I have recently got back into backpacking and because of my back issues I have had to greatly reduce the weight I can carry. One of the areas that I am trying to reduce weight is in my shelter. I am using a hammock system instead of a tent (also because of the bad back) and right now my shelter system weighs in at a total of 4 pounds 1.3 ounces. My current tarp weighs 22 ounces! Ouch.

I have been looking at the MacCat Standard (silnylon) which only weighs 10 ounces. I have also read some threads talking about cuben fiber tarps (which I have found to be very expensive) and spinnaker tarps.

I am concerned about paying lots of money for a cuben fiber tarp and it not holding up.

For those that are into light weight backpacking, what do you use and why? How does the material hold up?