UQP - Strictly for people without 4-season tarps?

**SilvrSurfr** · 10-06-2014, 20:37

Easy enough to make one (or buy one), but I'm wondering why I need one. I have a 4-season tarp with doors and am having a hard time rationalizing why I need one.

**The Tree Frog** · 10-06-2014, 20:51

Thanks for asking this Silvr. I was thinking the same thing as we have these group hangs coming up and expecting rain. I have a Superfly, but the more I see posts about UQP, the more I wonder the same thing.

**SilvrSurfr** · 10-06-2014, 20:55

I could understand a UQP if I'm rocking a minimalist tarp in winter - but somebody with a SF or HG Winter Palace or any true winter tarp with doors shouldn't have a worry in the world about splash or wind robbing warmth from the UQ.

Seems like an either/or proposition to me: either you get a winter tarp with doors, or you get an UQP to make up for not having a proper winter tarp with doors.

**humer91** · 10-06-2014, 20:56

having the extra insulation factor is nice, but THE reason i have one is to protect my Incubator20. Spending a few dollars to protect my $250 down UQ seems like a good investment to me.

**gnar** · 10-06-2014, 20:59

Originally Posted by humer91

having the extra insulation factor is nice, but THE reason i have one is to protect my Incubator20. Spending a few dollars to protect my $250 down UQ seems like a good investment to me.

that would be my first reason to use 1, also depending onhow high your tarp is rain could splash in.......

**boulderv7** · 10-06-2014, 21:10

I like mine because it provides a bit extra warmth, especially since I use a 3/4 UQ and my UQP extends higher up my hammock, almost to the ends. I can pitch my tarp a bit higher for ease of access without worrying about losing heat to wind as well. Its nice if think you are pushing the limits of your UQ. Probably not needed, but its good insurance for the weight.

**craige** · 10-06-2014, 21:10

One of the main reasons I made one is to protect my underside from dew, my polycryo ground sheet works well at stopping it but I think I want to get rid of it and have everything off of the ground. Saying that, I just realised I could probably just attach shock cord to it and use as an uqp.
Another reason is that I like to hang my tarp high so I don't have to crouch (I'm 6'3") and it provides a little extra protection for when the weather turns foul, which it does frequently and unexpectedly over here.

**nuttysquirrel** · 10-06-2014, 21:13

You can stuff a jacket or random warm stuff in it for extra insulation.

**FLRider** · 10-07-2014, 01:29

Weight savings, pure and simple. With my undercover doubling as my poncho, I'm adding perhaps 1.5 oz to my set up there while saving a minimum of 4 oz on my tarp.

**Cedar1974** · 10-07-2014, 05:21

Originally Posted by FLRider

Weight savings, pure and simple. With my undercover doubling as my poncho, I'm adding perhaps 1.5 oz to my set up there while saving a minimum of 4 oz on my tarp.

This is the real reason to have a smaller tarp when you aren't worried about Winter conditions. Of course living on the Gulf Coast, I want the larger tarp since when it does storm, the rain rarely comes straight down.