Tarp or footprint?

[Sufler]

What's your choice for "shelter" or cover material? Your typical hardware store available blue plastic tarp? Or, outdoor store found tent footprints?

 

[sicily02]

it depends. If I want to go light then lighter material is great, but if am letting my 4 wheeler carry every thing then I like canvas. I even have fires under it lol.

Bryan

 

[utah_fish]

it depends. If I want to go light then lighter material is great, but if am letting my 4 wheeler carry every thing then I like canvas. I even have fires under it lol.

Bryan

What a great couple of photos. Makes me want to kill my computer and TV and phone (for the week) and go backpacking. To answer the question, if I go this route I usually bring something like the blue one.

 

[JV3]

bushcraftusa 10'x10' multicam:

if i feel like going lightweight i like the integral designs silnylon 8'x10':

 

[Codger_64]

I seldom tarp camp. But I do carry a quick shelter when I canoe. It is a large rainfly from a tent that was abandoned at a campground after a holiday weekend. The owner sliced a hole in the side of the tent and installed a 115v. air conditioner. I salvaged the unharmed fly with it's guy lines. It packs up small and can be deployed quickly in many different configuations. A lot lighter than the blue box store tarps and not noisey. You might snag one of those $5 yard sale tents for just such a rainfly.

 

[hollowdweller]

I find it sort of hard not to get went under a tarp in the heavy rain.

If I want really light I usually just take my Golite Hex 3 without the floor. Sleeps 2 with gear and weighs less than 2 lbs. You can get a sheet of the 3' Tyvek and cut it around 6' long and put that in the tent to put your trail pad on.

 

[Sufler]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the input. I'm exploring non-tent shelters and began looking into the tarp-like "sheets".

:thumbup:

 

[Sufler]

Thought I'd bring this back to life and ask for any further suggestions/recommendations.

I'm looking at a tent footprints for this as they seem to be the best value for weight/quality.

Thanks!

:thumbup:

 

[readyme]

I just got an REI Half Dome 4....and bought the footprint. This allows me the alternative setup of just the footprint and fly for a lighter setup.
Though I also have an 8x10 on order to use to create more dry space....I live in the NW.

 

[Quirt]

My issues with hardware store tarps are;

1. If ever used as a tarp shelter/cover the eyelets rip out easily - sewn loops don't - you can use cordage and a rock to make a secure makeshift connection - or buy the clip ons which is one more thing to forget or lose

2. They are noisy which if you're attempting to have a low residual presence or just plain want to sleep in peace 'n quiet they suck

3. Bulky to pack and carry

4 Can and will rip, tear, and can get holes in them easily

5. Heavy to carry

6. Take longer to dry than the other materials already mentioned - I hate putting them back into my pack...the other materials tend to dry in a light breeze

7. To make this the perfect 7 - they do not breath if that is important

 

[Sufler]

Ok, so it looks like a quality footprint would be my best choice for a shelter "skin".

:thumbup: