>>1329033Yeah the weight difference between the flat tarp and the solomid isn't huge. The flat tarp takes a lot less space in my pack though, so there is that to consider. Plus when setup in a low, half-pyramid it's pretty dam bomb proof. Cam Honan has used his 8.5x8.5 in some fairly wild conditions. I'm spot on 6' and find the tarp to be palatial. Couple of things to consider though: I moved to this tarp from a 9x5 flat tarp, so almost anything was going to feel bigger. Also I sleep in a sort of semi curled up position. So when the weather is bad I have no trouble scroching down into the tarp. I have slept out in some pretty decent rain storms in the 8.5x8.5 and even with the peak pitched pretty high I've stayed dry. However, in the 9x5 I've got to pitch it in a pretty low A frame, which is like lying in a coffin.
