Got my new sil tarp last week

“I got my new sil tarp last week and set it up on a rainy day hike to see how it works. They're really pretty cool and seem strong enough if you don't abuse the fabric. I bought a 10x12 with 20 tie points and plan to hook up a Trekker tarp mesh insert inside for bug protection. The Trekker fits nicely and I have enough room to move around and store my bicycle and gear underneath for bike tours. I plan to try it out on the Loyalsock Trail in Central Pa. in few weeks. I'm going to try to hike the entire trail(59 miles) in 3 days. Wish me luck.”

“20 miles a day...better bring enough food for a couple extra days. lol

Don't forget to take pics of your tarp & insert setup for us to check out! Happy trekking, Mr.B!”

“Buddur, I'd rather spend 4 or 5 days on the trail because I think I'd enjoy it more, but this guy I'm going with from Backpacker's website can only stay out for three so I'll pack super light and give it my best try. He just sent me an email and said we'd probably cut out some sections because of bad trail conditions. I guess there's some bad briars in spots, so now I'm thinking it will be less than 59 miles which is OK because this trail is all mountains.”

“What's your total weight on that Sil Tarp and mesh insert??”

“Should be right around 3 lbs. That inserts a great idea. I check them out at Campmor and , dang! $55? I guess I'll haveta wait! Good luck on your hike!”

“Nigal's right, it weighs 3 pounds total and has lots of room inside. I was practicing setting it up and there's lots of options depending on weather conditions and available trees. I don't think I'd use it on snow or on top of mountain in an open field in high winds though, but for general forest camping it seems like it will work just great.”

“My tent is only 4oz more! Still not ready to convert to the "Tarp Side"”

“RichB,
A couple of weeks ago I bought the trekker tarp insert to use under my 12'x12'Kelty Noah's Tarp. Works like a charm. Plenty of room to store stuff and cook under in a pinch. With the Kelty 12x12 it is more like 4lbs, but the extra room is worth it. The mesh tent sleeps 2. The tarp could easily accomidate 4.

My 2 man tent is close to 5 lbs with no gear storage. And, the added avantage that rates the tarp/mesh insert above a tent is the open view.

I like it!”

“How much was that Sil Tarp RichB? I was thankin about picking up the 4X6 one, but now after seeing JerBear's, I thank now that I'll get the 5X8 one instead.”

“Campmor prices:
6x8 -- 9.2oz. -- $55
8x10 -- 13oz. -- $65
10x12 - 19oz. -- $85”

“Naked Ape, I paid $91 for the 10x12 from Oware. I noticed he just raised the price of them after I bought mine to $119. I could have gotten the Campmor tarp cheaper, but this tarp has no grommets, but instead 20 fabric reinforced webbing tie points like Integral Designs. I think it would be stronger than grommets. I weighs a little more, but I think it will last longer. I'm not really that concerned about the weight too much. If my regular nylon tarp didn't wear out I'd still be using it. I have a 2 man Eureka tent that weighs 3.5 pounds, but you can't store a bike in it or move around much either. That's really the attraction of the tarp for me is to have an open air feeling and to be able to move around in a rainstorm without being cooped up. I've been staying under tarps for years on bicycle trips and for that they work better than a tent.”

“Nekid,
Why don't you just buy the Walrus Mesh Insert and use it upside down. The floor is 4'8" x 8'. It is waterproof, light, and would serve as a great shelter, plus you would have the luxury of the bugproof mesh surrounding you. The only problem would be that you could only zip the door down to just underneath the ground sheet you are sleeping on. Just an idea. I may try it sometime.
Anyway, your weight would only be about 2 lbs. The cost is $55.00.”

“So how's the tarp doing RichB? Had it out in a rip roaring storm yet?

I'm also thinking of an Oware cause it looks sturdier than a Campmor.”

“I've decided my tarp provides as much weather protection as any of my tents after catching some monsoon weather in the Rockies last month. It's become my favorite shelter for mountain or cool weather hikes where bugs aren't expected.

It's 9x7 Campmor, the slightly cheaper and heavier than the sil tarp version. I may upgrade some day, but if you want to just experiment with tarp camping, the one like mine is cheap and durable.”

“Steve, I like the tarp a lot and I bought a 6X8 version of the same tarp and outfitted it with mason cord to sneak into my fly fishing vest for sudden showers while out fly fishing. It's nice for hiding out until the rain stops. I haven't used the bigger tarp in wind combined with rain, but pitched right I'm confident it will do fine and it sheds rain well.”

“I'm probably gonna get the 10 x 10, from Oware.”

“10X10 sounds like a good size.”

“Have you guys and gals seen the siltarp/poncho on campmor. It's only $39.00 and can be used as an extended tarp to cook/place gear under in a rainstorm. You cut weight by not having to pack raingear as well. Anybody using this? Does it work well?”

“I didn't see the one at Campmor, but I did see pictures of others on the net and pack covers too. One concern I would have is durability. Sil nylon doesn't seem very abrasion resistant to me. For a tarp that's probably OK, since it's stationary. Walking through the bushes with this material is probably another matter and I would think that even a pack cover or poncho that is taken off trail wouldn't last too long. Maybe on trails it would be OK, but where I hike with scrub oak and thorns it wouldn't work for me.”

“I got one and use it as a rain poncho. Never used it as a tarp...yet!

The material beats the heck out of the $5 plastic poncho and seems like it will last almost forever.”

“That's great Buddur, I didn't realize it would hold up so well.”

“Thanks guys, I just bought the $25 nylon waterproof version (XL). I just spent an hours configuring it in all sorts of patterns (with trekking poles, w/o trekking poles, with guy lines, with rope, etc.)

I am one sick boy!”

“i had a sil tarp arrive in the mail today. now if my damn bivy would get here, i'd be ready for this weekend.”

“what size tarp did you get? what brand?”

“integral designs, 5 x 8.”

“ah yes, i would want a bivy with a 5x8. i'm really tempted by their silponcho. that, with a bivy, would be very nice indeed. what bivy did you buy?”

“integral designs unishelter. i may get a salathe and try it and then sell the one i don't like. i got a great deal on the unishelter, cheaper than i could find a salathe, but i don't like the idea of having to have it staked out. the salathe has a wire in the hood, packs smaller, is lighter by 7 ounces and is free to move around. time will tell.”

“incidently, i did think of getting the poncho instead of the 5 x 8. i have never hiked in a poncho and don't know how i would like it so it went with the tarp.”