Tato Tarp Connectors are they better than soft shackles?

**TrailSlug** · 09-23-2016, 15:14

**Freakin Farmer** · 09-23-2016, 15:33

Exploring both myself. Following.

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-23-2016, 15:42

Do you mean soft shackle prusiks or prusik knots? I don't see how you could use a soft shackle to connect a tarp to a continuous ridgeline.

While the TATO tarp connectors do look easier to use than soft shackle prusiks, I'm not particularly keen on shock cord anywhere in my tarp system. I suppose I could replace the shock cord with Zing-It, though.

**JmBoh** · 09-23-2016, 15:48

i've had no problems with my soft shackles on a dutch ridge line set. tarp is getting pretty well used now. they've never let loose. good stuff!

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-23-2016, 16:01

Well, even Dutch is calling them "soft shackles that work as a prusik" in this video, but I'd call that a soft shackle prusik.

**skyjacker** · 09-23-2016, 16:41

I like the TATO tarp connectors. I've been using them with the shock cord and have had no problems. I'm not a big fan of prussiks. They either seem to jam or slip for me. As far as the shock cord scare. In most of Dutch's tarp videos all I see is shock cord. Maybe it's for convenience. But, his tarpworms and hookworms comes with shock cord. In his new asym tarp video he is using shock cord for "storm mode". Is shock cord breaking in the field? I'm not even sure what the breaking strength is on 3/32 and 1/8 shock cord. It would be nice to know though.

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-23-2016, 16:57

Originally Posted by skyjacker

Is shock cord breaking in the field? I'm not even sure what the breaking strength is on 3/32 and 1/8 shock cord. It would be nice to know though.

I doubt shock cord has much breaking strength. I don't use shock cord because it gets loose with use, and more especially, when it gets cold.

**2 Samuel 22** · 09-23-2016, 17:44

I started with Tato Tarp Connectors and then switched to Dutch Soft Shackles tied with a Prusik to the ridgeline. The Tarp Connectors are a great product however I found that when I would hang my tarp under the ridgeline they would stretch too much and my Superfly tarp would hang lower than I wanted. I believe the soft shackles are lighter as well.

**mcbpdx** · 09-23-2016, 19:35

I have both. Not a fan of the TATO myself.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**naticen** · 09-23-2016, 22:00

Havent tried tato tap connectors but I find the soft shackles to be a pain to use. I'll just leave it hooked all the time though and snakeskin it with the ridge line. The prusiks hold fine for me and the option does exist to remove the tarp if I do find the need. Wouldn't want it if I removed the tarp and reconnected every time.