff yesterday. Very nice people to work with. They sent me a list of adhesives that can be used with the cuben. Unfortunately some of them require a very expensive aplicator to apply them. I guess Ill just stick with the sewing. I found out from a site that sells stuff sacks made of cuben that you can use silnett to seal the seams that are sewn. I'll let you know how it goes.

**hangnout** · 08-30-2007, 17:16

That's just what I was thinking. I bit the bullet and ordered a panel of this stuff yesterday. Very nice people to work with. They sent me a list of adhesives that can be used with the cuben. Unfortunately some of them require a very expensive aplicator to apply them. I guess Ill just stick with the sewing. I found out from a site that sells stuff sacks made of cuben that you can use silnett to seal the seams that are sewn. I'll let you know how it goes

I used the Silnett to seal my ridgeline. I used Scotch tape to hold the ridgeline seam until I could sew it.

**hangnout** · 08-30-2007, 17:23

Now you just need to make a comfortably sized Cuben hammock, and you'll be all set!

It would be strong enough but not breathable at all. If you click the link on the first post of this thread Gardenville has some pics of his Cuben hammock.

**NCPatrick** · 08-30-2007, 18:54

I've seen Gardenville's pictures. Very cool (but expensive). I didn't know how breathable Cuben would be, but it makes sense that it wouldn't be very breathable if it makes good tarp material...

still, great job on your tarp!

**T-BACK** · 08-31-2007, 05:18

Originally Posted by HANGnOUT

I used the Silnett to seal my ridgeline. I used Scotch tape to hold the ridgeline seam until I could sew it.

That's a great idea to use tape. Did you use a flat felled seam or just overlap the two pieces? Also, I was thinking of sewing a double rolled hem around the perimeter of the tarp for strength, what do you think?

**hangnout** · 08-31-2007, 06:57

Flat felled seam. I just folded it once for the hem. The material is fairly transparent so dark thread showed my lack of sewing skills! Next time I will use a gray thread.

**Rapt** · 09-07-2007, 10:11

Do a search on C3 sail tape. Sailrite (among others) carries it. It'd be my choice of a tarp of this nature. Sewing weakens a lot of these fabrics considerably.