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  1. #1
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    Anyone ever used a regular hardware store tarp?

    Was thinking about trying it just to get an idea of the size I'd like to buy or make at some point with something nice like cuben fiber but I'm curious.
    Yes they would be loud, heavy and bulky but they would work.

    I'm thinking of something like the blue or silver ones in the automotive section of wally world.

    In a pinch they could be an option for when you realize you need a bigger tarp for a trip and don't have time or money to order something better.

    Am I missing something here?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
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  3. #3
    Senior Member Redoleary's Avatar
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    Sure I've used the 'ol blue tarp lots of times good cheap alternative while you're looking for a proper hiking tarp.
    Good luck,
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  4. #4
    Senior Member muttly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Redoleary View Post
    Sure I've used the 'ol blue tarp lots of times good cheap alternative while you're looking for a proper hiking tarp.
    I have even slept in a gathered end hammock thrown together with one of these. It was so wide it practically covered me up. Not a bad night, considering...
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  5. #5
    Senior Member Mountain Gout's Avatar
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    They don't have to be ugly...Try the brown, Pretty stealthy.. 8x10
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    We would be one step closer to world peace, if everyone slept in a hammock..

  6. #6
    New Member heathenchef's Avatar
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    They absolutely work...that's exactly what I did. I had a cheapo tarp for a year before I got my JRB 11x10. Perfectly functional and allowed me to learn alot about tarp use over a hammock before I took the plunge and went for an upgrade. Yeah they have limitations and drawbacks but they get the job done. Most important thing is to just get out on the trail. I used an 10x10 and then later a 8x10. I was even able to get the 10x10 in camo. Cheap but looked cool. Here's a shot from one of the trips this summer with my son when we hung together using both of them. And another shot from this fall with us using just the single tarp.
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  7. #7
    Senior Member Trooper's Avatar
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    I never have with the hammock, but when I was in high school I used an 8x10 camo tarp. It was my primary shelter and the poncho/poncho liner was my sleeping bag. My pack weight back then was never less than 50 pounds, sometimes up to 75.

    I'm in pretty good shape today at 31, but a silnylon tarp is cheaper than the rest of my life with back and knee pain.

  8. #8
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    Good info guys.
    Will have to see what I can find in brown.

    If I had one of these in the Gorge this fall we wouldn't have had to spend 13 hours in hour HH's during a rain storm and night.

  9. #9
    Herder of Cats OutandBack's Avatar
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    For many years I used the cheap 8x10 blue tarp. Can't beat the price vs performance.
    Folded up they pack quite nicely and don't weigh very much. They are also very tough.

  10. #10
    Senior Member JDShearer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OutandBack View Post
    For many years I used the cheap 8x10 blue tarp. Can't beat the price vs performance.
    Folded up they pack quite nicely and don't weigh very much. They are also very tough.
    Ditto. I've upgraded now, but there's nothing wrong with the blue tarps.

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