Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#203625 - 11/07/19 09:17 PM DIY Tarp
Jim M Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
I am considering a solo DIY tarp. It would like it to be as simple and light as possible. Maybe just a 8' x 8' rectangle to use as a flying wedge or A-frame. I do not need mosquito protection where I hike. What Material would be best? Sil nylon? coated Nylon? I forget what the call the stuff they make door and window weather covers out of, but that might be a possibility too.
_________________________
Jim M

Top
#203626 - 11/07/19 10:55 PM Re: DIY Tarp [Re: Jim M]
aimless Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/05/03
Posts: 3292
Loc: Portland, OR
I forget what the call the stuff they make door and window weather covers out of

Tyvek is the most common brand name. There are some other competitors on the market, too.

Top
#203629 - 11/08/19 03:23 AM Re: DIY Tarp [Re: aimless]
Bill Kennedy Offline
member

Registered: 02/27/18
Posts: 332
Loc: Portland, Oregon
I think he might be referring to polycryo rather than Tyvek.
_________________________
Always remember that you are absolutely unique, just like everybody else. -Margaret Mead

Top
#203630 - 11/08/19 03:47 AM Re: DIY Tarp [Re: Jim M]
Bill Kennedy Offline
member

Registered: 02/27/18
Posts: 332
Loc: Portland, Oregon
Silnylon works well. I made a Ray-Way style tarp from it, and the only disadvantage I've found is that it tends to collect a fine coating of dust, I assume due to static electricity.

A long time ago my then-girlfriend made me a 10'x10' tarp of 1.9oz. PU coated nylon. It worked well, but heavy by today's standards (about 2 lbs.).

3- or 4-mil polyethylene, usually only available in black or clear, but occasionally in light gray, also works. The corners can be secured with sheet bends, but you need Grip Clips or similar for other pullouts:

https://www.shelter-systems.com/grip-clips-tarp-and-fabric-fasteners/

Note, by the way, that Grip Clips won't work on silnylon since it's so slippery. I've read that you can make it work by putting a thin piece of rubber (cut from a balloon) between the clip and the fabric.
_________________________
Always remember that you are absolutely unique, just like everybody else. -Margaret Mead

Top
#203632 - 11/08/19 07:07 AM Re: DIY Tarp [Re: Jim M]
Pika Offline
member

Registered: 12/08/05
Posts: 1814
Loc: Rural Southeast Arizona
Ray Jardine sells a one or two person version kit. Light and watertight. silicon
nylon. ://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml[u][/u]
_________________________
May I walk in beauty.

Top
#203634 - 11/08/19 09:28 AM Re: DIY Tarp [Re: Jim M]
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
Polycryo is both inexpensive and very light, not to mention it's easy to build with. The only problem is durability. Folks say if it starts a run, it will keep going, though I haven't experienced that yet. If you do use it, make sure you "hem" all the edges with that 1/4" double sided tape and that all the guy lines have elastic segments.

If I had the time to make another tarp, I'd probably try silpoly myself.
_________________________
The journey is more important than the destination.

Top
#203661 - 11/13/19 11:07 AM Re: DIY Tarp [Re: Jim M]
wgiles Offline
member

Registered: 05/19/14
Posts: 182
Loc: Central Illinois near Springfi...
I've made several tarps, starting with SilNylon, but switching to SilPoly. There is not much difference working with either, but the SilPoly should be longer lasting and not stretch as much wet. I hem the edges and sew Grosgrain ribbon loops on for tieouts. Where I have seams, I often sew extra tieouts on. Depending on the use, I often sew a strip of Grosgrain ribbon into the hems on the edge. It adds strength to the edges and allows me to pull the tarp more taut.There should be plenty of plans online. You don't need to use one of these plans, but they can give you some insight into why things are made the way that they are. Long hems and seams in lightweight material are not easy for those of us with limited sewing experience. That's the main reason that I use Grosgrain ribbon in mine, it adds bulk and helps to keep things straight.

Top
#203833 - 12/12/19 08:09 PM Re: DIY Tarp [Re: Bill Kennedy]
Jim M Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/03
Posts: 430
Loc: Kitsap Peninsula, WA
thanks for the good ideas.
Margaret Mead also said:
One of the oldest human needs is having someone to wonder where you are when you don't come home at night.
_________________________
Jim M

Top
#204006 - 01/11/20 01:11 PM Re: DIY Tarp [Re: Jim M]
41253 Offline
member

Registered: 12/28/14
Posts: 105
For simplicity it's hard to beat an 8x10 silnylon tarp from Campmor. I sewed some tie points in along the centerline so I could hang it from an overhead line rather than drape it over. That way, it's easy to pull either or both sides down in response to weather. You can do the same thing with a ball+loop clamp or even just bundling up duff and lassoing a line around the clump. That size was perfect for three when I brought two kids along.

A flat tarp doesn't scale well for one person, however. A pyramid seems to make more sense in terms of weather protection per ounce of material. I got lazy and bought a Deschutes from Six Moon Designs but it shouldn't be hard to make something similar from Silnylon or whatever.

I definitely wouldn't trust Polycro for overhead protection. I used some as a groundsheet once and it got a huge rip in it when I dragged it a few feet with my stuff on it. This is NBD for a ground sheet but would ruin your night if it got poked by a branch during a rainstorm.

For dew and condensation protection clothing-style Tyvek (not the thicker house wrap) makes a nice combination ground cloth and blanket. You can pull it over your face without suffocating or making condensation inside. I wouldn't trust it in real rain but I've been fine in a light mist followed by heavy morning dew when a companion cowboy camper woke up soaked.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
MSR Recall
by balzaccom
02/24/24 11:13 AM
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Yosemite Winter Rangers
by balzaccom
12/21/23 09:35 AM
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 55 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum