Help picking a tarp

**RFlyer** · 05-30-2014, 15:03

I'm looking for getting a tarp that will mostly be used car camping and on short backpacking trips. Weight isn't my main concern. I'm more concerned with durability and it's ability to keep me sheltered in poor weather. I'll be in teen temps with this and most importantly looking to fit two people under it.

I'm looking at the JRB universal tarp for it's size and I like the option to add the spring poles. I've also looked at the superfly but don't know that it's beg enough to accommodate.

Also, I've been reading a lot about using shock cord and what not for set up. Can anyone point me in the direction of a thread that has more info on this or a tarp set up video on how to string it up?

**Insaniac99** · 05-30-2014, 15:33

What you described sounds exactly like the Kelty Noah 12. Bomb proof, inexpensive, durable, but a tad heavy.

**mrcheviot** · 05-31-2014, 11:55

In addition to the Kelty the Chinook 12x9 tarp would definitely fit the fill (plenty of mentions on the site that you can find via search), although I think you'd be better off waiting for a good deal on an Old Man Winter or Mamajamba sized sil tarp. I may actually be selling my OMW w/ single pole mod shortly if you're interested.

For using shock cord, easiest method I've found is outlined in this thread by ^shane^. The method described on the manuf site (with the locks used at the stake end to shorten or lengthen the loop) seems to hold a bit better, but unless you're pitching in extreme winds it shouldn't matter.

**hutzelbein** · 05-31-2014, 13:11

I'm not sure how two people under one tarp influence tarp dimensions, e.g. is a longer ridgeline useful? Or is it better to have longer sides?

Do you want to hang two hammocks bunk style?

In any case, have a look at the tarps Wilderness Logics sells. They do all kinds of customizations for a competitive price. The quality is high as well, and I wouldn't worry about robustness.

**RFlyer** · 06-02-2014, 15:16

Yes, I'm trying to hang bunk style.

**Insaniac99** · 06-02-2014, 16:19

Originally Posted by RFlyer

Yes, I'm trying to hang bunk style.

What type(s) of weather are you trying to plan for?

**RFlyer** · 06-08-2014, 02:33

I'm looking for a 4 season. I'm mostly using this for climbing trips so there won't be any snow on the ground for the most part but it can get into the teens at night.

**Beast 71** · 06-09-2014, 14:33

Originally Posted by RFlyer

I'm looking for a 4 season. I'm mostly using this for climbing trips so there won't be any snow on the ground for the most part but it can get into the teens at night.

A Superfly should work well but it might be more delicate than a pu-coated tarp and sil is flammable.

**hutzelbein** · 06-09-2014, 14:54

Originally Posted by Beast 71

A Superfly should work well but it might be more delicate than a pu-coated tarp and sil is flammable.

As far as I know, ALL synthetic tarps are flammable... No difference between silnylon or polyester. I would assume even a cotton tarp with PU-coating would burn. It's a good idea to keep fire away from all UL gear

I also don't think that a silnylon tarp is any more "delicate" than a PU-coated polyester (or nylon) tarp. I actually think that the PU-coating is a weakness. Every PU-coated item I have ever owned started peeling after some time. I have yet to see silnylon fail. My oldest silnylon tarp (an old-style WB Superfly) is now 4 years old and is still going strong. I have not pampered it at all. I have to admit, though, that I only own one PU-coated tarp (it's a Hennessy tarp, but I don't know the model) that I have not used because it is bulky, heavy and sticky compared to my sil tarps.

**hipbone** · 06-09-2014, 15:37

I have a sil nylon tarp going on 14 years old and it's still in good shape. it went the whole AT with me in 2001 and I'm going to use it on the Colorado trail this year... great material