Tyvek groundsheet ideas
A comparison of a Tyvek groundsheet and Polyweave groundsheet for a pyramid tent without a floor.
Tyvek groundsheet background
I have made and used pyramid backpacking tents for many years and now from an unlikely fabric that addresses the dreaded condensation that comes with silnylon. These tents have no floors, but they all have snow or bug skirts. Having groundsheets instead of a sewn-in floor make the tent easy to make, and dry and they are very versatile, particularly for snow and wet weather camping.
I prefer to have modular groundsheets (one per sleeping mat/person) so that my tiny tent stove can be mounted, in between the groundsheets, near the centre of the tent when required. “The half-round hole in the blue Polyweave sheet (shown in the featured image) melted when there was inadequate insulation under the prototype stove. Cutting the groundsheet in half was the simple response after the smoke had cleared! It was also the genesis of the modular groundsheet.”
The gap between the groundsheets also makes a trouble-free wet entry surface. I converted from Polyweave to Tyvek groundsheets to experiment a little and save some weight.
Tyvek and Polyweave comparison
When the Tyvek got a bit grubby, I decided to wash the sheets in my washing machine. I was also told that this washing would make them softer and less scrunchy and maybe less slippery. “Almost worthy of wearing as clothing, but I still have not yet seen a Tyvek kilt.” It was also an opportunity to see how my glued and sewn tie out tabs on the Tyvek would stand up to the action of the washing machine as I was assessing all the backpacking fabrics and materials that can be coated, sealed and glued with RTV silicone rubber.
After they were washed they did become soft and unscrunchy and with tie out tabs intact. They also became a little bit harder to lay out flat on the ground. “More like clothing fabric and less like building sheet.” The washing action, unfortunately, raised a fine hairy texture on the surface of the Tyvek. This hairiness catches seeds and pieces of plant material that are unwanted pests and take a long time to remove.
The 83*193cm Tyvek groundsheet weighs 110g (est. 69gsm) and is 43% lighter than an equivalent Polyweave one (est. 98gsm). Tyvek and Polyweave both keep the prickly sticks and moisture at bay under my down sleeping mat and both dried easily for early morning packing up.
Conclusion about Polyweave and Tyvek groundsheet
I think the lighter weight of the Tyvek makes it a more efficient backpacking groundsheet, but don’t be tempted to wash it and make it go hairy. Maybe just wipe it down with a moist cloth if it gets soiled. On the other hand, the Polyweave is very available in small amounts in stores, or even better from discarded camping items, and makes a durable and functional but slightly heavier alternative.
Tim
