Which beginner tarp?

Ok, I know there has probably been 100 of theses type of threads, and I think I have tried to to read most of them. I am wanting to get a cheap tarp so I can start hanging. I know I can go to walmart and get the cheap blue tarps (have some at home already), but I want something a little better.
The reason I'm wanting something cheaper to start off with is, I'm not sure what I'm wanting for a tarp. I see all the different ones that people on here has, but I don't know what will work for me. So, I have been digging around looking at the different cheaper tarps. Here is a list of the few that I found that might work for me till I figure out what I want out of a tarp, so I know what to order for the next time.
So, in your guys experience, can you help me out on getting something to cover me up while hanging, till I figure out the best tarp?

http://www.amazon.com/Equinox-145776...ef=pd_sbs_sg_2

http://bargainoutfitters.com/net/cb/...=scsho3640625&

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TW-Hammock...af496f7f2#shId

http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/dd...live_green_3x3

10x12 urethane coated - Price is not bad, tarp is as bulletproof as we get these days, heavier but not a killer. Big enough that you probably do not need to play games like diagonal pitches to cover the ridge line and you can fold in doors as an experiment. Multi task later as a group dining fly. It may well stay as your go to for car and winter camping.

found this today:
http://www.amazon.com/Chinook-Sand-T...pr_product_top

Both the Warbonnet Edge and the Wilderness Logics Tadpole can be had for less than $100. While neither would be considered a "Beginner Tarp", the cost of anything more than a blue construction tarp will represent a significant percentage of the cost of either of the above.

Calculate how long, in nights, you would have to delay your purchase to afford one of these tarps. How many of those nights would you be sleeping under the tarp? Can you suffer a blue construction tarp that number? My guess is you can.

Good Luck

I oense the saragasso tarp, and all i can say is for that money it is bombproof, never failed me, dont know what customs fee you have in us but its a great deal .

The ones you have linked... the outfitter one is the same as the "gear guide" tarp. Do a search here for feedback on it. It is sort of okay but you get what you pay for. I bought one to start off and had to send the first one back because the fabric was damaged. the second was okay and big but i had to seam seal it and it still leaks. The amazon one seems like another version of that one. The latter two you linked are UK sources... shipping will not make this a viable option.

From experience in buying multiple tarps to eventually get to the one you like- the best bang for my buck i found before buying my WB superfly (which is EPPPIIIICCCCCCCCC btw) I think the Kelty Noah 12ft was it. I found it on sale for $60 shipped, its big and a little heavy but it does not leak like the guide gear does. http://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Noahs-Ta...ah%27s+tarp+12

Thus now...my gear guide tarp is my campsite tarp for the car camping kitchen area, my noah is a backup/loaner, and the superfly is my hammock tarp.

If you want to go for something a bit better than the GG (that you will have to seam seal) but you aren't quite ready to drop a bill, you can't go wrong with the Kelty Noah 12 or a Hennessy Hex 70D. The Kelty is a bit cheaper than the HH Hex and the has endless set-up options. Being in Indiana, doors would be a plus right? http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...lectedIndex=10 I love mine! I also love my HH Hex so in my opinion (and we all have one here) you can't go wrong with either of these. Now to the best part, you can always sell the HH and the Kelty here when you get tired of it. Happy Hangin. +1 to OCDave. He is right, but sometimes you just can't wait when the gear bug start biting!

Do not skimp on your tarp...it is the most important part of your kit! Tarp fails and your hammock and insulation is wet this equals a BAD night. If unsure get a "Winter" tarp with doors you can always sell it for close to full price if it doesnt work for you.

I bought my first tarp on the HF For Sale section. A lightly used Warbonnet Mambajamba (new $110) with doors (new $75) for $85. I still use it when I know the weather warrants it.

Deals happen all of the time. You just need to watch and be ready to pounce.

Good luck!

Dog

+1 on the tadpole. It may also be all you need for the rest of your hammock career. And if you don't like it, sell it here for just a little below your purchase price. http://wildernesslogics.com/TAD-POLE-Tad-Pole.htm

check out that 12X9.5 Chinook tarp mentioned above. You have to look for them but they come in green too. Bomb proof tarp.

Also the Kelty Noah 12 is excellent too.

I have a Kelty Noah's Tarp 12 which I've owned and used since before I got a hammock. It's a solid purchase and handy as a group dining area.

I use the 70d Hennessy Hex for hanging. Relatively heavy and quite nice but I wish I had invested in the lighter one or one of the cottage tarps. That said, it's only $20ish more than the Kelty. I've never weighed either but it packs much smaller and seems lighter than the Kelty.

I think either of these would be a decent option for now. I think Hennessy does a yearly sale in October. If you could grab a Hex for cheap that might be a great option.

Either that or blue tarp it for now.

:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.D. Cakes

check out that 12X9.5 Chinook tarp mentioned above. You have to look for them but they come in green too. Bomb proof tarp.

Also the Kelty Noah 12 is excellent too.

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Green one: http://www.amazon.com/Chinook-Green-Tarp/dp/B00DNSNYTA

Agreed on the tarp being the most important piece of equipment.
I love my Warbonnet Superfly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.D. Cakes

check out that 12X9.5 Chinook tarp mentioned above. You have to look for them but they come in green too. Bomb proof tarp.

Also the Kelty Noah 12 is excellent too.

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as far as material and weight, what can you tell us about the two?

Don't get a "beginner" tarp. Get a tarp that will serve you for years, as others have said it's a vital part of your gear. Tadpole, Old Man Winter, superfly, MacCat, really any of the cottage vendor tarps here are great. Do a little research looking at profiles, reading the forums and get to a group hang or two, there will be all sorts of tarp selection, and opinions on them there. The For Sale section here is where I got started.......

I also vote tadpole. Great tarp for under $100

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bobbinheadlodge

as far as material and weight, what can you tell us about the two?

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The Chinook served me well as a winter tarp or full coverage tarp. It's well made with reinforcements on all pull outs but it does have grommets on the ridge line. Typically grommets fail but these never have and I set my tarp up very tight and have been in big storms with high winds. It will close on one end because it has tie outs mid way between the middle and end. But for some reason it only has that feature on one end. I took the stuff sack (which is way too big) and made triangle reinforcements with grosgrain tie outs to match the other side and now it can be closed on both ends.
https://www.hammockforums.net/galler...tarp_thumb.jpg
https://www.hammockforums.net/galler...side_thumb.jpg
https://www.hammockforums.net/galler...nook_thumb.jpg


The Noh tarps are made just as tough but they are wing tarps instead of rectangular. The Noah 9 is minimal but I have never gotten wet with it. The Noah 12 is big enough to have full coverage and can be set up many ways and comes with lots of tie outs.

Thank you all for your suggestions and help. I understand the buy once, cry once thought. But I don't want to do that while not knowing what I want. I hear several people recommend the tadpole tarp and the Kelty Noah 12 among others, but, while being very green to hammocking, I want to be able to practice and work on a tarp setup without ruining what I would call a higher end tarp.

What you need to understand is materials. The Noah and heavier Hennessy hex are polyester coated with urethane. That puts the tarps in the two pound range but at roughly half the price of Silicone Nylon at roughly 1 pound and twice the price.

Urethane comes in either light or heavy weight coatings but if made well ages well. The tarps will be the lighter weight. Some military grade is significantly heavier. Either way it quickly becomes apparent if there is an adhesion problem as it flakes off.

Sil also seems to come in various quality levels hence the issues with some of the low cost sil tarps. The "bad" sil feels right but leaks in heavy rain.

Just some points to consider when making a decision.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nighthawk80

... I want to be able to practice and work on a tarp setup without ruining what I would call a higher end tarp.

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OK then. From the list of possible tarps on your first post, I could recommend the Guide Gear. I had to seam-seal mine, but currently they are advertised as coming with factory-taped seams. There is a good thread about this tarp where I recount my experiences. Here's the link:

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ad.php?t=73936

I still have this tarp and it is my favorite for car camping, but too heavy for any real hiking. Mine is the largest size (14' ridgeline), but the 11x11 would be a very serviceable tarp if truly leak-proof.

Just an update, I ordered a Chinook 12x9 tarp from here: http://www.afterschool.com/p/beckson...le-tent-407766 With a coupon code: AFTER15 I paid $39.61 shipped to my door. This should give me something to mess around with so I can figure out what I do and don't like! It was actually cheaper to order this one instead of the Guide Gear tarp after shipping.

Thanks everyone for their help and advice.

Chinook is a solid tarp, and should you decide to upgrade in the future it'll server as a nice winter tarp or something you can get some use of at home or while car camping. Enjoy!

I like my 10 x 12 Chinook. I like my guide gear tarp better. Mainly because it is square instead of rectangle. (11x11??) My guide gear tarp is pre 2012. Last year there was a bad batch. Both weigh about 32 oz. I like both because they are so big. One down side to the guide gear is you have to sew a few loops on before you can use it.

I think I want a smaller tarp also.
I just found this
8 x 10 27oz $28

http://www.backcountrygear.com/equin...FUhk7Aod4HIAIw