Cuben Bags

[DanShell]

Nothing too exciting but my first MYOG project.....some dry bags, stuff sacks and tent pole bag. All the materials are from http://www.tiergear.com.au
Ive got some more bags to make yet but I ran out of tape! They are very easy to make, with quite a bit of online reference to copy from and very economical doing it yourself.

I hope to replace every bag I own (tent bag, pegs, thermorest, sleeping bag etc etc ) with cuben. Its not necessarily that much lighter than the oem bags but there is so much more satisfaction

Sorry about the quality of the pic, its a phone pic.

[GPSGuided]

Very neat!

[perfectlydark]

Nice work!

[simonm]

They look great Danny.

[DanShell]

Thanks gents. They are a fun little project, hopefully they last.

[GPSGuided]

What's the typical failure mode of cuben?

[DanShell]

What's the typical failure mode of cuben?

I can't give you any science but purely from my observations I am thinking in regards to the actual dry bags/stuff sacks the actual double sided tape may fail before anything else.

The Cuben itself appears to be amazingly strong as far as not being able to tear it or pull it apart but its weakness is definitely being able to puncture it with sharp objects, similar to silnylon I guess in that regard.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks to your mention which prompted me to do a Google on the subject. It would appear that Cuben (0.51 material or thinner) aren't very suited to be exposed for an extended period under UV and heat (think Australian summer) as the material may delaminate. Puncture appears to be its other major weakness and can also lead to fabric failure when tensioned. I guess the forces involved are a magnitude less for a dry bag. I understand that those tape bonds are pretty durable and few complains about it. Interesting material and is giving me ideas.

[DanShell]

Thanks to your mention which prompted me to do a Google on the subject. It would appear that Cuben (0.51 material or thinner) aren't very suited to be exposed for an extended period under UV and heat (think Australian summer) as the material may delaminate. Puncture appears to be its other major weakness and can also lead to fabric failure when tensioned. I guess the forces involved are a magnitude less for a dry bag. I understand that those tape bonds are pretty durable and few complains about it. Interesting material and is giving me ideas.

Yes Im not sure Id be heading towards making a tent out of it just yet. An inner maybe but I think the jackets, backpacks, tents etc that are starting to pop up everywhere made from whatever grade Cuben is very specialised and not a path I'm ready for yet.

The main reason I wanted to make my own bags is so I can make them to suit my needs rather than rely on generic sizes.

[GPSGuided]

The main reason I wanted to make my own bags is so I can make them to suit my needs rather than rely on generic sizes.

That indeed is an advantage with MYOG, all customised. I don't think I've ever handled cuben before and have no sense of its feel in the hand. Is it like a fabric or more like crinkly plastic sheets? I've been using Exped's UL bags (fold and cord) in a number of sizes and they are very easy to stuff away when not needed. Not sure how cuben version compares. Probably not as strong as cuben when stuffing hard.

[DanShell]

The main reason I wanted to make my own bags is so I can make them to suit my needs rather than rely on generic sizes.

That indeed is an advantage with MYOG, all customised. I don't think I've ever handled cuben before and have no sense of its feel in the hand. Is it like a fabric or more like crinkly plastic sheets? I've been using Exped's UL bags (fold and cord) in a number of sizes and they are very easy to stuff away when not needed. Not sure how cuben version compares. Probably not as strong as cuben when stuffing hard.

Id suggest it is closer to crinkly plastic sheets than it is to a fabric. However it is very thin so its crinkle noise factor is not shocking, although I wouldn't stuff it and use it as a pillow I don't think. Its certainly not as bad as tyvek of similar weight for instance.

[GPSGuided]

Did you use the 0.51 cuben? I think that's the thinnest stocked by Tiergear.

[DanShell]

Did you use the 0.51 cuben? I think that's the thinnest stocked by Tiergear.

No I used the .74, Simon recommended it for its abrasion resistance.

[GPSGuided]

Thanks.

[simonm]

.74 is more abrasion resistant than the .51. In future I think I will try and stock some heavier versions of Cuben as well. The .74 has definitely been more popular than the .51.

[north-north-west]

Nice. I'm going to need to replace some drybags soon. Might go the myog cuben way.

[GPSGuided]

Simon, from a vendor's perspective, where does the cost-benefit equation lie with these cuben MYOG bags when compared with commercial bags typically selling from $15+ each?

[simonm]

Making these bags is not rocket science, so for an ordinary stuff sack I would say most people could make something comparable in quality to commercially available sacks.
As an example, if you bought 1 metre of cuben you would have enough for close to 18 small stuff sacks (I have not done the exact math) based on the dimensions of my stuff sacks. So cost wise it is worth if you are willing to to invest the time, and you will end up with a sack that will last as well as any other if you take the time to look into how to do it properly.
From a personal perspective I would prefer people make their own gear, as there is more advantages than purely financial, that's from my psychologist side.
From a purely vendors perspective I would prefer people buy the stuff I make, as I will clearly make more money.
I am not sure if that answers your question???????

[GPSGuided]

As an example, if you bought 1 metre of cuben you would have enough for close to 18 small stuff sacks...

Thank you Simon. That's what I was thinking, in terms of the price competitiveness to other pre-manufactured products. I should find a few stencils and and price out all the components for a full price comparison. So from your site, I note they are priced for each m^2, is that right? Or is your meter for a meter off a fixed width roll? As for the construction, I have full confidence that they can be handled relatively easily at my end. Then obviously there's a subjective value on the weight benefits and being able to customise to personal needs.

[simonm]

Price is per linear metre. Width is about 150cm.

[GPSGuided]

Got it.

[Swampy460]

It may be a silly question, but has anyone tried making bags out of Tyvek , after it has been "broken". As I have some leftovers.

Swampy

[DanShell]

It may be a silly question, but has anyone tried making bags out of Tyvek , after it has been "broken". As I have some leftovers.

Swampy

Yes people make tyvek bags in fact I think Simon may sell a tyvek stuff sack.

The cuben by the way has about 1.4 or 1.35 usable width if my memory is correct. It has a strip either side that needs trimming off.

[GPSGuided]

It may be a silly question, but has anyone tried making bags out of Tyvek , after it has been "broken". As I have some leftovers.

Check YouTube. I saw a guy making one out of USPS tyvek sacks. I understand that PVA glue is good for tyvek but not sure if it'll be strong enough for stuff sack construction.

[simonm]

It may be a silly question, but has anyone tried making bags out of Tyvek , after it has been "broken". As I have some leftovers.

Swampy

Yes people make tyvek bags in fact I think Simon may sell a tyvek stuff sack.

The cuben by the way has about 1.4 or 1.35 usable width if my memory is correct. It has a strip either side that needs trimming off.

Sorry yes Danny is right with regards to width of the Cuben, 137cm I have written on my site.

The stuff sacks I have made with Tyvek have been sewn, I have not used glue, but it apparently works quite well. Tyvek is versatile stuff, as I was walking in the rain with my kids on the weekend I thought I might make them a Tyvek rain kilt/dress each, would be very easy to make and I know they would love it.