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Tarp needed - seeking advice

Anonymous Wed 04 Jun 2014 17:30:42 No.327565 View View Reply Original Report

Hi /out-doorsmen and women!

I would like to lighten my gear by trying out a tarp instead of a tent. I know there is a lot of choices available. I know some are extremely cheap, some extremely expensive.
Browsing the internet I've already seen tarps that seem too heavy for their size to make sense.

Please spread your knowledge. Share the makes and models of tarps that you use.

And eventually, help me decide on a tarp I should buy.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 04 Jun 2014 17:44:03 No.327569 Report

Quoted By: >>327687

>>327565
5,99€

http://www.amazon.de/Workit-Army-Abdeckplane-Wasserfest-Robust/dp/B002NQP1X0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401903787&sr=8-1&keywords=plane+tarn

>done.

Anonymous

Anonymous Wed 04 Jun 2014 20:37:08 No.327687 Report

Quoted By:

>>327569
mmm. half season tarps. Not "done" but a reasonable first start.

OP, you've got a wide variety of options. You have everything from the woven poly crap already suggested, that while inexpensive, won't last that long.

They aren't as light and flexible as your silnylons or DIY tyveks, but it will let you experiment a bit and see if you like sleeping out without a tent.

If you graduate past that, you might consider DIYing a tarp out of tyvek. It'll be white, and crinkly, but it'll last you years and it's inexpensive as all get out.

The best in the "affordable" catagory is silicone impregnated nylon. Commercial versions cost $60-160 or so, and come with some advantages, including flame retardants. But if you're handy, you can DIY it yourself, for less than $10 USD.

Necromancer

Necromancer Wed 04 Jun 2014 20:38:14 No.327689 Report

Quoted By: >>328291

>>327565

DD 3x3 Tarp.

Scout

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Scout Wed 04 Jun 2014 22:18:32 No.327741 Report

Quoted By:

This one.

It's pretty cheap, it's very easy to set up and it's fairly lightweight.
It costs 599 kroner, which is about 110$.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Wed 04 Jun 2014 22:31:47 No.327747 Report

Quoted By:

Well there's a lot of choice, but most are very similar.

First they have different sizes and shapes, you need to figure out what you'll need. That alone will exclude many tarps that are too small, too large, or have not practical shapes for you like hex tarps that are great for hammock but bad for ground shelters.

Then you need to look at eyelets or straps to tie it: the more the better usually. Every tarp should at least have attachment points in corners and on the middle of each length. If it doesn't have that, don't buy it. That will get you rid of many more tarps.

Finally, there's the material. It's mostly a question of weight and bulk, which is actually a question of price. Durability is also a worry, the lightest ones tend to be more fragile obviously. And actually, waterproofability can be taken into account: some are more waterproof than others, some very light and barely waterproof, and while they'll get wet, they won't let water seep through either, so as long as you're not in direct contact with it, it's fine, and obviously if you don't expect rain, only wind, they're good enough, and thus constitute a good alternative.

The last point you could consider is poncho tarps, pic related. They're much more versatile, and actually just as good. Then you have options like integrated pockets and stuff... really depends on the model, far from mandatory, but still nice to have.

Figure that out and it'll be much more simple.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Thu 05 Jun 2014 00:09:03 No.327772 Report

Quoted By: >>327785

Get a plash palatka OP.

Anonymous

Anonymous Thu 05 Jun 2014 00:42:27 No.327785 Report

Quoted By:

>>327772
Only don't...it's a heavy canvas chunk of crap that leaks a little no matter how you treat it.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 02:52:26 No.328291 Report

Quoted By:

>>327689
Said tarp

http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/ddtarp_olive_green_3x3

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 08:05:33 No.328366 Report

Quoted By:

Alpkit tarps are IMHO unbeatable for their price/performance ratio.

They're a UK company, only mail order. Don't know if they post elsewhere. Very good company to deal with.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 08:13:33 No.328369 Report

Quoted By:

DD tarps aren't the lightest, but darn are they indestructable and weatherproof.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 09:12:49 No.328371 Report

Quoted By: >>328373 >>328375

I like the idea that you can save weight, but if it's really rainy and you're not in a hammock, The tarp won't do much to keep you dry will it?

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 09:59:01 No.328373 Report

Quoted By: >>328375

>>328371
You choose a campsite that won't pool up like that, and use a ground sheet.

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 10:31:40 No.328375 Report

Quoted By:

>>328371
>>328373
And you can even use ground sheets that are slightly raised, pic related.

In fact, a tarp shelter is more like a modular tent: you can add a floor, a bug net, and anything else you want. The main difference is, you only pick what you need instead of having to carry the entire tent were every part is stiched together, plus you can also upgrade separate parts without having to rebuy the entire thing.

Modern tents, especially "ultralight" ones, tend to be more modular, and in fact become "tarp shelter packages" more than tents.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 14:17:51 No.328427 Report

Quoted By:

I love my Kelty Noah's Tarp 12.

I just wanted to express that...

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 22:36:50 No.328637 Report

Quoted By: >>328638

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 22:37:56 No.328638 Report

Quoted By: >>328641

>>328637

Anonymous

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Anonymous Fri 06 Jun 2014 22:38:59 No.328641 Report

Quoted By:

>>328638

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