Originally Posted by
Trambo
Are you absolutely positive about that Hoosier?
Since I'm not the expert on the newest fabrics, I got the information straight from ripstopbytheroll. I wanted to look at all of the "light" fabrics that could be used for tarps. If you look at the decimals in parenthesis, the larger number is the best value based on weight and cost.
Here is the information for Mountain 7D. "The Mountain Series is a hand selected collection of the highest performance fabrics/materials on earth - each one optimized for applications ranging from tarp/shelters, to quilts, hammocks, packs, and other high-end outdoor gear....igh water/wind resistance while also maintaining good breathability (see lab specs below). It's also calendered and fully downproof for use with natural goose and duck down insulation....Typical uses include quilt shells, jackets, tarps, blankets, rain mittens, beanies, or any application requiring a durable ultralight fabric with an excellent combination of wind/water resistance and moderate breathability."
Now, are they incorrect in listing it under tarp material? I ask, because again I'm being honest about not knowing these fabrics. I'm just going off this one website.
Let's take the time to look at these tarp fabric choices.
0.51 Dyneema Composite Fiber weighs 4.25 ounces x 32 dollars = 160 dollars. (0.15)
0.74 Mountain 7D weighs 6.16 ounces x 16 dollars = 80 dollars (0.20) (Could be used but per the above and below, it will mist and sag. Maybe okay for a weekend, but I wouldn't want it for a thru hike)
0.75 Membrane 10 Ripstop weighs 6.25 ounces x 11 dollars = 55 dollars (0.29) (Not waterproof/coated material, used for quilts and the like)
1.10 Silnylon weighs 9.16 ounces x 6 dollars = 30 dollars. (0.36)
Looking at my basic calculations, silnylon is the best value with a 0.36 ratio of weight to cost. I determine which is the best value by calculations. Then, I look at weight savings and determine which is the best value for a thru-hike. If we look at 0.75 membrane compared to 1.1 silnylon, we can see that it weighs nearly 3 ounces less, for only 25 dollars more. If I compare the 0.74 to the 1.1 silnylon, then we can see that it's still about 3 ounces less, for fifty dollars more. This is why, even though the Mountain series is listed as a tarp material on their website, that it's their Membrane series that is a better deal for a thru-hike.
It's definitely not worth the cost of 25 dollars to shave off 0.09 ounces. That 25 bucks can go to some other real weight saving change (like changing out MSR groundhogs for Titanium Stakes. Four MSR groundhogs weigh about 60 grams, where 4 titanium stakes from Vargo weigh only 28 grams. At an upgrade cost of only 13 dollars, it's a 32 ounce savings which converts to 1.13 ounces.
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