Tarp choices

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Tarp choices

Postby Neo » Thu 05 Dec, 2019 6:26 pm

Hello

Looking to upgrade my tarp.

Have been fairly happy with the STS escapist large 3x3m tarp. It is a square and I just replaced the guylines with Beal 3mm as the originals always slipped in mild winds and were now deteriorating. The 3mm is smooth and holds well!

Should I stay with a square shape or move to a rectangle?! Am thinking a 4x3m with plenty of tieout points would be better for creating shelter, as weather rarely comes from one constant direction.

Not overly concerned with weight although 500g, or less, would be nice.

Have been tempted by a Grand Trunk in the past as it has more tie-out points and is fairly inexpensive.

Have used Oneplanet rectangular tarps, quite good and like the cord pockets but a bit heavy. I would swap the guy toggles for circles like MSR, overall probably a bomber tarp.

Is it worth going all out for DCF? Or would an Oztrail do...

What have you used?
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Re: Tarp choices

Postby Petew » Thu 05 Dec, 2019 6:42 pm

A DCF tarp of those dimensions would be pricey.

I'd reccomend talking to Evan a Terra Rosa gear. He is pretty open to custom stuff and has DCF.

I have the same sts tarp as you. Pretty decent bit of kit.
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Re: Tarp choices

Postby Neo » Thu 05 Dec, 2019 6:50 pm

Enjoying it as a wind break roght now and sleeping here tonight :)

No replies from Evan in the past, maybe out on a trip, so you know, plenty of options in the world.
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Re: Tarp choices

Postby Tino B » Thu 05 Dec, 2019 7:12 pm

I'd say the first thing to work out is your budget and work backwards from there - weight, options, simplicity etc.

I've used a few different types of silnylon and poly tarps, both square/rectangular and cantenary cut, and currently use a Mountain Laurel Designs DCF Trailstar - really a hybrid between a tarp and a single-walled tent. It comes in at around 450g with guy lines and the necessary 10 stakes. The Trailstar stands up to any weather, and can be pitched high in fine weather or low in the snow or rain. It's a bit like the TARDIS, accommodates 2 people with gear in comfort, can fit 3 in a pinch and is a place for 1. Getting the pitch right takes a bit of practice, but is a thing of beauty once you have it worked out. Entry and exit isn't as easy as a lot of other shelters if you have it pitched low. The sew on linelocs are a great tensioning system.

The benefit of DCF is zero stretch and hydrophobic -no re-tensioning and no carrying extra weight in water if there's been rain. A disadvantage is the noise of rain on such a taut pitch.

Square or rectangular tarps have the advantage of many pitching options and ease of pitching. but are harder to get a really taut pitch.
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Re: Tarp choices

Postby Neo » Thu 05 Dec, 2019 7:18 pm

Cheers Tino.
Not headed for a pyramid,yet!
A future sheter for sure.
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Re: Tarp choices

Postby crollsurf » Fri 06 Dec, 2019 4:29 pm

I got Zpacks DCF Tarp which at 200g is awesome for UL solo. My only complaint is that it is transparent. Privacy isn't an issue but you get no respite from the sun in Summer.

Had a Tier Gear 2.7 x 2.7m tarp that I wish I hadn't sold on now. It was a great Tarp.

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Re: Tarp choices

Postby Neo » Fri 06 Dec, 2019 5:30 pm

Are mid panel tieout points usful?

I want a few more than just the corners and half way long each side.
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Re: Tarp choices

Postby crollsurf » Fri 06 Dec, 2019 5:39 pm

The more tieouts the better. I tend to go for an A frame and like corner, middle and tieouts in between for when it gets windy.

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Re: Tarp choices

Postby stuie88 » Sat 07 Dec, 2019 2:59 pm

My brothers and I use DD tarps, we have used and own both the original and the ultralight 3x3s.
The original is bombproof but a bit heavy, the ultralight is great, gets the sags when wet being silnylon.
Great tarps for the price, tonnes of tie outs.

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Re: Tarp choices

Postby Neo » Sat 07 Dec, 2019 9:00 pm

Ya the DD superlight xl is the only one I've bookmarked. At 700g for $160 as an upsize it looks pretty platial with lots of tie out points.

https://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/dd-sup ... l/DD-33874

For a tarp in DCF it looks like anything larger than 3m will be a custom job.
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Re: Tarp choices

Postby stuie88 » Sun 08 Dec, 2019 7:40 am

Yeah the 3x3 is pretty big for a couple of us anyway, the 4x3 would be huge.
We've used them in some pretty ordinary weather, they hold up well so far.

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Re: Tarp choices

Postby lachmac » Fri 20 Dec, 2019 12:49 pm

I picked up a second hand HMG 8x10 flat DCF tarp through BPL in perfect condition which cost less than a new 3x3 SIL tarp.
It is pretty spectacular at 280gm, paired with STS nano bug net less than 500gm. Like Crollsurf I have found its main disadvantage to be that it does not give full shade, probably half shade, but it does cut all UV.
I also have a TS but prefer the tarp when weather conditions permit.
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Re: Tarp choices

Postby Watertank » Sun 22 Dec, 2019 6:27 am

Alpkit from the UK has some well built and good value tarps - great customer service and low cost Australian delivery- I’ve bought a few things from them and always been very impressed
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