tarp recommendation

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rctk1

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I have been thinking of adding a tarp to my outdoor gear. I was planning on using it at the beach as a makeshift shelter or for a little extra cov erage when using a tent or hammock. I have named it down to a 10x10 BCUSA tarp or the Swack Shack. I would really appreciate you're feedback as to which would be better. Oh... I would also like to know if both can be set up using the single pole setup.

Here's a site for the Swack shack.

http://www.survival-solutions.com/The_Swack_Shack_Details.html
 
It almost looks to me like the same material (Swack shack) as the BCUSA multi-cam. So I'm thinking they get them from the same supplier or at least the material anyway. I would compare the features more closely and compare prices for the same size unit. I have the small BCUSA multicam and have not used it outdoors yet. It does fold down compact.

Update: I just pulled out my BCUSA and it looks like the tabs and stitching on the swack-shack is better quality. I don't know what their price for a 10x10 is but I would look into it. I see the price for the swack is about 25$ more for the 10x10 but it looks better quality workmanship. Not sure if seams sealed on the BCUSA but seams not sealed on the swack.
 
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Can't speak for the multicam stuff, which is a different material than the regular tarps, but I have one of the standard line Etowah tarps (they make the BCUSA tarps) and I have been very happy with it. Mine is an 8x10.

Some pictures of it set up, to give you an idea of what it is.

DSC_5397.jpg


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I use it most often set up like this
DSC_1750.jpg
 
I like the set up utilized by rocketbomb, it appears as though walking/hiking sticks are used as tent poles, great idea...I keep a blue 8x10 tarp strapped to my BOB along with some tent stakes and paracord, because you never know....would prefer another color besides blue though, maybe army green or coyote tan. Truthfully for about 15 bucks or less you can get all of the aforementioned supplies at Wally World.
 
I've been thinking (yea, not always the best idea.....) about a cotton tarp, though i one that strikes the balance between durability and weight (as well as being on the cheap!!!). I used to paint alot and we used these great light-weight cotton (or some densely woven fabric) 'runners' for drop cloths, but they were only like 36" wide and maybe 10'-12' long.

So, i'm wondering if anyone knows if there are any light-weight cotton/canvas tarps in the 8'x10' size or similar. I've google-searched, but i'm not well-acquainted with how thick the various fabric weights are. Also, i'm nowhere near a fabric store so i can't just shop around...

The reason i'm thinking heavy cotton is for fire/spark resistance compared to the synthetic tarp fabrics. Maybe a US Army shelter-half would do the trick - i'll google that next.
 
fmajor007- you could always get 3 of the painters tarps and have em sewn together...that would make it a bit less then 9' wide and 10-12' long. Ive thought about natural tarps too, but waterproofing them would make em awful heavy for their size. I think keeping a small, controlled fire near a conventional tarp would be easier in the long run, but thats just my opinion too :D
 
I suppose you could use the siliconized waterproofing made for nylon tents. I'm not sure how much it would take though. Many of the canvas tent and tipi companies offer canvas tarps purpose made and waterproof.
 
It looks like the Swack Shack is a better deal at least. Same material at 9x7.5 vs 10x10...but the smaller one is $25 cheaper. I think 9x7.5 is large enough for what most folks would need. I was only looking at the 10x10 because I think the 5x7 was simply too small...but a way better price. So in the end I think the Swack Shack is a good in between size and price.
Thanks for the info guys.
 
skorpyd said:
It almost looks to me like the same material (Swack shack) as the BCUSA multi-cam. So I'm thinking they get them from the same supplier or at least the material anyway.
Click to expand...

i have the o.p.s.e.c. multicam poncho (same maker as the swack shack) and the bcusa muticam tarp and they are the same exact materials as far as i can tell putting them side by side. it makes sense since only duro industries is the only licensed maker of multicam fabric from crye precision (they developed the multicam pattern). as far as quality goes, both are equally nice and both makers make their stuff here in the usa so it's just a matter of which tarp size/price one is looking for.
 
I can't compare the two from my current location. My only issue with the Swack Shack is that it has grommets; it does have a couple of webbing tie downs...but I much prefer webbing as it's easier to repair and grommets can rip out if you're not careful. The Multicam material is heavier and has some fire retardant properties...a plus if your shelter is going to be near a fire. I do know my BCUSA tarps are extremely well built and I have the Swack Shack with me here in Afghanistan and it's residing in my 72-hour bag for my trips. For more recreational settings I like the standard Etowah tarps as they are sil-nylon and much lighter. The 10x10 is perfect for hammock coverage and gives you a little spare if you need to do anything outside the hammock when it's raining. When my son and I do more "primitive" camping, we use the Multicam tarps as we are often closer to the fire.

ROCK6
 
readyme said:
Damn Rock6, now you are making me rethink the Swack Shack....I overlooked the grommets.
Click to expand...

i think you'll be fine especially the multicam fabric is definitely tougher than the typical tarp material. i have yet to see a thread here (or on bushcraftusa) showing a pic of a ripped out grommet on a good quality tarp (campmor's equinox tarps for example all have grommets except the 10'x10' and larger). if you search for "rescueriley" on the w&ss forum, you'll see he's been using his usgi poncho as a shelter for years now and the grommets are fine. i think the whole failed grommet thing happened with the cheap, hardware store tarps and it just snow-balled from there.

with that said, i think i'll test it out for myself with my cheap, 9'x9' tarp i bought online. also, i just sew'd two tabs on my multicam poncho (with a kevlar thread). that puts a lot more stress on the fabric than a grommet i think (the tab is only 1/2" wide and if the fabric will rip it'll be right there). i'll report back in a few weeks/months to see if any damage occurs in them.

opsec_poncho_extra_tabs.jpg
 
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