Beginner question: Best tarp for the money?

[Cannibal]

That Gear Guide Tarp looks great, but of course it's OOS everywhere.

It comes into stock a couple of times a year, but you've got to be fast when it does. They don't last much more than a week, if that!

[Hairball]

I have a WB superfly. works well for cold weather with its built in doors. can flap open doors for nicer weather.

there's many avail. all depends on your budget

**** I really love that Superfly. It seems totally overkill for me current needs and particularly budget, but I've always been a sucker for cool gear. Not sure I can justify that one at this time!

[Catavarie]

If you're really looking for cheap yet durable you can DIY a Tyvek tarp. Either pick some up from a construction site or the Great Outdoor Provission Company in Chapel Hill sells it by the foot. Unsure if the Raleigh store has it as well, but you could check there first as it would be a much shorter drive for you.

[flashbang009]

Just read through a few tyvek diy threads. I like the idea bc its cheap and should be durable/feasible enough for occasional use. Still trying to get used to all of the terminology, cut styles and tieout options. Any really cheap source for silnylon or something similar for doing DIY?

[wwk10]

Joannes fabric and Hancock fabric almost always have 40% off coupons. Their 1.9 ripstop is $4/yard. You would need about 4 yard to make a 12x10 tarp. You would have to make it silicone impregnated yourself. There is a sticky on how to do that.

[Beast 71]

I think the factors that we'd need to know are, what are you looking for in terms of;
1. portability
2. durability
3. budget
4. coverage
5. what seasons you'd use it in
in order to help narrow it down.

I have a WB Superfly and I love it but, I mostly take my diamond tarp when weather permits. I take the diamond because it only use 2 stakes compared to 4-12 for the super fly.

[Hairball]

I think the factors that we'd need to know are, what are you looking for in terms of;
1. portability
2. durability
3. budget
4. coverage
5. what seasons you'd use it in
in order to help narrow it down.

I have a WB Superfly and I love it but, I mostly take my diamond tarp when weather permits. I take the diamond because it only use 2 stakes compared to 4-12 for the super fly.

Not sure if I should continue here or start a new thread of my own, but...

In my perfect world I'd have a tarp that is very portable and light for backpacking with big coverage (do to currently having a pretty large hammock). This would be a 3+ season tarp with some "mild" winter use such as 15 to 30 degrees and possible snow. The problem of course is getting all that on my budget. I'd like to come in under $100, but don't think it's possible to get all the features I would like at that price.

Another thing to note is that I'll only have 1 tarp for at least a while so better to have more coverage than I always need than not enough.

[Cannibal]

Hairball-
There are a ton of tarps (probably literally) that fit your needs. A GT Double isn't that large of a hammock unless you are really pushing the diagonal hard. Even then, anything from an OES MacCat Deluxe and up will work fine. If your concern is the aysm positioning when on the diagonal, give a look at the WB Diamond-Asym; tons of coverage for the diagonal sleeper, but very little weight and bulk. Personally, I'd go with a hex shape, or similar, tarp if you're worried about cold winds. That way, you can better reposition for side winds by changing the orientation of your tarp and how you tie it off.

[CrazyZippo]

Joannes fabric and Hancock fabric almost always have 40% off coupons. Their 1.9 ripstop is $4/yard. You would need about 4 yard to make a 12x10 tarp. You would have to make it silicone impregnated yourself. There is a sticky on how to do that.

Wouldnt oyu need 8 yards? If its only 4 then I need to head out and get some new white ripstop they just got in.

My math could be wrong I am jsut wondering if its 4 or 8 yards of material needed.

Thanks much
Zippo

[wwk10]

8 yards . . . .