What size tarp?

“I'm about to buy a sil-nylon tarp and am choosing between an 8 x 10 and 10 x 12. What size is best?”

“Details steve. How do you plan to use it: solo shelter, vestibule/cooking area?”

“It will be a solo shelter, but I want to be able to stretch out my bag in rainy weather without the end getting wet. I'd also like enough clearance to sit up.

As to cooking, only with an alcohol stove if rainy weather persists. I've cooked in snow before.”

“Get the 8 X 5. If you hike solo it is adequate. If you hike with friends they will take pity and offer room under the spacious (heavy) tarp that they humped in.”

“I use an 8x10”

“What is the weight difference between them? If it isnt much then get the big one.”

“I bought a 10x12, cut it down to a 10 x 10 and used the off fall to make waterproof stuffsacks for my sleeping bag and food. The 10 x 10 is spacious enough for two of us.”

“An 8x10 only weighs about 5 ounces more than a 5x8. and it is big enough for two people with gear, or if solo, one guy with lots of gear!

Of course a lightweight or ultralight hiker won't have lots of gear...”

“I have the 10 x 12. Last month it kept me, 2 kids, 1 dog and all our equipment dry during an all day rain.

I think it would also be great for a solo shelter, almost like your own little cabin. You would have plenty of room to cook, sleep, etc.”

“Tis better to have too much...than not enough!”

“We bought the 8 X 10 and it has worked well for two of us and all our gear. I think if I was to go for something smaller I would just use a big poncho but I have not tried this yet except in the back yard.”

“I use the 8x5 for myself. It also makes a great vestibule to my Walrus Microswift tent. I can't imagine that the largest size weighs very much or packs very large. If I were looking for just a tarp for two, I'd go for the largest.”

“For the weight difference in a sil tarp, I'd get the 10x12 just in case it rains hard.”

“I like my 8x10 just fine. Seems just roomy enough for my tall frame and a bit of gear.”

“Has anyone slept in an 8 x 10 during a night of heavy rain? If so were you able to stretch your bag out full length without it getting wet?”

“I have an 8x10 and have used it in the rain, pitched diagonally, and yes, I could easily stretch out. It would have worked for 2.”

“We have used the 8x10 in rain a couple of times and stayed dry.”