Making a Lightweight Backpacking Tarp #1 - Fabric Choice

[@dalejuhl8591]

Thank you for sharing - every second was filled with great information

[@Gamerhog2022]

I have a rip-stop silnylon tarp but I'm looking to upgrade to something that is almost same material doesn't hold moisture and maybe has 2 more tie downs. That rip-stop sil-poly sounds interesting, something I'd like to use. Are you still making tarps?

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

I can make one for you if you want. I just like making them so you get the fabric from ripstopbytheroll.com I suggest and ship it to me. We can discuss any particulars about design if you want to really have some fun. Let me know. The silpoly is much better for tarps in my opinion. Or the Mountain series silnylon from ripstop is siliconed on both sides really nice. But the silpoly is awesome. Let me know and we can communicate directly.

[@BrosephRussell]

Ok im revisiting you tarp project i just ordered a tarp kit from Rip Stop by the roll should be here next week can't wait to get in to it .

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

That is great. Will love to see the end result. Which kit did you get?

[@WyeExplorer]

Great video Bruce. I admire your knowledge - there are so many fabrics and weaves out there. It's like a science. In fact I guess fabric manufacture is. Th rest is up to you. I'm sure you make a good shelter. All the very best. Mark

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Mark. I am sure you are the same way. The more you understand, the more you appreciate.

[@shadihamood3950]

Hello and sorry for the interruption. I am starting a camping mattress business. and I have to choose between 3 types of materials: 20D Nylon TPU and 40D nylon TPU and Ripstop. I know that 20D lighter than 40D. but im not sure which materials will be the best for camping pad. hop you can help

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

For backpacking I would go with the 20D, for car camping 40D will be great.

[@shadihamood3950]

@@naturecallsoutdoors thanks for that information.. what you have to say about Ripstop for camping pad?

[@BrosephRussell]

Awesome brother so much info about all them traps I never knew about thanks

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks. Great to hear from you. I think about some of your hikes from time to time. Really great views.

[@nwroadrat]

As always, very informative.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks, fun to learn from each other. I really need a street bike again.

[@scoutingfreegermany]

Very good information brother, thanks for sharing! Cheers, Marc

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Marc. You guys are probably seeing the fabric differences now a lot with you hammock.

[@SkywalkFPV]

I`m not sure if I have a silnylon or silpoly tarp how to recognize each one?

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Hard to describe over the web but I'll try. It would be great if you are out and a buddy has something then you can compare. I like them both and use silnylon if I am looking for the stronger application like in winter. Silpoly seems a little more shiny, while silnylon is more stretchy, especially when it is wet. So if you need to retighten a lot it is probably silnylon. Sil poly you can get tight and will stay tight. Tarps are a great application, but with tents that need to conform to round tentpoles silnylon is better.

[@cojo582]

saw your video and had fo stop and look. down here we always, all took a tarp in our pirogue when camping. camping in the woods without a tarp not me if i can help it,yes sir it needs to be truff above all it must be stout.a must for a real camp in the trees.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Natty. Where do you live and go camping?

[@cojo582]

@@naturecallsoutdoors LOUISIANA hardwoods man,swamps and lakes ,the real American jungle,love it.

[@roebucksadventure]

what would be a good fabric for making a rain proof cover for motorcycle luggage? Would Cuben DCF work with the wind conditions that would be encountered? I have a Harley-Davidson Wide Glide and would like to make some luggage rain cover when its raining. The rain cover that comes with the luggage is heavy and bulky. I also wanted to custom the cover to be a bit larger.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

For sure it would be great. I got some 5 ounce that was to make some bike bags and I think it would be too much for what you are thinking, maybe something around one to two ounce would do the trick nicely.

[@roebucksadventure]

@@naturecallsoutdoors , i was just looking at HyperD 300 from ripstop by the roll to use for the rain covers. Alot cheaper, but I'm not sure if it would work. I don't mind spending the extra money just trying to look at options. Do you know if HyperD 300 would be a good fabric or do you think Cuben DCF would be the way to go. Thank you for your opinion. Love your videos.... I just found you on youtube

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

@@roebucksadventure I guess it may matter how wet it gets when you ride. I am up in Washington and during the rainy season I would go DCF for sure. I used to ride daily for years, but not so much anymore. The HyperD may be the ticket if you are not going to be using it like on a daily basis, and you will need to do a great job seam sealing it. But there are better colors. Maybe make the hyperD ones, and see how it goes. Thanks for watching.

[@Foxr6]

Great info 👍 thanks for the post!

[@ANTZPound4Pound]

Say Brotha, Whats *The Name Brand and Manufacturer a Camo Tarp?* I Want a *10×10 Waterproof, Lightweight, Durable, Quiet, Stealthy Tarp!* And Easy to roll up a move quickly if Need Be!! Those *Blue Tarps (like at WALMART)* are ok, They just *Heavy an LOUD* While Moving! *_I need one that I can haul around on my Backpack._*

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

I get most of my material from ripstopbytheroll.com. Great selection

[@maggiequinones3573]

Where is the making of?

[@sacha9377]

Great video, Thank you! I'm looking d'or à tent for longue travel et hike, so need to be strong enough. I could have in 40d silnylon on in 40d silpoly (for 30gramme more). What do you think it will be the best? Thank you 😊

[@darrengarlough5121]

How can I order from you?

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Hi Darren. If you are looking for fabric and stuff, I get most of mine from ripstopbytheroll.com/?rfsn=5721405.26a094 Or are you wanting me to build it for you?

[@39camper]

Awesome Bruce, I didn’t know there was different quality of gore tex.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Thanks Darrell. Yes I found out a lot when I met with Arcteryx and basically asked them about it and the Goretex rep was there also.

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

I made canvas bed rolls when i did reenacting. How do you find the silpoly. I have done one silnylon tarp, just a simple 5x9. But silnylon does absorb water and you can get misting in heavy rain. Does this happen with simply? Where do you get you fabric so cheap. You need to stop by to visit, lol.

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

The silpoly acts like plastic and the water just sheds like crazy. I get most of my fabric from ripstopbytheroll.com, or dutchwaregear.com or seattlefabrics. The new mountain series silnylon from ripstop is super nice. Very much like the Hilleberg fabric and sheds great.

[@wbwills2]

Good afternoon.bought a partial roll of black ripstop nylon A few years ago for a custom project. After watching your video, I’m not so sure what I have. It could be something else. And it may not be sealed. Thanks to you I will do some water testing & rip testing on a swatch of it before I put the time into sealing the seams and doing the sewing. Thank you for the information. I’ll be back for more. Liked and subscriber # 6666. WBW II,NC,USA

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

That is awesome Burke. I should do the same with all my different fabrics. I think I will set up a UV test site this month.

[@jessestheories7586]

Why in your opinion silpoly is the best? im watching to answer my qust hopefully

[@naturecallsoutdoors]

Hi Jesse. Silpoly seems to hold it shape, doesn't stretch as much. And most of the silnylon I get just doesn't seem to be treated enough. I have some HIlleberg gear that is silnylon, which they like as it stretches and forms well for their tents, but they triple seal it inside and out. The mountain series from ripstopbytheroll is close though.

[@johnlord8337]

I compare my Tyvek house wrap to a Gore-Tex (breathable side and water-resistant outside surface). The Cuben fiber (I believe) is half-tyvek, or bottom run tyvek fabric, as it is half of tyvek weight, as half of burst weight. Tyvek is milky-white, whereas Cuben is lean-milk clear-white. 9x9 tyvek is 1# and 60# burst weight per sq inch. Can use this for (various) pup tent designs, lean-tos, actual tied-up hammock, tree limb hammock.

[@orion7741]

the problem with Tyvek is that it tears really easily when stress is put on it. it is extremely difficult to get proper reinforcements attached to it as well. Tyvek is neither waterproof or breathable either. its great for items that dont get exposed to stress but terrible for tents and backpacks.

[@pokerchannel6991]

Dude: the lightest weight tarp is made of 90 gallon trash bags taped lightly together. That is light AF.

[@orion7741]

nope. that is heavier than Cuben fiber. sorry to burst your bubble..... the trash bags are cheaper though. lol.