This question was prompted by something I read in gear swap, but I did not want to post this there. Is Tyvek , clothing grade, really much stronger than Silnylon?
My experience with Tyvek clothing ended with my receiving a package in the mail, the tyvek having a piece of the packing tape on it, and it tearing as I removed the tape. Granted, I could have been more careful removing the tape, but I did not think it would be that delicate. How do the two materials compare? Since there are different grades for each, how about specifically what is used for the Sublite?
Thanks.

Tyvek is a brand and there are many different versions of the fabric for various applications. Without qualifying which flavor you are talking about it is difficult to have a meaningful debate.

I own the Sublite in Tyvek. I think I could tear a hole in it if I tried but it isn't fragile in the sense that I have to worry about it. Not any more than I would any ultra-light tent.

Clothing grade Tyvek (1443R) is significantly weaker than Homewrap Tyvek. I can pull apart a 4" wide piece of 1443R with my hands, though it takes a lot of force. I don't think I could do that with Homewrap. I have never tried with silnylon, but I would expect it to be a lot stronger. If you want to get a feel for the material, go to your local Lowe's or Home Depot and pick up a piece of Tyvek clothing for less than $10.

1443R has the advantages of being breathable and it is actually lighter than most 1.1 silnylon (which is really 1.4 after the silicone is added) at 1.25 osy. I just made a bivy out of it which I posted about in MYOG. I think the Sublite is made out of 1443R.

Andrew

Edited by andrew.f on 04/27/2011 11:10:41 MDT.

Thanks Andrew.
Kevin, that's why I said the grade used for the Sublite. That compared to the Sil used for the Sublite. I knew about the comparison as far as how they breathe, I was just wondering about the strength of the material.




Edited: I own the sil version of the Sublite and have used it extensively, even without a goundcloth, on fairly rough ground, and it has been holding up great. The only Tyvek I know is that used by Driducks and it tore within 3 minutes of being in my hands : (

Edited by Kat_P on 04/27/2011 11:16:21 MDT.

Unless I am mistaken, Driducks is made with 3M Propore, which is a totally different material than Tyvek 1443R. Tyvek is a Dupont product and even the clothing grade is pretty durable stuff.

Andrew

Apparently I am confused about that, then.
I'll go check out the Tyvek they are using at the construction site at my work.
Thanks, Katharina

I'd defiantly say sil is stronger than the soft structure tyvek that the sublite is made of.

My dog put a hole in mine right after I got it. She was chasing a butterfly and stepped into it right next to the zipper on the door. The fabric separated but surprisingly not at the seam. I guess that's a testament to the Tarptent quality cause the seam was stronger than the material.

I fixed it with a tyvek patch and glue that came with the shelter and works great.

I also added a pocket right about my head for my glasses using the same glue and patch.

The stuff sack though is another story. As I was putting the shelter in I ripped the whole drawcord tube off. Immediately replaced it with a sil one.

The floor of the Sublite is silnylon in both versions and I'd say it is definitely stronger in terms of tear strength.

If I were going into a known high-wind situation I'd probably bring a different tent no matter if I had the sil or Tyvek versions.

As stated above there is Tyvek and there is Tyvek...
No point at looking at Homewrap if you want to know what the cloth type feels like.
The 1443R used for the Sublite is indeed the "clothing" type, so very breathable and soft (non wrinkly like homewrap)
I don't have any more Dry Duck here but from memory it was a lot thinner and flimsier than 1443r .
Silnylon is definitely a LOT stronger (tear strength and puncture resistance).
The Sublite (Tyvek) is meant for hot areas and or very humid places where you are more like to get drizzle /light rain than heavy thunderstorms.
BTW, even "HomeWrap" is a category, not a single product.
I have had 3 different versions so far.
Franco