What do you use for your tarp ridgeline?

[Dutch253]

Would it be a waste of money to use Amsteel for my tarp ridgeline and tie outs? I ask cause I have nothing and will have to order something regardless. I also heard 550 cord is a bad idea cause it slips and stretches. Thanks!

[SwinginIt]

Amsteel is never a waste of money, but it is overkill. You don't need something that strong. Zing-it, Lash-it, and Zline are the most common ones used for tarps. Amsteel will work just fine but you need something other than your tarp to be the weak link in the system, so if you do use Amsteel then you should stick some shock cord tensioners in there if it's a silnylon tarp, or if it's cuben then have a loop of weaker cord coming off the tarp tie out to your Amsteel. That way if something's gonna give out it isn't your tarp. Personally I recommend Zline, it's really light and never tangles.

[Trail Runner]

Using Amsteel would be overkill but not a waste of money if that is all you can get your hands on. And 550 cord can be used, you just have to be prepared to tighten things up if/when it stretches (I used taut line hitches). I use 1.75mm Zing-It! for my ridge lines (I don't use a continuous ridge line) and guy lines. Many folks use that or Lash-It!, which is the same cord in a different color (grey). Others use 1.2mm line (name escapes me) from places like ZPacks.com.

[Dutch253]

Using Amsteel would be overkill but not a waste of money if that is all you can get your hands on. And 550 cord can be used, you just have to be prepared to tighten things up if/when it stretches (I used taut line hitches). I use 1.75mm Zing-It! for my ridge lines (I don't use a continuous ridge line) and guy lines. Many folks use that or Lash-It!, which is the same cord in a different color (grey). Others use 1.2mm line (name escapes me) from places like ZPacks.com.

Cool, thanks a lot guys. I'll try to track down some of this Zing it stuff.

[MAD777]

I use 1.2mm tech line from www.DIYGearSupply.com
Very lightweight, affordable & still more than strong enough.

[Dutch253]

I'd need to find a supplier of this stuff in the EU to save me a ton on shipping unfortunately.

[Dutch253]

Holy cow, only finding it in 150' rolls lol!

[Trail Runner]

I'd need to find a supplier of this stuff in the EU to save me a ton on shipping unfortunately.

I believe UKHammocks.com sells Amsteel and some 1.5mm dyneema line that would work well for you.

[Dutch253]

I believe UKHammocks.com sells Amsteel and some 1.5mm dyneema line that would work well for you.

Excellent, I'll check it out. Thanks again guys!

[DuctTape]

Nothing as I tie from the loops to the tree, no line for the ridge. The cord I use for.my tie outs is spyderline, 1.8mm designed as sailing rigging line. Ties/holds/unties even in the cold/wet as designed.