Uses for silk

[David Fry]

There has been some discussion on this form about silk used in ultralight gear like hammock casing for down baffles in a down air mat and quilts. With silk as light as .57 oz (or some thing like that) I can see why it would appeal to the ultralight hikers. What are some other things that silk might be used for? How does it perform as clothing? Would it make a good base layer and how would it compare to more popular base layer fabrics? What are some of its advantages and limitations?

[Linsey Budden]

Silk is a comfortable base layer for me although I’ve yet to try it on extended trips. It packs small and dosen’t every layer counts as a layer? I have tanks and long sleeve crews. It is cheaper to buy at or just after Christmastime. Perspiration is devistating for silk and it should be washed/rinsed daily to maximize its life. It is sheer, but as a girl, that appeals to me.

[Eric Noble]

I sleep every night in an REI silk long sleeve crew and bottom. I love it, but have never used it on an outing. There is a lot of discussion about wool and synthetics as a base layer, but nothing in depth I’ve seen about silk. Silk seems to have the same anti-stink qualities as my wool base layers. I would guess that it dries faster than wool. My large silk long sleeve crew weighs 4.1 oz, so it is certainly lighter than wool and probably Capilene. I don’t have any Capilene to compare it with. It is something I will have to experiment with.

[Paul Kaercher]

1- I use silk gauze as a bug net for my hammock.
2- I have made shoulder straps for my pack frame out of 8mm silk and closed cell foam. Very light, comfortable, and strong.

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