Tarp doors for long distance travel?

[Palmetto]

Hello all, I'm just fleshing out some decisions before I start my silnylon hex tarp (first ever DIY project!), and i've been trying to decide how necessary doors are. I intend to use this tarp for an AT thru hike, so extra oz are a concern; but I also will be using my down TQ and UQ, so not getting wet is also a concern.

Another question: what is the cheapest/easiest material to use as a seam sealer?

[Unmighty]

I would say that they would be very beneficial especially since you are thru hike. You never know what weather will bring and when you have the option to baton the hatches it gives such great peace of mind.

[weaver2469]

I would consider splitting the difference and putting doors on one side. If you close that side up, you can cheat your hammock down toward that end, which will provide really good coverage, in my opinion. I have a MacCat Deluxe and one set of Grizzbeaks, and have stayed dry in some pretty good storms with just one side shut. For seam sealing, I have heard that Permatex flowable silicone from an auto parts store is your best bet, although I haven't used it myself.

[SilvrSurfr]

Thumbs up to doors, especially on a thru-hike where you will probably not have the time nor inclination to practice the black art of site selection to make up for lack of doors. Some folks have doors on just one end, or try to repurpose a poncho as UQP. Personally, I'd rather have doors.

[kayak karl]

i did 500 miles with a superfly. it was heavy and doors were a waste. i switched to a 9-11 cuben (no doors). have 1200 on that. would never use a tarp with doors for LD, buts that's just me

[Macabe96]

My HG cuben with doors is probably my favorite piece of gear. Being able to close both ends of the tarp up really helps retain heat and block out the wind. Two things that are very convenient along the trail. The extra weight and space in the pack becomes less of an issue as the miles pass; but the comfort of sleeping well each night, thats what matters.

[MAD777]

I would not hesitate to put doors on the tarp for a thru hike.

[NWAlabamaHiker]

I have just finished a SilNylon hex tarp with cat cut sides and ends. I used SilNet to seal my seams. I've read reviews that say it works very well, but this is just based on reviews because I haven't had a chance to use it yet (I just finished it yesterday - hope to post pictures soon). I can't speak to whether you need doors or not because I've never used a tarp with doors, but it does seem like they would be beneficial.

[Mountain Gout]

Well, Since you are doin diy, Modify it so you can use your poncho, or some double duty item to close an end off if needed.. Have fun..

[Gravity]

Here's a good video by someone who thru-hiked the AT using a Tadpole, a small tarp with no doors:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sTft2mLI0k

Here's a discussion of seam-sealing in general:
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...uide-Gear-Tarp

Here's what you need to seam-seal. I've used it, works great. Five bucks in auto-parts store: