tyvek vs polycro as ground cloth for rocky Sierra camp site.

Hi Rafi, I exclusively use "polycro" now after lugging around a heavy piece of Tyvek for a long time and have spent many nights on it in Emigrant. While the Tyvek is definitely more durable and puncture resistant, I have had zero problems with anything being damaged over the polycro. I sleep with my NeoAir on it, have put tents over it, etc. and while I have torn the polycro from abusing it I have never had anything on top of it get damaged. However, I am careful to pick up most of the pine cones and sharp rocks on the campsite before I put down my groundcloth.

If you are worried about it I would recommend getting some of the 2mil thick stuff instead of the 0.7 mil that Gossamer Gear sells. You can get it at any hardware store (look for painter's drop cloths) and the 2mil is much stronger and more durable. I often use the 2mil stuff even though it is heavier since I feel bad throwing away a piece of 0.7 after every third or fourth trip.

Im debating the the two also, in b4 replies…

Edit: Andrew what is the weight and packability diffrences between 2m and .7m polycro?

Polycro can easily roll or stuff into your pocket. Other than saran wrap, I haven't found anything that stuffs as well. It's the main reason I prefer window film.

Hey Andrew,

Thanks for your response. I'm wondering if the 2mil would wind up weighing nearly as much as the tyvek. What do you think?

thanks again

rhz

Not sure who mentioned 2mil, but I question whether that's even the same material. Especially since I think they said they found it in the paint department. The plastic films sold as floor/furniture covering in the paint department are _not_ polycryo.

The stuff sold by Gossamer Gear is polycryo, same as window insulation film, and it's plenty strong, much stronger than any grade of plastic film you'd find in a Home Depot paint department.

I have the lightest footprint of all. Its called the Nada. The tyvek footprint for my Tarptent Squall 2 was close to 1 pound, so I started not taking any foot print at all, and it has worked fine the last several years. I don't wear out tents by wearing holes in the floor, I wear them out by the zippers failing, or the sylnylon getting old and cracking. My Squall 2 has a floor, so I don't think any sticks or rocks could poke through to puncture my sleeping pad, so I can't think of a reason to use a foot print.

Is there a reason to use a footprint?

Bob, I think the discussion is more for people that use Tarps where there is no floor and therefore a ground cloth/sheet can be useful vs nothing. Agreed for Tents with a floor there is no need.

I have never seen a painters drop cloth made of polycro, and I have done a lot of painting. I have used both materials (tyvek and polycro) as a ground cloth in the sierra. The tyvek is tougher and will hold up longer if you really are limited to only "rocky" sites. If you are careful both work well and are cheap enough to experiment with and see which is your personal preference.

Steve

What is the weight and packability diffrences between 2m and .7m polycro?

34 x 80" polycryo (1-1/4 oz) vs. 34" x 80" 2 mil plastic (3 oz):

Polycryo definately packs smaller. I put pink tape on one side so I know which side is up and which is the 'dirty' side.

I agree that you don't need a footprint for your tent if you prep your site carefully. However, if there is a chance that you'll cowboy camp you'll want something under you. Polycryo will be fine, particularly for a weekend trip.

Thanks for the info, it looks like the polycro is half the weight about. And if its stronger than "plastic" then I think its good insurance to take as a ground cover. Keeps the bottom of your tent from wearing out and getting water – prone.

I prefer Tyvek hands down.. While Polycro is lighter in weight, it doesn't last and is annoying to use. Just my 2 cents.

I love how durable the Tyvek is. It would be annoying to have to cut a new ground cloth every few trips. My rescue pack stays packed and ready.

When I hiked the PCT, I used a single sheet of polycro from the Mexican border to the Washington Border; this includes the length of the Sierra Neveda. It had 3 small pieces of duct tape over small holes(mostly from SoCal's deserts) when I decided to swap it out in Washington, only for the reason of having just received a brand new sheet in a supply box and not because I felt the need to.

Well, I keep and use gear for a long time and have no interest in a threadbare tent floor. After a series of visqueen and now a Tyvek footprint for my gen 1 Bibler, its floor is still watertight.

Unfortunately, I can neither see my way to paying for the heavy and overpriced footprints for my newer Copper Spurs, nor find Tyvek or Polycro locally w/o buying a very large roll. 2 mil painters plastic it is.

For a single trip, I doubt it matters. My 2 cents, I love my tyvek. Not only is it bombproof, it doesn't make crinkly candy wrapper sounds when the wind whips it around.

Poly all the way.

It's light, cheap, extremely packable and if used smartly can last quite a while. There are anoyances with it, but the weight savings pretty much make me overlook them since it does the same job as a Tyvek cloth.

well, in the end, I went with polycro made out of a duck brand window insulation kit. That, combined with a little extra effort in clearing away sticks and stones, worked very well (at least for a three night trip) and enabled me to save around three ounces!

thanks