Which Packs Smallest – Silnylon or Cuben?

No question that cuben is thinner and can pack smaller, but a 1.1 oz silnylon is really not too bad. Again, it's a question of just how much you value ($$$) that little bit of extra smallness… I assume for a shelter, you'd be using one of the thicker cubens, anyway.

Cuben is thinner but I find silnylon packs smaller. Maybe it's because cuben retains some 3D wrinkles or maybe I'm just packing the silnylon more aggressively. I go easy on cuben when I pack it because twisting and creasing isn't good for it, whereas silnylon shrugs that off better.

Here is my experience with two tarps:

Silnylon: 8×10
Cuben: 8.5×10

When just stuffing, the silnylon tarp definitely packs smaller. The material is slippery and very flexible and so it stuffs very well. Cuben is stiffer and less slippery so it doesn't stuff that well IMO.

If I take the time to carefully fold the cuben tarp and get all the air out, I think it packs a little smaller than silnylon. For reference, this is with 0.5 oz/sqy cuben – don't know about the thicker variants.

That's great information…Thanks! I must say that I'm really surprised. I expected Cuben to pack smaller but what you're saying makes sense. I was sort of heading down the road of using Cuben and looking forward to gluing instead of sewing. Given the cost differential, if Silnylon packs to the same or maybe even less I think that's the way to go. It sounds like I should start getting some sewing lessons from my wife…

"It sounds like I should start getting some sewing lessons from my wife…"

Haha, that's kind of like the inverse situation of teaching one's wife to drive stick or a motorcyle (speaking from experience here)

For the sanity of both of you, have someone else teach you for the love of God!

(j/k…well…mostly, my wife did a good job of teaching me of sewing ;)

You might also consider weight, durability, and water resistance. Just a thought.

"… enclosed solo tarp/tent"
Sounds more like a tent than a tarp, albeit there is a big gray area.
To attach netting to the Cuben, you will have to sew.
And to attach the Cuben to itself, many use clamping with the Hysol PU adhesive.
If you think sewing could be challenging, try clamping the entire length of every seam on a tent. A bit easier with a shaped tarp.
And even with clamping, the Hysol bonds can be readily peeled apart.
Thought you should know.