Etowah Tarps

i was about to buy one, but then they were out of the size i was interested in.

they seem like they are a little heavier (and probably a little more durable) than silnylon, but i don't have any experience using on.
 
I have no experience with those, so I am not going to be any help.

However, in another tarp thread, someone posted a thread to Outdoor Equipment Supplier and they really nice. One of theirs will probably be my next tarp.

I don't think that the added weight of a coated tarp versus an impregnated one (coated nylon versus sil-nylon) has any impact on its durability. I believe it is all about the material being used. Therefore, I would rather have a durable silnylon one over a coated one.

B
 
OES makes great tarps, I have a few in different sizes and they are top quality. Highly recommend the brand and CS from OES!
 
Well, there you go again.
Someone asks about apples, you guys tell him about oranges.
Click to expand...

at least they told him something


i just went and checked weights on a few different tarps, and the weight difference isn't as large as i had thought between the etowah and the silnylon. for a 10x10 (the size i'm interested in getting) the difference is only about 6 ounces. for about half the cost, i can live with that.
 
bltjr1951 said:
Well, there you go again.
Someone asks about apples, you guys tell him about oranges.
Click to expand...

I don't see it that way. He asked about apples, and we talked about different types of apples. BIG DIFFERENCE!

Your post on the other hand added nothing.

siguy said:
i just went and checked weights on a few different tarps, and the weight difference isn't as large as i had thought between the etowah and the silnylon.
Click to expand...

There is also packed sized to consider. Silnylon usually packs up smaller too. If that is not a big issue either, then you might as well go cheaper.

I am not trying to push silnylon. I have a few tarps both coated and silnylon. I generally chose what is best for what I am doing. I think it just is important to understand the trade-offs before spending the cash.

B
 
Last edited:
bltjr1951 said:
Well, there you go again.
Someone asks about apples, you guys tell him about oranges.
Click to expand...

And you tell him about nothing.:jerkit:



I like the sil tarps myself too. I think they have been proven enough to get my vote.:thumbup:
 
j williams said:
And you tell him about nothing.:jerkit:
Click to expand...

My reply wasn't to him, it was to all the guys that like to brag about THEIR stuff and doesn't answer the OP's question. :D

But, I don't have over 5,000 posts, so what could I possibly add to your knowledge??
 
bltjr1951,

What's your opinion on the etowah tarps? Do you prefer them over Sil-nylon?
 
IMO coated tarps are less expensive and heavier than impregnated tarps. Impregnated tarps are lighter, pack smaller and are about twice as expensive. I wouldn't say there's any difference in durability. Neither one is a durable (or anywhere near as heavy) as a canvas tarp.

I like the one linked to as it has tabs instead of grommets. 28 oz for a 10' x 10' for less than $50? Sounds good to me.


PS, I wish people would stop linking to Ben's Backwoods. Seems my wallet mysteriously gets thinner everytime I go there. :D
 
Thought I wandered into the W&C forum for a minute there....

Back on track, thanks for the input everyone, sounds like the Etowah tarps might be a good value at the expense of a slight increase in packed size and weight. The silnylon at 8x10 is only 2oz lighter, but I'm not sure of packed size. It doesn't appear to be much bigger, but hard to tell from pics. Cost, on the other hand, is double for the silnylon ($43.00 vs. $85.00). For the price, I might pick up one of the Etowah's and give it a try.
 
bltjr1951 said:
Well, there you go again.
Someone asks about apples, you guys tell him about oranges.
Click to expand...

Bltjr - welcome W&SS. It takes a while to get to know folks around here and you kind of came on strong and heavy on that post to some well established members.

Don't let the reprimands chase you away, however. One thing about this group is we value everyone's opinion and if threads only stuck to the exact letter of what was asked, then threads would have even more rapid turn-around then they already do. Some days you can post in the morning and find yourself on page 3 by the evening. That is just how it is and sometimes we drift.

Stay a while and before you get too critical learn about the characters and contribute your thoughts. You will actually find it a good place.

As per OP - I don't have anything to add but Mike raised a question I had as well. I think one of the members in a similar posting not too long ago suggested first getting a few of the inexpensive blue tarps and doing back yard set ups until you found the size that works for the configurations you like to use. Once you have that then look to the more expensive tarps. The ETOWAH and Silnylon come at different price points and weight/packability options. Its pretty much an individual choice on what works for you at what price point. Personally, I rarely go for the most expensive but lightest option. That is mainly because I rarely do ultra-light camping and more often find myself associated with base camps and other field work where weight is less of an issue, but packability is sometimes very important.
 
The wifey got me the 8x10 model for Christmas(she found my Bensbackwoods "wish list" on the printer and got me everything on it!:D). From what I have read these should be great tarps for the price. I honestly haven't found anything on that site that isn't great gear.
 
PharmBoy01 said:
The wifey got me the 8x10 model for Christmas(she found my Bensbackwoods "wish list" on the printer and got me everything on it!:D). From what I have read these should be great tarps for the price. I honestly haven't found anything on that site that isn't great gear.
Click to expand...

Please let us know how you like it when you get a chance to use it! What are the approximate dimensions of it packed?
 
Mike Fitz said:
Please let us know how you like it when you get a chance to use it! What are the approximate dimensions of it packed?
Click to expand...


I am anxious to put this baby to use and I will post my impressions when I get the chance. I measured it in the stuffsack with a cloth tape measure and it is rolled/folded to about 8" long and about 14" in girth. The stuff sack itself looks to be about 7.5" wide and 13" long. Thus, there's extra room in the sack in case a person couldn't get it packed down as small as it comes from the factory, but I don't think it could be packed much smaller.
 
Thanks for taking the time to measure it. From your measurements it would appear to be about the same size as the silnylon tarp and only 2 oz heavier. I'm guessing it would make a great cheaper alternative to the silnylon, which costs about twice as much, especially in an emergency kit. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts after some use- keep us posted!
 
So, the silnylon tarp is impregnated and lighter, yes?

I would love to get my hands on a British Basha, does anyone have first hand experience with one of them?
 
Don Rearic said:
I would love to get my hands on a British Basha, does anyone have first hand experience with one of them?
Click to expand...

I want one too. I think they are about 2m x 3m. All the sites that sell them are in the UK and are pretty expensive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top