Polycro or Tyvek

[Kott]

Hi,

Do we still need groundsheets? If so, polycro or tyvek?

[Zapruda]

Never for tents but I often take polycro if I plan to stay in a hut or Tyvek when I think I’m going to cowboy on some granite.

[Lamont]

Yep, depends what's under or likely to be. I use normal or double thickness polycryo. Don't have any Tyvek.. want a small bit to sit on though. Although was grinding around seated for a couple of hours before bed on a scrap of the double thickness poly on hard ground and didn't puncture it.

[Neo]

Think tyvek would be stronger and last longer than polycro? Builders plastic can be a bit heavy.
I do use one for tents or under a tarp. Saves the air mattress and tent floor a bit.

[crollsurf]

I like Tyvec because it's stiffer and won't get blown around as easily. Good ground sheet and to lay gear out, prepare food but it's a lot heavier than Polycro. Polycro is really only good as a waterproof layer so great when Tarping as ground sheet but not much else.

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[Petew]

I prefer polychro. I have used the same sheet for 3 years and it's still in excellent condition. I highly recommend folding and taping the edges. I have tie outs at the corners too (with Bungy) which stop it blowing or moving around. Used with a tarp and as a ground sheet under my tent.

[Franco]

BTW, Polycryo is a name made up by Gossamer Gear as their brand name for the type of polyolefin used for window insulation.

[Tortoise]

I prefer polychro. I have used the same sheet for 3 years and it's still in excellent condition. I highly recommend folding and taping the edges. I have tie outs at the corners too (with Bungy) which stop it blowing or moving around. Used with a tarp and as a ground sheet under my tent.

Great idea. Could you please post a pic showing how you did the tie outs?

[Kott]

good to know...reason I asked is that I've never used anything under my tents and I just got fancy DCF tent I'm worried that rocks and all the spicky little things in the dessert puncture that new fancy tent.

I also never worried about the weight and suddenly its a thing that I think about

[Petew]

I used a bit of plastic (ice cream container) then two small bits of duct tape to reinforce. Then a hole punch. It has held up extremely well. Made from a double sliding door insulation kit, big enough for two people with room to spare. Even with the heavy tape, rolled edges and Bungy cord it only weighs 99g

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[Tortoise]

Thanks, Pete. Looks great. Also, what's the benefit of the rolled edges, and what tape did you use?

[Petew]

Double sided tape. Rolled edges stop it from tearing due to nicks/cuts.

The door insulation kit came with the tape but any Scotchgard type double sided tape will do.

[Petew]

Pictured here in typical setup on Hilltop to Katoomba walk, winter 2017.

Tyvek semi Bivi bag/bag cover things from Terra Rosa gear are excellent if you do a lot of tarp camping.

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[ChrisJHC]

I used Polycro when forced to go to ground on the Larapinta (i.e. no trees around to hang my hammock from.

Lasted one night on the rocks!

[Petew]

Mine is three years old and in good condition. It is the slightly heavier weight polychro and edges are taped. I also clear rocks and pointy sticks out of the way if possible.

Obviously not easy on the Larapinta as it's made from sharp rocks and sticks.....

[Drew]

After getting a leaky tent floor while the rest of the tent was in good nick I decided to always use a groundsheet with my new tents. I haven't quite lived up to that resolution, but at least I always use one when car camping (tyvek) and sometimes on hikes, especially if I think I'll be pitching on gravelly/rocky ground. Or if I'm not taking the tent inner. The tyvek is much easier to use and more durable in my opinion, but much heavier than polycryo.

[Joynz]

Would always use a footprint or a groundsheet (having had a really nice Exped tent floor get a bit leaky over time although the top part is still in perfect condition).

[flywire]

Tyvek when I think I’m going to cowboy

Builder's Tyvek was light and durable on the Larapinta Trail but noisy, even though it was really crumpled.

[Zapruda]

Tyvek when I think I’m going to cowboy

Builder's Tyvek was light and durable on the Larapinta Trail but noisy, even though it was really crumpled.

I put my Tyvek ground sheets in the wash and they come out silent and soft.

[flywire]

@Zapruda OK next wash. I'll be pissed if it leaks but I wouldn't mind if it breathes more.

[Bam]

I recommend that if you are going to machine wash Tyvek use a cold wash setting without using any detergent & definitely no fabric softener!

I machine wash ours after each trip to get the accumulated grot off & it’s now super soft & silent.

[stry]

Are these last few posts about washing and washing machines referring to Home Wrap or 1443R ?

[Franco]

There is no need to wash 1443R (not in my mind anyway) but keep in mind that there are several versions of the Home Wrap type .
All stiffer and more waterproof than 1443R but at a different level.
A few years ago I had 4 different versions of that Home Wrap (they have different numbers) .
Tyvek starting with 10 is of the hard type, starting with 14 or 16 is the soft type.

[flywire]

Are these last few posts about washing and washing machines referring to Home Wrap or 1443R ?

Just to clarify a few things:
* Home Wrap not the thinner 1443R version
* [I] use it as a ground sheet
* use a front load washing machine - Which cycle? Cold wash, short cycle, max spin

Only takes a couple of washes before it softens up nicely, a lot quieter too!

[stry]

Thank you.

I have some HomeWrap (don't know which one Franco) to make a FP for the Unna. That can be the guinea pig once I've cut it out.