OES Alternative?

**Izraelius** · 05-05-2014, 16:19

I absolutely am hooked on the OES tarp. It's quality is raved about, it's price is great, BUUUTT........ (we all know how big that but is)

What is good alternative? I'm mostly concerned with the weight, coverage, and pricing. Is there anything else that can meet the same specs as the OES tarp?

Thanks!

**2ply** · 05-05-2014, 16:53

Under Ground Quilts has the Hanger series of tarps that are similar to the OES.

http://www.undergroundquilts.com/tarps/default.html

**BillyBob58** · 05-05-2014, 21:14

I had the MacCat Dlx, and I loved it. But I felt like I needed a little more coverage for my JRB bridge than it provided, so I got a JRB 11X10 rectangular ( with some small cat cuts) and have been totally happy with it. It weighed a few oz more but def provided more coverage on the sides for the spreader bars, and has a wide variety of configurations it can be pitched in, like a Baker Hut or a tent mode(aka hammock hut?) when pitched on the 10 ft ridge line. They also have several other tarps. I'm sure there are also several other high quality tarps among HF vendors, this is just one I know about. They are on sale at $129.

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shelters-accessories/
It would probably arrive yesterday if ordered today. Or close anyway.

**yooz85** · 05-05-2014, 21:48

Wilderness logics has excellent tarps at a great price and little to no wait time.

I have both wilderness logics and an oes tarps all though I bought the oes here on the for sale section.

**Tuck** · 05-05-2014, 22:30

Arrowhead Toxaway is a nice tarp for the price.

**michigandave** · 05-06-2014, 05:23

Check out the Trail Haven series from Jared at www.simplylightdesigns.com . He offers lots of options too.

**dragon360** · 05-06-2014, 08:35

Luckily most of the manufacturers have similar quality choices. I have several OES and dealing with Brian was fine (need a bit of patience but no issues). But I do have tarps from other manufacturers and they are great too. feel safe that chances are you cannot make a bad selection.

**Two Tents** · 05-06-2014, 09:29

I think that OES has more satisfied customers than not. Awesome tarps so the 'but' is worth it IMO. I have not had any issue with the orders I've placed with Brian. Top shelf work he does. My answer to the Op's question is I have high regards of tarps from Wilderness Logics and reccomend them. Marty's products and service are awesome.

**dakotaross** · 05-06-2014, 11:05

Like most makers who are on the leading edge, folks catch up to what they're doing and the quality gap narrows, or its even exceeded in quality by other makers trying to make their mark. OES was one of the first true hammock tarp makers, but this product is largely unchanged after a decade. A sil hex tarp is not hard to reproduce without much in regard to intellectual property of its design.

This has been said a number of times, so the above is just an attempt to add another take on it, but there are too many producers of hammock tarps putting out really good product to get locked in on any one of them - not to mention one that has been getting a bad rap.

I have had a Toxaway for several years now and love it. It pitches very taut due to more aggressive cat cuts in comparison to some other tarps, like the WB BMJ (which is another fine one to consider). For that reason, I don't feel the need for pull outs most of the time, which it doesn't have. I carry 2 tarp clips to attach as needed, but typically only use 1 if that since I'm usually only blocking wind from one side.