Which Tarp to Choose....

[cavscout]

I picked up a couple of Campmor tarps a year or so ago for my son and I as we were accumulating our hammock rigs. They have served well in the style of camping we've been doing. As I posted in another thread though, I exceeded the abilities of one of the tarps during our latest snow and as minor and recoverable as that gear malfunction was I figure I'll use it as an excuse to look into another tarp. So here is my analysis so far as I weed through all the options. As with most research, there is statistical analysis and then there is reality. I would be interested to hear where reality may trump statistics from you guys with hands on knowledge of the products. The following table is sorted by Price ascending and sqft descending. I pulled the data from the manufacturers web sites but please correct any that is incorrect.



Here are a few of my thoughts on the ones that stand out in the selection.

Clearly the Mosquito Diamond is a good deal. Low cost, fairly light (compared to the 2 lb. campmor tarp) and CAMO. It appears to have reinforced webbing tie outs. The negative (and very small negative at that) I see is you can't really hang it any way except on the diamond.

The Superfly has side tie outs that are a very nice feature to gain a bit more room inside. Is the extra side coverage worth 15 less sqft and $80 dollars more?

The Speer Winter Tarp is really nice with the ability to close off the ends.

[Cannibal]

I own and use 5 of the tarps you have listed; both WBs, both OES, and the SWT. Not real sure you could make a bad choice from that list.

The SuperFlies with removable doors are mighty handy. The flexibility is nice to have and the sealing doors are just icing on the cake. The sidewall tie-outs are what I understand to raise the cost as they are time consuming and from what I hear, a PITA. I've successfully used Grip Clips to accomplish the same thing at a whole lot less cost, but there is risk. A couple of my tarps have some cosmetic blemishes from the Clips sliding. They are only cosmetic, but it still hurts my feelings to have a scarred up tarp. Just a friendly warning.

What is your "style" of camping you mentioned. That might help.

[thomas533]

The BWDG Winter Dream is another to consider. It is 11x13, $110. I've been using this tarp for a few months now and really like it. I haven't had any snow around here but it holds up well in the constant rain and has kept me quite dry. The end flaps are deigned to close up completely and work very well at keeping the wind out.

[Coldspring]

Speer Winter Tarps in sharkskin gray are on closeout.

[lazy river road]

Check out the Back Woods Winer Dream V2 Model, I got the side pull outs, the Doors are straight cut to get a great full closure, check out my pics and reviews, I would def throw this one into the mix and give it a serious consideration.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=14525

[cavscout]

Not real sure you could make a bad choice from that list.

What is your "style" of camping you mentioned. That might help.

I find that to be the case very often when buying products made by the people who use them. It's a good thing as Martha Stewart would say

My "style" would be 2 3 day trips typically but most recently, anything less than 1/2" of snow

[Cannibal]

My "style" would be 2 3 day trips typically but most recently, anything less than 1/2" of snow

Mostly fair weather?

Having not used the JRB stuff extensively and not having any experience (yet) with the Winter Dream Tarp, I'd say if you're looking for the most flexibility of seasonal camping then look at the larger 'winter' models. The extra weight penalty isn't much for the length of time you usually go out, but the coverage is amazing when the weather turns sour; summer or winter. If I could only pick one style of tarp, it would be a winter model of some sort.

[sedohr]

just an fyi........

backwoods has a message on their sales page they are in the process of moving and "shutdown" til march and not taking orders except for bulk silnylon purchases....

randy
ohio

[sclittlefield]

The sidewall tie-outs are what I understand to raise the cost as they are time consuming and from what I hear, a PITA.

You can say that again! A real pain. It's my least favorite part of the tarp building process. That said - about 80% of my customers have them added - and I highly recommend it, as much as I hate doing it.

Also - I wonder about the breakdown on that Diamond Mosquito Hammock tarp. Is it 10' wide, or 10' on the edge? If it's 10' wide, and 13' ridgeline, then don't forget to remove the four corners for the square footage. That'll change your numbers a bit. Still, you can't beat the price.

[sclittlefield]

just an fyi........

backwoods has a message on their sales page they are in the process of moving and "shutdown" til march and not taking orders except for bulk silnylon purchases....

randy
ohio

Yup, we're taking a hiatus on orders right now - I hope we can sell soon and be moved sometime in March.

Sorry to all you waiting to order. I'll make it clear when we're back up and running (and there will also be some new features at that time as well).