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  1. #1
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    Rectangular vs Square tarps

    Hi all!

    pretty much summed up in the title. I'm planning on making a silnylon tarp. Looking at what tarps are available commercially - Etowah Ultralight Tarps, Equinox Globe Skimmer, Oware, etc. I've decided on either a 8x10 or 10x10 (approximately) tarp with plenty of grosgrain tie-outs, but I can't decide which to make. What do you guys prefer, square or rectangular tarps? Fight to the death!

  2. #2
    Senior Member hikelite's Avatar
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    My tarps' size usually depends on the width of the material I'm using. If it's 62" wide, my tarp ends up being just under 10' wide. The length is however long I want, but I usually do 12' to make sure my hammock ends are covered. 10x12 is larger than a lot of folks use, but I only put it up when the weather is bad. If it's up, then it means I'm stuck under it. If I have to stay under it, I like to have plenty of room.
    Life is hard? Compared to what?

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Formerly 'TroutEhCuss'
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    My first tarp is basically 12X11 and it is really large. My hammock is 12 ft long though. I'd only go with a large tarp if your car camping or it's winter. I prefer a longer tarp than tall. I've found that you don't need a really wide tarp and won't make another one so wide. have you thought about a diagonal/diamond tarp?

    The real question is how do you plan on using the tarp? Backcountry, long distance, car camping, etc...
    I like big hammocks - I cannot like.

  4. #4
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    Square or rectangle?? How boring.
    Think outside the box.
    Ambulo tua ambulo.

  5. #5
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    Just trying to think inside my skill level! Maybe the next tarp will have sexy caternary cuts, but for now I like right angles.

    I'll be using this backpacking (car camping - blue tarp or tent), mostly over my hammock but sometimes on the ground. And yes, the dimensions will be adjusted for the material I have. I'm not going to cut and sew a strip 4" wide just so my dimension comes out to an exact number... So anyway, nobody feels very strongly one way or another about this trivial question?! This is an online forum, right?

  6. #6
    Senior Member JohnSawyer's Avatar
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    Mine is straight from Speer's book: 8x10, but if I had to do it again, I'd go 10X11 or 10x12. I like having a bit more room, and I'm not a gram weenie... 10' is the bare minimum to cover my hammock, and it'd be nice to be a bit roomier AND be able to stand under it AND bring the edges down low... Though in good weather a 9x9 would be nice, but I often car camp and need some occasional privacy.

    (gee, I guess I DO want everything)

    Sounds like I need 2 tarps... one for me alone in the woods, and one for my not-so-alone time.
    "Do or do not, there is no try." -- Yoda


  7. #7
    New Member
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    I found the 3x3m tarp from DD to be almost exactly what I sketched out this afternoon. so bascally I'm deciding between that and the Speer you mentioned.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by JohnOscat View Post
    So anyway, nobody feels very strongly one way or another about this trivial question?! This is an online forum, right?
    Hangers are too relaxed & laid back to get all worked up over something someone *else* is doing. They'd rather get worked up trying to make the decision for themselves

  9. #9
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    Fair enough, thanks everyone!

  10. #10
    Senior Member fred1diver's Avatar
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    I guess it really depends on how you want to pitch it and how much coverage you want, personally I like rectangle tarps, but I've seen some nice square setup, it really is a question of preference
    and it also depends on where/how you want to use it, car camping, get the biggest one you can get, backpacking, think about the weight you want to carry with you and size accordingly!
    as I said I like the rectangle ones because you can have a little porch and can add some doors (grizz beak) to close it shut for colder months
    just my opinion

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