I am a guy who likes things to pack small because sometimes I go backpacking but not all the time and I wanted some opinions for fabrics to use to make a tarp.
I am a guy who likes things to pack small because sometimes I go backpacking but not all the time and I wanted some opinions for fabrics to use to make a tarp.
Silnylon is the way to go, packs small and light weight. Cuben fiber is lighter but considerably more expensive.
+1 on the silnylon for cost-to-weight ratio. DIY Gear Supply sells 30d sil (~1.4 oz per square yard) 2nds for $5.50 a running yard. They also have free Tarp Designs.
I can say that their minimalist asymmetric tarp packs down pretty small and will only weigh in the ~8 oz range with guylines. However, you will want an undercover to help shed sideways rain if you're using that one...
Hope it helps!
"Just prepare what you can and enjoy the rest."
--Floridahanger
DIY Gear Supply seconds are awesome. I have yet to find what actually makes them seconds.
+2 on diy gear supply silnylon 2nds. i just made a minamilist asym tarp from the plans on their site. it turned out great, but i have to agree with FLRider about the undercover, there is no mistaking it is minimal coverage. it is definitely not going to be the tarp i grab if the forecast is calling for lots of rain. it is light packs small and is very easy to make and sets up really quick. i'm sure i'll get alot of use out of it on trips where there is little to no rain in the forecast. did i mention easy to make?
whatever happened to Spinnaker? I havent even so much as heard that word for like, a year. hmm..
Cuben is expensive, but it's not only lighter than sil, it packs smaller, too.
There were several batches of it that were...less waterproof than others. I don't even know of a DIY source that carries it anymore. It was a good medium between sil and cuben, though, when you could get waterproof Spinn. The polyester base fabric meant it didn't stretch, either...
"Just prepare what you can and enjoy the rest."
--Floridahanger
I have one of the last MLD spinnaker syms. I like it better than my sil nylon tarps. Light and backs small. Cuben is lighter but I don't think it packs as small, although since my cuben hex is so much larger I can't be sure.
"A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing you with company." Gian Vincenzo Gravina (1664 - 1718)
+1 on the Silnylon
I've used sil from Noah Lamport and have been happy with the results.
Also one of the cheapest sources per yard, 10 yard minimum.
http://www.noahlamport.com/
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