Tarp advise from you tarpers

“I have a 2 person tarp tent, but am thinking about going even lighter. I have read where and 8x10 tarp is big enough for 2 folks. Since I already have a 2 person config, I'm trying to figure out what the smallest option is for a single person. Is 5x8 too small? I plan to pitch it in a diamond pattern. Thanks.”

“I use my 8x10 for one, although I suppose I could easily get two under it. Seems like a 5x8 would be a little small just for one, but I suppose you could get it to work. When you say, "pitch it in a diamond pattern," how exactly do you mean?”

“Tie off 3 of the corners. The fourth corner would be attached to a hiking pole that is guyed to the ground. That lets you sleep along the 8' side.

Also, if you stake the corners and then again at midpoints do yall think that would keep mosquitos out? I'm thinking I could do that and then add some netting over the large opening.”

“dayhiker, why go lighter? you will just use that allowance for another few cans of food or beer anyway.....

j/k”

“And the problem with taking more beer is....”

“If it was staked tightly to the ground, maybe, but personally, I have a mosquito net for bug season use. Then I can pitch the tarp any way I see fit, and still have mosquito protection.

I too, was wondering why you want to go lighter. The weight difference can't be any more than about 6-7 oz., right? I'd rather carry the extra 6-7 oz. and have plenty of room under the tarp for inclement weather.”

“My total tarptent is 27 oz. This setup would get me down to 10 oz. Right now I'm at about 18#'s with thermarest and 3 days of food. There are a couple of things I can do <$150 that would get me to 14#'s. At some point you just have to say it's good enough though.”

“Dayhiker, I have used a 5'x8' tarp in the same configuration you described. It was a very tight fit sleeping essentially corner-corner. I'm not sure you could do it if you're very big.”

“I'm 5'10. Unless you're a really tall lady it sounds like it's too small for me.

I'm thinking of just buying a $5 one from walmart and spraying it with a water hose to see how it works.”

“I'm 5'7". I really doubt you could do it. One way to find out though, would be to fold your tarp in half so it's 5x8, pitch it in the back yard, and see if you can make it work.”

“Those non-lightweight packers just don't get it. EVERY oz counts! :)
Have you seen Oware's new solo tarp, with 3" catenary cut, tapered 6' to 4' wide and is 8' long, weight under 8 oz? $60 with some seconds for $50. Add some bug netting and your really to go. You can't hardly buy the materials for that.”

“One of those blue ones? I don't think the waterproof qualities of those tarps can be called into question, it's just that they're a little heavy.

Skully, I tried pitching my 8x10 tarp like that, only I staked three corners to the ground. It was too open, and too low to the ground at the foot end. I ended up pitching the way I usually do, in an A-frame config. That was a little unsatisfactory too. I'm thinking of doing what prosecutor has suggested, getting some silnylon cloth and making little triangles to cover the open ends of my tarp, to help keep the wind out.”

“Yes bit, it's definitely a minimalist design. Some folk like that kind of thing ; P . I once saw a guy use a triangular-shaped tarp staked down at all 3 corners with a pole (hiking staff) centered on the long, open side. I'm not sure what the dimensions were but it worked well for him. He was probably around 6' tall I would guess.”

“Ounces do count!

The blue tarp would just be an experiment. They're only $5.

I'm trying to shave as much weight as possible for my Smokies Thru-Hike trip. 70 miles in 4 days. Yeeeeeeeha!”

“I got a question how do they impregnate silcone into the nylon? Can it be done at home?”

“14#???
dude, you're gonna make me jealous.”

“I don't think you can do it at home. The finish is very even and thin.”

“I'll be around 18 for our trip ductape.”

“Yeah, shaving weight is great. Just remember how practical it is in horizontal rain, 30 mph winds and trying to cook a meal out of the wet.

Make sure you have enough room and can seal the bugger up right.”

“Birch slept out under an 8x10 siltarp, two weekends ago. It was big enough for him only. 5x8 would be too small, he is 5'10. He got snowed on and all, stayed pretty comfortable I guess.”

“Not even gonna touch that one.”

“Thank for the info everyone. I felt like the 5x8 was too small, but wanted opinions. That advantage of it is that silnylon comes in 5' widths. The sewing involved would just be a hem around the perimeter and some tie-outs. Sometimes things ARE just too good to be true.

didjfan-that's the same kind of comment I would make. You'd think I'd be more careful with such talk.”

“5x8 is too small if you don't use a bivy.With a bivy you're just braking the direct assault ,the bivy protects from the blow or spin drift. Tarps will not replace the CQRED of a tent,but for the weight......six moons tent closeout $135.00 ,check that site.”

“Yeah - I would think that 5'x8' without a bivy would be approaching "minimalist" rather than "ultralight." There are many that use the sil poncho with a bivy though.”