Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy?

Posted by: fos

Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/20/08 10:40 AM

Never having used one of these, is a silnylon bivy floor noisy to sleep on? They seem like they would make a lot of noise every time you moved.

I know this is a subjective question, but if anyone has experience one way or the other, feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

fos
Posted by: hikerduane

Re: Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/20/08 11:21 AM

You are thinking of Tyvek, which doesn't take that long to quiet down.
Posted by: fos

Re: Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/20/08 12:40 PM

Actually I wasn't thinking of Tyvek vs. silnylon, I've never tried sleeping on either one. So it's not a matter of the relative noisiness between these two, but the relative noise of silnylon versus more conventional bivy floor fabrics like polyurethane-coated nylon.
Posted by: kbennett

Re: Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/20/08 01:18 PM

Simple answer: no.
Posted by: Rick

Re: Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/20/08 03:21 PM

I have Reflective Ripstop on the bottom of my bivy and I sleep OK. If there is noise, it has never bothered this light sleeper.
Posted by: Franco

Re: Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/20/08 04:35 PM

No, no noise. Zero, nada.
But very slippery. Most will recommend that you stripe the floor with silicone. After doing that to three different tents and finding that it becomes a dirt trap, I finally changed to dots . Looks prettier and it is much easier to sweep. Do the same with the bottom of you mat (if you don't use a solid foam version...)
Franco
Some have reported water coming through a silnylon floor (due to pressure) , if that happens to you, than just coat the all floor with silicone. Or if possible choose your site more carefully.
Posted by: Berserker

Re: Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/21/08 09:23 AM

Not to get off topic, but I have always been curious as to how much weight would be added by coating the floor with silicone . Have you ever done this and determined what the net difference in weight is?
Posted by: BarryP

Re: Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/21/08 11:21 AM

“how much weight would be added by coating the floor with silicone”

It seems our own TLBer Jim Wood did this test http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/Silnylon1/index.html
And quoting
“WEIGHT
Aside from the small cost of materials and the time required for application, about the only downside to the treatment is that it adds a little weight to the tent. If applied to both the upper and lower surfaces (recommended), the floor will probably become 2 or 3 ounces heavier as the silnylon fabric gains about ¾ ounce per square yard. Accordingly, the new fabric weight will be approximately 2 ounces per square yard, rather than the original 1.3 ounces. Even at this weight, however, the treated floor will still be lighter than most 70D polyurethane-coated fabrics by 25% or more. In addition, some users will probably decide that their silnylon floors are now sufficiently "trail hardened" that it's no longer necessary to carry separate ground cloths to protect them, thereby saving the weight of the coating and then some.”

Me, I would not do this since my multi-use ground cloth is only 1.5oz and is much easier to replace than coating a tent floor. As for slipping around, the multi-use 1/8” GG pad handles that.

-Barry
Posted by: fos

Re: Silnylon bivy floor question - noisy? - 05/22/08 09:49 AM

Thank you all for the replies and advice.