Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Tyvek or Plastic groundsheet(footprint)

Anyone use either for a light groundsheet(footprint)??

I grabbed some tyvek off the job the other day. [bleep] is loud. Crumbled one piece up and through it in the dryer with a fresh load of wet clothes. Much softer and more quite. "Some" backpackers actually crumble and wash and line dry tyvek to reduce noise.

Contemplating about just using a sheet of plastic cut to size as I know it's waterproof and not so loud. I'm running at tarp again this year so just need something lightweight under my bag.

Your thoughts?

Shag, I've used tyvek (un-crumpled) in a heavy rainstorm in a floorless tent, and had water running under the tyvek and my stuff didn't get wet. I like the fact that with any moonlight at all, you can find stuff easily on tyvek at night.

Thanks for the suggestion!

I use Tyvek all of the time now. I have washed it and thrown it in the dryer too, the more you use it the more supple it gets.

Super lightweight. When one piece wears out, it's cheap to buy some more.

I just replaced my footprint for my tent this week. One of my sons and I headed up into the Pemi Wilderness for three days. My old footprint was a piece of blue poly tarp that lasted me about 4 years. Checked it the day before we left and it had a couple holes in it. Went down to wally world and bought another 8x10 blue poly tarp, cut to size and was good to go. The remaining piece is large enough for me to cut to size to fit under my pad for tarp useage as well since I picked up an OR Helium Awning last year.

Cost me less that $10 and lasts for 3 or 4 years, no complaints on my end. Never tried the Tyvek, but I hear good things.

Mike.

I used plastic footprints uner all my tents. I cut it to fit, then subtract a couple inches all around. then I use duct tape to make the pole attachment points.....add a grommet at each point and voila!

for just a bag to sit on, a piece of tyvek would be grand....a lttle less slick and reflective too. plus emergency snow camo!

Tyvek works great. Run in through the washing machine and it will become quite. Cut a small piece to carry in your pack to sit on when your glassing and to lay out meat when your cutting one up.

Shag,

When I got ultra light with just my Super Tarp, I use these polycro ground sheets from Gossamer Gear. A 40x96" piece weighs in at 1.5oz. $8 gets you a 2 pack and I've got about 7 nights on one so far with no tearing or noticeable holes. It's a little finicky to spread out, but can't beat the weight.

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/polycryo_ground_cloth.html

Has anyone ever used TYPAR instead of TYVEK???

Im currently remodeling a house and Im using TYPAR for the vapor barrier. Its alot quieter and softer than TYVEK. I think its a better vapor barrier for building, but Ive never heard of any one using it as a groundsheet.

KC

I found my solution today.. Reinforced visqueen.. Don't know why it took solong to figure this out. been working around this stuff for along time. It's tough and lightweight.

http://www.tylersdisplay.com/uploads/visrein.jpg

Shag, I've used the reinforced Visqueen for building. I personally wouldn't recommend it for a ground cloth. IMO/E Tyvek is the way to go. Lighter than the reinforced Visqueen, more durable for what you have in mind, and cheaper.

Tyvek isn't waterproff. Although that shouldn't matter as I'm under a tarp anyway. Both are free in my world.(carp) You really think it's more durable? Reinforced visqueen is hard to cut with a new razor blade. Tyvek and a new razor blade is like a hot knife and butter. I only need a chunk big enough to keep my bag clean. I'll have to test which is more puncture resistant? Could very well be that tyvek holds up better. And I'm all about lighter if it gets the job done.:)

The breatheability of tyvek dose concern me in a down pour. I'll give both a try though during training trips and I appreciate your input!

Shag, like mentioned above, you'd be surprised how waterproof Tyvek is... I've had water running under it all night that never came through it. The actual visqueen cuts very easily, it's the reinforced meshing that doesn't cut well as you point out. For what it's used for (typically tents for winter time outdoor masonry) there likely nothing better. But Tyvek is amazingly good for a ground cloth.

Did you wash and dry your tyvek?

Never have, though I've certainly heard of the practice. I get it to the exact dimension I want and fold it EXACTLY like I want it, then it folds, re-folds nice and easy. Put the lettering side down.

Hey Brad, speaking of tyvek.....

Is the big house out off Patterson on the 'Terrance Loop'?

We poured out there yesterday and I thought I saw your truck after noticing the house from pics???

Helluva idea using it for ground cover or shelter, i never thought about using it in a back country pack.....we once made a small camphouse framed out of treated 2x4 and covered it w/ tyvek. we buried the the overlaps in the ground. it's over 15 years old. you can't wear tyvek out, it must be made from vaginal skin...grin

iv been using my poncho on my last few trips it works good and serves two purposes.

I've been using a cut down emergency blanket for years. It's that stuff that is green on one side and silver on the other. Waterproof and pretty tough. Not excessively slippery and lays out easily. Silver side up and gear is easy to find. Haven't compared it for weight against a comparable piece of Tyvek but mine weighs 5 ounces -- much heavier than those Gossamer Gear polycro sheets. Costs $10 more than free Tyvek though.