What size tarp do you prefer and why?

[DRF]

I have to vote Superfly as well. Lots of options for all situations.

[DivaB]

I have a few tarps, but my most used is the Guide Gear 12x12 (which I did have to retreat it, that thread information is back in October). Fact is, they are not the quality they used to be. I like the options the bigger tarps give, it covers my tablecloth hammock, I can close in the ends if I need to, plus most of the time anymore my son and I are able to hang under one tarp.

[swa0210]

Small addendum to my first post. I realize now that I also carry a Go-lite poncho tarp in addition to my DD tarp, but I keep it rolled and in the pack. I guess I could use it as a tarp if I really needed to, but I've always carried both and look at the Go-lite more as a poncho.

[Porloff94]

I'd have to vote Superfly. I love my Maccat Deluxe, but the Superfly is my go-to for winter camping. Can't beat doors.

[Miguel]

I have a 12 x9.5 Big Daddy and plan on having HG make me one similar in size in Cuben. I'm not a "door" man but I like something that will provide great coverage to all my hammocks including the WB Ridgerunner. I've had smaller tarps and at times found myself wishing for more....never the reverse.

Miguel

[FLRider]

I started out with the ginormous Hennessy Hex. It kept me dry in absolutely pouring rain and blowing winds, especially on my Middleburg monsoon trip (I had enough rain on that weekend to drown sections of flat trail 3-6" deep).

However, the weight was greater than I wanted to deal with hiking. So, I invested in a DIY asym tarp and poncho/undercover. Which kept me dry in--again--pouring rain and blowing winds (tested it in the edge of an hurricane, with 20 MPH sustained winds). And it shed a good two pounds from my pack (four, on trips above 50* and below 70* for the low--the poncho triples as a Garlington insulator with the addition of a space blanket).

I still use the Hennessy on most of my biking trips--weight matters less there. But, for hiking, it's hard to beat the weight of the tarp and poncho/undercover combo. The only way I see to do it is to invest in cuben...and my pockets aren't quite that deep right now.

A couple of photos to illustrate:

The giant Hennessy Hex:



My DIY asym and poncho/undercover/Garlington insulator:



Hope it helps!

[summerlin18]

Absolutely love the Kelty Noah 12x12 tarp. Perfect amount of coverage whether it is warm or cold outside. It's got a million tie out points on it, and if you need to bring in the doors, you can do that with it too.

Been looking at the Noah 9x9 to use when it should be nice out. This will probly be my next purchase. Between these two tarps (always using the 9x9 on the diamond config), I feel that you will never have to worry about any situation and whether or not you'll be covered.

[Roadrunnr72]

I have a few tarps, but my most used is the Guide Gear 12x12 (which I did have to retreat it, that thread information is back in October). Fact is, they are not the quality they used to be. I like the options the bigger tarps give, it covers my tablecloth hammock, I can close in the ends if I need to, plus most of the time anymore my son and I are able to hang under one tarp.

My GG is one of the older ones, so no issues with the treatment.
When I close the ends, it does seemed tight inside. I am wanting a big tarp with the doors to give me a little more room. After posting earlier, I went and looked at the Superfly, very nice looking tarp, and priced comparable to the WL Oldman winter.


So when the extra $ become available, I'll have to take a close look at both the Superfly and Oldman, and then decide if I want to DIY one or just buy......RR

[Lamph]

I'm currently using a DIY plastic 8x11 hex tarp. It works great, but I plan to upgrade soon to a Wilderness Logics Tadpole. Maybe soon after that I will see about some of the bigger tarps for winter camping.

[steveflinn]

I'm for big and dark colored for hammocking. Wind, fog, rain, sun protection. Good for changing/hygiene/romantic moments in less stealthy environs. If I were going UL or dirt-sleeping I'd go very minimal (like a ponchotarp or my HH Backpacker stock tarp).