Cuben fiber tarps

[gunner76]

I use cuben tarps when backpacking due to the weight savings.

[sidvicious]

i love my profly tarp. it is a tank and is my sentimental favorite. i've had it for years, now. going strong.

but cubens are well worth it. they are my true favorite for all the reasons stated. i backpack all the time, and on a hike out, or multiday trip the cuben is well worth it; no moisture content to bog the pack. it DOES make a difference.

but i still love my profly, man.............

cuben all the way if you had to do just one...

[OneClick]

That Hammockgear cuben hex is looking nice. I usually use my Mamajamba which is similar, but 18" wider. But that's a good thing since I sometimes wish I got the smaller Edge tarp. The HG hex would be a nice compromise. But $235! I can't do it, but it's still on the wish list.

[OneClick]

After getting reminded about the sag from silnylon on my last trip, cuben popped back into my mind. I'm starting to consider this a bit more. But being somewhat transparent, do you get a greenhouse effect? Sometimes I set up just to block the sun. I wouldn't want the sun heating things up.

[Gravity]

... But being somewhat transparent, do you get a greenhouse effect? Sometimes I set up just to block the sun. I wouldn't want the sun heating things up.

CF tarps don't provide any relief from the sun, and do create a greenhouse effect. That's the reality. I have a CF for the weight, but don't expect any shade from it.

[SilvrSurfr]

I've never set any tarp up in the midday sun for day lounging. However, if that's one of your tarp requirements, I'd skip cuben fiber.

[Benson Burner]

Cuben Fiber Tarps are alot of money...
The Camo Version that HG offers let's through less light i believe if light were an issue. After backpacking through the 70's with gear I thought to be light all the way up until 2010. I think going ultralight with a healthy body and a very limited cash budget is not necessary. Going as light as you can is a good goal but carrying a Superfly vs a Cuben Tarp wouldn't have mattered to me. Like others have said going ultralight is an expensive game played best by people with money to burn. Quality backpacking can be achieved with out shedding every gram. However without sounding like a hipocrit shedding every unnecessary gram is fun to try an achieve its just isn't required to enjoy backpacking.

Wise Words:

[JasonACraft]

Cuben Fiber Tarps are alot of money...
The Camo Version that HG offers let's through less light i believe if light were an issue. After backpacking through the 70's with gear I thought to be light all the way up until 2010. I think going ultralight with a healthy body and a very limited cash budget is not necessary. Going as light as you can is a good goal but carrying a Superfly vs a Cuben Tarp wouldn't have mattered to me. Like others have said going ultralight is an expensive game played best by people with money to burn. Quality backpacking can be achieved with out shedding every gram. However without sounding like a hipocrit shedding every unnecessary gram is fun to try an achieve its just isn't required to enjoy backpacking.

Man, I really like that. Comparatively, when was the last time any of us were able to cut 20lbs from our packs? Yet 20lbs is 20lbs to your feet. Having lost mine I can say that my last few hikes have been so much more enjoyable.

[OneClick]

CF tarps don't provide any relief from the sun, and do create a greenhouse effect. That's the reality. I have a CF for the weight, but don't expect any shade from it.

I've never set any tarp up in the midday sun for day lounging. However, if that's one of your tarp requirements, I'd skip cuben fiber.

OK thanks. I kind of wish the sun would just die, so cuben is out.