Originally Posted by
food
On the Colorado summer hang I had the only small tarp, a MLD UL Hammock Tarp (5.1 oz.). We had a lot of rain. I stayed dry, but when people got together to share meals and to swap lies, it was NOT under my tarp.
It you hike long days solo then a small tarp is fine.
If you occasionally want to set up to appreciate the view rather than be sheltered then you need a bigger tarp.
On the other hand I will not carry a tarp that requires more than two stakes per side. If you need three stakes per side, then add the two you need for panel pulls, then two each end for the doors you are carrying more weight in stakes than I carry in the tarp. Any each stake needs some guyline. Managing twelve stakes with guylines is more than my pea brain can handle after a long day of hiking!:boggle::boggle:
The rule is the same as all gear. Match your gear to your style.