Looking for Blanket/Tarp for shelter for EDC in pack

R

RWT

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Looking for a light weight, waterproof, tarp or blanket to carry in my hunting pack. Needs to be capable as either a blanket or doubling as a tarp for a shelter. Needs to be a minimum 48" x 72" IMO and easily packable. I considered a Rivers West shooting blanket but it is a little pricey at $70 and looks bulky. I have some of their older hunting gear and it is bulky to pack so I assume their blanket made from the same material would be the same. I would prefer to be below $40 as I rarely if ever expect to use it and need the space in my pack. Just want it their as piece of mind. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
 
That a tough set of parameters, at that price. A Kifaru Woobie is light, water resistant, has 14 loops/tie/guy points around it's edge, but cost is much higher. How water resistant do you need it to be?

I'd personaly want them to be seperate pieces, but that's just me. I'd rather have just my Woobie if I had a choice. You can make a shelter in lots of situations, or carry some plastic.
 
All weather space blanket

space_blanket_emergency_all_weather.jpg
 
I have the blanket above and it is nice enough but a bit bulky.

There are a few options for you on THIS PAGE.

I've been thinking about the Space Sportsman™ Hooded Blanket for a while. No less bulky, but the hood and hand pockets look interesting.
 
hi mate,

I have an alpkit tarp, weight is 340 grams ( metrical )

great stuff, very strong but lightweight, many attachment holes.

all the best,

Jan
 
I've packed a waterproof, rip-stop nylon tarp for quite a few years. It fits into a large zip-lok type bag, has grommets around the edges, weighs about 16 oz., and is sturdy enough to make a stretcher with. Only cost a few bucks ($>20), if I recall.
 
KuRUpTD said:
All weather space blanket

space_blanket_emergency_all_weather.jpg
Click to expand...

I have a few of these in at least two different colors. They work well, fold up to be just bigger then my poncho and will fit in a Quart sized ziplock bag. I keep one in my day pack and one in my 2 to 3 day pack. Mostly they get used as a ground cloth, but over the years I've used them as heat reflectors in conjuction with a Shelter half or other tarp shelters.

Back in the early to mid 90's I had 2 of them that I picked up at a local Bulk goods/Emergency Preparedness/Camping shop. Lashed them together and used them as a Sleeping bag on a trip or two. I had a pad under me, but just the two space blankets. If I had sewn them together I would have been a lot warmer. The place I was camped had tons of wind at night and said wind kept blowing the top blanket around causing me to get cold. When the wind wasn't blowing my blanket around, I was fine. I misplaced my space blankets before moving to Provo back in 2003, so a few years ago when I got back into camping and backpacking I bought a new one. Moved home this spring to help my mom and she had both of my old ones in the back of her car for emergencies. She let me get one back from her for camping. Got that one in '93 and it's still going strong in my day bag. :)
 
I agree with Foxx. I have the Kifaru Woobie, it goes with me any time I'm not carrying a full pack with sleeping bag and shelter. To cover the tarp side of your needs, I slide a heavy-duty, large orange contractors trash bag into the Woobies integral stuffsac. I like the idea of the bag rather then a tarp. If I'm stuck out overnight because of an injury, it would be very tough to build a shelter. If I needed a tarp for shelter, I could just slice the bag open on two sides and it becomes a tarp.

My mistake, forgot the $ limit. I would recommend the same setup I described, just replace the Kifaru with the least expensive military poncho liner you can find.
 
the hooded blanket combined w/ a very (very) small fire or better yet a larger candle, can make a pretty effective (albeit not very comfy) shelter

wintersummer-scout-fire.jpg

this technique dates back to at least the Revolutionary war, going into enemy territory starting a fire could mean a swift death, not starting a fire in cold temps same outcome :) the scouts would wrap a blanket around them, lean back against a tree and build a very small fire between their legs- this would warm the big arteries, while having very little smoke- won't get a lot of sleep this way, but will likely be alive come morning :D

I typically carry a poncho/tarp- 8 oz and doubles as rain gear, along w/ a AMK thermolite bivy ~ 7 oz, both pack up small for dayhikes
 
I just removed the weather space blanket from my pack. It wasn't getting enough use. I find it bulky and I feel I'm hurting the material when I fold it. The hooded poncho may replace it. Though I'm surprised I have yet to hear of the lightest material. A cheap plastic painters cloth. Which can also work as a solar still. Though it wouldn't be as durable. Still, sometimes you just want to spare the weight and bulk.
 
Have you considered a piece of tyvek for a tarp? Pretty tough, water proof, inexpensive and light weight. Then just bring along whatever blanket you want to use, or small sleeping bag. I have a tyvek Bivy-bag that I made for my Cat's Meow sleeping bag. It works pretty well, It is loud though.
 
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