Looking for a new Ground Sheet for Shelters


TacticalBushcrafter

TacticalBushcrafter

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Bushclass I
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Apr 30, 2011
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California - Central Coast
I have been using my GI Casualty Blanket for most of my shelter camping.
I'm looking for something about the same size when open but packs down smaller.
I've also used the AMK Thermo-Bivvy which was nice and thick but was a little small when open.

I've looked into tyvek but don't really see it lasting long with heavy use.
I've also looked into using various footprints from tents but they are fairly thin as well.

Any other suggestions?
 
A survival tarp,the ones with one side red or blue or black depending what you can get,and the other side aluminum reflective,i have this exact one and i love it,packs really small too!Also tougher than many tarps out there,and i always have a military wool blanket rolled in it,about 6-7 inches diameter by a foot long rolled together.:4:

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Hikin...RD~0199-141/all-weather-emergency-blanket.jsp
 
Seeker said:
have you tried tyvek, or just looked at it and thought 'that won't work'? it's remarkably durable, despite being so thin.
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Haven't tried any yet. I am thinking that it won't work.
Where I camp it usually not easy to remove all the rocks from the sleeping area so I'm mostly worried about getting punctures.

The GI Blanket has held up to that type of use for about 2 years (and still going).
 
jasonhcc said:
Anyone use the MEST tarp as a ground sheet?
How's it hold up with that use?
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I haven't but I suspect it would depend on the MEST and the terrain. The Multicam is heavier duty and would probably hold up better, it is more expensive though. If your not on ground with sharps pointing up and your only laying on it I would guess the MEST would do fine. I have the 10x10 and it is pretty tough. I would hesitate to put it on rocky ground and walk on it though.
 
I use my coyote MEST as a ground sheet and bush chair all the time. Its got a few holes Ive had to patch with gorrila tape, but it works very nice. I have a multicam mest thats shelter, and the coyote one is the lightweight groundsheet. Its holding up pretty good. Just clear your shelter area good and you will be fine.
 
jasonhcc said:
Anyone use the MEST tarp as a ground sheet?
How's it hold up with that use?
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That was actually one of the first uses people were putting it to. If I remember correctly, it was originally marketed as a nylon ground sheet, but I could be wrong.

Personally I don't really like nylon for ground sheets because it can be worn out by the constant rubbing on hard uneven surfaces. I stick with my Casualty Blanket despite the added bulk.

You could look into small Cuban Fiber tarps. They are supposed to be incredibly durable and they are much lighter than anything else out there.
 
Zig said:
That was actually one of the first uses people were putting it to. If I remember correctly, it was originally marketed as a nylon ground sheet, but I could be wrong.

Personally I don't really like nylon for ground sheets because it can be worn out by the constant rubbing on hard uneven surfaces. I stick with my Casualty Blanket despite the added bulk.

You could look into small Cuban Fiber tarps. They are supposed to be incredibly durable and they are much lighter than anything else out there.
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That Cuban fiber tarps look cool but ouch on the price...

I think I'll be sticking with my Emergency Blanket.
 
Casualty blanket is more durable than the MEST for putting on rocks and such IMO. I own the coyote and multicam MEST as well as a casualty blanket, definitely would give the edge to the heavy plastic blanket. The multicam is thicker than the coyote but it also weighs the same as the casualty blanket and doesn't pack much smaller, if at all. Not to mention it costs several times as much. A MEST will work as a groundsheet fine if you clear the ground, but it's just nylon tarp material... if anything it'll be less durable than the tent footprints you've looked at.

Tyvek is extremely tough stuff, it can take a lot of abuse and it's cheap (even free if you can find some being thrown out). It's light, tough, and cheap - the only negatives are the crinkly noise and it only really comes in white. Anything else you can find will either likey be less durable, more expensive (cuben), or bigger/heavier to pack.
 
I use a German Military personal ground sheet. Ruberized mesh, waterproof, tough, durable, light weight 14oz., 39"x90" packs small.
 
I used tyvek a lot in landscaping. We had tyvek tarps and we shoved rose bushes and every kind of thorny bush in there. They are incredibly light. More than tough enough compared to other materials. I'm not sure why you are so concerned about durability though, considering it's cheap.
 
Tyvek is a lot sturdier than a casualty blanket I think, I've used a piece of tyvek as a ground sheet for my tent on a bunch of trips and it has zero wear on it, really sturdy stuff.
 
Purdey said:
Tyvek can be really noisy though.
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If you wash it when you get it, and dry it in the dryer with shoes or tennis balls, the noise pretty much all but goes away. Over time it will de-noise as well, it becomes a lot softer with use as well.
 
Look at Home Depot in the drop cloth section. they have a rubberized material that looks like a super thin canvas, but is waterproof and can be packed up pretty small. You could just cut it to whatever size you want it.
 
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