Tarp Upgrade

**jabraso** · 05-18-2016, 10:35

The 2 hammocks would've been a perk, and it's not a deal breaker. 12' is winning out in my mind right now and I suppose I could technically shorten it later if I really wanted to. I like the benefits of the silpoly fabrics over silnylon. Now i'm wondering if the weight savings for 1.1 over 1.6 is worth the extra $... so many decisions

**Flatliner** · 05-18-2016, 10:47

$10.80 (I used 9 yards total since I wasn't using fabric reinforcement or cord pockets and had noseeum mesh for my stuff sack). Weight savings is pretty minimal but amounts to several ounces.

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**Double** · 05-19-2016, 14:38

Im making a 11 rectangle with doors on one end out of dutches new 5300 xenon. Have it cut out right now and tomorrow will be bonding reinforcements to it. So far it weights a little more then my 12 foot silnylon hex that i made a few years back and i dont expect it to break 20 oz right now. And i love the extra waterproofness of the fabric.

**jabraso** · 05-19-2016, 15:03

Originally Posted by Double

Im making a 11 rectangle with doors on one end out of dutches new 5300 xenon. Have it cut out right now and tomorrow will be bonding reinforcements to it. So far it weights a little more then my 12 foot silnylon hex that i made a few years back and i dont expect it to break 20 oz right now. And i love the extra waterproofness of the fabric.

I've been looking at that fabric as well and really considering it. Price seems good too. Also would love to see pics of your tarp.

**Double** · 05-19-2016, 20:41

Im hoping to be done by monday for the storms that are predicted. Ill post picks as soon as i can. The fabric is really nice to work with and was easy to cut.

**Tacblades** · 05-20-2016, 02:37

I have used xenon sil 5300 for tarps, its a great fabric, really easy to work with. Holds a fold

for me its inbetween cuben fibre and silnylon. My goto tarp fabric now.

**jabraso** · 05-31-2016, 13:44

Just ordered everything from makeyourgear.com taking advantage of their 20% off fabric sale. I went with the xenon sil 5300 in dark olive. Now the waiting begins.

**jabraso** · 06-08-2016, 16:07

Just a style question. I was unable to find thread to match my tarp fabric (dark olive) so I went with black to match my reinforcement patches. Since my Sewing skills result in neither beautiful, symmetric, nor aesthetically pleasing stitches would it be better to pitch the tarp with the reinforcement patches showing instead of the inside? I guess the tarp could be used either way if seam sealed inside and out, I just wonder what other DIYers do. Maybe I should be proud of my own gear and flaunt it.

**Rekoob** · 06-08-2016, 16:20

Originally Posted by Tacblades

I have used xenon sil 5300 for tarps, its a great fabric, really easy to work with. Holds a fold

for me its inbetween cuben fibre and silnylon. My goto tarp fabric now.

Originally Posted by jabraso

Just ordered everything from makeyourgear.com taking advantage of their 20% off fabric sale. I went with the xenon sil 5300 in dark olive. Now the waiting begins.

I don't know anything about the Xenon fabric but did note the three different weights. Can I ask why you guys are using the 5300 instead of the others? Just wondering.

**jabraso** · 06-08-2016, 16:38

Originally Posted by Rekoob

I don't know anything about the Xenon fabric but did note the three different weights. Can I ask why you guys are using the 5300 instead of the others? Just wondering.

I bought it because it seemed a good balance of cost and quality. It was the same price as the Xenon 1.1 but slightly lighter and more waterproof. Also it was cheaper than the Xenon .9 and doesn't stretch like sil-nylon