Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
I have a 7 x 10' tarp that is getting old and I want to replace it with a tarp that is 9 feet square. For a number of reasons I think that might be the ideal size for me. My 7 x 10 weighs only 18 ounces w/o stakes and only a few very light tie lines attached. I can't seem to find a 9'x9' (give or take a few inches) tarp that weighs about that much. I think about 21 ounces would be my upper limit. I'm thinking $100 for a maximum price. I Do see some nice tarps that come close to my criteria, but none exactly right. Any ideas? One more thing, some nice tarps have a cantinary (sp?) curve on two sides. I don't think I would like that because it would make a gap in some situations like even a simple "A" Frame configuration. Thanks. Jim, Hansville, WA
Registered: 10/26/12
Posts: 32
Loc: Saint Charles, MO
look at footprints for tents on ebay for the higher end brands. You can get them cheap sometimes for 10 to 40 bucks and they have all the tieouts already and are made to take abuse and some are pretty lightweight.
Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
Good Idea, Tyvek. I see someone on line sells the 9' wide Tyvek for 3.50 per linear foot. That would be about $31.50 for 9 feet. No seams! He says it is 1.85 ounces per sq. yd. so 3 yds x 3 yds = 9 yds. 9 x 1.85 = 16.65 ounces! and.... 9 x $3.50 = $31.50. Sounds very good. I carry a small scrap of Tyvek about 5x5 around in my pack for emergencies in the winter and it seems durable and I even put some grommets in the corners. Thanks.....Jim
Integral Designs is still around and has a few options--your budget will require a sale though. Equinox shows an 8x10 siltarp for under a hundred bucks. Glad to see both are in business, although have a hazy memory of somebody buying ID a few years back.
So you know how noisy tyvek can be .. Louder than sunchips wrappers. I can only imagine how loud rain would be? Otherwise, I love the stuff. Most of us use it as tent ground cloths. Buy online. Hardware stores only sell 50' rolls... Which is tempting.
Tyvek's okay for groundcloths,less good for rain protection since it's porous and hard rain can mist through. Just so you know.
A DIY silnylon tarp is the cheapest light option, but you need to be handy with a sewing machine and seal the seams afterwards. Advantage: size is completely up to you.
Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
Thank you and others for ideas. I'm going to write another topic message on condensation. I went out the last two days and was surprised at the condemnation on a very open tarp.
Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
My final decision was based on price, weigh, and coverage. I purchased an REI Camp Tarp 9. I think it is identical to the Noah's 9 by Eureka. REI is local and as a good return policy so I can take a look at it and return it if dissatisfied. Thanks for all your ideas. I am selling my Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight tent on Ebay for about the price of he new tarp. The new tarp weighs 3 or 4 pounds less!
Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
I guess I am replying to myself here. I have had a chance to use the REI 9x9 Camp Tarp on several trips and it worked out perfectly. We happened to have good weather, but I am certain it would have worked well in a rainstorm. I would bring three sides down to the ground if it were raining and windy. Perhaps even drop the top peak some, but there is plenty of room for two under the 9x9, three wouldn't even be a squeeze. It sets up quicker than any tent I have had. You put in three stakes and then lift the remaining corner and tie it to a tree (or trekking pole with guy). A little adjusting here and there and you are done in a few minutes. It is a little bigger and heavier than I need, but my pack is so light otherwise that I don't mind because of the extra space, and someday in an emergency I can share the space with someone.
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