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Tyvek suit

PostPosted: Wed 16 Mar, 2011 10:02 am
by under10kg
Hi Guys,
A friend of mine works at mine sites and he had a pack of tyvek suit protective clothing.
I was thinking this would be super light, breathable and provide another layer in cold conditions.
Has anyone tried this out?

Re: Tyvek suit

PostPosted: Wed 16 Mar, 2011 11:05 am
by Moondog55
I have given it a quick trial, fragile so as a stay in place emergency suit very good, downside is you have to undress to take a dump

Re: Tyvek suit

PostPosted: Thu 17 Mar, 2011 10:27 am
by Orion
I've worn Tyvek suits for protection against Poison Oak, a plant that has an oil that produces a nasty contact dermatitis in most people. The suits are fairly light (mine weighed about 225g), they tear very easily, are somewhat breathable, and do add some warmth. But for only a little more weight you could have a full layer of lightweight synthetic fabric. I think that would be a better choice, all else being equal. Still, if it's free and you're short on money maybe it's worth it?

Re: Tyvek suit

PostPosted: Thu 17 Mar, 2011 9:12 pm
by Moondog55
Make great winter camouflage too

Re: Tyvek suit

PostPosted: Thu 17 Mar, 2011 9:23 pm
by rogo
Orion wrote:I've worn Tyvek suits for protection against Poison Oak, a plant that has an oil that produces a nasty contact dermatitis in most people. The suits are fairly light (mine weighed about 225g), they tear very easily, are somewhat breathable, and do add some warmth. But for only a little more weight you could have a full layer of lightweight synthetic fabric. I think that would be a better choice, all else being equal. Still, if it's free and you're short on money maybe it's worth it?
]

Tyvek is a material I am very interested in. So it tears easily? I thought it was fairly sturdy! Or is it only fragile when worn as a suit? I have no intentions of wearing tyvek. I still would love to know if it is opaque or translucent? Anyone?

Re: Tyvek suit

PostPosted: Fri 18 Mar, 2011 3:49 am
by Orion
I know "Tyvek" is used by many as a groundsheet material, but I have only used it in suit form. There are many Tyvek products and I don't know if what people use for groundsheets is the same as what I used. I got my suits from a friend who works in the biotech industry but similar ones can be purchased online as "painter's suits".

Durability was okay provided I didn't contact anything rough or sharp, so probably okay on snow. Where I used the suits there was some bushwacking (aka "bush-bashing" in aussie-speak?). The suits shredded so easily in this environment that I carried two of them, one for the way in and one for the trip back out.

Here's a picture of the kind of suit I wore. It's fairly opaque so you're safe if your plan is to be naked underneath.

Image

Re: Tyvek suit

PostPosted: Fri 18 Mar, 2011 6:17 pm
by rogo
Orion wrote:It's fairly opaque so you're safe if your plan is to be naked underneath.

No plans to be naked :shock: