What is Cuben Fiber?? An Overview of Dyneema

What is Cuben Fiber?? Where did it come from?? This video attempts to answer those questions. As gear nerds we were always very interested in the topic! We also take you on a small "tour" of the different types of dyneema we have and use.

**Please note: the final piece of gear we show (the Zpacks Arc Haul), is not technically constructed from Dyneema, rather from Zpacks "Gridstop" fabric has similar properties to Dyneema, and is just as cool!**

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Music:

[neobrandon]

Enjoyed the video! I've been manufacturing the Sails you mentioned for the past 10 years. So it's kinda cool seeing the other uses for the materials I make daily.

[codyaevans]

Funny, I'm a hiker who's getting into sailing now, and it all comes full circle back to Dyneema haha...
From what I've gathered in my research, Dyneema started out in the sailing world as line material. Running rigging is typically a Dyneema core, and many vessels now use Dyneema for the standing rigging in place of stainless steel cable, since it is 15X stronger than steel, and 84% lighter...

[friarrodneyburnap]

Thank you for having your Kitty in this video...I talk my Kitty on my trips...backpacking and bikepacking

[aquafinaspringwater]

I have a contribution to the hiker/camper community. Instead of using zip lock plastic bags to pour hot water into to rehydrated your meals, use a Doritos bags. The bag is made of mylar, it's sealed, doesn't warp or flex with heat and doesn't leach out harmful chemicals. Cheetos, Smart Popcorn, etc, any snack bag that has mylar interior coating.

[jdubhilltop]

So a little clarification- Dyneema and Cuben Fiber aren't the same thing (technically). Cuben has a small amount of dyneema strands that have been laminated with a coating. But Dyneema can be woven to make a fabric made entirely out of the dyneema/spectra (same exact product just two different companies that make it). So the reason Cuben or ripstop fabrics can't be ripped is because you hit those white dyneema strands (they have tear strength far beyond what a human could rip). Imagine the dyneema as the stands of a spider web with a saran wrap over it.

[bendrixbailey]

This history and explanation of Dyneema is well done. It flows, your delivery is pleasant and clear and you’ve layered on a lot of useful facts I’d not seen elsewhere. Kudos. Now for your question; is it worth the money? My first bit of advice is that if you want to cut your pack weight, get on a scale with a fat meter built in. If you’re a man and you’re over 16% go spend the money on whatever it takes to get leaner, perhaps stronger two. Both of those personal attributes go with you in everything, and are especially useful in the backcountry. Twelve percent fat is a good goal. You might not need Dyneema at that body composition. That’s my sensible big picture response...

I have just gotten into Dyneema gear and man am I impressed. Seriously, a 1/2 lb 8X10 tarp? Loaded with guy outs and built in line locks? A pack conforming zippered mostly waterproof sack that I can stuff my down bag into? These things are awesome innovations. I’ve evaluated a few of the tents. Not being a fan of single wall, no bug screen, no floor due to conditions in New England and elsewhere, a lot of gear gets eliminated right away. Then comes the pitching... With two exceptions I know of, all the Dyneema tents are trekking pole setups. The few I’ve purchased, evaluated and returned were all twitchy to set up and absolutely not what I want to setup in horrible weather. Each required very precise stake placement to achieve tension, tricky trekking pole setup and adjustment, and the need for fine tuning the staking and roping after all was set up in order to achieve a quality pitch.

I’m waiting for Dyneema tents in poled configurations, self standing, tent suspended from fly, such as the Kuiu and Hilleberg tents. When I look at my Kuiu 4 season tent at 6lb and imagine that in Dyneema, stronger and with larger vestibules and weighing half as much, well, that’s as close as I get to extatic about a tent. Sooner or later one of the ultralight cottage manufacturers will accept that poles do add weight and its worthwhile weight to carry, or one of the established tent manufacturers will release improved tents based on existing designs. The Copper Carbon is a poor first try at that. Way too much emphasis on weight, not enough on strength, and it perpetuate the old fly over poles design; an invitation to have a soaked inner tent if making an attempt to pitch in rain.

Bottom line, I’ve got my physical goals in order and I’m enthused and ready to invest in new gear made of Dyneema if it will cut my pack weight by 1/3rd or 1/2.

[ghaver]

You are backwards on the dyneema x fabric. The main material is nylom and the white grid is non stretch dyneema/Spectra material which elimates stretch and stops rips.

[backpacker]

I don't want to think how much a sail made of cuben would cost - especially when the material was newly invented.  But I guess if your racing yachts, that's probably not your biggest expense...

[jasonpettit]

Yeah, great vid man, thanks for sharing, I haven't heard of it, I don't see alot of people when I go camping, and in Alaska, I don't even know it they have the stuff, thanks for the info

[TimeOuttotheTrail]

Very interesting video! Thank you for sharing! We haven’t branched our into the Cuban fiber world yet but it is on my list for future gear considerations for sure.

[jasonwish-]

Great job with the history lesson and fiber comparisons! Love my Cuben Fiber tarp and my Arc Haul!

[friarrodneyburnap]

Thank you for having your kitty in your video's...

[DragonRoams]

I really like the background you provided. The material has had a interesting history so far. Great job.

[nickrodriguez]

Liked just for the cat. Great info in your vid too.

[edwardsbarbara]

Love your cats. And, your advice, of course!

[RESTLESSOUTDOORS]

Funny story... when I first started using my Duplex, I was packing it up in it's cuben fiber stuff sack... I then put the stakes in it's cuben fiber stuff sack and shoved it in with the tent... I then heard a terrible sound... the tent stuff sack split and there was a tear!!! I s#%t my pants! Zpacks was kind enough to send me another but I always questioned the durability of CF... since then I have had no issues and swear by CF!!! I figured it was either a bad batch or a weak spot in manufacturing... which can also happen with silnylon!!!! Thanks for the info!!!!

[surfandstreamfisher]

IMO as the material (dyneema) becomes more widely used in the industry the price should drop. In the fishing industry as Fireline (which is dyneema) became more popular the price fell. It's cheaper now than it was in the 90's when I started using it.

[bereantrb]

Very well researched & presented. Nice job. Dyneema will continue to develop, but I’m also expecting X-Pac materials to expand in usage. From what I’ve seen, they’re much tougher.

[ScarOT]

All my Dyneema gear has been very durable!
Duplex is worth every penny

[natehoover]

Sounds LOUD! I'm just getting into backpacking and it seems way loud for being in the quiet forest.