Cuben Fiber Tarp owners...regrets on size? Or just right?

**gbolt** · 10-14-2017, 19:30

Just like warm clothing or quilts, you can vent but can’t add warmth if you don’t have it. I feel the same way about my 11ft Palace Tarp. I can set it up to gain the advantage of my former Edge in Summer or baton down the hatches in storm mode. I too, questioned whether to go after the 12ft, but I wanted to stay lighter weight than my Edge. Definitely a Yay here.

**hodad** · 10-14-2017, 19:32

Just right. I have many miles on the Zpacks CF tarp with doors. My son used one on his AT trek this year as well. I've had no problems with coverage using it with both gathered ends and the WBBridge.
Concerning wind, most of my camping is in sheltered areas along the AT and in NC areas. In some tight spots anything any larger might have been a challenge to use.
I did have it out in CO in 40 mph gust and it held with all guy outs used and some creative staking. If wind is a variable in tarp selection, a very large tarp might act as spinnaker and self destruct.
On a side note I still use a Super Fly for car camping for extra coverage and to save the CF from the scouts we are usually with.

**68torino460** · 10-14-2017, 20:34

I have a 12 foot Cuben 3s. 12’ works for bridge hammocks. 11’ for gathered ends if you want the doors closed (dog bones prevent this on 11’). Id get the palace.

**OlTrailDog** · 10-14-2017, 20:44

I have had the WP and the Standard (snagged off Backpackinglite forum). I ended up passing the Standard along and keeping the WP for my DH Raven. Enough coverage to weather the weather and keep my pooch happy.

Having said that, neither could match the quality or fit of the Hammocktent 90 degree CF camo tarp made by Zpacks for hammocktent.

**Vanhalo** · 10-14-2017, 21:01

Originally Posted by hodad

Just right. I have many miles on the Zpacks CF tarp with doors. My son used one on his AT trek this year as well. I've had no problems with coverage using it with both gathered ends and the WBBridge.
Concerning wind, most of my camping is in sheltered areas along the AT and in NC areas. In some tight spots anything any larger might have been a challenge to use.
I did have it out in CO in 40 mph gust and it held with all guy outs used and some creative staking. If wind is a variable in tarp selection, a very large tarp might act as spinnaker and self destruct.
On a side note I still use a Super Fly for car camping for extra coverage and to save the CF from the scouts we are usually with.

This is a good point.

**Shrewd** · 10-15-2017, 00:26

I don't think you can have too much tarp.

Sure if you have a 12 footer and the trees are too close together, but I mean standard vs doors vs palace

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**Trail Runner** · 10-15-2017, 06:45

Similar to SilvrSurfr, I started out with the Standard w/Doors and moved up to the Winter Palace. I like setting my tarp up a little high and the Standard just wouldn't give me enough wind protection without having to lower the tarp to an uncomfortable level. Plus I occassionally like to bring a bridge hammock and my Standard's side pullouts weren't setup for that. I also got one of HG's last Diamond Asym tarps that I bring when I know the weather will be warm and fair.

**voodoochile** · 10-15-2017, 08:42

I have a Mountain Laurel Designs 10.5 x 8.5 CF cat cut tarp.....8.5 oz....small and light...which is what CF is all about...I love it. It's just right most of the time, except maybe a bit small for my RR - as it is a longer beast especially with the suspension. It fits everything else I have, and it works in a pinch even on the RR.

I'm not really convinced CF is the **** for larger tarps, I kinda think silpoly is the way to go....but if someone gave me a Winter Palace I wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers!

When the weather is crap, one of the best things about hammocks is that you can retreat into stealth mode and go into the woods deeper and use the landscape to provide something out of the weather. You also have to just buck it up and hunker down in there and get the tarp right down on your SRL.

**Vanhalo** · 10-16-2017, 08:53

Originally Posted by Trail Runner

Similar to SilvrSurfr, I started out with the Standard w/Doors and moved up to the Winter Palace. I like setting my tarp up a little high and the Standard just wouldn't give me enough wind protection without having to lower the tarp to an uncomfortable level. Plus I occassionally like to bring a bridge hammock and my Standard's side pullouts weren't setup for that. I also got one of HG's last Diamond Asym tarps that I bring when I know the weather will be warm and fair.

I see folks commenting that the Winter Palace is cat cut.

I thought the WP was a straight edge tarp.

Winter_Palace_3__62409.1353310652.1280.1280.jpg

**JmBoh** · 10-16-2017, 10:31

I'd go winter palace if I bought another one. The sides are too short on the standard. I have to hang the tarp low or the hammock high to get good coverage. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the standard.