there can be only 1

[Wags]

friends. i have a problem. despite the other 3 guys making them, there's really only 2 cuben tarps i'm considering (due to the other guys being too heavy or just terrible customer service).

the 2 tarps that i'm looking at are:

http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hammock_tarps.shtml

and

http://www.hammockgear.com/cart/inde...products_id=21


small, small differences...

zpacks ridgeline is 2 inches longer.
stormcrow's will be about .2oz lighter after seam sealing joe's
stormcrow's slightly more expensive ($25 more)
zpacks has much more long-term experience with cuben
zpacks ridgeline is sewn and stormcrow's is glued
stormcrow's wait period is shorter

both businesses have earned my repeat business. both owners have humbly yielded a series of questions from me. there is no clear-cut front runner for me.

[NewtonGT]

have you also looked into OES?

[Bubba]

have you also looked into OES?

Don't think Brian is making cuben...unless you know something?


That's a difficult decision. Based on your points, Zpacks seem to come out ahead by a hair IMO.

[NewtonGT]

Don't think Brian is making cuben...unless you know something?


That's a difficult decision. Based on your points, Zpacks seem to come out ahead by a hair IMO.

ive seen some OES cubens. I think its a custom order type deal

[default]

zpacks ridgeline is 2 inches longer.
stormcrow's will be about .2oz lighter after seam sealing joe's
stormcrow's slightly more expensive ($25 more)
zpacks has much more long-term experience with cuben
zpacks ridgeline is sewn and stormcrow's is glued
stormcrow's wait period is shorter

if it were me, and taking into account i dont even know what cuben is aside from a really expensive/light/kinda thin material, this is how id break it down with that info:

2" really isnt going to make that much difference at 1" an end BUT
they have more experience and its sewed. those to me seem to be deciding factors that would make it worth the wait. as they say, anything good is worth waiting for...

[WV]

The glued seam is preferable IMO.

[exup]

If anyone knows its WV. I'd prefer a glued seam after all I've read.

[WV]

If anyone knows its WV. I'd prefer a glued seam after all I've read.

Thanks, but I'm not quite that advanced. On reflection, this may be a case of two methods to do the same task, in which one may be better than the other, but both are perfectly adequate. I haven't heard any tales of sewn tarp seams failing, though rigorous tests could make them seem weaker. The seam sealing (depending on method) could add strength, I suppose, but it's another factor that needs to be done right.

[finskie]

Thanks, but I'm not quite that advanced. On reflection, this may be a case of two methods to do the same task, in which one may be better than the other, but both are perfectly adequate. I haven't heard any tales of sewn tarp seams failing, though rigorous tests could make them seem weaker. The seam sealing (depending on method) could add strength, I suppose, but it's another factor that needs to be done right.

I think that WV has a point here. I have heard stories of cuben failing at punctures or things of that nature, but none failing at seams. One way may be better, but i think maybe the force exerted on the tarps is not enough for either method to fail? Both are great guys to deal with, and both stand behind their products. Flip a coin.

[hangnout]

Thanks, but I'm not quite that advanced. On reflection, this may be a case of two methods to do the same task, in which one may be better than the other, but both are perfectly adequate. I haven't heard any tales of sewn tarp seams failing, though rigorous tests could make them seem weaker. The seam sealing (depending on method) could add strength, I suppose, but it's another factor that needs to be done right.

I have a diy cuben tarp with sewn seams. It is 2+ years old and I have had no problems. At the time I made mine, the gluing process had not been perfected. There were stories of the glue not holding in really cold temps. This does not seem to be a problem with the improved methods. I would have to agree with WV that both are adequate. With the increased use of cuben tarps we will find out what works best after some age and use in a variety of enviroments.