Sock vs Tarp

[ljcsov]

By not using a down sleeping bag.

Well, the issue that I'm running into is cost. A tarp of some sort is the last thing I need to complete my gear but I can't justify spending another $150 on one. I figured a sock could be made cheaper, but now it just seems like I'd break even when I look at what I'd need to buy. I'm turning my attention towards finding a cheap low-end tarp for now... I'd really like to see someone take an interest in something like this though.

You can DIY a 12x10 tarp for like $40

Right now I have a 10x5 asym (it actually gives me some sweet coverage and weighs nothing) which cost me about $15 to make.

Check out diygearsupply.com 's 2nds for a great deal!

[wwk10]

Cheap tarps
Chinook 12 x 9.6 $30 when on sale
Guide Gear 12 x 12 $30 when on sale
Try Bargain Outfitters.

Walmart was $9 5x7 tarps in the camping section. Sew two together for a 10x7

Campmor I think has a square tarp around $30-40

Compared to slinylon they are heavy, compared to cuben they are very heavy, but compared to "blue" tarps they are space age light.

If you car camp, the 'blue" tarps are an option

[lustreking]

Walmart was $9 5x7 tarps in the camping section. Sew two together for a 10x7

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...t=29792&page=5

[Rapt]

Buy cheep nylonf fabric sew whatever tarp you like and DIY the sil coating per the sticky there... Cheap and wonderful. ... except for the labour...

[ricecg]

Fabric is cheap and if you want to DIY sil/nylon can be cheaper (just messier), but with the whole idea of DIY is coming up with something that is you and your idea...sometimes ideas come from here and there and you put it into a pot and wham...something new...why not combine the idea of a tarp and sock....so make it like a sock with tarp sides that could be spread out during rain storms/breakfast/pee breaks and zips up to make a sock

[JBizzle]

Where are you going to "dance a jig" in a sock during a rain storm?

Better yet, where are you going to cook?

[BER]

I think a sock might be good in the winter, perhaps with vents ala the Eureka Chrysalis top, but agree with others that it would not be a good rainy alternative. in freezing weather, it might be less hassle than snow stakes and such for a tarp. You would lose the protected area for cooking or additional gear that is afforded by a tarp.

[BlazeAway]

There is a reason all the hangers here generally uses tarps and only occasionally use a sock (only a few members and only in extreme cold weather).
Learn from the old ones.
And then again you might have discovered something others have missed. I don’t know.
Any way, good luck.

[G.L.P.]

it pretty much boils down to what you have been told by everyone ...
socks work best with a tarp ...

it seems everyone pretty much covered all the reasons for this ... IE getting in and out without getting wet... sure you can use Synth quilts but do you really want to be wet and cold? i don't care what insulation your using wet and cold sucks ... cooking in weather?

a Sil sock is just asking for condensation ... and even if you figure a way to vent it your going to draw out the heat the sock should hold in .... that and some materials tend to bleed when you come in contact with it so it comes down to it you still need the tarp even a small one

if you have a way to make a sock why not just make the tarp first?
or get a cheap tarp for the time being till you can get something better
do you really want to trust your life in the dead on winter in freezing rain to just a sock?