Here’s an idea that might appeal to some of you. How about using adhesive backed carpet protector as a ground sheet. It weighs about 2 ounces per square yard so it would be about the same weight as tyvek.
One could stick it to the bottom of the tent before a trip and leave it there during the trip. It would eliminate the hassle of laying out the ground sheet each time you set up the tent. One could also be quite precise about where to use it so you might get by with a smaller sized ground sheet.
Here’s a link to what I’m talking about.
surface shield
I tested it on samples of uncoated ripstop, urethane coated ripstop, silnylon and mosquito netting. It stuck to all with the best adhesion being on the uncoated nylon and the poorest being on the silnylon. I soaked all samples in water overnight and the film was still adhered to the samples the next day.
I subjected a larger piece (uncoated nylon) to a more rigorous test. I left it outside in the rain and mud for a couple of days and periodically wrinkled it up like I was putting it into a stuff sack. I then dried it out. Film was still well adhered to the uncoated nylon.
I also did a knee test with the product. I placed it on wet muddy ground and placed one knee on it with most of my weight. No water came through.
Here are a couple photos of this larger test piece.
I haven’t given it a test in the field so there could be some surprises (as always). For example what happens when things get hot or the sun hits it. I’ve only tested it in wet cloudy weather with temps in the 20s and 30sF. The link says it won’t permanently adhere to things if removed within 30 days. But that’s indoors.
