Tarp Considerations

[Jake Larsen]

I have been researching tarps to cover 2 people like you said and the SG Sky 10 is the best mix of size and weight I have found that's not Dyneema. These are my quick numbers based on stated weights I have found and using 2oz for 8 guylines. I didn't add the 2oz to the DST because its not a consideration for me anyway, too heavy.

SG tarp 10x10 - 14.5oz with guylines

Borah 7x9 - 11.6oz with guylines

Borah 9x9 - 14.9oz with guylines

Boran solo 6x9 - 9.25oz with guylines

Seek DST - 9.3x9.8 19.5oz no guylines

Lite Outdoors 8x10 - 13.6oz with guylines

I’m trying to mentally justify a Dyneema DST. It’s the perfect solution…right size, right weight, right features. But dang the cost is hard to swallow. I know from previous experience, if I can stay in that 14oz range all in, I always throw it in the pack. Much heavier, and I’ll start wanting to leave it behind for certain hunts


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[greyghostnw]

8.5' x 10' Flat Tarp

Great tarp. Extremely light. Easy to set up to a simple A frame style tent using trekking poles or trees with a little cordage. Simplicity at its finest! – AJ, ★★★★★ Our ultralight Flat Tarps are a minimalist adventurers dream. This tarp has plenty of space for a single ultralight hiker and...

zpacks.com

 

[CMF]

https://hammockgear.com/standard-tarp-with-doors/

8x12 - 8 oz.

I plan to try this one eventually

 

[dakota_bowhunter]

I have been researching tarps to cover 2 people like you said and the SG Sky 10 is the best mix of size and weight I have found that's not Dyneema. These are my quick numbers based on stated weights I have found and using 2oz for 8 guylines. I didn't add the 2oz to the DST because its not a consideration for me anyway, too heavy.

SG tarp 10x10 - 14.5oz with guylines

Borah 7x9 - 11.6oz with guylines

Borah 9x9 - 14.9oz with guylines

Boran solo 6x9 - 9.25oz with guylines

Seek DST - 9.3x9.8 19.5oz no guylines

Lite Outdoors 8x10 - 13.6oz with guylines

Love this. Any concern with the SG being silnylon? I’ve had some recommendations to stay away from anything silnylon due to water rention and dry time.

 

[MuleyFever]

Love this. Any concern with the SG being silnylon? I’ve had some recommendations to stay away from anything silnylon due to water rention and dry time.

Not really a concern to me.

 

[Clovis]

I have written something similar in other tarp threads, but there are some significant trade-offs with dyneema that counterbalance its weight and lack of stretch as positives. Dyneema does not provide as much shade---on many trips getting out of the sun is more of a factor than rain, it doesn't compress as well as other materials, it is louder in the wind if there is any play in it, and louder in the rain. It is lighter but not in a material way for my uses. I have used a dyneema tarp and went into it thinking it would be awesome and my perspective is that it doesn't work as well for me for most situations.

 

[dakota_bowhunter]

I have written something similar in other tarp threads, but there are some significant trade-offs with dyneema that counterbalance its weight and lack of stretch as positives. Dyneema does not provide as much shade---on many trips getting out of the sun is more of a factor than rain, it doesn't compress as well as other materials, it is louder in the wind if there is any play in it, and louder in the rain. It is lighter but not in a material way for my uses. I have used a dyneema tarp and went into it thinking it would be awesome and my perspective is that it doesn't work as well for me for most situations.

Notice any difference when it comes to color on perceived temps in the shade it provides? (Dyneema, green, gray)?

 

[Jake Larsen]

I have written something similar in other tarp threads, but there are some significant trade-offs with dyneema that counterbalance its weight and lack of stretch as positives. Dyneema does not provide as much shade---on many trips getting out of the sun is more of a factor than rain, it doesn't compress as well as other materials, it is louder in the wind if there is any play in it, and louder in the rain. It is lighter but not in a material way for my uses. I have used a dyneema tarp and went into it thinking it would be awesome and my perspective is that it doesn't work as well for me for most situations.

No question, If weight is not your primary factor for a tarp, dyneema is not worth it. I prefer the material in my Kifaru sheep tarp.

The way many of us use it, weight is the main factor. I’m already carrying a primary shelter. The tarp is for staying in the glassing game during bad weather. It’s game changer, but needs to be as light as possible, otherwise the total “shelters weight” in the pack starts to get too high. For long backpacking trips, it matters.


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[nnmarcher]

Looking for a tarp this offseason and after reading through a ton of posts I’ve yet to find the answer. I’m planning on carrying this tarp daily for your general sun, wind, rain exposure. Generally, I’ll be solo but there is times where I might have a buddy along and would need to have coverage for him. I don’t necessarily plan on always using it as a shelter but, if the weather permits, early season I’d probably end up running overnights when covering country. I’m leaning more on the silpoly > dyneema just for cost factor.
So questions I have:
1) What size does everyone recommend for this scenario?
2) I’d take any recommendations on certain manufacturers. I’ve looked at a bunch and have really focused in on borah gear, argali, SG and now the ApeEquipment as it has recently been brought to my attention.
3) Is there any specific things (attachment points, re-enforced patches, ex) that I should look for in a tarp?

Any and all info on tarps would be appreciated honestly.

Thanks for any help!

I sewed my own version of Seek Outside's DST and am working on a second one now. It's a pretty simple project and I use it the exact same way you described as your use case.

Mine is about 9x9 and comfortably fits my dad and I underneath it during rain storms. There is lots of space when I sleep in it solo. There are a number of great manufacturers for tarps and many of them have already been recommended. My favorite feature of the DST is the center reinforcement patch. We use it every time we set up in the rain or to glass because it creates a lot more head room. I haven't tried it on a tarp without a reinforcement, so I can't say how much of a difference it makes, just that I like having it.

I have 16 tie outs around the perimeter and that seems like a enough that I can get a tight pitch in most locations. I do not have any mid-panel tie outs and haven't missed them.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I sewed my own version of Seek Outside's DST and am working on a second one now. It's a pretty simple project and I use it the exact same way you described as your use case.

Mine is about 9x9 and comfortably fits my dad and I underneath it during rain storms. There is lots of space when I sleep in it solo. There are a number of great manufacturers for tarps and many of them have already been recommended. My favorite feature of the DST is the center reinforcement patch. We use it every time we set up in the rain or to glass because it creates a lot more head room. I haven't tried it on a tarp without a reinforcement, so I can't say how much of a difference it makes, just that I like having it.

I have 16 tie outs around the perimeter and that seems like a enough that I can get a tight pitch in most locations. I do not have any mid-panel tie outs and haven't missed them.

Sounds like the perfect tarp. Material? Weight? Photos?


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[Clovis]

Notice any difference when it comes to color on perceived temps in the shade it provides? (Dyneema, green, gray)?

I only have significant experience with one dyneema tarp--an HMG spruce green flat tarp and it wasn't very good for shade. Much better than nothing, but not as good as silnylon.

 

[nnmarcher]

Sounds like the perfect tarp. Material? Weight? Photos?


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I sure like it! I don't have a weight on hand but I'll get the scale out this weekend. It's probably not "competitively" lightweight, but I always keep it in my pack because I am proud of it.

My first tarp was 1.6oz/sqyd Silpoly and this new one is 1.1oz Silpoly. Another change I'm making is using some 1.5mm cord as the stake loop instead of grosgrain so it is easier to replace after some wear.

Here are a few pics, it has taken me through some nasty storms! To keep the thread somewhat on track, if anyone is interested in sewing their own, there are a ton of resources out there https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/myog-tarp-where-to-start/

 

[Jake Larsen]

I sure like it! I don't have a weight on hand but I'll get the scale out this weekend. It's probably not "competitively" lightweight, but I always keep it in my pack because I am proud of it.

My first tarp was 1.6oz/sqyd Silpoly and this new one is 1.1oz Silpoly. Another change I'm making is using some 1.5mm cord as the stake loop instead of grosgrain so it is easier to replace after some wear.

Here are a few pics, it has taken me through some nasty storms! To keep the thread somewhat on track, if anyone is interested in sewing their own, there are a ton of resources out there https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/myog-tarp-where-to-start/

Nice work! Perfect tarp for my needs, size and features.

I’m really curious to know a weight. I bet it’s right in there.


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[9487329]

Looking for a tarp this offseason and after reading through a ton of posts I’ve yet to find the answer. I’m planning on carrying this tarp daily for your general sun, wind, rain exposure. Generally, I’ll be solo but there is times where I might have a buddy along and would need to have coverage for him. I don’t necessarily plan on always using it as a shelter but, if the weather permits, early season I’d probably end up running overnights when covering country. I’m leaning more on the silpoly > dyneema just for cost factor.
So questions I have:
1) What size does everyone recommend for this scenario?
2) I’d take any recommendations on certain manufacturers. I’ve looked at a bunch and have really focused in on borah gear, argali, SG and now the ApeEquipment as it has recently been brought to my attention.
3) Is there any specific things (attachment points, re-enforced patches, ex) that I should look for in a tarp?

Any and all info on tarps would be appreciated honestly.

Thanks for any help!

I have a mountain laurel designs grace tarp duo and it's phenomenal. The silpoly doesn't sag like nylon and you can be a bit more rough with it than dyneema. Bombproof.

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