short answer: DCF isn’t that much bulkier, especially if you compress it or fold/roll it but there are cheaper ways to shave weight.
Longer answer: i find the compressibility of DCF is more of an issue with tents or items that are stuffed vs folded or rolled. I fold and roll my main 8.5x10 DCF tarp and it is on par with a stuffed tarp of similar size. I think experts will tell you it wears the DCF on the creases but it hasnt been an issue for me. I stuff the smaller items and they look a little bulky but get squashed down in my pack. I think DCF has its place, but I still seem to grab my DST for some trips when I am not trying to count ounces. Comparing those two, Fully loaded with stakes and lines there is 10-12oz of difference between the 2 and they are roughly the same size (In fairness, my dst is rigged with heavier lines and stakes). I would give the DST the edge in durability based on my intuition but I haven’t use either enough to wear them out so can’t say for sure. Neither loves cuts, sparks or abrasion. The DST is $140 and the zpacks is $400.
for size comparisons see below:
Top Row
- Seek DST plus stakes and lines. 9x10 Bare tarp is 20oz. with stakes and lines it is 27oz
- 6x9 Jimmy tarp. 12 oz
- 5x8 Jimmy tarp 10oz
middle row
- MLD pro poncho 5x9 at 9oz
- zpacks DCF poncho 5x7 at 4oz
- zpacks tarp 8.5x10 at 11oz with stakes and lines
bottom row
- Nalgene for scale
- hyperlite designs ground cloth 4x7 and 4oz
- heavy duty sil poly ground cloth (seek?) 5x8 and 13oz
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