Bushwalk Australia

Any clever recommendations for an inexpensive way to set myself up with a lightweight hiker fly? I can sew so happy to look at homemade options if they will genuinely work out cheaper, second hand(even if it is something requiring repairs) or if someone has come across some sort of budget option that was surprisingly light I would look at that too. It won't be my primary shelter, infact just the opposite, a little bit of luxury as additional shelter for when I am able to justify a little extra weight so only a basic level of water protection is all it need to be. Looking at a minimum size of 3 X 2m and keeping weight under 500g but the lighter the better

Um...tyvek? Seconds silinyon from thruhiker or similar. Fabric from SimonM at tier gear. Lots of options, depending on budget.

A

Polyethylene painters sheets maybe? They're cheap and available in a variety of thicknesses. I've seen some pretty ghetto tent setups with the stuff. I've used the 1mil (1/1000 inch = ~25 microns) type but it tears pretty easily. The 3mil (75um) sheets are much more durable but weigh three times as much, about 70 grams per square meter. A 3x2m rectangle would be under 500g.

Polycryo (window shrink film) is a lot tougher for the weight. It comes in different grades but is roughly the same weight as 1mil painter's sheets. I use it as a groundsheet when cowboy camping or with my floorless tent. It's a little more expensive than polyethylene.

If you need to join pieces to make a more complicated shape then I'm not sure what you'd use as the tape or adhesive. You probably wouldn't want to sew plastic sheets.

Painters sheets probably a bit flimsy. I don't mind spending a little bit, just can't really justify the $250+ for a super dooper one to get the weight down. Hoping to spend a max of about $80

I have been thinking of making a 'summer fly' for good weather out of window shrink film and clear gorrilla tape. Super light and easy.

I've eyed off the Prospecting tarp by Terra Rosa gear

http://terrarosagear.com/ultralight

3x3 with a choice of fabrics and weights.

If you're set up to sew then should be able to do your own pretty cheaply.

AWTtrekker wrote:Painters sheets probably a bit flimsy. I don't mind spending a little bit, just can't really justify the $250+ for a super dooper one to get the weight down. Hoping to spend a max of about $80

I have a fabric that would allow you to make your own 3m x 1.8m tarp for about $65 including postage depending on what you added to it. It is a super wide polyester fabric at 1.89m wide so you would use only the width of the fabric, meaning there is no ridgeline seam. Here is some pics of a tarp I made for myself.

AWTtrekker wrote:Painters sheets probably a bit flimsy. I don't mind spending a little bit, just can't really justify the $250+ for a super dooper one to get the weight down. Hoping to spend a max of about $80

When you said inexpensive and not a primary shelter I immediately thought of the plastic sheet. The 3mil stuff is actually pretty strong.

For $80 I'm pretty sure you could find some waterproof fabric for a 3x2m fly. Looks like Simon's got you covered.

The silnylon available here in the US is a little cheaper than that. But to me $80 (AUS) and silnylon constitutes a not-that-inexpensive primary shelter.

I just edited my post - it would be about $65 including postage.

simonm wrote:I just edited my post - it would be about $65 including postage.

That's roughly what it would cost me to buy silnylon. A good deal, you should go for it.

But with 3mil sheeting I could make three 3x2m tarps for one fourth the cost.

Hey thanks that sounds pretty good what sort of weight are we talking for that size?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/1818091 ... 107&chn=ps

$33 but admittedly awful colour - i.e. you'll look like a survivalist, but around 600g and you have all the tieouts you'll need.

AWTtrekker wrote:Hey thanks that sounds pretty good what sort of weight are we talking for that size?

The one I made is 330grams.

Simonm's setup looks like the go but if you want a super cheap option, like under $15, go to Bunnings.
1.8 x 1.1m green tarp. You get 2 for $3.00. 150g/tarp is ultra-light but you'll need a bivy, so that will add to your total. Still a light option when solo.
2.4 x 1.8m blue tarp for $7-8. @ 400g makes it lightweight as a 2 person option or luxury 1 person.
These are 80gsm. Supercheap auto have even lighter tarps @ 70gsm but haven't got around to getting one yet.
Also get some camping cord while your at Bunnings for around $5.00

They're 100% waterproof, you can batten down in wind but there is no stretch so they can flap a bit and slowly pull the pegs but ties help avoid that.

I've got a light-weight 2 man tent so haven't used the blue tarp yet. But the green tarp is great for solo, its just handy to have even if its not going to rain.


Single green tarp with bivy and 40l pack


Blue tarp backyard test with dog

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=25013

Not sure if its a bit more than what your budget is but I'm selling a full kit which will make a 3x3 with all the tie outs, thread etc inc. Purchased of Simon and never got around to using it.