Upgrade to H.G. custom burrow or 4-season cuben tarp?

**engine386** · 07-18-2012, 10:50

I'm looking for your thoughts on which piece of gear to upgrade, as I can only afford one before my upcoming trip to the smokies in October.

Currently, I am using a GoLite poncho as my hammock tarp and a 0 degree mummy sleeping bag as an TQ

weight is important to me and my base pack weight is around 10lbs (including this sleeping bag which weighs 55oz)

If I get a custom burrow, I could shave off about 2lbs. On the other hand, If I get the 4-season cuben tarp, it will actually add about 7oz to my current weight (although I will have much more coverage from the elements)

Like I said, I'm going to the smokies in mid october and wanted your thoughts on which piece I should upgrade.

Thanks- Eric

**Flounder** · 07-18-2012, 11:50

I guess one important question is have you been satisfied with how each piece of gear has been performing for you. I'm guessing that the mummy bag has been keeping you warm at night. Have you had the GoLite poncho in any bad storms, and if so, how has it worked?
HikerMan2000 made a post today that links to an article by Andrew Skurka and in it he briefly mentions the GoLite tarp. One of his problems with the poncho was it was also his rainwear and the difficulty of setting up the poncho as a tarp in the pouring rain.
Personally, I would go for The HG cuben tarp. It's a great piece of gear and the additional coverage would be welcomed as compared to the lesser coverage of the poncho tarp. Which ever way you go though, you will be gaining a great piece of gear.

**SilvrSurfr** · 07-18-2012, 11:59

While I would replace that poncho tarp at the first opportunity, the lack of an UQ would be more concerning to me.

**engine386** · 07-18-2012, 13:34

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

While I would replace that poncho tarp at the first opportunity, the lack of an UQ would be more concerning to me.

At the moment I'm using the gossamer gear hammock pad

I haven't had the poncho tarp in any storms yet... That's what concerns me lol

**FireInMyBones** · 07-18-2012, 14:03

Are you any good at DIY? You could do both the TQ and make an UQ for the price of a Burrow. If not, I'd go with the TQ to save the weight, but start saving to get the tarp.

**engine386** · 07-18-2012, 17:15

I have no idea how to sew, so DIY is out lol
Maybe I'll just take the chance on the poncho tarp being enough in a storm... I'll just pitch it really low

**Dblcorona** · 07-18-2012, 17:30

Man that tarp is tiny for an 11ft hammock. My guess in a good storm, you'll get wet. I would go tarp.

**Bannerstone** · 07-18-2012, 17:52

Given unpredictable weather of the Smokies in the fall? I'd go tarp first. Just think how heavy that 3.5lb mummy bag would be if it happened to get wet.

David

**MAD777** · 07-18-2012, 18:16

Originally Posted by Bannerstone

.... Just think how heavy that 3.5lb mummy bag would be if it happened to get wet.

David

My thoughts exactly! I'm a gram weenie of sorts, but I have never seen the worth of weather protection that is both rainwear and shelter. That's just too limiting of a setup for me.

**gunner76** · 07-18-2012, 18:18

I vote for the tarp. Having a tarp with doors that you can close off in case of a hard driving rain can be a life saver in that you can stay dry vrs getting soaked due a too small tarp.

If you stay with the ponch tarp then set it up along with your hammock in your back yard and have some one spray water on your setup witgh you in the hammock to simulate a hard rain and see what happens. I bet you go with a bigger tarp.