WTB: Cheaper Beginner Tarp

**G.L.P.** · 07-27-2011, 12:47

spend the money .... get the tarp you really want.. cause in the end if you get the cheap tarp.. your going to end up getting the better tarp soon after
so in the end it's going to cost you more

get a blue poly tarp for $3 for now and if it's for you.. get the good tarp

**Lonely Raven** · 07-27-2011, 13:44

Originally Posted by G.L.P.

spend the money .... get the tarp you really want.. cause in the end if you get the cheap tarp.. your going to end up getting the better tarp soon after
so in the end it's going to cost you more

Get a blue poly tarp for $3 for now and if it's for you.. get the good tarp

Wise words. Pay once, cry once. I learned that from my Dad...he would always buy cheap tools, bust his knuckles when the cheap tools broke, then went out and got the tool he should have gotten in the first place. Many of those good tools are now owned and used by me.

Get a good tarp now, it's worth the expense to not have to worry about it.

That said, if you do get yourself a cheap Walmart tarp, the brass grommets will bend/crush and the material will tear. It's pretty much a disposable tarp. So get yourself the clip on type replacement grommets now. These are super useful, and will let the tarp last more than a single use. Something like these:

**zukiguy** · 07-27-2011, 15:06

KMACK has an 8x10 Etowah outfitters tarp (silnylon) on the for sale board for $40 (silnylon and added pullouts). If it was a little bigger I'd grab it for a small winter tarp. Shoot him a message. Maybe that will work for you....

**ljcsov** · 07-27-2011, 17:12

That Kelty noah's tarp is pretty tempting but it seems to be on the heavy side.

Dale, that poly tarp, is that just the "blue tarp" that everyone talks about? That is lighter than I thought those things were.

**Ears** · 07-27-2011, 17:22

yea but if i remember babelfish5 had a video on his first experience with a tarp of that nature, didnt handle his type of rain........ a wet camper is a grumpy camper.

i bought the hennessy backpacker from here no tarp .....and was looking into a few, the etowah is for sale now as well as a standard clark....which is an A frame i believe?

i have no clue, im spent at the moment my brain cant hold any more choices....i want them all...........

**Timberrr** · 07-27-2011, 20:05

Found this one while cruisin' the net.
I have never seen it and have no opinion on its merits.
So if you get one please let me know what you think!

It seems like a good deal. check it out...

http://www.midwestoutdoorsupply.com/chinpic11015.html

**Timberrr** · 07-27-2011, 20:27

Originally Posted by Timberrr

Found this one while cruisin' the net.
I have never seen it and have no opinion on its merits.
So if you get one please let me know what you think!

It seems like a good deal. check it out...

http://www.midwestoutdoorsupply.com/chinpic11015.html

I found a review on this tarp by another HF'er.
It sounds like a contender.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...t=chinook+tarp

**zukiguy** · 07-27-2011, 20:59

Hey Tim,
I found that same thread doing a google search for the Chinook tarps. These sound great for car/kayak camping. I just wouldn't want to carry it very far

**Ears** · 07-28-2011, 06:55

hey timberr! thanks alot. i remember skimming over something called a chinook but didnt give it any heed..... this is very nice. i like the ability to close the doors, and i was looking for something that could be used into this winter until i could drop $$ on UQ and all that jazz.. as a vet i get the college bill.... and being lazy i dont wanna work as this is my first real vacation scince those days. so....

but anyway, the poundage wont be a big deal as i got a hook up from a great forum member here on a HH ULBp plus the tent i was carrying around for myself (yes myself i like spce...and theres more but i don wanna go into it) was an Alps Mountaineering 3 with a base weight of 6lbs 8oz

http://www.beatthebigboxboys.com/sto...097281421.html

its a pretty nice tent, i paid about a 150 at overstock. the reviews were all high.

that being said. i like the tent, but i like the hammock versatility so much better (easiest change is being able to set up shelter first then worry bout everything else!)

yea thats my longwinded way of saying i think thats "the one"
(and yes i have a tendancy to ramble in person warning)

**dukedante** · 07-28-2011, 08:37

I've got a Noah's Tarp 12 x 12 packed up for the trail tomorrow. I have a 30' paracord ridgeline, 6 paracord guylines that are 8-10' long, plus a grab bag of 6 random stakes from old tents. It weighed in at 40 oz last night! So, I'm looking for a lighter tarp as well. The Noah's has its purpose however, as I am going to have 2 men under it, and maybe 3. Next weekend I'm taking my wife out with me and I'm going to pitch it like a winter tarp with doors closed because she wants to be in a tent, which I won't allow. With all the tie outs and it's massiveness it is a really versatile tarp. Since weight isn't an issue for you, I recommend it. I plan on getting something like a tadpole for solo camping so I can drop 20-24 oz when I don't need max coverage. You may change your mind about weight down the road, but you'll still have a useable tarp.