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I know, it’s crazy


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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 36 total)
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  • #1239911
    Kier Selinsky
    Member

    @kieran

    Locale: Seattle, WA

    So I have a trip coming up in less than 2 weeks in Monongahela, North Fork Mountain. Leading up to this trip, I thought I'd be bringing my 4-man tent to share with others, but I just found out that because of the way the sleeping arrangements work out, I need to actually bring along a bivy (I'll be sharing a tarp with someone else). This is something I've never done before, and I have nothing close to a solo shelter. So it's time to do a quick MYOG bivy, right? I'm stoked – this is a cool project to do in a jif. But….

    I'm flippin broke, already dropped dough on new shoes and bag, and really need to pinch every penny making this bivy. Also, traditional fabric suppliers recommended here sound iffy at best in terms of getting materials to me. Finding any sort of ripstop nylon locally is a challenge (yes, i've hit all the wallyworlds, no dice), but I'm sure I'll find some. But I know I won't find any silnylon sooo…

    Question: If I made the bivy, and then painted up the bathtub bottom of it in a 2:1 mixture of mineral spirits to silicone, would that be as effective as silnylon? I'm thinking that if I use the technique outlined in the seam sealing article here, then it just might work… might not be purty, but it would work. What do you folks think?

    #1533044
    Cam Mcanally
    Member

    @cambam

    Locale: Research Triangle

    Just throwing this out there, but would a Tyvek bivy suit your needs? I've seen a few people on here discussing their merits. Probably worth exploration, as Tyvek is cheap online or can be had dumpster diving near construction sites.

    #1533045
    Lucas Boyer
    BPL Member

    @jhawkwx

    Locale: 38.97˚N, 95.26˚W

    I wouldn't count on any longterm results from this setup, but I'd be willing to bet it'll last for a single trip. Another less unsightly method: sew some cheap 3mil painters drop plastic from the home labyrinth superstore into the bathtub bottom. The Equinox bivy runs like $65, but I'd rather make my own.

    #1533048
    Kier Selinsky
    Member

    @kieran

    Locale: Seattle, WA

    Cam – I thought Tyvek wasn't 100% waterproof?

    Lucas – that's an interesting thought… I'll keep that in mind.

    #1533053
    Cam Mcanally
    Member

    @cambam

    Locale: Research Triangle

    Kier, while Tyvek isn't waterproof like a plastic bag is, it is very water resistant, breathable, cheap, and can be had locally. In fact, after looking at how much trouble you've had in obtaining anything locally, I would wager that there is some sort of construction within 5 miles of your home or work that you could beg some Tyvek from.

    And I'm guessing that if you're going from a 4 man tent to sleeping under someone's tarp, that you aren't really equipped or accustomed to sleeping in such a spartan manner, so you won't be using the bivy for your sole form of protection. That's why you're sleeping under someone's tarp, right? And if that's the case, then you're just worried about getting dew or a little oversplash if it rains on your bag? Tyvek will do that well, and it's easy to work with.

    #1533054
    Michael Ray
    BPL Member

    @topshot

    Locale: Midwest

    You might also consider the Heatsheets bivvy. MSRP of just $16. If you don't really need full coverage you can use just a blanket or get 2 blankets and tape together for a cheaper bivvy. I'll be making a tent of these soon. Another poster here made a tent that he used at Philmont.

    #1533055
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    If the tarp is large enough (find out the size) you may not need a bivy but will need a groundcloth (think 2 mil painters dropcloth). If you need a quick bivy you probably wouldn't even need to sew. Some quick bivy thoughts,

    1. Neatsheet- sold in walmarts maybe target
    2. Plastic or tyvek bottom/driducks poncho top- if you can get that
    3. AMK thermolite bivy- not entirely closed so you have some ventilation
    4. Heatsheet bivy
    5. Plastic or tyvek bottom/Heatsheet blanket top (tucked in, not sewn)
    6. Plastic or tyvek oversized (~6'x7')- simply use it as a groundsheet and pull remainder loosely over bag if weather turns bad; might need something to keep it closed on open end

    #1533056
    Keith Selbo
    Spectator

    @herman666

    Locale: Northern Virginia

    Tyvek's not 100% waterproof but from what I've read, it takes a fair amount of hydrostatic pressure to get liquid water through it. If you're under a tarp and don't expect to lie in a puddle, it should be good. If you're not sure about the puddle, paint the bottom with your silicone mixture.

    #1533058
    Andy Berner
    BPL Member

    @berner9

    Locale: Michigan

    "Question: If I made the bivy, and then painted up the bathtub bottom…"

    That just gave me a great idea on a cheap bivy. I don't know how it would hold up sewing wise and not sure of the actual weight(probably kinda heavy), but how would a shower curtain work as the bottom of a bivy? Then run to a Cabelas, Gander Mnt. or alike store and buy a frogg toggs poncho, cut it down and use that as the top of a bivy.

    Might not be the lightest, but it would be a cheap alternative.

    Good luck

    #1533059
    Kier Selinsky
    Member

    @kieran

    Locale: Seattle, WA

    Thanks for so much feedback already…

    Cam – Yeah normally I'm in a tent because I have the wife, kid, and dog with me. Because I'm gonna be able to fit under a friend's tarp, my main concern is oversplash and any ground water channels that emerge if it starts raining. Blame the economy or whatever, but I honestly cannot think of a construction site I've seen in months, except for highway construction. Does Lowe's sell the stuff in small quantity?

    Michael – I considered the heatsheets bivy at first, but am concerned about overheating in the cheap model and water protection in the pricier model

    John – The neat sheet is an interesting option… would I just duct tape it or sew it?

    Keith – thanks, if I go with Tyvek then I may paint the bottom

    #1533060
    Kier Selinsky
    Member

    @kieran

    Locale: Seattle, WA

    Andy – weight aside, that does give some unique style options :)

    #1533062
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    I used a neatsheet as my first bivy, but did use a 3'x7' dropcloth under it since the neatsheet is not waterproof. I simply took out seams I didn't want, left in those I did want and then cut it to size (hard to explain). The top remained open. Weight of finished "product" was about 6 oz. of only the modified neatsheet.

    If it was me (and I had no money to spend and short timeframe), I'd see how large the tarp is and just bring an oversized sheet of something waterproof, sleep on a portion and pull over the remainder if I needed it. That will depend on expected low temps, how long trip is(possible condensation on down bag), bag temp rating.

    #1533063
    Kier Selinsky
    Member

    @kieran

    Locale: Seattle, WA

    The 30th place I've called locally has some regular 1.9oz rip-stop in stock for $6/yd! As this is my preferred material, does anyone else wanna take a guess as to whether or not painting on the silicon will work? Or shall I be the guinea pig? :)

    #1533064
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    I'd imagine it will work, but will be messy maybe. It may also attract dirt like crazy.

    #1533067
    Kier Selinsky
    Member

    @kieran

    Locale: Seattle, WA

    Thanks John. I thought about just pulling stuff over me, but I toss and turn, so I'm sure I'd kick it off.

    if I did something like a neatsheet with a ground cloth, wouldn't I run the risk of water trapping between the ground cloth and my bag?

    #1533070
    Walter Carrington
    BPL Member

    @snowleopard

    Locale: Mass.

    "… just bring an oversized sheet of something waterproof, sleep on a portion and pull over the remainder if I needed it." I've often done this on short trips instead of a tent when the weather forecast is good (no tarp at all). It works in New England summer/fall conditions. I'd hate to get caught in a long downpour with this setup.

    A better solution would be to use plastic for the bottom and something breathable for the top. A good plastic to use is heat shrink film for temporary storm windows. Tape in a tub floor arrangement. If you can get a driducks poncho use that for the top; I've got that but haven't put it together yet. I'll try taping the driducks to the plastic with the double sided tape that comes with the storm window. If you can't get the driducks, use tyvek for the top. Or, use the 1.9 nylon and spray it with a water repellent (scotchguard or something).

    #1533072
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    Only if the tarp is small for two people and you have blowing rain or your groundsheet is too big or you pick a bad campsite for a tarp (lots of variables). Plenty of people tarp with an 8'x10' for one or two and only use a groundcloth which would stick out on all sides of the bag, but never sticking out past the tarp boundaries.

    #1533076
    Lucas Boyer
    BPL Member

    @jhawkwx

    Locale: 38.97˚N, 95.26˚W

    Frogg Toggs is offering free shipping. $13 for the poncho right now. Could button two together like Bill from TX on here did.

    #1533125
    Kier Selinsky
    Member

    @kieran

    Locale: Seattle, WA

    good ideas guys – thanks for the help!

    #1533133
    Lori P
    BPL Member

    @lori999

    Locale: Central Valley

    If all you want is a weather cover that will fit over a bag or quilt, Jacks R Better will retrofit a driducks poncho with drawcords and omni tape (velcro) for you.

    #1533159
    Kier Selinsky
    Member

    @kieran

    Locale: Seattle, WA

    OK, now I know I'm going off the deep end here, but I was just thinking – I have a can of spray polyurethane wood coating left over in the garage. polyurethane coated nylon is what's typically used in dry bags. you don't suppose I could do something as stupid-simple has spray down the inside bottom of the bivy with polyurethane, do ya? I mean, it couldn't be that easy, right?

    #1533181
    Michael Ray
    BPL Member

    @topshot

    Locale: Midwest

    I'd guess that's the wrong kind of PU. It dries hard to protect the wood so it would not be flexible for use on fabric. Just a guess though – test a piece and see.

    #1533187
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    Yeah, it'll help keep it watertight for a while. Try to roll the bivy up with your sleep pad rather than folding it.

    Before you get to enthusiastic with the quantity you put on, feel the weight of the spray can. How much of that do you want to carry?

    #1533190
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    I turned a XXL tyvek overall into a bivy in about an hour and a half with Kath's help on the sewing machine. Works fine. Just cut up the leg inseams and sew together. Then cut the arms off and make them into the hood.

    #1533216
    Tad Englund
    BPL Member

    @bestbuilder

    Locale: Pacific Northwest

    Kier- yes the silicon would work if you were able to get full coverage (not an easy task to say the least). The weight to get full coverage would be way out of line- the cost of the silicon and fabric (you would be ruining the fabric,IMO) would be more than sewing 2 cheap poncho's together. There are a number of issues you haven't discussed:
    Condensation
    Full rain coverage or just wind blown
    etc.

    If full rain coverage isn't an issue then use the 1.9 ripstop as the top ant a cheap poncho ($15 at the outdoor store), use some small velcro to attach the rip stop to the tarp (like snaps), overlapping the ripstop over the poncho and you will be set.
    But for a little more you can get a Equinox bivy that is 6 oz for about $50- buy it!

    I full rain coverage is an issue then there are a number of issues (like condensation) that come into play and a cheap fix will not help.
    Use the tarp and the Equinox bivy!

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