View Full Version : Tarp suggestions?
joehiker22
06-06-2009, 16:54
Looking to get into tarp camping, looked around at various tarps and such online.
Any one got any tarp suggestions of tarps that they used/liked a lot in the past?
I don't think I'm hardcore enough to use a 6x8' tarp just yet, I think I'll buy a slightly bigger one first.
bullseye
06-06-2009, 17:04
Looking to get into tarp camping, looked around at various tarps and such online.
Any one got any tarp suggestions of tarps that they used/liked a lot in the past?
I don't think I'm hardcore enough to use a 6x8' tarp just yet, I think I'll buy a slightly bigger one first.
An 8x10 is a good all around size.
Mountain Laurel Designs Grace Solo or Duo
Oware 1.5 or 2.0
Gossamer Gear SpinnTwinn or SilTwinn
Alpinlite 8x10 Tarp
Etowah Outfitters 8x10 Tarp
Nasty Dog Virus
06-06-2009, 17:15
Not sure how much you're lookin' to spend...
Kelty Noahs Tarp 9 is a quality, decent size tarp, at a good price. I think it weighs 1lb 6oz and is actually 10'3x10'3...can be found for $50...
Second the mountain laurel designs stuff. I use a monk tarp, but grace solo is bigger and has a catenary ridge.
bigcranky
06-06-2009, 19:04
Start with an 8x10. The Equinox silnylon tarp is inexpensive and decent. Good for a first tarp, anyway. You can always cut it down to 6x10 later on, or sell it and buy a higher-quality tarp from MLD or similar.
An MLD Grace solo (http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=21&osCsid=4cc389f2330c14bb8ea1b679331b28ab) is a slightly oversized single, close to Oware's 1.5, which should give plenty of coverage, even for someone just starting to use one. I've been using this one for the past two years.
simplespirit
06-09-2009, 10:11
I can also vouch for MLD quality. Silnylon if you want to stay cheaper or Cuben if you can afford it. I'd skip Spinnaker if I bought another tarp.
If you're not sure if you are going to go stay with the tarp shelter route let me suggest a less expensive, but good quality tarp like the Etowah/Equinox tarps. Look for a tarp with tie outs rather than grommets if you want your shelter to be more durable. IF, at a later point you decide on staying with tarps, are more knowing of what size tarp(s) you want, fabric desired, features, what you want to spend I can think of no better made UL tarps than those made by Mountain Laurel Designs or the Gossamer Gear Spinn Twinn.
try varing sizes of cheap blue tarps from hardware store first just ignore crinkling noise then buy more elaborate tarp later
Although not intended for ground use, per se, the Speer Winter Tarp is 10x11 and provides plenty of room underneath for sleeping, cooking, etc. I use mine for hammocking, but set it up on the ground to dry out when I get home from trips with a couple hiking poles.
martini159
06-09-2009, 13:40
Not sure if you want a pure tarp or a tarp style shelter, but I would HIGHLY recommend the Six Moon Design Gatewood Cape + NetTent. 11 ounces for the outer wall, 7 ounces for the inner wall. Plus you can get rid of some of your rain gear too, and have a detachable bug shelter.
Take it easy,
Martin
Integral designs makes the best tarp hands down.
FamilyGuy
06-09-2009, 15:22
What about the 8x10 Granite Gear White Lightning? From what I understand, the tension tape that runs the center ridge and around the end of the tarp allows it to be set up 'drum tight.' Backpackinglight.com suggested that it is the most 'bomber' tarp available and the best for beginners.......
Nearly Normal
06-09-2009, 21:07
What about the 8x10 Granite Gear White Lightning? From what I understand, the tension tape that runs the center ridge and around the end of the tarp allows it to be set up 'drum tight.' Backpackinglight.com suggested that it is the most 'bomber' tarp available and the best for beginners.......
That's a good tarp but expensive unless you really plan to use it.
If you are unsure and just want try tarping go cheap.
I like mine but as much as I use it, I should have gotten something cheaper.
Integral designs makes the best tarp hands down.
How's that? How many others have you used? If they make the best, please tell us why and we'll buy there (maybe).
How's that? How many others have you used? If they make the best, please tell us why and we'll buy there (maybe).
Very verstile and is more than just a one trick pony.
How's that? How many others have you used? If they make the best, please tell us why and we'll buy there (maybe).
Given there are other good tarps out there, I have my bias.
cwayman1
06-11-2009, 21:35
haha, i'm kinda with tinker, and I know of a LOT of ppl on HF who would argue that Brian at OES make a MEAN cat-cut tarp. But we all have our biases (sp?) :)
Wont Brian at OES make the traditional trap sizes also? Maccat ftw
Jim Adams
06-11-2009, 22:29
For a first tarp I would suggest a urethane coated nylon 10' x 10' from Campmor for $39.95. It is heavier than sil, cuben or spinnaker but way cheaper and packs way smaller and lighter than the blue poly tarps as well as being far more quiet. Stick with a square tarp (8x8, 10x10, 12x12) when you first start. Square is far easier to learn with and set-up than a rectangle because of all sides being equal. If set up correctly a 10 x10 will have enough room for 2 people and all there gear and be able to stand up in the leeward side and yet be totally out of the weather. It will pack about the size of a fleece pull-over and weight around 2 lbs.
The best advice is practice, practice, practice.
geek
cwayman1
06-12-2009, 15:52
Wont Brian at OES make the traditional trap sizes also? Maccat ftw
you know, I'm sure he would. I'm not sure if he has them listed on his site, but I'd say that if you threw in a "pretty please" we wouldn't mind. you might not even have to put a cherry on top :D
You might want to check this one out:
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___90552
An 8'x9'5" ligthweight tarp for under $20 is pretty sweet.
Downhill Trucker
06-15-2009, 06:57
Best tarp out there... I've used a bunch and I'll tell you this... E-mail Brian at outdoor equipment supplier and tell him your specs. Wait a week. Use tarp and realize why you are happy you went through the process.
If you have the money, I would go for his SpinnUL fabric it is awesome. If not, his silnylon versions are awesome as well.
MintakaCat
06-15-2009, 07:29
I've found that these folks have excellent tarps and ship them very fast:
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/
More tarps and stuff:
http://www.alpinlitegear.com/
GeneralLee10
09-14-2009, 23:37
Have any of you used or bought one of these http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Spinn-Twinn.html
I use a tarp now but it is from my HH the bigger one you can ask for I think it is 9x10. I did put it on a scale once and it came in at 1.5lbs +/-. This tarp I have asked about is closer to a 1/2 pound I'm just not sure about the strength of the material. So can some of you let me know about your experiences with this. Thank You
Wont Brian at OES make the traditional trap sizes also? Maccat ftw
He does:
http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/products-tarps.html
Sorry I didn't get this up sooner.
I bought a MacCat standard tarp from Brian in the spinnaker cloth. The stitching is meticulous. The design is very solid, and the tarp is very light.
Graywolf
09-15-2009, 00:46
Compared with the price of some of the ones listed here, I'd stick with Tarptents.com. I think $285 for apiece of square plastic with no protection is a little steep. Kinda like buying a $100,000,000 home with out the walls.
(This is in reference to mountain laurel designs.)
Compared with the price of some of the ones listed here, I'd stick with Tarptents.com. I think $285 for apiece of square plastic with no protection is a little steep. Kinda like buying a $100,000,000 home with out the walls.
(This is in reference to mountain laurel designs.)
MLD makes tarps much less expensively than the $285 price you mention.
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=21&osCsid=f43718237d06cab5a4a2140439335a92
Graywolf
09-15-2009, 01:02
MLD makes tarps much less expensively than the $285 price you mention.
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=21&osCsid=f43718237d06cab5a4a2140439335a92
Oh, I'm bad. I was quoting the price for the grace duo which I saw at the begining of the thread. $275. But yes, they do have one, the grace tarp at $110. I was just quoting the grace duo.
I think in that regards I would go with the Etowah 8x10
Oh, I'm bad. I was quoting the price for the grace duo which I saw at the begining of the thread. $275. But yes, they do have one, the grace tarp at $110. I was just quoting the grace duo.
I think in that regards I would go with the Etowah 8x10
I saw a post tonight where someone was selling an 8x10, I think it was an Equinox. I have a 10x12 and haven't had any trouble with it. I use it for winter hammocking mostly.
Here:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=893990#post893990
GeneralLee10
09-15-2009, 09:36
I saw a post tonight where someone was selling an 8x10, I think it was an Equinox. I have a 10x12 and haven't had any trouble with it. I use it for winter hammocking mostly.
Here:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=893990#post893990
I think that is not the link you wanted to use.
Graywolf
09-15-2009, 12:25
I have been looking at the Etowah for some time now. I think I like the design. I havnt used one yet, but if I did it would be Etowah.
I don't think I would use it for winter camping, but here in Texas the weather is mild in winter, that I think it would be a good alternative.
The nice thing about an 8x10 tarp is you can fold it in half and it becomes a 5x8 tarp, which is close to the size of a rain poncho. This lets you see what that is like.
brooklynkayak
09-17-2009, 11:43
Compared with the price of some of the ones listed here, I'd stick with Tarptents.com.
Tarptent.com, no tarps there?
Spinnaker is expensive and so will be the cost of anything made with it. I consider silnylon a better compromise, it is heavier, but not by much and silnylon is more durable.
An OES 8x10 is great coverage for the weight. Brian's work and designs are excellent. As far as sil vs spinn I would definitely go with the spinn. Putting weight and price aside, it stays much drier. Had two identical tarps side by side, one spinn, one sil. The spinn was almost dry in the morning and the sil was wet on both sides. This was just from moisture in the air.
Here's that winter tarp setup I mentioned earlier in above post (with wrong link):
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=21641&catid=searchresults&searchid=28068
Brian at OES makes the best hammock tarps & Ron at MLD makes the best ground tarps
I'd love to upgrade my OES Standard to an Ultra, & I covet the MLD Spectra Monk tarp
Forgot to mention the Speer winter tarp with closable end flaps for the hangers http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/Tarps.htm