Hi all, is there such a creature as clear (or _very_ transparent) silicone impregnated rip stop nylon?  I’d love to make my sacks out of it so I can see the contents, etc.

Translucent- yes.  Very_transparent- not that I’m aware of.

Okay, I guess what I meant was in terms of color, for example, there is read, orange, white, and others, but is there a colorless version? Or a ‘clear’ color to choose?

I doubt it.  If there is I haven’t come across it.

Maybe try non-sil nylon alternatives if transparency is important to your design.

Thanks for the thoughts.  I’d have to say though, that transparency is convenient to the design, but water-proofness is essential.  So I’ll stick with the white SIRN as that is almost transparent. Thanks!

Don’t forget that waterproofness is a spectrum.  Even the 1sts sil is only waterproof to around 2 psi which is commonly overcome in some applications.  For example, to get dry-bag style waterproofness you need a fabric with a higher hydrostatic head pressure.

The water proofness just needs to keep items dry while hiking in the rain.  WIll the 1sts do that?

Yes, but in certain circumstances the 1sts will weep, such as in a ground cloth or in a prolonged ‘wet’ situation like on a pack cover or stuff sack.