Tough pack material

[Allchin09]

Hello,

I'm looking at making a simple backpack for canyoning and scrub bashing. The main requirement is that is tough, and can stand a fair bit of abuse from being scraped, dropped, etc. I would think the material that it is made out of is going to be the main factor in determining how long it lasts, so I won't to get it right. Weight isn't that important, and waterproofness isn't required.

My thoughts are that a plastic covered material, such as a truck tarp (see - http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-ta ... 1078739116) might be suitable. A heavy cordura material also seems like it could work. If I can get it right, I would like to make a few for friends so buying in bulk if necessary is possible.

So, any ideas for what sort of material I should be look at, and where I can source it?

[weeds]

My first thought would be canvass.......something along the lines of what one planet use.

[Moondog55]

PVC as used by SEALine but I don't know of any source locally and that truck tarp material is strong and robust and probably the next best thing
Very difficult to sew without an industrial machine but perhaps gluing would work

[Allchin09]

I'm not quite sure what One Planet uses, but that would be one option.

I think a PVC type would be best for canyoning, that's why I was thinking truck tarp material. I have seen bags made out of that sort of material before, so I know it is available somewhere. I have just picked up an old Brother industrial sewing machine for my projects, hopefully it will be able to do the job with any thicker stuff.

[Travis22]

Most boat cover /Sail maker type businesses will have PVC for sale. A friend of mine had a PVC canopy made for his ute at the local sail makers.


Travis.

[Nuts]

You'll be wanting Carbon Nanotubes, 6x stronger than Aramid!! (lol).
Some source for Kevlar reinforced pack cloth (as Crux uses) would be ideal. PVC isn't very puncture resistant (in comparison), I have a S2S dry pack with harness etc, it's all bonded, (the pack together and the harness bits- to the pack), not sewn.

[toughfeet]

I think we might be over thinking this. If it doesn't need to be waterproof, a canvas or cordura tube shape will work. You could make a basic harness system that just has straps that cinch around that tube. Something like what Roman Dial used on Artic 1000. That will be pretty damn tough I'd imagine. It would get a lot more waterlogged than PVC obviously, but with a dry bag inside keeping some stuff in it shouldn't matter too much.

[beean]

A PU coated cordura (500-1000D) would be the ticket. The coating is very important as it increases the durability a fair bit.

http://www.extremtextil.de/catalog/Fabrics/coated:::21_22.html
http://www.tiergear.com.au/11/online-shop/1000-denier-coated-nylon

Most climbing haul bags are made out of material like this.

[Allchin09]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I think coated Cordura or something similar will do the trick. Would be nice to find a local supplier so I can check it's right before buying.