Is Tyvek 44grs/m2 (Tyvek® Soft Structure Style 1443R) waterproof enough to be used as a groundsheet/footprint or tent bottom, any experience?
Has anyone practical experience with the light, soft version of Tyvek used as footprint / groundsheet or tent bottom?
I like the material, used it once so far as a ground sheet (footpint) on grass and had no troubles with moisture migrating through it.
Is this material waterproof? And if so, how waterproof? What conditions should I expect it to remain waterproof?
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I have tested the 1443R multiple times from multiple roles and it has consistently resulted in water seepage through the fabric after having 200 pounds of weight on top of it (shelter + person). These testings were performed on wet ground, muddy ground, and wet grass.
If you are wanting to have tyvek that will work in all weather conditions, best to go with the heavier weight fabric. However for most dry weather conditions the 1443R is an excellent weight-to-protection ground sheet.
Obviously the smaller body and lighter weight hikers are going to have less pound pressure on top of the fabric and thus less likely to have water seepage through the fabric. All of my tests were with 200 pounds on top of the 1443R fabric, as a baseline for testing. The standard tyvek handled 300 pounds without seepage. So depending on the wetness of the ground you tend to encounter and your overall sleep weight, that should give you a good insight into which to go with.
This post was sourced from https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/a/7473. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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