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  1. #1
    New Member
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    Switching from Silpoly to DCF, anything I need to know?

    I have been using a Warbonnet Mountainfly tarp for the past couple months on my AT thru-hike. I recently decided to buy a HG Dyneema tarp with doors as a halfway done reward for myself that I’ll pick up in Harpers ferry.

    I’ve heard you have to be more careful with packing dcf because it will lose its integrity or something along those lines. Right now I use a Dutchware snakeskin and I don’t roll the tarp or anything beyond just pulling the snakeskin over the tarp. Will that be fine for the DCF?

    While I have this opportunity to change my setup, I am also looking into what to do with the doors on the new tarp. As it is, I don’t actually tie out the doors to stakes or the trees or anything, I just use mitten hooks and shock cord to clip my door to the opposite corner of the tarp. Is there any reason to carry an extra 4 stakes and have to worry about 4 more tieouts during setup instead of just clipping the doors?

  2. #2
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
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    You can patch a hole or tear on DCF with duct tape or Gorilla tape. Can't with Sil.
    I have kept all my DCF tarps stored in snakesking and stuff sack. Ne wear that I can see.
    DCF is hard to tear (on the pull) but easy to poke a hole in.
    DCF does not pack down as small as sil. Unless you fold it carefully instead of stuffing or skinning.
    I've always used office binders to roll my doors back and clip them. Otherwise sticks will do fine as stakes.
    Enjoy every moment of your AT hike. Whoooooo Buddy)))))
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

  3. #3
    cougarmeat's Avatar
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    guanjano, welcome to the forum. I don’t own a DCF tarp but I’ve read that, though lighter, they are bulkier than silnylon or silpoly. However, if you are carrying your tarp outside your pack, I wouldn’t think that would make much difference.

    There are a lot of Pro/Con posts on DCF tarps in the forum. If I repeat them, it’s just hearsay, not actual experience. The DCF will be lighter, but as you’ve been hiking for a couple of months, I’m guessing that by now you are “strong like ox” so the ounce difference, though definite, may not feel as dramatic.

    If the tarp is providing you some privacy, know that the DCF tarp will be more translucent.
    In order to see what few have seen, you must go where few have gone. And DO what few have done.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shug View Post
    I've always used office binders to roll my doors back and clip them.
    Shug
    I use wooden clothes pins for clips - seems less likely to put wear & tear on the fabric (no sharp burrs).

  5. #5
    Senior Member old4hats's Avatar
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    DCF is bulky, noisy, leak proof, light weight, oh yes, very expensive. I seldom take mine out anymore, opting for sil poly.
    If you prepare for failure you will probably succeed.

  6. #6
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
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    Nov 2017
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    Comparison of the Dutchware hex (Xenon 1.1, 11 ft, left) and HG hex (DCF .51, 11 ft, right), including all cordage and stakes (wrapped inside).

    If you do the zig-zag fold-n-roll method, neither of them has to take up a lot of space, and the oft-cited bulk of DCF becomes a non-issue.

    Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
    “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton

  7. #7
    Senior Member Rolloff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cmoulder View Post
    Comparison of the Dutchware hex (Xenon 1.1, 11 ft, left) and HG hex (DCF .51, 11 ft, right), including all cordage and stakes (wrapped inside).

    If you do the zig-zag fold-n-roll method, neither of them has to take up a lot of space, and the oft-cited bulk of DCF becomes a non-issue.

    Thank you for posting.
    Signature suspended

  8. #8
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rolloff View Post
    Thank you for posting.
    Ha, I'd imagine yours looks similar!

    I posted this pic not too long ago. Even the .67 camo hex disappears into my 35L pack...

    Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
    “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton

  9. #9
    Senior Member Rolloff's Avatar
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    DCF Magics there
    Signature suspended

  10. #10
    Senior Member Crazytown3's Avatar
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    cmoulder, those are great comparison and size pics. Thanks for those.

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