Light Hiking Tarp?

P

pinnah

Joined
Jul 28, 2011
Messages
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Hey folks,

I'm in the market for a like hiking tarp.

This will be used to provide quick shelter while hiking with a group of 2 - 4 hikers. Think, get out of the rain during rest stops or a quick wind break during lunch.

We hike in New England where the woods are tight and trails are very narrow, so I'm looking for something on the smaller end of things. 6'x8' is as big as I can imagine fitting on some of our spots.

I want something light and strongly prefer sewn in tie outs, not brass grommets.

I want to avoid breaking the bank and don't think I'm going to spring for a silicone impregnated nylon tarp at this point.

Suggestions?
 
I really like the looks of the Kelty catanery cut wing tarps but others here who have tried them have had poor experiences with them. Also, size-wise, consider that a larger tarp can be made smaller by folding down a side or two for windbreak as needed, but a smaller tarp cannot be made larger. And costs and weight differences are often negligible between them. FYI I haven't found my grail tarp and still carry a rainfly from a long gone tent. It was free and it works.
 
If you change your mind about Sil-nylon check out Cooke Custom Sewing tarps. These are worth every penny if you can spring for them, they last forever. There is a reason why so many use these in the BWCA... they weigh nothing and just flat-out work. I have a Kelty Noah's tarp that I use sometimes car camping. It is nice quality but not near as light.
 
+1 for the siliconzed nylon. Many mfgs out there that make a well made product. My Intergal Designs 8x5' is around 12oz total.
 
Etowah Outfitters makes tarps in America, with a 10'x10' sil-nylon around 100 $. The slightly heavier 1.5# version will be around $60-80 $, but their smallest ones are 10' long; though some are skinnier. I've tried several kinds, and this USA made, grommet-less tarp is a great performer at an awesome value.
 
DD Hamocks Tarps are very well priced and very high quality at about $70
I use a 3x3 m tarp with 19 pullouts including in the main body of the tarp

Can you get them in the US?
If not then they will send you from England

Campsave have Terra Nova Tarps, also are very high quality
(Canterbury carries them on his website if that is a recommendation)
They also carry Bothy Bags, which might be a solution you are looking for as they are pull over the head solutions for instant protection
 
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Buy the material and make your own. You can get silicone coated ripstop for $10-$12 per yard (and that's Berry compliant). If you can't sew, it costs little if anything to get a friend who can to do it for you. --- a pizza and beer or lunch. One of the best skills the Army taught me was how to use a sewing machine.
 
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The smallest I'd consider is 8'x8'.
Think 6'x8' with a 2' vertical face to block the wind.
It would also double as a snug 2 man tent.
 
Wally World has a dandy little blue 5x7 nylon tarp for less than $10 bucks. Comes in a little mesh pouch.
 
Mannlicher said:
Wally World has a dandy little blue 5x7 nylon tarp for less than $10 bucks. Comes in a little mesh pouch.
Click to expand...

Two of them overlapped might make a decent shelter with room to lay down and windbreak, 7x8. Or one by itself a good sitting up shelter with windbreak. I learned quickly with the old tube tents that seven feet does not shelter a 6' guy very well.
 
Mannlicher said:
Wally World has a dandy little blue 5x7 nylon tarp for less than $10 bucks. Comes in a little mesh pouch.
Click to expand...

I also use the Wally World special :D

Can't have much fun if you can't afford to just go out and get there. I'd get what I need and go have the outdoor experience. You can buy expensive long lasting stuff down the road when funds are available but you can't get that one time pass back at the trip if you miss out spending an arm and a leg for a tarp (and other equipment). You can get a variety of sizes from the camping section of Wally World all under $20 or even $10 for the small one.

Like my signature has always said, Go outside we'll be here (meaning the interwebs and forums) when you return. Go have a blast without breaking the bank.
 
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