Supertarp or Megatarp

[cmeier117]

For those of you using these tarps, when with more than one person do you ever pack a separate tarp to pitch keep your gear stashed? Seems like you you could bring a spare 10 oz silnylon tarp and keep the main shelter for just sleeping gear.

Mike

I used the ST this year with my dad for a week long elk trip. He is claustrophobic (Didn't know that until the 2nd night) and we had our packs leaning under a tree with a contractor bag over them. We had plenty of floor space with all our "gear" needed for night morning etc... in the St. We also had the annex on. The problem is the lack of vertical wall space even with pullouts for 2 guys. Was I fine? Yes! I would continue to use it with 2 guys no problem and one guy it would be perfect because you could sleep in middle. But I will try and get megatarp this year. It has more volume and that is what you need with 2 guys IMHO. So I would agree with everything Slim and everyone else said.

 

[Gman]

I used the ST this year with my dad for a week long elk trip. He is claustrophobic (Didn't know that until the 2nd night) and we had our packs leaning under a tree with a contractor bag over them. We had plenty of floor space with all our "gear" needed for night morning etc... in the St. We also had the annex on. The problem is the lack of vertical wall space even with pullouts for 2 guys. Was I fine? Yes! I would continue to use it with 2 guys no problem and one guy it would be perfect because you could sleep in middle. But I will try and get megatarp this year. It has more volume and that is what you need with 2 guys IMHO. So I would agree with everything Slim and everyone else said.

If you had the Sawtooth gear would be inside and no claustrophobia. Plus wood, plus the ability to sit completely upright and hang out, plus the ability to stand up and put your pants on. The Mega is great but it still falls into the minimalist class. Sawtooth takes that step out of minimalist, into comfort, for minimal weight penalty. But in the end it's always a compromise between weight and comfort and you'll have to decide.

 

[Benny]

I've been in or own all of them. The only one I don't own is the Mega but I have used one.

I think pound for pound when it comes to comfort the sawtooth can't be beat. If I'm on a backcountry trip with wife or kids there's no question it's the Sawtooth. Also if its later in the season and I'll be running a stove its a Sawtooth. Lots of room for wood and gear and if I'm running a stove that means its cold and the days are shorter and tent time is longer. Nice to be in a bigger shelter.

When hunting earlier in the season I run a para-tarp or Super Tarp with a bivy. The Super would be fine for two with this setup. Also when hunting weight and ounces are more of a concern than with family or scouting.

Based on how you want to use it, if you we're only going one I'd recommend the Sawtooth.

This is the way I'm set up. Early season my supertarp is great solo or for two. Once the daylight starts to get shorter and the nights colder the extra 1.5lbs per guy is 100% worth it to pack the sawtooth.

 

[Yukondog]

This is the way I'm set up. Early season my supertarp is great solo or for two. Once the daylight starts to get shorter and the nights colder the extra 1.5lbs per guy is 100% worth it to pack the sawtooth.

Is that 1.5lb per person increase only the sawtooth by itself or is that with the stove as well? If that is with the stove, which one are you using?

Matt

 

[slim9300]

Is that 1.5lb per person increase only the sawtooth by itself or is that with the stove as well? If that is with the stove, which one are you using?

Matt

I don't think that's with a stove.

 

[crumy]

Isn't the sawtooth over 4 lbs. the reason I am going with the mega tarp is 1.5 lbs. both seem like great tools. Just different applications.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Mega comes in at around 2.5 with the trekking poles and MSR ground hogs.

The 1.5 number is canopy only.

 

[crumy]

I don't count the trekking poles as a weight penalty as I would bring them regardless of megatarp or sawtooth..

Mega comes in at around 2.5 with the trekking poles and MSR ground hogs.

The 1.5 number is canopy only.