Simply the best cover for foul weather...

**Camping With Ken** · 01-29-2014, 04:48

... is a 12' x 10' heavy duty black and silver tarp I bought from Home Depot for $24. I've used it a number of times now, in especially bad weather, and it's protected me wonderfully. It keeps me warm and dry and out of the wind. The only downside is the weight at about 6 pounds.

Last time I used it, I had it set up in what I call the "dormer configuration" anchored like a Warbonnet Superfly with the doors closed, and I had enough room to set up my cook stove and make my dinner while it stormed.

I even prefer it over my Hennessy Typhoon, which is nice and light but a little disappointing when it comes to coverage.

With all the possible configurations, literally dozens and dozens because of the grommet every three feet, this tarp is a permanent fixture in my backpack.

**DuctTape** · 01-29-2014, 05:33

These large sized tarps are what I use when the season calls for it. I have a 10x11 silnylon so it is a fraction of the weight, but quite more expensive. I also have a DIY version which was much cheaper.

**The_hanging_dog** · 01-29-2014, 07:03

nice! and i see your dog likes photo bombing too

**Tonykarter** · 01-29-2014, 08:53

I too like the advantages of a larger tarp when truck or boat camping. In addition to hammock camping I sometimes camp in a tentcot when alone, and in a large tent when the family comes with me. Last Friday I went tarp mad, and ordered several to take care of all of my foreseeable exposures: 12x14 and 12x18 clear poly reinforced, and a heavy-duty 12mil 20X20 silver over white. These have grommets every 18 inches, and the white interior on the large should reflect lantern light rather than absorb it. Also, Texsport metal 8-foot telescoping tent poles, 24 and 72 inch heavy duty bungee cords for guy-ropes. Tons of configuration possibilities. I'll probably need four foot long stakes to keep the large anchored in the wind! I seldom backpack except during hunting season, so I don't have to worry about weight. In the last 40 years I have had occasion to need them. Now, I want to have them in case I need them again rather than need them and not have them.

**Camping With Ken** · 01-30-2014, 00:13

Originally Posted by The_hanging_dog

nice! and i see your dog likes photo bombing too

LOL! Yeah... that's Otto.

He's a good camping dog...

**Camping With Ken** · 01-30-2014, 00:14

Originally Posted by DuctTape

These large sized tarps are what I use when the season calls for it. I have a 10x11 silnylon so it is a fraction of the weight, but quite more expensive. I also have a DIY version which was much cheaper.

They do work great...

**Camping With Ken** · 01-30-2014, 00:15

Originally Posted by Tonykarter

I too like the advantages of a larger tarp when truck or boat camping. In addition to hammock camping I sometimes camp in a tentcot when alone, and in a large tent when the family comes with me. Last Friday I went tarp mad, and ordered several to take care of all of my foreseeable exposures: 12x14 and 12x18 clear poly reinforced, and a heavy-duty 12mil 20X20 silver over white. These have grommets every 18 inches, and the white interior on the large should reflect lantern light rather than absorb it. Also, Texsport metal 8-foot telescoping tent poles, 24 and 72 inch heavy duty bungee cords for guy-ropes. Tons of configuration possibilities. I'll probably need four foot long stakes to keep the large anchored in the wind! I seldom backpack except during hunting season, so I don't have to worry about weight. In the last 40 years I have had occasion to need them. Now, I want to have them in case I need them again rather than need them and not have them.

Man... you don't mess around, do you?