A loaded question about tarps?

**Beast 71** · 07-10-2009, 22:57

Hi it's me again, I would like to thank every one who has posted on recent threads to answer my newb questions. I have noticed from reading other threads that when people ask questions "what would be the best...?" it really lights a powder keg of good info, and friendly disagrement. So here goes a fuse;
What would be the best tarp for summer camping? The perameters;
1. must be as light as possible (of course).
2. must be as durable as possible (of course).
3. (now the kicker) Because I've already spent too much already on stuff* It needs to be as cost effective as possible.

* I first bought a Skeeter Beater Pro. I liked it for sleeping in but it's hard to get out of and it has ripped twice. But it told me some stuff I needed to know like, I can comfortalby sleep in a hammock, I don't like chasing a thermarest around my hammock all night long and I need a stronger hammock. So I ordered a WBBB and a JRB UQ (hence, now I needed to count my pennies).

The tarp I need now would be for warm summer time trips were I could stand to get a little damp with no great concern so I'm willing to trade more coverage for less weight. I'm planning on buying a larger tarp later on for colder weather camping anyways. Would this be a good tarp for now? http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c....aspx?a=550935

I'm not sure if this thread should be here or in the gear section so forgive me. After all I'm a junior member

**plowhorse** · 07-10-2009, 23:31

I think campmor has kelty noah 10 x 10 for around 50 bucks. But , there is always the walmart blue tarp. 8 x 10 gives me plenty of coverage, and costs about 10 bucks. as far as the sportsmanguide tarp, I think neo uses one.

**gargoyle** · 07-11-2009, 04:18

7 x 9 is kind of small, but it will work. Nice camo for stealthing it. CAUTION> Grommets fail. Add webbing loops as soon as possible... grommets seem to fail at 3:

o, during the storm..Re-inforce tarp fabric at tie out points. Pitch it close to your hammock for a better seal if your expecting rain, and if its wind driven rain wrap your poncho around you, or rig poncho to guy lines. The poncho trick should cover any thing that might get wet. Again, nice camo. I LOVE CAMO.

**Ramblinrev** · 07-11-2009, 06:01

Originally Posted by Beast 71

'm willing to trade more coverage for less weight. [...snip...] Would this be a good tarp for now? http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/c....aspx?a=550935

At 1 pound 5 ounces for a 7X9 foot tarp I would say you are making an extremely bad trade. Chack around the forums and see if someone has an HH Stock tarp they want to unload. You may get it cheaper but it will certainly be lighter. IMO if you are looking for the best cost effectiveness you would be better off springing the cash for a larger tarp now that comes in under the weight of that beastie. Unfortunately the equation can be rendered lighter weight = more money. How you balance that out is of course up to you. But if weight is your primary concern ... I think that's too heavy of the coverage it supplies.

**Peter_pan** · 07-11-2009, 06:04

Ask around for a used JRB 8x8......should go for $50-70..... Great coverage.... 9 oz.

Pan

**pegleg56** · 07-11-2009, 06:21

Check these out http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet...helter%3ATarps. A little on the heavier side, but not too bad. Webbibg instead of grommets. Price is reasonable.

**Oms** · 07-11-2009, 08:54

Ramblinrev hit it on the head with a used HH hex tarp. Light, enough coverage (for some), will weather a storm, and cheap. I think I sold mine for $30. Can't go wrong at that price.

**Ramblinrev** · 07-11-2009, 08:57

Originally Posted by Oms

Ramblinrev hit it on the head with a used HH hex tarp. Light, enough coverage (for some), will weather a storm, and cheap. I think I sold mine for $30. Can't go wrong at that price.

Hex or stock? For weight savings I would go with the stock plus that's what lots of HH folks want to get rid of...