Aqua-Quest 13 X 10 Tarp

[mychal]

Just a quick round of my thoughts on a sub-$100 13' tarp I found on Amazon.

http://www.aquaquestdrybagsystems.co...il-tarp-large/

http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Quest-Gui...V9SE32P5BXPTQB

Note that the pictures on both the Aqua-Quest web site and the Amazon page show a smaller AQ tarp, with different tie-outs. The most important difference is that the tie-outs where the ridgeline would attach (the center tie-outs on the short sides) do not exist. We had to sew on a tie-out at those spots. Like the Chinook tarp which is famous for it's weirdly placed grommets, I have no explanation for why the AQ tarp doesn't have the two most important tie-outs. The AQ tarp has real webbing tie-outs, not grommets.

But the rest of the tarp is absolutely impressive. The tarp is very big, which works for me because I have a 12' hammock. Not only is it long, but with 5' of height on each side, it also provides a lot of coverage and privacy. The tarp is significantly lighter than my Kelty Noah 12, which I also love. Much, much lighter. The material and sewing both seem of the highest quality.

No rain test yet, so can't judge that part, but I'll add it to this as I go through. It seems that AQ actually specializes in waterproof bags, so I'd say that increases the odds of keeping you dry. Amazon reviews are positive, too, so at $99 for a 13' tarp, it was an experiment I was willing to try.

[evilleotter]

Keep us posted on this tarp. I also love my Noah's 12 but I've been looking for a lighter alternative that won't break the bank.
Thanks for the info.

[dirkomatic]

I considered this tarp, but went with the Chinook 12 x 9.5. I'd be really curious to see a comparison between the two.

[mychal]

I just so happen to have both.

I also have a very expensive 13' SLD Winter Haven. I won't be able to do it for a few weeks, but I'll do a detailed comparison of all three, and maybe even throw in the Kelty Noah 12 and a beautiful 12' SLD Trail Haven hex into my review. Yeah, I've gone a little crazy buying gear this year.

Here's a brief summary. I really like all 5 of these tarps. The Aqua Quest is much closer in quality to the Winter Haven than it is to the Chinook, but it's also about $30 or $40 more than the Chinook. The main weaknesses of the Chinook are a) grommets instead of tie-outs, and b) the strange placement of the grommets, which I suspect had to do with how the Sphinx is aligned with the pyramids and King Tut's tomb.

The quality of the Aqua Quest material is outstanding and it comes with, like, 92 tie-outs. But it's main weakness is that it's missing the most important ones: the ridgeline ties.

The SLD Winter Haven is just a work of art.

[dirkomatic]

Thanks. That's great for a short write up.

[Rolloff]

Aqua Teen Hunger Force approves this review.

[John Barleycorn]

Purchased the 10 x 13 AQ and was also disappointed with the lack of center tie outs , but it performed perfectly in a 5 hour downpour on the Manistee River Trail , I carried it along with my NX250 w/XL tarp just to try it out , set up independently , three of us stayed high and dry with plenty of room . My son and a buddy were in Henneseys and all were dry and comfortable the whole night .

[BananaHammock]

I may have been convinced just now to purchase the 10X13 AQ with an additional purchase on ebay of tarp tie outs.

[AlteredMentalStatus]

Just received my tarp, hope togged a review up on it soon...IMG_1004.jpgIMG_1007.jpgIMG_1009.jpg

[mychal]

Shortly after I bought mine, they added the RL tie outs centered on the short sides. I do not know why they ever sold these without those particular tie outs.