Radiant heat under tarp

[Shnick]

Having been under many a tent in my life, both mil and civy versions, I know that the sun's heat can pass under and inside the tent. I am looking for a darkish (black or brown) tarp to cover my ENO Doublenest and Guardian Bugnet. Problem is, know if a go with a black tarp the same thing will happen. I realize the open-ness (is that a word?) of a tarp may help, but still...

Does anyone (big box store or cottage) make a tarp that not only keeps you dry, but reflects a bit of the sun without looking like a giant sheet of tin foil? I'm in South GA and it's gonna be a hot one this year...

Thanks,
Shnick

[SnrMoment]

In theory, green is the coolest color (trees, grass). I'd go digital camo for the heat.

[perdidochas]

In theory, green is the coolest color (trees, grass). I'd go digital camo for the heat.

Green is not the coolest color. The only reason we associate it with cool is because the evaporation from the living plants cools things off.

[dangerous]

if your worried about retained heat, stay away from cuben. Mines seems to work like a green house with the doors shut.

[Catavarie]

I'd suggest any Hex tarp that is not black and for summer leave the quilts at home. Summer nights means hot and muggy, so pitch the tarp wide open and enjoy the cooling effect of even the slightest of breeze.

[cataraftgirl]

I am in the process of switching from a light gray to a green tarp for just this reason. I use my larger (12X15) tarp on river rafting trips for both rain and sun protection. We noticed that we could feel the heat through the tarp a bit more with the lighter color tarp. Some of that may be a trade-off with the lighter weight of the silnylon fabric over a heavier coated fabric??? After looking at tarp fabric samples in gray,green, brown, and black, I decided on green. The brown was a close second, but the green seemed to have the best sun blocking ability without being as dark and heat retaining as black.
I'll get to test drive my new Wilderness Logics Big Otter tarp this summer to see if the green color works as well as I think it will.
KJ

[fallkniven]

What about the Superfly's olive brown...

[Shnick]

I had the superfly on the top of my choice list, but I'm thinking it may ba a bit larger than I actually need. I'm gearing more towards TTT's Cat Cut Tarp or Wilderness Logics Big Daddy with 115" ridgeline. The Big Daddy weighs in 4.8 oz lighter than the Cat Cut.

Thanks everyone...

Shnick

[cataraftgirl]

I had the superfly on the top of my choice list, but I'm thinking it may ba a bit larger than I actually need. I'm gearing more towards TTT's Cat Cut Tarp or Wilderness Logics Big Daddy with 115" ridgeline. The Big Daddy weighs in 4.8 oz lighter than the Cat Cut.

Thanks everyone...

Shnick

You might want to check the specs on the Big Daddy again. The ridge line length choices are 132 and 144, the 115 is the tarp width.
In addition to the Big Otter in green, I'm also getting a Big Daddy in brown.

[Shnick]

You might want to check the specs on the Big Daddy again. The ridge line length choices are 132 and 144, the 115 is the tarp width.
In addition to the Big Otter in green, I'm also getting a Big Daddy in brown.

Ah ok, I read it as 132" by 115" ridgeline or 144" ridgeline...
"Big Daddy" with (4) side panel pullouts. 1.2 Silnylon, 132" x 115" Or 144'' RL

Either way, I just found this:
http://shop.bivysack.com/product.sc?...3&categoryId=6
These folks have a good selection of fabric choices, one of which is the reflective material. I'm probably being picky, but I'm not a DIY'er, and once I buy something I like to explore all options. I also do my best to take care of my stuff.

Shnick