Buying a tarp

“Yo folks. I'm going to buy a tarp. Any opinions will be greatly appreciated. In the running is Oware, Equinox, and Campmor (I read the old posts that said the Campmor is an Equinox). I can get the Oware for $62 (I think), Equinox "One Pound Shelter" for $75, and Campmor for $65. I'm thinking tie-outs instead of grommets for strength. That would rule out the Campmor.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Oware 8'x10'. Thinking about green, grey, or navy in color.

Peace. MM.”

“I use the following: 8 ft. x 10 ft. Coated Nylon Tarp
w/Adjustable Tarp Ties


The adjustable tarp ties do not damage the gormmets and are great for final adjustments.”

“I have the Campmor 8'x10' SilNylon tarp. My adventures and misadventures can be read here.

With my favorite pitch one of the grommets does withstand a lot of stress and is holding up well, but I think I would prefer a loop for that one - grommets on all the others are fine.

Nowslimmer - Are you bringing the tarp or the tent to Ocala?”

“I'm thinking tarp. I could switch or carry both. Let's watch the weather.”

“I have the 'Oware' and love it.I would consider a caternary cut next time,they pitch much easier and will with stand more wide.”

“I have an Oware 9 x 9 sil-nylon tarp. Very well made. I would buy from Dave (Oware) again.”

“Where do you get one of those Oware tarps? any websites?”

“Oware tarps

Goggle search for Oware tarps”

“Thanks Big Coop. I read that thread before I posted this one. Good stuff.

Seems like only thumbs up for Oware.”

“Nowslimmer - I may do the same thing. I have yet to be in a situation where I am reliant on the tarp to protect me from the elements and if it's looking cold, windy or rainy (or all of the above) I may take my Eureka Solitaire as a backup so as not to create a "Saturday Night at the Fights" situation where I am wet and shivering and need to impose on others for shelter or warmth.

If nasty weather is eminent I'll probably pitch the solitaire under the tent. It will be an extra 3 pounds, but worth the peace of mind until I'm ready to go "free solo" with the tarp.”

“Big Coop - If it rains, you could crawl under one of those hammocks. Some of them are like tents between trees. So, actually, we could survive without tents or tarpaulins.

I can hear you under one now, "OM, please don't fart."

«« grinning »»”

“1. Milemonster, its 6 replies on backpacker.com vs 11 replies on THEbackpacker.com. TT's eleven replies are also more informative so far, and the TT forum is winning your side-by-side question comparison test.

2. I have a campmor 8 x 10 siltarp and I'll never go back. Green is a rather soothing color that blends into the environment. The stealth quality of the green color will come in handy in minimizing the chances of someone from noticing your off-trail campsite and rummaging through your things.

3. I have been group camping with people I met over the internet when severe rain was threatening. Twice, the ladies asked me what I was going to do if it rained. I gave them a wink and said join you in your tent. The first time it was a passing sprinkle and my answer made the lady nervous I suspect. The second time, the lady's new EMS tent shipped water like a funnel while I stayed dry under my tarp despite one of my corner lines breaking off a branch in the thunderstorm. This is great sport on backpacking strangers who are sure you are going to get wet under a tarp when you know you will stay dry.

4. I am going to sew along one edge a three foot triangle of sli-tarp material on on opposite corners to keep any rain spray from drifting in. During fair weather, the triangle will be tied in. When rain threatens at night, I'll tie the triangle closed to the opposite side and drop the sides of the tarp down to around 6 inches from the ground.

4. I tie fairly thin nylon cord (1/16 inch diameter) to one side of the tarp that is usually kept open under a "circuit breaker" theory. If the wind is so strong to rip something, I would rather have the cord ripped than the tent material. After the wind slows down, it would be quite easy to tie the broken ends of the cord together in the field as opposed to sewing a long rip around a gromment or tie point.

5. For the down side of the tarp, to keep one of the sides taunt, I have two very thick rubber bands (size numer 64) tied together in-line between the tarp and the ground. When I string the tarp, I put light pressure on the rubber bands which keeps the tent taunt in the wind and when tarp slightly stretches in the rain.”

“Prosecutor - those are some good ideas - I may try some of those. I use a taught line hitch which allows me to reach out and tighten the lines if the tarp sags, but it's not automatic like a bungee or rubberband might be. Also the taught-line hitch acts much like your circuit breaker - if I tie it right - it should give before the grommet. I haven't tested this though.

I just switched from cheap white nylon cord to rainbow paracord becuase the nylon was sliping too easily.

Still working on keeping the bugs out. I was pondering a velcro set-up around the edges that would allow me to remove the mesh when bugs weren't a problem. Concerned about the weight on that proposition though.”

“I like square tarps. The even sides allow more pitching options.
I do think I would go with a sil-nylon 10 x 10 next time. The syn-nylon 9 x 9 I have works great for one and well for two, but I think the extra insurance is worth the extra ounces.”

“syn = sil”

“I have a green Cave 1 from GoLite I like..it disappears in the woods and as it has ties rather than grommets, I have the option of using whatever is around to tie to or stakes..I often use both..I've learned to pay attention to the weather and have one side pulled down further to stop the wind..so far hangin' high and dry in my hammock.”

“Prosecutor - thanks for the info. I've always thought green to be one of the best choices here in the east. Navy might be nice to help the tarp warm up in the AM so moisture will evaporate. I also like your "triangles' idea. I've thought about asking for this as a custom addition from the maker. It would ind up looking and functioning alot like the GoLite tarp.

BTW, I'm not sure why you want to make this into a "comparison test" but if you want to keep score so be it. Even if you love CNN it doesn't hurt to turn on Dan Rather once in a while.

Peace. MM.”

“WOW! I've been in a contest! Will any prizes be awarded? Maybe a new Oware, perhaps?
-----------------------------
BTW, the Adjustable Tarp Ties, that I mentioned, are bungee cords as well.”

“Maybe my analogy should have been between Caomedy Central and the Cartoon Network. LOL!”

“Is this your first reference? COMEDY CENTRAL
If so, I pass. How can I watch TV when it is always Prime Time on TT?”

“Clearing.”

“MileMonster, I thought it was YOU that was doing a forum by forum comparison test with identical questions posed on each site and the same time. I have never saw that before.”

“LOL. No comparison test, just looking for info.”

“So does anyone vote for a 10'x12'?”

“MileMonster - do you know anyone that can sew. If so you could make your own. Try http://owfinc.com This is outdoor wilderness fabrics. The silnylon goes for about $6/yard. You can get 6 yards and a tube on silicon seamsealer for 36+7 = $43 Also you can get titanium stakes at thru-hiker.com for $3 each. They weigh 1.2 oz for 6. The sil actually weighs 0.15 oz/ yard. The total shelter would be 10.2 oz + whatever the thread weighs. Prett sweet.”

“I carry a 12x12 Noah's Tarp. It is a little heavy at 2lbs., but I like the space. I'm gonna replace it with the 10x12 siltarp from campmor soon, I hope. Three of us slept under it this weekend in the rain and all kept dry. It was frozen solid the next morning.”

“MileMonster - I am 6'6" and the 8'x10' suits me well for solo. I don't think I'd like it any larger because I'd need to add more tie-outs to strengthen it to avoid flapping/pooling etc.

Dayhiker - I gotta get me some o' them titanium stakes.”

“I'm a sucker for titanium anything!”

“I'm planning on using my Campmor 8x10 siltarp this spring and summer, but I'm still intrigued by a floorless tent for winter. The Oware Pyramid and Alphamid look pretty cool. Has anybody used either?”

“Anyone have a cheap source for a sil-tarp? Not a tarp tent but just the tarp.”

“Thriftyhiker I would go to Outdoor fabrics and buy ripstop nylon with silicone coating and make my own use sil-tarp design for corners tie-outs. Not hard to make and a lot cheaper
last edited: 8/19/06 2:11:28 PM”

“What about Equinox tarps?”

“i got mine from binks.”

“you can find decent sil-tarps on Ebay for a good price. I got an 8x10 for around $60.”

“If you want to make your own. Buy the fabric at Wally World! It is dirt cheap!”

“If you buy that fabric at Walmart be sure it's real silnylon before making your tarp. The fabric I bought there was not silicone coated and had only a DWR coating on it. A good way to check is by it holding up to a light and looking through it. If you can see light peeking through tiny openings between the fibers it is not silicone coated. Another way is the suck test. Put a piece up to your lips and try to suck air in. If it's real silnylon, you will not be able to draw air through the fabric.”

“if i made my own do the ends have to be hymed(sp)? i don't have a sewing machine and don't know anybody who does”

“They should be and you'll need a sewing machine to sew on the guy loops, the guy reinforcements and main seam somewhere in the middle.

If you buy first quality fabric, which is what you will get if you buy a store bought tarp, you won't save much making your own.
last edited: 8/20/06 9:33:28 AM”

“Thanks RichB. I didn't know that I'm going to check mine out! What's DWR?

I don't know Thrifty. Check out the some other threads. I think I read on one of them where you could use a certain type of glue and then you could just hand stitch the hems. I am also wondering if you could just sear the edges with a lighter to prevent raveling.
last edited: 8/20/06 9:41:16 AM”

“Durable Water Repellent, like that spray on chemical they put on jackets to bead water.”

“Thanks again.”

“I've purchased several silnylon tarps here before. Good customer service. http://owareusa.com/index.html”

“I second Oware!!!!
Best silnylon tarp I ever bought.”

“Oware is awesome. I have had two of their tarps and both were outstanding.”

“Yup, I forgot to mention the quality, too. Good doubled-over edge seams with straight thread lines, and the tie-down loops are sewn in well. No grommets! Loops are much more reliable.”

“Just bought a 9x12 from MEC. I have tarped for years and in reality I have never gotten wet. I have been in my tarp in a driving rainstorm that soaked 70% of the tents in my group (bout 20 tents) and I was able to get up, fix a cup of coffee, pack and then put on my rain gear before I had to get soaked taking down the tarp. I also was able to move around more than I would in a small tent.

If it is a Bug Rich environment I have found a cheap "cot type" bug mesh works great strung up between two lines it allows some air for coolness but keeps the critters at bay.”

“Double Post Glitch....
last edited: 8/28/06 8:09:30 AM”

“Repeat Glitch
last edited: 8/28/06 8:09:09 AM”

“You just like talking to yourself, lol.”

“I'm interested in your views and experience with tarps. I've been considering it but am concerned about fierce weather. I live in western WA and it's often very wet, sideways rain a lot especially out on the ocean where I frequent.
Care to share some advice, recommendations etc on 'tarping'?”