Let’s talk Flat Tarps

[Trial153]

I am in the market for another flat tarp. I have Seek Outside Gunnison tarp that used a bunch. I want a second tarp slightly bigger for hunts this year in Alaska.
Order of importance..
1) durability
2) light weight
3) material, sil nylon/ sil poly Dyneema
4) price
5) features ( line locks, rings ect )


What’s everyone’s suggestion?

 

[*zap*]

mld supertarp is among the best, comes with lots of exrtas...mine is silpoly.

SUPERTARP FLAT TARP

The SuperTarp Flat Tarp is a extra-large, full-sized, pro level flat tarp with 27 total tie-outs!! This "flat cut" tarp is available in a Pro Silnylon...

mountainlaureldesigns.com

 

[ianpadron]

Durability #1 and price #4...sounds like the Kifaru Aegis is your huckleberry. Their fabric is so freakin' strong, more abrasion resistant than other silnylon shelters I've had too.

 

[Trial153]

Durability #1 and price #4...sounds like the Kifaru Aegis is your huckleberry. Their fabric is so freakin' strong, more abrasion resistant than other silnylon shelters I've had too.

I looked at it a bit, little on the heavy side. I wish the sheep tarp was a little bigger

 

[Desk Jockey]

I run an 8x10 zpacks dyneema tarp. 7oz bare. Hits about 10oz with stakes and lines. They are pricey but fairly durable. I pair it with a 4 oz dyneema ground cloth and I can handle me plus gear or 2 people who want to be cozy for a pound.

 

[Jotis]

I have used a Borah tarp the last few years. Seems decent for the price

 

[Desk Jockey]

FWIW - for flat tarps, I tend to think dyneema is 3x cost and half the weight.

I have syl/polly/ nylon tarps of all sizes going back to my +20 year old USGI poncho. They all work fine. My seek DST and Jimmy tarp 6x9 get the most use. However, now that I have a couple of DCF tarps, I tend to grab those when saving weight.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I just got a Hyperlite dyneema tarp. I've used their ground sheet one as a small tarp for a while and like it. I don't know where it is going to fall durability wise though, it seems really thin. (8'x10'- 11oz)

 

[rafiki]

this just sent me down a rabbit hole and landed on youtube DIY tarp builds. if you have a sewing machine (and some basic skills), you can make one of these for like $40 bucks.

 

[Team4LongGun]

FWIW - for flat tarps, I tend to think dyneema is 3x cost and half the weight.

I have syl/polly/ nylon tarps of all sizes going back to my +20 year old USGI poncho. They all work fine. My seek DST and Jimmy tarp 6x9 get the most use. However, now that I have a couple of DCF tarps, I tend to grab those when saving weight.

Curious your thoughts on the DCF weight loss and size gain? The 2 tarps I have to compare, I value the smaller packable size of my sil/poly tarp over the ounces I shed with DCF.

 

[Grady.J]

I've got a borah 7x9 silpoly in the mail. Posted spec is 9.6oz. I had him add one extra center tie out, which I think was $3, for a total $105.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Curious your thoughts on the DCF weight loss and size gain? The 2 tarps I have to compare, I value the smaller packable size of my sil/poly tarp over the ounces I shed with DCF.

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

 

[Team4LongGun]

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



View attachment 676010

Thanks Man, great info!

I will try the fold/roll and see if I can get it smaller in volume.

 

[TedO]

I run a Bearpaw Wilderness Designs Dyneema 10x12' Flat Tarp. It's huge, only 1lb and has been great. Bearpaw will customize as well.

 

[Trial153]

Any one have any experience in with then Viam outdoors 1.1 silpoly they use? Looks like a sweet spot between weight and price? If it’s well made and durable… it might be the way I go

 

[J.Hunt]

I am very happy with my Seek Outside DST Tarp. I think it checks all your boxes and I love the center reinforcement which most others don't have.

 

[Hectocotylus]

Argali is coming out with an 8.5x10 I believe also


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[Dos Perros]

If durability is #1 then I think you're looking at silnylon. Find one with the features you want and roll.

 

[Roosterstraw]

I decided to go with a Borah 9x9. I can’t speak on quality yet but their customer service was great answering all my questions. For line loks I plan on attaching the ones from lite outdoors. They have 1.8mm rope that works with them so there’s not much of a weight penalty. Tie them on with a double fisherman’s knot and you’re good to go.

 

[JakeShmevans]

I just got a Hyperlite dyneema tarp. I've used their ground sheet one as a small tarp for a while and like it. I don't know where it is going to fall durability wise though, it seems really thin. (8'x10'- 11oz)

I also have a Hyperlite. I love the thing, lightweight, gets smaller with each use (breaking in the fabric) and is strong as hell.