The material is remarkably durable and light. I have a 8.5 x 11 tarp from Z-Packs that I have used in the BWCA/Q several times.  Had over 5 years now and its holding up well, no issues so far.  I use as a ground cloth sometimes or to just cover gear and packs. Also use as a tarp in rain. Does not fray and is very easy to fix if it gets a hole, just use the cuben fiber repair tape-the info on the Z-Packs website is good ( (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)). The cuben fiber tape is also good for silnylon tent, sleeping bag repair-my most common use for the tape. If any complaints about the material for use as a tarp or tent its that its loud when being hit by rain or sleet. It is waterproof material, great for dry-bags in a canoe portage pack.

I used a tent and backpack (Zpack) made from the stuff this year when I hiked the John Muir Trail in the sierras. I was happy with it for saving weight for backpacking. It's tough, but not indestructible. I had no issues though. It seems to fold up pretty stiff. Or maybe it's just a weird perception of holding a wad of material and it's so light in hand.

But I'd go with CCS tarps for canoe tripping. I don't think the weight issue is so great to justify the cost. So many cheaper ways to save that much weight if you look at your whole kit.

The main complaints about DCF aka Cuben fibre (old name) other than price seem to be the noise and the puncturability. I don’t have personal experience. I was just considering a purchase two years ago. In the end I went with silpoly.
Take a look here:

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

All worthy inputs, guys... especially the “drams over grams” bias!

My friend should find your inputs & references helpful in reaching his decisions.  Thanks!

Jimbo 

Even though I portage boulders and logs for fun, I do have some experience with cuben fiber. No, the stuff ain't cheap.  I have made several air mattress inflator bags from it and did a post on that here on the site a couple years back with pics.  I got my material from ripstopbytheroll.com and completed the bags with the double sided 3M tape ST refers to.  (Jimbo, you might have seen it on the trip this fall.)  It's made with a single yard and the volume is the better part of 100L and packs down to the size of a deck of cards and weighs 1.6 oz with the nozzle adapters.  It is seriously strong stuff - they use it for world cup sailboat sails - that said, I did manage to tear a small hole in my bag two weekends ago on a backpacking trip.  It patched up real quick with a piece of cuben fiber repair tape.  Also, Big Agnes' most recent design backpacking tents they call Crazylight - (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) uses that fabric. 

All that said, I think I'd still go with a CCS sil-nylon tarp as that stuff, while crazy light and crazy strong, is not crazy durable.  Just look at the BA site notes - " These products are intended for only the most advanced user. Although extremely strong for their weight, these tents are not indestructible and require careful use to decrease the possibility of damage. Special care during setup and extended trips is important as rough handling, long-term abrasion, exposure to sharp objects or rocky campsite selection may result in fabric punctures and tears." Whadya expect from stuff made from old milk jugs and pop bottles?

Hope that helps Jimbo.

And to Mossback's note, I'm partial to drams over grams as well!   

pd

Jimbo,

I don't have any first-hand experience BUT I found this site that sells lightweight tarps including the Dyneema fabric ones.  I bookmarked it in case IC can't do my sewing needs down the road?

  They do custom work on your own design ideas too.
They also sell FABRIC for the DIY people and on their fabric page, they give a DETAILED description of each fabric they sell including CUBEN fiber.

They also sell a Double-sided tape that you apparently use to join two sections of that Cuben fabric together?

  Maybe if you just wanted a simple tarp, you could buy the fabric and DIY to save some money?

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I have been studying the hammock realm for a short while, and have even made a few purchases.  I believe tent campers think in terms of pounds and ounces, but the hanging crowd seem to live in the world of milligrams?   All very confusing to me.

I personally prefer liquid Drams, but that's another discussion.

MB

Does anyone have any experience with tarps made of this material?  I think it used to be referred to as "Cuben Fiber."  Now they're calling it Dyneema Composite Fabric.  It's lighter than even the 1.9 oz silicone that you would find in a CCS tarp.  On the other hand, it's far more expensive.  For example, an 8.5' X 10' tarp (7.4 oz) costs $275.  The comparable CCS tarp is 8' X 10' (14 oz) and only costs $145.

I ask because a friend of mine has inquired if I had experience with it.  Frankly, I had never even heard of the stuff before.  Does anyone on QJ know much about it?

At more than twice the price of a good CCS tarp, I'm doubting there would be many takers for saving that 6.6 oz but I figured I'd check.  We DO have some QJers who are into ultra-ultra light camping. 

I, of course, would NEVER touch the stuff.  It might ruin my reputation for packing only the HEAVIEST version of everything....

Anyhow, I'd welcome any feedback.

Later,

Jimbo