Looking for the best tarp

[freu1chr]

I brought a tarp along on my hunt last year and it was one of the best pieces of equipment i had. it was a tarp from walmart so it was heavy and bulky. i am looking for a lighter weight tarp that is still waterproof that i can use as a floor in my vestibule and as a make shift sunshade when its hot.

 

[Still Hunter]

Amazon.com: DD Tarp 3x3 - Olive Green (10ft x 10ft) - Lightweight, Versatile & Tough Tarp / Basha: Kitchen & Dining

Buy DD Tarp 3x3 - Olive Green (10ft x 10ft) - Lightweight, Versatile & Tough Tarp / Basha: Tent Tarps - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Lots of tie downs. Waterproof.

 

[j-bow]

Seek Outside DST

 

[CMF]

Well, define best. Best for budget, lightest or more durable, etc.
If you're looking for lightest, look at zpacks, 7x9 is like 5oz. $300, 8.5x10 is 7oz. $350
I've also looked at the , Kifaru sheep tarp which is like $150
I'm looking for one too, but not sure i want to spend the money on the zpack. I want something lightweight cause I don't plan on using it that often, maybe for a rainstorm or to put meat on, or the few times I might go solo or without wife or kids, I'll pair it with a bora bivy. A zpacks and borah would give me a 13oz shelter

 

[wardl_3]

I have a 8.5x10 zpacks dcf tarp, 7oz and always n my pack! This tarp with my plex solo is still lighter than most shelters.

 

[CMF]

I have a 8.5x10 zpacks dcf tarp, 7oz and always n my pack! This tarp with my plex solo is still lighter than most shelters.

Nice! Do you feel like the 7x9 would be too small to run as a shelter with a bivy or do you think the extra sqft is worth the 2oz? I feel like it's probably worth the weight and would provide room if I'm hunting with others and we get some rain.

 

[doverpack12]

You won’t want to use the sil nylon tarps as a ground tarp. I have a DST and it is excellent, many other similar versions out there but pretty tough to beat the 10x10 ish size with tie down loops in the right spots

 

[wardl_3]

I think the 7x9 is to small for most my uses. 8.5x10 is just enough but a 10x10 would be ideal. I called zpacks to see if they would do a custom 10x10… they wouldnt.

 

[rclouse79]

I got a 10 x 10 from bearpaw wilderness designs that was in the clearance bin. I also have a 7x9 from Borah gear I have in the pack if there is only a chance I will stay the night. The 10 x 10 does provide a lot of coverage. The one I ordered from Bearpaw is light weight and good qualitly with lots of tie outs.
I have also owned the aqua quest you buy on Amazon (I know I have a problem). They are cheap and get the job done.

 

[wardl_3]

The aqua quest dcf or a silpoly material??

 

[rclouse79]

This is the one I got. Looks like it is no longer available.

 

[rdp123]

Another vote for the Seek DST, which is a great standalone shelter and light enough to keep in the pack for rain, emergencies or whatever. I wouldn't use it or any tarp really as a floor though. A sheet of tyvek or eva foam can serve that role cheaply and at a weight of only a couple ounces.

 

[landon509]

Another plus one for Seek Outside DST. All I run for a shelter until I feel the need for a stove.

 

[htlt_surfboards]

I currently have a bear paw wilderness designs sil poly 6.5x9. I like the size but had issues with quality that I have written about in other posts on here. My hunting partner has the kifaru sheep tarp and if I was to do it over I think I would get that one.

 

[mcseal2]

I'll also recommend the DST if you plan to use it as a shelter, and a contractor bag or Tyvek for a floor.

If you want lighter than the DST I use a Hyperlight 8.5x8.5 dcf tarp. It's about 8.5oz and big enough for a shelter. I like a square tarp for an easy diamond fly set-up.

I have the Sheep tarp. It's a windbreak for glassing or an emergency shelter. I would not take it if I planned to camp, I'd go with one of the bigger ones.

 

[rdp123]

I'll also recommend the DST if you plan to use it as a shelter, and a contractor bag or Tyvek for a floor.

If you want lighter than the DST I use a Hyperlight 8.5x8.5 dcf tarp. It's about 8.5oz and big enough for a shelter. I like a square tarp for an easy diamond fly set-up.

I have the Sheep tarp. It's a windbreak for glassing or an emergency shelter. I would not take it if I planned to camp, I'd go with one of the bigger ones.

Not to hijack the thread, but how do you like the hmg 8.5x8.5? I'm on the market for a UL tarp for hail storms, and was wondering how small I can get away with.

 

[Macchina]

I have had extremely good luck with my BCO tarp. I have the 5’x8’ MEST and it stays in my hunting daypack for a quick rain shelter or an emergency shelter. It packs smaller than a soda can and since it’s urethane-nylon it feels much tougher than my sip-nylon tarps.

I also have a few larger Chinook Tarps that are great (very durable, quite cheap) but they pack larger. About the size of 2 Nalgenes for a 10x12

 

[mcseal2]

I have not had it as long as the others and have used it less. I like it though, it's big enough for 2 to hole up under out of a storm. I have an old Pathfinder poncho/tarp that's 7'8" square and it's big enough to be a decent shelter in a plow point or diamond fly configuration, so the 8'6" one sure would be.

I saw one review saying that the dcf material won't handle hail as well as a silnylon but I can't say if it's right or not. That guy I remember said he packs dcf if his life won't be in danger if it fails, silnylon if it will. He'll carry the extra weight when it matters. For that reason I took my DST instead to Kodiak last fall.

Maybe some guys with more experience with both materials will chime in, I'm pretty new to the dcf and haven't had it in more than rain.

 

[Felton]

Trekmates Square Tarp | REI Co-op

A large multi-person tarp, the Trekmates Square tarp gets you all out of the rain. 16 webbing loop attachment points make pitching a breeze and its small pack size stuffs into your rucksack unnoticed.

www.rei.com

And rei has 20% off right now. It’s not super light but light enough and should still be somewhat durable. I do not own this tarp.

Could also try borah gear tarp. You’ll have to wait till April to order and probably receive it in august.

Borah Gear: 7x9 Ultralight Silpoly Tarp

borahgear.com

 

[mcseal2]

This is an even better explanation than the one I was thinking of, and from the guy whose tent was damaged most by the hail.

I looked it up too, the tarp I have is .8oz/sq yard, so stouter material than these were at .51oz/sq yard.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/ysp78n