1.1 vs 1.4 oz silnylon & MacCat weights

**kwpapke** · 09-20-2008, 15:42

OK, so I'm repeating probably what every other member of the forum has done before buying a bigger tarp: put together a matrix/table of the all the alternatives, etc. In doing so I have become puzzled by the low weight of the MacCat tarps compared to the competitors, yet the OES website claims use of 1.4 oz silnylon versus the 1.1 oz everyone else seems to use.

What am I missing?

Example: the Speer CatTarp and MacCat are both roughly the same size, yet the MacCat comes in 1/2 oz lighter. Speer uses 1.1 oz, MacCat uses 1.4 oz/yard silnylon according to their websites. In theory, the MacCat should be much heavier.

--Kurt

**fin** · 09-20-2008, 16:13

Tie-out weights? Reinforced fabric corners? Reinforced hems? All of these things could also be a factor.

**Coldspring** · 09-20-2008, 17:50

They're not really the same shape or dimensions. 1/2 an ounce isn't much. I really like the edging around the perimeter of the MacCats, it surely must be heavier. I don't know if the D-rings or reinforcement material at the tie-outs of the MacCats is heavier, but it surely must be more durable. If I remember correctly, most 1.1 sil actually weighs 1.3 oz. I would suspect that even the same models of tarps will vary in weight by 1/2 an ounce.

**Brian** · 09-21-2008, 01:15

Kurt,

While most silnylon has a fabric weight of 1.1oz per yard, the fabric after the silicone impregnation is usually around 1.30-1.45oz/yd^2. I simply choose to list the fabric with the true finished weight. Same fabric, just a different listing of the same material.

Brian
OES

**kwpapke** · 09-21-2008, 07:41

Originally Posted by Brian

Same fabric, just a different listing of the same material

I figgered it had to be something simple like that. Thanks Brian!

Direct comparison of tarp specs is turning out to be more challenging than it first appeared. The other issue is actual finished dimensions of a cat tarp - is it the longest, shortest or average of the cut edge? Brian does a nice job on his site of being specific about the width measured at the *widest* point.

JRB is inconsistent - the website does fess up that the 8x8 is actually 7'2" square when finished, but doesn't specify how the 11x10 is measured for instance.

Another challenge is comparing weights: is the stuff bag and/or lines included?

--Kurt

**Just Jeff** · 09-21-2008, 08:13

Lines are usually not included, stuff sacks often are but the website will list that. Be sure to see if seamsealing is included in the weight as well.

**Brian** · 09-21-2008, 18:02

I do include a stuff sack and seam sealing, and more importantly, include that in my final weights!

If you see a site with a really heavy silnylon, then it's probably 1.9oz, but I cannot imagine anyone using that for a regular tarp. So chances are if you see silnylon, it's pretty much the same stuff. What matters after that is what other weight components are listed.

Brian
OES