Hmmm... Trying to decide ...

[questtrek]

Hello,
I have been trying to decide which tarp to get. I am interested in the Speer Winter Tarp and the OES MacCat Standard or the Deluxe. I mostly hike in the spring, summer, or fall, but am willing to try colder weather. I always worry about weight. What do you guys think? I'm planning on buying the Warbonnet Blackbird 1.1 single layer when funds are available. I worry that the Winter tarp would be to much in the summer but, like the protection it offers for all weather conditions. So whatcha think?

[angrysparrow]

For year-round use, I would go with the MacCat Deluxe. When pitched properly, it offers a lot of protection, while still keeping the weight to a minimum. To extend it into winter, all you need is experience and proper site selection.

Also, 2QZQ will soon be selling addong door/beak kits to put on MacCats when you really want extra coverage.

[HikerRanky]

Hello,
I have been trying to decide which tarp to get. I am interested in the Speer Winter Tarp and the OES MacCat Standard or the Deluxe. I mostly hike in the spring, summer, or fall, but am willing to try colder weather. I always worry about weight. What do you guys think? I'm planning on buying the Warbonnet Blackbird 1.1 single layer when funds are available. I worry that the Winter tarp would be to much in the summer but, like the protection it offers for all weather conditions. So whatcha think?

I've got the MacCat Deluxe in SpinnUL AND the SWT. I use the Deluxe in 3 seasons and carry the SWT in the winter. If I had to do it at this point, I would recommend the MacCat Deluxe with the GrizzBeaks.

[vitamaltz]

Another vote for the Deluxe+beak. You get the best of both worlds that way. I use a 10x11 similiar to the SWT year round, and I like all the coverage and options I get, but another thing to consider is that the Speer tarp takes six stakes to get perfectly pitched for high winds (in nice weather you can leave the middle side pull-out unstaked. That's a lot more fiddling than a tarp that only needs 4 like the Deluxe.

[MedicineMan]

whatever you get, get it in spinnUL

[BurningCedar]

Heck; I'll go with the flow. I've used the OES deluxe for years with great results in 3 seasons. In fact, I just checked the USPS website and my new SpinnUL should be delivered today.

You won't be sorry with either tarp, both are great products, but from what you said I'd suggest starting with the OES and get the SWT later if you start doing more winter hiking.

[BillyBob58]

Pretty much what every one said. I think if weight was one of your top priorities, then the Mac Dlx- in Spinn- would possibly be your best choice. Then, as others have said, if you felt the need, you could boost it with a Griz beak, probably needed on just one end according to wind direction. I had a Mac Cat Dlx, and I often wish I had not sold it, especially now that the Griz Beaks are available.

But just for the sake of confusion , let me say how much I have liked my JRB 10x11. Like with the SWT, you are stuck with some what higher weight. But what I have always liked about it is it's rectangular shape. I know the hex cuts are very popular for hammock tarps, but I have just always felt like I had better coverage with the rectangular. Also, it allows me to more or less close one or both ends fairly easily, when needed.

And the rectangular cut allows easily pitching in numerous configurations, which is great. Like the Baker Hut, for example.
Or pitch on the 10 foot ridgeline for a sort of "tent". While still having pretty good overall coverage. And the width is enough to allow a regular A frame with wider pitch than you might otherwise use in a big rain storm. I have had a "porch" on one side during a deluge, also pitched for standing room for my 6'1" self, which left me plenty of room to cook while sitting my hammock.

Here is a shot of the this tarp with one end closed, over a BMBH's spreader bars, which is a bit tricky. I am using grip clips to pull the sides out away from the spreader bars, giving plenty of room, as you can see in the 2nd pic. And notice Ithe sides are still pretty close to the ground fow wind block.



Lot's of good choices! This is another, if you choose to go with the some what higher weight of a larger tarp.

[HamMike]

I don't know about the tarps but I wish my hammock was a double layer so I had somewhere to stuff a pad. Just a thought if you haven't bought yer hammock yet.

[questtrek]

Hey thanks everyone,
Since I do always think about weight, I think I'm going to go for the OES MacCat Deluxe. There's just so many out there that it can be hard to narrow it down sometimes. I am sure I can pitch it right for the conditions on hand with all the help that is offered on here. Thanks to all you guys !.... thanks again.