Cuban fiber Tarps

**Bannerstone** · 09-07-2012, 03:58

Cuben doesn't absorb water like silnylon so you save ounces when you pack up a wet tarp because you can shake nearly all the moisture off a cuben tarp.

Cuben doesn't stretch so you save weight on tensioners (my est .6 oz per)

Cuben softens with use and gets quieter.

A HG 4S cuben at 6.5 oz compared to your 10x10 silnylon at 12 oz is a 46% savings.

I've seen no adverse effects from cold weather on cuben and I camp quite a bit in sub 15* weather. What is your source on it becoming brittle when cold?

Is it worth the cost, only you can say. In the end if you like silnylon, then that is what you should use.

David

**Moondoggy** · 09-07-2012, 04:34

No Cuban Fiber is twice the the price!

**Moondoggy** · 09-07-2012, 04:39

My source on CF being brittle in cold is two of the members in my hiking group use them and have had noise and tearing issues when the temp gets down! I love the weight but my pack weight is mid 20s so I'm not worried about a 6 oz difference on my tarp. If you use a Shamwow on your damp tarp it will pack up better!

**Beast 71** · 09-07-2012, 19:15

I see your point clearly but, for me a PU tarp is fine for most situations, because I'm a paddle camper. I do like my WB Superfly which is a sil tarp for when it's cold because a PU tarp of comparable size is still too heavier for me to be willing to portage. If I were a rich backpacker,instead of a poor puddle paddler, it might be worth it for me to splurge on a cuben tarp. I know it's nice to have choices, especially since the older I get the more heavy my old stuff becomes

.

**mbnow** · 09-07-2012, 19:35

At an average i would say Cuben is about $100 more than silnylon. For a hex tarp anyway.

I have used cuben in the very cold and had no brittle/ tearing issues.

For someone who does not take expensive vacations, investing a little more in good camping equipment that can be used over and over, and over again is a no brainer.

Also the 2 main positive factors for me are that 1) its super lightweight (approx. half the weight even less some times)
And 2) that when it rains or dew settles in, the tarp does not stretch. That is a huge factor for me. Less fiddle factor. No readjusting lines etc.

As someone who used a stock hennessy tarp for a couple of years, i can say there is MORE privacy with a translucent cuben tarp than the hennessys' Asym one.

But at the end of the day with all have different factors that determin our purchases. So each to his/ her own. IF you feel its not broke, don't try and fix it.

Matt.

**Acer** · 09-07-2012, 19:48

I don't care what anybody says about Cuben Tarps,,I love viewing thru them, I love the lightness, I love the sound of rain on it. I love cuben material period..

**Mule** · 09-07-2012, 20:09

Originally Posted by Acer

I don't care what anybody says about Cuben Tarps,,I love viewing thru them, I love the lightness, I love the sound of rain on it. I love cuben material period..

I agree, no problems in winter and I am very happy with my Zpacks tarp.

**Acer** · 09-07-2012, 20:16

And I love getting up in the morning,,with the outside of the tarp soaking wet,,and my back and bald head is dry from rubbing the inside of my cuben tarps.

**Moondoggy** · 09-08-2012, 21:28

I see the plus value of the Cuban tarps ,for those that say Silnylon tarps leak I have not experienced that problem ever! I sold my Cuban so I could afford Quilts ! I have three kids and money is not just laying around . DIY has been a great exsperience for me because Hammock camping is very exspensive if your not making the gear yourself ! I started this to see what people saw in Cuban tarps thanks everyone for your input!