Has anyone had experience with this tarp? Sportsmans Guide HQ ISSUE Camo Tarp

**runningfromseptember** · 02-10-2013, 02:05

Has anyone tried out this tarp from sportsman's guide? I have had some less than stellar experience with them in the past, but this tarp seems better than the guide gear tarp.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...aspx?a=1145824

**runningfromseptember** · 02-10-2013, 02:16

or this one?http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c....aspx?a=954704

**FLRider** · 02-10-2013, 08:29

I've not. However, looking at the specs, they're a bit on the heavy side.

1,000 mm hydro head is the minimum necessary to be considered "waterproof"; they may be more waterproof than that, but I wouldn't count on it.

"190T" I'm assuming means "190 denier taslan fabric", but I could be wrong. However, that seems in line with the weight of the tarps; they'll definitely be tear- and abrasion-resistant. If heavier than you really need in a tarp.

On the other hand, it's hard to find tarps with that coverage at that price. Might be worth it.

**jbrianb** · 02-12-2013, 19:54

Originally Posted by runningfromseptember

or this one?http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c....aspx?a=954704

I have this tarp. It's large and certainly not light, but it's a good winter tarp for me and offers lots of coverage. I think it's a tremendous value. I'm very pleased with it. I got it AFTER I bought a GG tarp that was supposed to be 12x12 but that turned out to be 9x9 because of a change in the reported sizes... before it was LxD but it changed to diagonal x diagonal and they didn't bother to tell anyone. Silly.

Anyway, people will tell you the shelter is massively heavy... of course it comes with two long and utterly disposable heavy aluminum poles, stakes, guy lines, etc. After tossing the poles, changing out the stakes and leaving only tarp, line and lightweight stakes in the bag, mine weighs (if memory serves) about 21 ounces. Not light, but it's a 14 foot tarp.

**Rgray107918** · 03-06-2013, 08:21

Originally Posted by jbrianb

I have this tarp. It's large and certainly not light, but it's a good winter tarp for me and offers lots of coverage. I think it's a tremendous value. I'm very pleased with it. I got it AFTER I bought a GG tarp that was supposed to be 12x12 but that turned out to be 9x9 because of a change in the reported sizes... before it was LxD but it changed to diagonal x diagonal and they didn't bother to tell anyone. Silly.

Anyway, people will tell you the shelter is massively heavy... of course it comes with two long and utterly disposable heavy aluminum poles, stakes, guy lines, etc. After tossing the poles, changing out the stakes and leaving only tarp, line and lightweight stakes in the bag, mine weighs (if memory serves) about 21 ounces. Not light, but it's a 14 foot tarp.

I also have this tarp. Just got to finally set it all up recently. I set it up by itself the first time, and tested it in a heavy rain storm. I checked on it every 2 hours or so. Held out the rain for a good 6 hours, but then started to leak. I'm not sure if it leaked from the seams or through the material, so I went ahead and seam sealed everything and gave it a really good once over with Kiwi Camp Dry.

I know I probably added some extra weight by doing that, but I'm not worried about it. Also, I'm not sure how cleanly other tarps are stitched but this one looks a little messy at places. I included some pictures of a stitch "blob" and tried to get a good picture of the tie out area. It's my first tarp so I have nothing to compare it to. I'll try to get a weight measure on it soon and post the values.

Overall, I'm very pleased with it as well.

**cjayflo** · 03-06-2013, 10:37

You guys rock!

I am looking at tarps currently and you are making it so much easier to choose. I will be saving the pennies to get a better tarp next month. I would rather spend more on a reputable vendor who makes stuff in the USA.

**fly fisher** · 03-06-2013, 20:51

The few times I've gone cheap, I've regretted it. A tarp failure could ruin your trip. Or, worse...

Purchase a good quality tarp. I own several Hennessy's. They're a good value.

When I can afford it, I'm going to upgrade to a tarp offered by one of the fine cottage vendors I've learned about on this forum.

Stay dry,

fly fisher

**Swingking** · 03-19-2013, 08:36

I've got the 8.5 and I like it. It's a bit heavy and the corners are pretty cheap but it gets the job done I think. You get what you pay for, and I paid for a cheapie spare tarp I can happily loan out or throw in the car. I probably wouldn't rely on it as my only tarp on a long arduous and isolated journey.

**SoundWitness** · 02-10-2013, 10:09

As FLRider stated, probably on the heavy side if it's for backpacking. For car camping, no big deal. One of my first tarps I owned was from Sportsman's Guide. For the price, probably is worth it.

**gmcttr** · 02-10-2013, 11:37

Originally Posted by runningfromseptember

Has anyone tried out this tarp from sportsman's guide? I have had some less than stellar experience with them in the past, but this tarp seems better than the guide gear tarp.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c...aspx?a=1145824

Get one and be the guinea pig for everyone.

As you may know the "famous GG tarp" went to crap last year. Many of them leaked and the advertised size went from being measured along the edges to measuring the diagonals. We all got much smaller tarps than expected. I, for one, have quit doing business with SG due to their refusal to change the deceptive ad copy.