Tyvek?

[moocow]

I did a search and still couldn't find what I was looking for?
Where do I find it? I thought I once heard I could go to a home depot and find it in the paint section. Went there and they had no idea what it was. I ended up buying the clear 7 mil. plastic that people use. Is this it? Am I missing something?

[10-K]

Look in the lumber department, they have it.

[swjohnsey]

No. I think Home Depot and Lowes sell their own brand. Go to a home building site and scronge or beg if you don't want to buy a whole roll.

[Storm]

You can find pieces on Ebay, it's a little pricey but much cheaper than buying a whole roll.

[Espero]

You can buy kite Tyvek at www.intothewind.com. Kite Tyvek is lighter than house wrap Tyvek, though not as durable.

[ippon]

I bought a piece big enough for a ground sheet/ emergency tarp for about $8 shipped: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tyvek-Ground...item1c201b836d

[kayak karl]

No. I think Home Depot and Lowes sell their own brand. Go to a home building site and scronge or beg if you don't want to buy a whole roll.

they sell both, but you do not want their brand. it can not be washed and softened.

OP how much are you looking for???

[atmilkman]

You can find pieces on Ebay, it's a little pricey but much cheaper than buying a whole rsoll.

Ditto on Ebay. Got mine for $.99 ft free ship. Looks like its gone up a bit, but like Storm says cheaper than buying a whole roll.

[Papa D]

The best grade was made by DOW -- mine is the "Weathermate" -- This is very lightweight so, I have opted for the thicker mil -- it lays down nice under a tent even in a good breeze and is a little stiffer than other brands -- I pack it folded at the bottom of my backpack which is also nice when setting the pack down constantly on wet ground (sometimes pack covers don't really get this area).

[moocow]

will the clear plastic i bought not work? i just found it at the store and didn't expect to pay that much for a ground cloth when the brand name footprint is half that price. I'm not trying to be cheap, just reasonable.

[swjohnsey]

It'll work, probably heavier.

[Espero]

will the clear plastic i bought not work? i just found it at the store and didn't expect to pay that much for a ground cloth when the brand name footprint is half that price. I'm not trying to be cheap, just reasonable.

Dude, you're over thinking this. Yes, your 7 mil. plastic will probably work, but you started this thread with Tyvek. What's your goal; is it to keep your tent floor from being punctured; your sleeping bag clean; your inflatable mattress from leaking? There are a myriad of materials that will suffice, however Tyvek is used by many because it is durable, light and cheap. If you already have plastic; use it.

[Ezra]

Your plastic will work fine.

[daddytwosticks]

Your plastic will work fine. I use sections of painter's drop cloth as footprints/ground cloth also. However, 7 mil seems like overkill. I think I use 2 or 3 mil and it holds up fine.

[MuddyWaters]

7 mil will be very heavy

tyvek will weigh about 7 oz for a footprint for a 2 person tent

2.5 mil plastic will weigh similar

polycro will be about 1.8 oz

mylar space blanket from Walmart will be 1-2 oz

your 7 mil will likely weigh almost 1/2 lb more than tyvek, and almost a lb more than the lighter alternatives.

[swjohnsey]

A little off topic but . . .

What sort of Tyvek would work best for a little sign: "Thru-hiker to town" on one side and "Thru-hiker to trail" on the other. What would work for the lettering? I will use it to sit on if the lettering is durable enough.

[kayak karl]

A little off topic but . . .

What sort of Tyvek would work best for a little sign: "Thru-hiker to town" on one side and "Thru-hiker to trail" on the other. What would work for the lettering? I will use it to sit on if the lettering is durable enough.

this paint works on washed tyvek also http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/p...roducts_id/856
they are also a good source for carbon fiber for DIY
AND TYVEK http://www.kitebuilder.com/catalog/i...p/cPath/24_162

[Banjopickin]

http://www.antigravitygear.com/tyvek...-the-foot.html...you can buy Tyvek by the foot...Also a great ultralight sight. Rep'n NC

[texas&fla]

For those that use Tyvek, How many nights do you usually get out of a piece?




All immensities, whether mountain or problems, are overcome by one step at a time

[Summit]

Your plastic will work fine. I use sections of painter's drop cloth as footprints/ground cloth also. However, 7 mil seems like overkill. I think I use 2 or 3 mil and it holds up fine.

I have been using 2 mil and love how light and well it works! You can get a roll from Walmart for a few bucks which will make two two-man tent footprints. Tyvak will seep (soak through) after a while, and it's heavier than 2 mil plastic. I recently switched to this solution after my expensive Sierra Designs footprint started seeping water through and leaving me with a wet tent bottom even in minimally wet conditions. The 2 mil plastic has left me with a perfectly dry tent floor even in heavy rain conditions. Cheap, light, and works . . . can't go wrong!