Mylar rainfly

**anthory** · 02-25-2014, 12:47

Has anyone tried a Mylar aka space blanket for a ultralight rain fly? I just got one and it seems pretty strong. This would be for just in case rain and probably would not hold up over time, it just just really cheap and could be brought either as a backup or just something to keep dew off.

**Fish<><** · 02-25-2014, 12:53

When around cold weather I carry mine for when the weather drops below my rated gear comfort level. Its a double duty item. It'll work, but its a little heavy if you speak of the space blanket with the grommets.

**Peter_pan** · 02-25-2014, 13:14

Caution....One nick and it will rip... big time....

pan

**The Old Boot** · 02-25-2014, 13:36

I always carry one in my 'emergency pack' that's on my body.

It came in handy one night in a terrible downpour when I found out that I had a section of the ridgeline that wasn't quite as well sealed as it could be. It hadn't leaked before but that was some downpour!!

I draped it over the bugnet ridgeline and made sure that the side came down below the hammock and crawled back in. Served its' purpose that night.

Good thing they're cheap cause I tossed that one -it will never, ever fold back up the same. Now I carry a piece of painters lightweight dropsheet for covering woodpiles and other emergency uses.

The ones I get aren't anywhere near big enough to use as a full-fledged rainfly, it barely covers the length of the hammock itself so no, I wouldn't be using it as even a temporary rainfly.

**will13fox** · 02-25-2014, 17:08

Originally Posted by Peter_pan

Caution....One nick and it will rip... big time....

pan

+1 here, I am working on an UQ and this is one of my layers and its hard to keep it from being destroyed just putting pins in it.

**pen25** · 02-26-2014, 18:34

Originally Posted by will13fox

+1 here, I am working on an UQ and this is one of my layers and its hard to keep it from being destroyed just putting pins in it.

why arnt you gluing it? you should be able to use a basting spray to hold it in place.

**will13fox** · 02-26-2014, 18:37

Originally Posted by pen25

why arnt you gluing it? you should be able to use a basting spray to hold it in place.

No kidding I wish I had thought about that a few days ago.... To late now.

**pen25** · 02-26-2014, 18:38

Lol. It happens. I only thought of it because it's what I used when I am using my embroidery machine for light weight materials

**zooshooter** · 02-27-2014, 09:49

Originally Posted by anthory

Has anyone tried a Mylar aka space blanket for a ultralight rain fly? I just got one and it seems pretty strong. This would be for just in case rain and probably would not hold up over time, it just just really cheap and could be brought either as a backup or just something to keep dew off.

Honestly, I would never use mylar as a rainfly over nylon or some other woven fabric material. Mylar is far too easy to puncture and once that happens it's gonna tear straight to the edge. It's also noisy as all get out if there is any wind at all whereas woven fabric rainflies such as nylon or polyester aren't nearly as bad. I carry 1-2 blankets with me in my hiking pack but they're only used as they're intended, as warming blankets. For the money, you're better off with a (sil)nylon/poly rainfly.

**will13fox** · 03-01-2014, 19:07

Hey check this out I used the "blue print" for a bug net on the DIYgearsupply.com site. The only thing I did different was I only did one taper and left the other end full size so I could slide it over myself and I didn't do any of the zippers I just used the layout. Also I sewed a channel and ran shock cord through it with some cord locks to close it up. I am doing a full test run tonight in the back yard. I attached the blue print and some pics.