Need help picking out a new tarp.

I have recently got back into backpacking and because of my back issues I have had to greatly reduce the weight I can carry. One of the areas that I am trying to reduce weight is in my shelter. I am using a hammock system instead of a tent (also because of the bad back) and right now my shelter system weighs in at a total of 4 pounds 1.3 ounces. My current tarp weighs 22 ounces! Ouch.

I have been looking at the MacCat Standard (silnylon) which only weighs 10 ounces. I have also read some threads talking about cuben fiber tarps (which I have found to be very expensive) and spinnaker tarps.

I am concerned about paying lots of money for a cuben fiber tarp and it not holding up.

For those that are into light weight backpacking, what do you use and why? How does the material hold up?

I used a MacCat deluxe on my AT trek this summer.
I LOVED it.

I also have have one of these.
OUTSTANDING!! :boggle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sL0FIHQD84

i have 2 tarps currently, a HUGE HEAVY Underground Quilts Winter Dream 12 and a Wilderness Logics Big Black Daddy. almost the same tarp, the WL is a little shorter and less doors.

in this thread i posed the question of why people chose their tarp, what attributes etc. check it out

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ht=choose+tarp

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Originally Posted by REV

i have 2 tarps currently, a HUGE HEAVY Underground Quilts Winter Dream 12 and a Wilderness Logics Big Black Daddy. almost the same tarp, the WL is a little shorter and less doors.

in this thread i posed the question of why people chose their tarp, what attributes etc. check it out

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ht=choose+tarp

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Rev:
Thanks for pointing to that most excellent thread you started. Good expressions of appreciation of larger tarps for socializing, and some good illustrated personal histories with tarps, too. Better late than never, and I'll point some others to it, now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DemostiX

Rev:
Thanks for pointing to that most excellent thread you started. Good expressions of appreciation of larger tarps for socializing, and some good illustrated personal histories with tarps, too. Better late than never, and I'll point some others to it, now.

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no problem Demo.

my thing is, carry the biggest tarp you can comfortably. like i said in that thread, with my "smaller" tarp i could have fit 6 people under it and out of the rain. i look at it as id rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. more coverage is never a bad thing.

I have a cuben tarp and so far it has held up just fine although I haven't had it out where it takes a beating from the weather.

It really comes down to what coverage/weather protection you need. After that your pocket book will rule the choice.

As to the durability of cuben; I have started to hear reports on AT thru hikes being completed with cuben tarps which speaks well. Given the choice of repairing silnylon or cuben, I'd choose cuben hands down. My cuben is approaching it's first birthday and I couldn't tell it from a new one. Light weight, great coverage, excellent resale, cuben was an easy decision for me.

David

When it comes to weather protection, I am not going to skimp on price. I would rather pay more and get a great tarp that keeps me dry and it very light weight.

As far as trying to be social under my one tarp, that has never really been an issue that I have given much thought to. I really don't see that being a part of my buying decision as I usually will be camping with a small group of people. If it comes a down pour, we will all get under our respective tarps until it quits raining or seek shelter elsewhere. My main concerns are staying dry from the elements and being light weight and durable.

I will check out the other thread listed above as well but I am leaning more and more towards this cuben fiber tarp. I would love to see one of these in person though before I buy one online. I am pretty sure that there is not a place where I can pick one up locally.

Anyone in the Austin/Central Texas area have a cuben fiber tarp that I could check out?

I use a MaCCat Standard in cuben and really like it. It is a little short for my longer hammocks so for those I use a MacCat Deluxe in Spinn UL. No problem with holding up so far with either tarp.


S

Warbonnet edge. Super light (sil version), good enough coverage, if you pitch it well.

Overall very pleased with this piece of gear (but have only had for one season and a handful of trips so no comments on durability).