Zipper doors on a tarp

[Vtpilot1]

If this is a dumb question forgive me, but is it possible to put zippered doors on the ends of a tarp instead of having to stake the doors closed? I know it would add an ounce or two but was just curious if it was even feasible.

[FlyingFox]

From what I gather when they are pegged down they have a chance to move in the wind. If they are zipped closed and a strong wind pulls the doors apart then it may damage the zips.
Hence Velcro is suitable as it rips apart and then settles together again.

[Bubba]

I don't know if the extra weight and costs in labour and materials would be that benificial over just having them staked closed.

[WV]

I have a tarp with sort-of doors, and they use a vertical velcro closure at the end, but velcro is a nuisance - it sticks to things you don't want it to - so the next version of this design will have a zipper (#3 coil, probably).

In other words, not a dumb question. And even if it were, thanks for asking anyway.

[Kanguru]

Pretty sure 2Q had one with zippers at one of the winter hangs.

[dammfast]

doesn't having a zipper mean that you always have to pitch the tarp at the same angle of steapness each time? I would think that velcro doors or zipper doors if pitched too steep would be flappy and if too shallow wouldn't reach the center. That is what I have pictured in my head at least. I could be wrong. I know one of Shug's tarps has velcro closures on the doors.

[JohnSawyer]

I don't stake my doors down. I use shock cord to tie them to the opposite corner... That way when I want in and out, I can just push them aside...

That said, I've never been in really strong wind . . .

[bowl-maker]

I have Velcro on my winter dream and love it

i put it on so that one end closes easily from the inside and one end closes easily from the outside

[Two Tents]

doesn't having a zipper mean that you always have to pitch the tarp at the same angle of steapness each time? I would think that velcro doors or zipper doors if pitched too steep would be flappy and if too shallow wouldn't reach the center. That is what I have pictured in my head at least. I could be wrong. I know one of Shug's tarps has velcro closures on the doors.

That can be over come by having a pull point/tie out at the bottom edge near the center. The pitch than can be close to the same each time and any slack in the varying pitch possibilities is adjustable each time. It creates a vestibule of sorts. I've tried this 'zippered' door on an OES micro to help that tiny tarp with weather security. I put an opposite door on the other end but did not do a zipper on the second door. I put a men's underwear type flap to seal out weather around the suspension lines on the non zip end. On the door end, the zipper is a two way so I can adjust it to whatever suspension angle it ends up being, ideally around 30 degrees but endless adjustibility with the two way zipper. I never made the jump and modified a bigger tarp but it should work. I won a cuben Grizz Beak at MAHHA so my door quest ended there at 1.9 ounces.

[psyculman]

I had Velcro on my HH Hex end closure door/panel. It was not very easy to deal with.
So I sewed each end panel to one side of the HH Hex, then used a recycled sleeping bag sipper for the other side. A sleeping bag zipper is usually the perfect length, same as the 60" length of the Hex, from top center ridge to ground, with a little less, to allow for the hammock suspension coming through. Although it all does make for a little more weight, for winter use, it is well worth the extra warmth. But, I don't use it in the summer.