I'm cheap!

“Not that way, you perv! I have priced sil/nylon and coated nylon tarps and am wondering if you "all-knowing" folks have recommendations for sturdy, lightweight tarps. The poly ones from the hardware store are loud and stiff
Often, I have wondered if just the rainfly from my family's large tent would be an adequate shelter. I'm trying to get my son's scout troop to get away from the heavy truck supported camping they have become accustomed to and we need to find cost effective means.
Leatherneck, how did you deal with this with your troop? (your profile shows no e-mail address, are you a troll?)”

“The only tarp I've tried so far is the campmor nylon tarp. It's lightweight and more versatile with it's standard shape. It's about the cheapest for that level of quality. It was recommended to me by the other leaders in our troop when I came onboard. I think my next one will be a sil/nylon. I think the waterproofing would last longer.”

“I just purchased and used a nylon poncho/tarp. It was sturdy, kept the rain out, and lightweight. I checked out the sil tarps before purchasing the nylon poncho, and they were definately much more light weight, but didn't look like they'd hold up to the rigors of camping. I'm probably wrong about that, it was just my opinion.”

“I've got one of the less expensive Campmor nylon tarps. It's still way lighter than a tent and doesn't come with the durability questions you get with the sil tarps. I abuse it and love it.”

“I used an old 6x8 coated nylon tent rainfly for years. I replaced it when I found Campmor's 8x10 silnylon weighed less.

FWIW I don't think the silnylon has durability issues.”

“I saw scouts using Walrus tarps once. They're not as expensive as siltarps.”

“I like it light. I just started using a rubber coated nylon poncho for a floor, and a blue tarp, brand X for the walls and roof. It took a bit of getting used to, but the set up is so much lighter than a tent, I got used to it. I use string/para cord to hold up the blue tarp, no poles.”

“Brigade Quartermaster sells a British military tarp designed for bivouacking, called a basha, I believe, for about $40. Comes with cord for tie-out and is their style of camo. Weighs under a pound from what I remember.”