Tyvek ultralite groundsheet?

[bikenav]

dabbled a bit last year with the tarp only wild camping but had no groundsheet arrangement so have been looking at this material Tyvek ultralite to try and create a custom sized "groundsheet", colour not too stealthy I agree, its for sale on the bay for this purpose . Looking for the obvious properties -lightweight, reasonable hard wearing, waterproof, easy and low pack volume. Anyone out there with practical experience in this application or of the material in general? ta.

[herman]

We have used it and its competitors for years in timber frame and for roofing felt. Quite strong for its weight but will fray . If you could heat seal or sew the edges? The pic on ebay is roofing felt nothing more fancy than that. Interesting

[daryl]

I've used it under a tent, and it worked fine. It packs down super small and is reasonably hard wearing. I ended up replacing it after about two years with a heavier dupont fabric (Tyvek SuPro) that's even tougher and claims to be more water resistant with the associated size/weight compromise.

For comparison here's the same size/shape footprint in both materials :

footprint.jpg (60 KiB) Viewed 6248 times

For the edges of the lighter material I used contact cement to make a folded seam and it's not frayed yet.

[bikenav]

Thanks for the response I will get a bit and give it a try.

[Mike54]

I wouldnt tbh. Its ok under a groundsheet but AS a groundsheet? no. It's "breathable" so when you put weight on it it will let water through etc.

[diggermanbob]

If you need waterproof just get some builders Dpm plastic sheet and cut to size , it comes in blue or black and different thickness ,