Noah's 12....can you give me real use stories?

[Campdavid]

Okay, so I have read a handful of reviews of the Noah's tarps, most of them positive. However, I will be heading to the boundary waters in Minnesota in a few weeks and really want to make sure I stay dry out there.

This will be my first real wilderness trip....been car camping plenty of times with my tarp but have only experienced light rain (lucky I know). I do plan to set it up in the yard and give it a good hosing test but want to know what you have experienced with rain and worse on your Noah's tarps.

Reading the specs the PU coating is "450 mm" while even the Chinook is "2000 mm."

So, in your REAL WORLD experience, will it keep my dry or do I have to buy something else?

Thanks so much!

[Eidson]

Never even looked at the particular specs on mine. Was just a quick order to fill an immediate need for a cheap large coverage tarp.
Real world experience...I've had it in dozens of storms, some complete driving downpours and I'e never had a leak in it. I did seam seal everything before using and touch up every year or so. Setting it up in a "winter mode" will keep you dry in even horizontal rains.
It is heavy and doesn't pack well. This shouldn't be a surprise, but just wanted to point out. Reinforcements are sturdy and never had an issue with durability. I have one slight tear in having used it for around 4 years. This was due to dragging across a thorn bush in the middle of storm when a guyline and stake were pulled. Amateur mistake and it was easily repaired with a patch.
Through strong rainstorms and even blowing snow storms, it well exceeded its value to cost ratio for me.

[joe_guilbeau]

Here are some of the posts, using the <Advanced Search> @ the upper right hand corner and typing in the Search String <Noah> and choosing to display <Posts> returned the following:

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...archid=3518173

[Campdavid]

Perfect....thanks

[dirkomatic]

I really like my Noah 12. It is true that it doesn't stretch as tight as the more expensive cat cut tarps, I've had mine through a serious downpour and stayed dry in "door mode"

[genixia]

It's an awesome tarp. It is heavy and it doesn't pack well, but it well keep you dry.

[Boston]

I highly doubt the Kelty Tarp is only rated to 450mm hydrostatic head pressure. Minimum rating to be considered waterproof is at least 1000mm by most standards. Probably it is 4500mm, and the spec you read had a typo. Where did you find that anyway?

[Bubba]

The Kelty site says the fabric is 75d polyester, 450mm. I bought a noahs 16 a while back but haven't had the chance to use it. Before buying it I read a ton of positive reviews so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[mountainhanger]

Real world for me is my backyard with this tarp, I've had it up since I bought it only took it down when I left out of town. Have had it in some serious storms and rains, and here by Chicago some good Ole fashion wind.never a problem everything stayed dry and tarp is doing great still. Bought it when it was on sale for like $55. Figure I couldn't lose. I havent! Agree with others not the lightest nor most compact, and wrangling it up for backpacking I think would definitely require snake skins..can't go wrong wth it . BTW always have mine set up in in the traditional diamond which means you need close to 20' I th ink between trees

[miyanc]

I owned a noah 16. Huge tarp. I was able to set it up above my head (like I had used a stick to push up the rl) and still hang it with doors. The tarp made for a perfect bunk bed shelter for me and my son. The first time I used it the rain started before we got there and rained about 6 inches over 2 days. It was also 35 degrees. The tarp didn't leak and provided me floor to ceiling coverage out of the rain. especially when others had a river running thru there tents. I am working on making some lighter tarps but think when I get those I will get the 12 for a back up or campsite tarp for cooking and stuff.