Opinions on Kelty Noah 9

[wizardofhaws]

Regarding 9 vs 12. Was thinking the 9 in a diamond configuration but the posts about the 12 have me wondering if a 12 in a square would give more options. It would add about a half pound I think to go from the 9 to the 12. I know many people use diamond configuration tarps and keep dry so don't want to add more weight "just because".

[LazyBee]

I have used the Noah's 9 and 12 and the 9 seemed to do the job just fine during my last hang on the Chattooga River last month. We had two bands of rain go through during the night and nothing got wet or damp as far as I could tell. I used the Noah's 12 the time before and it was best described as "huge " by fellow hangers. My opinion is both are good tarps, but I prefer the 9 as it just seemed to do the job well without overkill on covered surface area, also I was not as concerned about the wind with less fabric to get strain. Either way, you will be "covered".

[hangNyak]

If this will be your only tarp, the 12 will give you more options. Yes, you could get by with the 9, in moderate weather. If you get a driving rain or high wind, there will be no way to close off that 9. My 12 I can pitch in a diamond or square. I prefer the square, as I can pitch it porch mode for fair weather or batten it down and close off the ends like doors in poor weather. Price wise, even if you don't get it on sale like I did, it's only about 15-20 bucks more. JMHO
Here is my Noah 12 in porch mode.

[obxh2o]

I have both the Noah 12 ($70.00) and the Guide Gear 12 ($20.00 on sale). Both have held up without a scratch through 70 mph winds on two different trips.

The 12's add some extra weight. But, in winter I like the extra coverage to block wind. In summer, I like the extra shade.

[USMCStang]

Guide Gear 12 ($20.00 on sale).

It looks like we have the annual "we are out of stock" on the guide gear tarps. I've been wanting to get one, but I can't seem to find it online anywhere.

I'm looking for a big ol' boy for double hammocks, and it looks like the kelty or DIY is the way to go.

[cashkeith]

The reviews on Kelty's site steered me away (http://www.kelty.com/p-518-noahs-tar...ctReviewAnchor) on problems with rain. I have a 9, but the only times I have taken it out it didn't rain. Wasn't that concerned about it when I bought it as I was a tent person at the time.

I'm a noobie at hammocks, but based on those reviews I got a ENO ProFly for my beginner rig. Albeit I haven't had it in the rain yet either. Take this fwiw as it appears several others have posted above that it has worked great for them in inclimate weather.

[wizardofhaws]

hangNyak thanks for the pics. Really helps seeing the 12 setup to compare with what I have seen of the 9. Was worried it would be too big but seems about right. It would be my only tarp and since I know I will use it for the ground and for sun shade seems the 12 would be the way to go.

Did you put any sealant on yours to help with the rain?

[L.D. Cakes]

I used my 9 in all kinds of weather and it was always bomb proof. It's all in how you pitch your tarp. I would go all the way to ground with the points, pitched in the diamond shape. Two trees, two ground stakes...you're done!

[Big Papi]

I have used both the 9 and 12. I use the 12 more often because we can get 2 hammocks under it pitched as a diamond, and when the weather is bad, i pitch it like a square and tie the ends inward. it makes a near bombproof winter shelter. But i am not a gram weenie, i can handle the extra half pound to give me all the options i want.

[babelfish5]

I have a 9 and love it. I use it while car camping. It's a great tarp and really tough. It's never let me down. I shy away from it for backpacking because of the weight. My biggest issue with it is if there is a change of rough weather. It's not good for blowing rain. A light rain is fine.

I still us it car camping but have moved on to a different tarp with doors for my backpacking tarp.