tarps for ultralight

“Do any of you ultralight types use a tarp when backpacking? I was thinking of tarps as a cheap and light shelter for scouts, who need to make their gear lighter, and usually have the cheapest gear available. Do the tarpers in the crowd use mosquito netting, and so, where do you get it, and how do you attach it to the tarp? Oh no, I might be getting advice from TarpRat?”

“I use one on occasion, but only when the bugs are NOT out. Nice to live in relatively bug free climes. It's minimalist to be sure. I usually pitch it "A frame" style with a ridge line between a couple of trees - not using the hiking pole style setup. That allows me to lower the thing way down to the ground almost to keep wind and any rain off me. Mine is only 5' x 8' so it just barely gives me coverage. Its sil and only weighs about 8 oz.”

“Integral Designs makes a nice shelter - called the siltarp that provides way better coverage and is closer to a 'tent' type setup.

MSR makes a nice tarp setup that would be primo for a couple of scouts and is super lightweight.”

“I got th OR helium single < a pound and the thing is looong. So it sorta has a vestibule sort of affect at the foot of it. I bought a Sea to summit bug net $35 kinda pricy but has a lower single pitch height than most. 3'6" and has a finer mesh than most. Used the Tarp (Love it) havent used the bug net yet.”

“Tarptents are pretty damn fine, but don't know if they are in the scouting budget.”

“I have two that I use - an Equinox 8x10 silnylon and the fly from my Hennessey hammock, depending on my other gear. With a waterproof bivy, I take the hammock fly. Otherwise, the 8x10 for more coverage.”

“I have a few of these and they are nice. Mine are white but these are sold out. These are camo...

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97247

Best of luck.”

“In a bug free environment...I am totally about tarping. It can be roomier, and really pretty neat if there is rain. You can set up, see whats going on around you. Now privacy is a bit thin....but I like it.”

“I was thinking of getting bug netting and put it under the tarp, and clipping it to the edges of the tarps, and just let it hang to the ground. The tarp plus bug netting would still be a lot lighter than a 6 pound tent, I think. Even a blue plastic 8 x 10 tarp would be a lot lighter than a tent.”

“A Tarp Tent would do that and be lighter!”

“bob - “I was thinking of getting bug netting and put it under the tarp, and clipping it to the edges of the tarps, and just let it hang to the ground. The tarp plus bug netting would still be a lot lighter than a 6 pound tent, I think. Even a blue plastic 8 x 10 tarp would be a lot lighter than a tent.”

Don't reinvent the wheel. Check out the Wild Oasis by Six Moon Designs.

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=48



last edited: 6/27/07 3:55:26 PM”

“antigravitygear took over making Brawny's tarptents (with her approval). They have some nice lightweight tarptents and tarps

http://www.antigravitygear.com/products.php?cat=64”

“We're talking scouts here though, Six Moons TOO PRICEY!

I wonder if you could still get the silnylon at Wally world and have a scout project of making your own? There are a couple of threads here about making your own. I remember one thread had pics of the home made tarp. Don't remember the name of the thread.”

“the wild oasis is awesome, but we might need something cheaper for scouts, plus a 2 man (boy) would be better.

Tarptent actually has plans for making your own, and the materials are only $75, but sewing a zipper into bug netting is too scary for my wife to tackle. However, if it just hung down like a skirt, that would work and not be too hard to sew.”

“http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/jones-tent/index.htm

Materials list: (no zipper)
1.1 oz. Siliconized ripstop nylon 5 yd.

No-see-um mesh 2 2/3 yd.

¾" Grosgrain ribbon 2 yd.

Polyester thread (250 yd. spool) 1 ea.

¾" Hook (like Velcro) 2 ½ yd.

¾" Loop (like Velcro) 2 ½ yd.

250 denier nylon 1/3 yd pound goods

Or just a 8x10 for a shelter (reinforced edge and grommets) with a bug net for your head.

I also thought about the tarptent why couldn't velcro be used instead of a zipper?
last edited: 6/27/07 5:37:11 PM”

“Ewker, I loved Brawny's stuff. Bought a full rain suit from her store a few year ago and it goes with me always on the trail and often off. I have other stuff too. Killed me when they closed it down a year or so ago.”

“tnt, she did make some good gear. Glad to see that the Tinman continued her product line. I saw his first one at SoRuck back in Jan. I was very tempted to buy another shelter...lol”

“Sweet damn! I just took a look and all the lost gear I mourned is there! Woo-hoo!”

“i love tarps...i haven't used a tent for the last 3-4 trips i've been on...if you're worried about bugs you can get a net...i have one that's kind of big and heavy, i've been thinking about picking up this guy from campmor



http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=7899&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1

if cost is an issue you might want to go with a poly/nylon tarp insted of a sil/nylon one”

“i thought i got my poly tarp from these guys but i don't see one on there now but they do have a 10ftX5ft sil for $65

http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/index.html

here's a good site too

http://www.ultralightbackpacker.com/

http://www.angelfire.com/or2/hikelight/index.html
last edited: 6/28/07 11:40:20 AM”

“8 x 10 would be a good size for two kids - 10 x 5 might be a tad skinny. My 5x8 works for me, but I'd prefer to have a little more room. I keep toying with the idea of sewing one - can't bring myself to spring for the ID 8 x 10 - very pricey.”

“http://www.owfinc.com/

You can get the rare materials here, tarp and netting”

“not only that but they sell the raw materials too!

Those guys at OWF are real nice and good to deal with too - based on my experience. They'll answer your questions and offer advice on fabric selections.”