Tarps

[ComedyPilot]

CM, do you find the dd tarp a good size? I like the look of it but I think 3m by 3m seems quite big. I only really want the tarp for cooking under when the weather is bad, a shelter to keep out of the rain when I don't want to be stuck inside my tent, and a bike 'garage' like you mentioned.

I was also looking at the msr e-wing. Has anyone had experience with that? It is extremely light and compact but it seems quite expensive and is it too small? Any thoughts?

3m x 3m seems big, but that is the area covered when flat. Once you start sticking poles under it to create room underneath the floorspace reduces.

If I create an A frame 'tent with it, when I lie under it (at 1.78m tall) I am only 60cm from either end. Sure, there are smaller lighter weight tarps, but at 650g the DD 3x3 tarp isn't in spoke-bending territory either.

 

[HelenD123]

If you want a tarp to cover rather than ground sheet Decathlon do one with poles which is very good value. We have one for camping.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/tarp-3243880/

Just seen the weight of this. 2.2kg! That's heavier than my tent.

 

[Hacienda71]

Just seen the weight of this. 2.2kg! That's heavier than my tent.

That is with the metal poles, without it is about a kilo.

 

[Crankarm]

Ray Mears always has a tarp, the size of a tennis court .

 

[Echolalia]

The groundsheet on a tent will always get wet, when a human lays down on it on grass, the water will soak through the grass. I have used many things to combat this - Zlite thermarest (too big), bubble wrap and most recently two bin liners courtesy of the long haired library fella at Bangor Uni computing services who was rather kind, as I just walked in off the street to ask for two bags.

 

[ASC1951]

I just cannot see the point of a tarp, at least in the UK. All the disadvantages of tents, very few of the advantages and a load of problems of their own.

Their alleged usefulness is a washover from the US, which is a whole lot drier, much warmer in the outdoor season and full of people whose idea of camping is to pole up in a 5 Litre truck with all their supplies in a portable fridge.

 

[Anthony]

I just cannot see the point of a tarp, at least in the UK. All the disadvantages of tents, very few of the advantages and a load of problems of their own.

Their alleged usefulness is a washover from the US, which is a whole lot drier, much warmer in the outdoor season and full of people whose idea of camping is to pole up in a 5 Litre truck with all their supplies in a portable fridge.

The point of having a tarp for me is it gives me a place to cook and sit in the evening when it rains. I don't really want to be stuck in my tent until I have to sleep. It can also be used escape showers during the day. It can be used to cover up the bike during the night.

A heavy and bulky tarp I agree would be excessive, I might as well get a larger tent. But a light tarp of around 300g and a pack size of a water bottle would be a good complement to my light weight 1-man tent.

 

[ASC1951]

The point of having a tarp for me is it gives me a place to cook and sit in the evening when it rains. I don't really want to be stuck in my tent until I have to sleep.

Ah, I understand now - you want to use it in conjunction with a tent. Fair enough.

I don't think they are sensible as substitutes for a tent.

 

[HelenD123]

A heavy and bulky tarp I agree would be excessive, I might as well get a larger tent. But a light tarp of around 300g and a pack size of a water bottle would be a good complement to my light weight 1-man tent.

Any recommendations?

 

[Anthony]

Any recommendations?

lol. not especially. I started the thread asking for recommendations about tarps.

Comedypilot suggested using a DD tarp which seems like a good solution. But I was also thinking about the msr e-wing, it's only 200g and very compact, but nobody here seems to know much about it.

I'm definitely going to buy one, but i'm still not sure what.

 

[Anthony]

Ah, I understand now - you want to use it in conjunction with a tent. Fair enough.

I don't think they are sensible as substitutes for a tent.

Agreed.

 

[HelenD123]

lol. not especially. I started the thread asking for recommendations about tarps.

Oops.

 

[just jim]

Ultralite, superlite, awsumlite, incredilite or whatever - but pretty light all the same:

"team io" tarps

 

[Echolalia]

The point of having a tarp for me is it gives me a place to cook and sit in the evening when it rains. I don't really want to be stuck in my tent until I have to sleep. It can also be used escape showers during the day. It can be used to cover up the bike during the night.

A heavy and bulky tarp I agree would be excessive, I might as well get a larger tent. But a light tarp of around 300g and a pack size of a water bottle would be a good complement to my light weight 1-man tent.

What tent do you use Anthony?

 

[Anthony]

What tent do you use Anthony?

I am the new owner of a green MSR Hubba HP tent. So far I am really impressed by it; It only weighs 1.3kg, packs really small, is freestanding, it is quick to set up and has a surprising amount head room for a 1 man tent.