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  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    What's the Point?

    Ok, so I keep hearing & seeing all these posts about Cuben Fiber this & CF that. What's the point of CF? I get that it's marginally lighter than ripstop, but why the extreme cost & all the hype? I've seen CF mitts, CF added to UQ's, etc.

    Is it the same type material as kevlar? Is it much more durable than ripstop? Is it waterproof and breathable like Goretex or eVent?

    Why have I seen it as an 'inner layer' on an incubator? If it's better than ripstop as far as durability or waterproofness, why not make the whole UQ out of it?

  2. #2
    Senior Member DuctTape's Avatar
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    While not an expert on CF, here are some "answers".

    It is much more than "slightly lighter than ripstop", CF can be had in weights such as .5 oz/yd2 or .7oz/yd2 while ripstop bottoms out at 1.1, and that is before waterproofing (CF is already waterproof).

    As mentioned, CF is waterproof but not breathable. This is why it is not used as a full enclosure for a down quilt as the lack of breathability makes it all but impossible to compress the insulation within. The non-breathable layer for the UQ makes it a vapor barrier for the user.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Rug's Avatar
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    As was mentioned, it is much lighter; but it is significantly stronger, more durable, compresses better, and waterproof.

    I hear it also reverses hair loss, aides in weight loss, improves your virility, and makes you irresistible to ladies.
    (I suspect it made out of the same stuff Dutch is.)
    I ride a recumbent.
    I like to HAM it up on the CW.
    I use Linux.
    I play go.
    Of course I sleep in a hammock!

    Rug.

    Hang On!

  4. #4
    Dutch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rug View Post
    As was mentioned, it is much lighter; but it is significantly stronger, more durable, compresses better, and waterproof.

    I hear it also reverses hair loss, aides in weight loss, improves your virility, and makes you irresistible to ladies.
    (I suspect it made out of the same stuff Dutch is.)
    It doesn't cure hair loss. I can promise you that.
    Peace Dutch
    GA>ME 2003

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  5. #5
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dutch View Post
    It doesn't cure hair loss. I can promise you that.
    Say what? Man, I've been wearing this silly CF hat for nothing then.
    Knotty
    "Don't speak unless it improves the silence." -proverb
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  6. #6
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    So, then the HammockGear Cuben Fiber 11'x10' will last as long as three Superflies ($390) and be lighter? It costs what? $380?

  7. #7
    Senior Member G.L.P.'s Avatar
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    Nice gear cost Money.....

    Cuben Fiber is not cheap ... thats why it cost so much if paying $300+ for a tarp is not for you... don't ..get a Silnylon tarp there are many nice ones out there and are around $100 that will work just fine

    Cuben Fiber is around $25-30 a yard keep that in mind when asking why they cost so much(11x10 tarp would require 8-9 yards or fabric thats $200-280 depending on how much is needed and cost of fabric itself)
    Tarps like HG's are glued as well.. so think of the cost of the other material involved in making one and time
    also as said it weighs a lot less than Silnylon and packs down smaller
    like anything new it will cost more untill the price of the Fabric itself goes down

    Zpack makes a Hammock Cuben fiber tarp for $235 thats the cheapest one out there and is really nice (i have one) well worth the money IF you backpack .
    if you car camp more i would say get a Silnylon tarp unless you have the extra money for the Cuben tarp and must have one
    It puts the Underquilt on it's hammock ... It does this whenever it gets cold

  8. #8
    Senior Member Fronkey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rodwolfy View Post
    So, then the HammockGear Cuben Fiber 11'x10' will last as long as three Superflies ($390) and be lighter? It costs what? $380?
    The regular CF tarp cost $309

    It weighs 12.5 oz less than a superfly and when a person is on the trail and doing some miles, the lighter the better.

    The superfly is a great tarp and will keep you plenty dry while out in the woods. But, CF tarps are great for the hiker who are looking to lighten their load among other things.

    Fronkey

  9. #9
    Senior Member default's Avatar
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    not to mention you can get a much tighter pitch with the CF than Sil.

    SO, the score goes:

    Lighter
    Stronger
    Tighter pitch
    Smaller pack
    Its see thru (which is just cool)
    also, its not supposed to "sweat" like SilNi does.

    i think (using my newfangled guestimator) that you could carry 2 CF tarps in place of 1 comparable SilNi tarp.
    Give a man fire and he's warm for the night.
    Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life. Dante

  10. #10
    Senior Member R00K's Avatar
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    Add breathable to the list.

    Recently breathable cuben - and abrasion resistant nylon infused cuben have surfaced.
    Support: HammockGear - Zpacks - Jacks R Better - DreamHammock - Dutchware - AHE - Black Rock - Grand Trunk

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