I've received quite a few requests concerning Tyvek® HomeWrap® and its uses in backpacking. Below I'll list all that I know and things I've done with it. If anyone has additional information or suggestions please pass it on to me. This way I'll add it to this list and further educate other hikers.
I've found Tyvek® HomeWrap® to be waterproof , windproof, breathable, very durable and a extremely lightweight material. Tyvek® HomeWrap® is a moisture and air infiltration barrier made by DuPont used in home building. Their are several varieties of Tyvek® and it appears the HomeWrap® version is best suited for backpacking needs. The other varieties are lighter but not as durable. From what I've gathered it is not readily available in the warmer climate areas of the US. Tyvek® HomeWrap® comes in rolls of varying sizes. I've purchased a 9'x100' roll and experimented with it. It cost about $119 in 1997 for this 100' roll.
Tyvek is very stiff and not really plyable right off the roll. I cut the section from the roll I need and repeatedly twist it removing some of the stiffness. I then put it in a clothes washer and wash it in cold or hot water without soap. Depending on the hardness of your water it may take several washings to soften up the HomeWrap® and make it as plyable as a nylon tarp. When using an agitator clothes washer use caution not to wrap the HomeWrap® around the agitator. Place it around the drum wall. Some people have had problems, but I and others never experienced any difficulty. When you remove the HomeWrap® water collects inside the creases and will get water all over the floor so have a bucket or pail available to eliminate a mess. If not you'll be washing the decks all the way to the outside of the house. I never put it in the dryer after washing. I just hung it on a line to drip dry. Shaking it will remove almost all the water.
HomeWrap® is white in color and has "DuPont Tyvek®" and a phone number printed all over it. I and others have tried spray painting and using printer's ink on the HomeWrap® . Both had limited success. You would need an industrial size printing press to properly place ink on the HomeWrap® . My feeling is to just get used to the color white for your tarp. Some people have written on them when hitch hiking from trail to town or visa versa. Fold up the HomeWrap® and write on one side, "HIKER NEEDS RIDE TO TOWN" and HIKER NEEDS RIDE TO TRAIL" on the other side. The clothes magic marker type works well and doesn't smear when dry.
I've sewn loops to the HomeWrap® with limited success. I've glued loops to HomeWrap® with a lot less success. The best method to attach loops or tie-downs is the method Ray Jardine explains in his book "The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook", page 344. Sheet-bend knots are what he uses and I've had great success using this method. Buy or borrow the book to see the diagram for attaching line to a tarp. I never seem to explain this method correctly. Recently I've been told of an adhesive tape that works quite well with HomeWrap® . I don't recall the name but Home Depot carries it as I'm sure other large home supply stores.
HomeWrap® will melt like nylon when flames get to close to it. I wasn't able to set it a blaze on several attempts. Honest, I was trying to set it on fire, it wasn't a screw up on my part. I wouldn't suggest using a stove while under such a tarp at all. On the other hand I've used a stove under the tarp without any incident. Use your own judgement on this one.
I've found HomeWrap® to be 1/3 less the weight of a nylon tarp of equal size. It is just as plyable after washing as nylon and as durable. I've made tarps, ponchos, pack covers and ground covers with HomeWrap®. The poncho doesn't have a hood, but it works pretty good. Reminds me of the old news reels with the guy walking the sidewalks in the big cities with the panels front and back advertising for some business. I guess I'm dating myself here. The ground cover works great and you can make it any size to fit your needs. The pack cover isn't such a great idea. Back to the drawing board with that one.
Since first writing this article in 1997 a silnylon has been introduced. This silnylonn is lighter than HomeWrap®. HomeWrap® is still more durable as a ground cover and also less expensive.
The tarp works fantastic. I've used a HomeWrap® tarp and ground cover throughout the year in all 4 seasons and weather conditions and found them to work great. One morning I had a sheet of ice on the tarp and I was dry inside. Heavy rain with strong winds never affected my tarp at all. No problem with condensation on the inside. Oh, before I forget the printed side goes on the outside for a tarp. I never had a tarp tear or rip while using it. If it gets wet just shake it out and pack it away. I've even rigged a small HomeWrap® tarp to cover me while I use my Bibler bivy. This allows me to sit up under protection to eat, read, write, cook meals, change clothes, pack and unpack my pack. I'm very claustrophobic and it allows me to relax while using the bivy. Setting up the tarp I've used my trekking poles, trees, bushes or anything else one would use to support a tarp when setting it up. In buggy weather I've used a section of no-see-um and lay it over me or hang it from the center line holding up the tarp. You can attach small sections of HomeWrap® to opening acts like a door flap to keep the real nasty weather from the inside. Attach the cover same way you attached the tent peg loops.
I guess that about covers it all? If I left anything out, drop me a line.
Have a good one.
John O