There are a lot of good tarps out there, but for reasons you'll see below I like square patterns with lots of tie-outs because they are so versatile. I have the Grand Trunk All Purpose Rainfly at 10' square. Rather than retype here is a post from me in another thread.
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Sounds like you are all set, but in case other folks come in here to learn about beginner tarps, I thought I'd chime in. I got the Grand Trunk All Purpose Rainfly (APR, erroneously sold on Amazon as the Funky Forest Tarp). Here's why.
1. I like hanging out under my tarp when I'm not sleeping if it's rainy or super sunny. For this reason I shied away from the uber-light tiny tarps that will keep you dry in your hammock but are good for nothing else.
2. I like the square pattern because you can pitch it so many different ways. Diagonal for longest ridgeline, square for nice wide porch mode on both sides, square closer to the ground on one side to shield wind, from the extra edge tie-outs so you can pull the corners in for some doors (may be partial depending on size. It's a great all-purpose shape.
I heard good things about the Kelty Noah 9' and 12' but the Grand Trunk APR was 10' square and I just thought that was the right size for me. A 9' is a good size, certainly big enough for most uses, the diamond ridgeline would be 121.7'. The 12' just seemed too big to me, it has a ridgeline of 17'. Probably great for a true, 4-season choice. The 10' Gt APR has a ridgeline of about 14' (14.1 to be exact) and in true 3-little bears fashion, I chose that one. I'm sure someone makes an 11' square tarp, I just did not find it (15.5' ridgeline on the diamond pitch).
The Noah 9', GT APR, and Noah 12' at Amazon will run you $60, $67, and $70, shipped. Construction on the GT is great, and it is polyester, so it won't stretch. I'm not pushing the GT APR by any means, but it is very solidly made, and I consider it almost identical to the Noahs so it just fills out the too hot, too, cold, just right length choices. I'd recommend all three of these as good tarps to learn on and be creative with your pitches.
Here are some excellent square tarp pitches for the ground (could be useful if you have a midday downpour that should clear and you are not ready to pitch camp). Great article on why this is such a great design. I think a well-rounded backpacker should know how to use his gear on the ground anyway. Well worth the read.
http://sectionhiker.com/square-tarp-pitches/
8'x8' Jacks R Better square tarp in diamond over hammock from Jeff's Page. Certainly big enough to keep you dry in your hammock plus a little, but I'd want just a tad more.
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The Kelty Noah 9' in diamond also from Jeff's pages. Probably plenty big but I wanted a little more.
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This one is from Terra Rosa Gear (don't know them) but it shows a 10' square tarp pitched on the inner tie-outs on one side showing how you can rig a door, other side is in porch mode.
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The Kelty Noah 12' in full winter mode
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I would say this is a tarp type recommendation, not a tarp brand recommendation. I think the GT and Kelty are pretty equivalent on construction quality. I just think a 9-12' square setup with additional tie-outs along the edges and in the middle are very versatile "first tarps" for beginners, and you can get one for a bit less money than a more intricate design/material, yet still sell it later when you have your heart set on an "uber tarp".
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Originally Posted by JCinPA
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