Cuben Fiber

[hartyFL]

Is cuben fiber suitable for making a dry bag with?

[Dutch]

Is cuben fiber suitable for making a dry bag with?

It is a great product for that. You tape the seams so it is waterproof. You can use different weights depending on the task.

[weaver2469]

Several vendors make them. http://zpacks.com/accessories/dry_bags.shtml

[Violent Green]

Is cuben fiber suitable for making a dry bag with?

Yes, with some caveats. To make it worth your time you need to use cuben that has a .18 Mylar film. This comes with most weights of cuben above 1.0oz/yd. Using anything less than that will wear out very quickly. It's the rolling/unrolling that will do it in.

Also, be aware that as the temperature drops below freezing, any cuben tape will begin to lose strength. For example, a sleeping bag could push open a taped seam in very cold temps. Sewing will resolve this, but punching needle holes into a dry bag is a recipe for disaster. The Zpacks is a good example. They sew their bags and they're not waterproof.


Ryan

[hartyFL]

Thanks for the info Violent Green. I don't think I will have to worry about freezing tempratures to much here in NW Florida. I mainly wondering as I do take frequent kayak camping trips and wanted to keep my sleeping bag and hammock dry.

[Violent Green]

Thanks for the info Violent Green. I don't think I will have to worry about freezing tempratures to much here in NW Florida. I mainly wondering as I do take frequent kayak camping trips and wanted to keep my sleeping bag and hammock dry.

Haha. Good point. Didn't notice your in FL. Use a thicker cuben and you will be golden. If you need some help with the construction of your dry bag, let me know.

Ryan

[Floridahanger]

Welcome to the Forums, from Volusia County.

The last 3 of 4 Annual Florida Hangs in Ocala have hit the mid to low 20's. You may encounter some of the freezing stuff every-so-often. Come on down to FHV this January and bring some cold with you.

Drybags should be fine with tape in the cold as well. Many Northern folks use Cuben tarps without problems for a long time. The drybags shouldn't be exposed to the cold wind like a tarp is, so, that is also a plus.

[hartyFL]

Thanks Floridahanger. I'll look into it!

[Gumbo]

Thanks Floridahanger. I'll look into it!

Since it was mentioned early in this thread, I think zpacks is planning to attend FHV. I'm sure they could answer any questions you might have about cuben fiber. And of course there will be other vendors there who know a thing or two about these things.

[Dochartaigh]

Sewing will resolve this, but punching needle holes into a dry bag is a recipe for disaster. The Zpacks is a good example. They sew their bags and they're not waterproof.

ZPacks uses 1.0 oz/sqyd for their dry bags. They're sewn AND taped. Seem pretty waterproof in my experience (but not all that lighter than an ultrasil Sea to Summit bag).