Ripstop tarp fabric weight

[Newzy]

O.K. for the D.I.Y's what is the lightest weight ripstop fabric that you can safely use for a tarp? Not Nysil. Ripstop that you can waterproof yourself. Anyone??

[leepingreenlizards]

Uncoated 1.1 oz ripstop. I'd say it's the cuben, but it's all ready water proof isn't it?

[sclittlefield]

Cuben is dyneema fibers bonded together (it's not a woven) - and comes in many weights, much of what you see for lightweight backpackers is sub 1oz/yd2. It's also between $22-30/yd.

Silnylon is 1.1oz ripstop coated both sides with silicone and after coating weighs between 1.3oz and 1.5oz/yd2.

Uncoated 1.1oz ripstop should actually weigh 1.1oz/yd2. Then, once you add your coating and it will likely come out to more weight than silnylon.

Also - this may help as different companies list their fabrics differently:

1.1oz = 30d
1.9oz = 70d

With ripstop nylon, any thinner than 1.1oz and you're in the danger zone for fabric durability in a tarp (my humble opinion).

[HanginTom]

So Cuben fiber is perfectly feasible to make a tarp from, correct?

[sclittlefield]

So Cuben fiber is perfectly feasible to make a tarp from, correct?

Many companies do make tarps from Cuben. I cannot speak to which type they use, but yes, Cuben can make a perfectly good tarp.