Seems like I can't get too many nights from a space blanket as a groundsheet before it starts to shred. This one, after four nights, is tearing in multiple places.

What's my next step up in terms of durability without adding much more weight?

Polycryo lasts a good long while and is very light. I prefer tyvek though.

http://gossamergear.com/shelters/shelter-accessories.html (for polycryo)

2 mil painter's plastic...or nothing at all. I stopped carrying one.

Edited by leadfoot on 07/27/2012 07:19:18 MDT.

What is your shelter system? What is your sleep system? (I guess what I'm getting at is, do you even need a groundsheet?) But I've heard that polycro is reasonably durable.

My shelter system depends on the weather. This time of the year I bring a Kifaru Paratarp which I can use as a ground sheet in mild weather, but if it gets super-windy, like it did last weekend, or if rain threatens, I set it up as a roof and then need a groundsheet under it.

Using the Paratarp as a groundsheet reminds me why I dislike silnylon on the ground: it gets wet on the underside, dirt and debris stick to the wet, and when I flip the thing over to dry it takes forever.

The Mylar of the space blanket isn't nearly so sticky: dirt falls off.

Polycro (or heat shrink window film) is amazingly durable and light. I get 500+ miles out of each peice hole free. It seems so fragile, but doesn't puncture easily due to the built in stretch. Its light too!

So, a tarp... do you use a bivy? If so I question the need for a groundsheet at all. Otherwise, yes, polycro seems to be well thought of.

“What's my next step up in terms of durability without adding much more weight?”

+1 on polycro though it takes long to dry also. But I like its strength and weight :)

Going with your original setup: some of the higher quality emergency blankets will last dozens of nights as a ground cloth. If you could find an Adventure Medical Kit brand, that would work better and it does a nice job of reflecting heat back up. http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/product.php?product=145&catname=Shelter&prodname=SOL%20Emergency%20Blanket

- Barry

Its really pretty hard to beat. Its very light, durable, and cheap.

As Barry said, the polyethylene "space blankets" don't shred like the mylar ones. They aren't as durable as the Polycro grounsheets, but they are lighter (2.5 oz) and they are aluminized.

"[...] do you use a bivy?"

Down quilt atop an Exped Synmat.

"[...] polyethylene 'space blankets'[...]"

I'm not familiar with those, or maybe I am? Unsure. Can someone show a link to whatcher talkin' about?