please help to choose tarp

**pinballwizard** · 12-13-2014, 10:32

IF you are an ultralight camper, and lightening your pack outweighs lightening your wallet, nothing will compare to cuben fiber, as far as weight.
If, like me, cost is a factor as well, you can add and compare till the cows come home, but for your all-around needs, in one tarp, you're not going to find a hidden gem out there that beats the superfly....
Though Dutch has been on a warpath lately, so who knows what his "next week's surprise" is

**ebrianschmidt** · 12-13-2014, 13:40

I really wish i could afford cuban fiber. I'm trying to stay around or under 150 for this. I have come a long way considering the first time I went backpacking my tene weighed 5 lbs! (please don't make fun of me :-). The more I read through your posts the more I am realizing that it basically comes down to if the extra 5 oz for the doors are worth it. Right now, my base weight for my pack, quilts, hammock / suspension is around 5-6 lbs. Probably should just go for the superfly and so I have the doors. Maybe buy a smaller tarp later as a luxury item to have for the few times I am not camping in the mountains, and know that the weather will be good.

**Zilla** · 12-13-2014, 13:43

there is a great deal on a tarp in the for sale thread right now.

**ebrianschmidt** · 12-13-2014, 22:47

So I had some adventure at my house and missed out on the one in the classifieds. I think that what I am going to do is pick up a winter Haven from Jarred so I am covered for the cold and wind and closer to the summer pick out a tarp without doors in the 14 oz range or so. I also took a closer look at the tarps and think the thicker material would be good for my winter tarp in case it snows. I guess it makes sense to have 2 tarps since I have 2 sets of quilts.

**lchavez** · 12-13-2014, 23:18

Porch mode.

**cbsinnett** · 12-15-2014, 01:39

I know it is not the super fly or cuben fiber or any of the other larger tarps out there but I have the HH Typhoon and so far it has worked out great for me.
Have needed to spend any extra time under it other than for sleeping. but as my pic below shows it does go into a porch mode and with removable doors to leave home in good weather which will lighten it up some.
Mine is the 30D silnylon and weighs in at 21oz with doors.
The list price on the HH web site is $120.
Now I am thinking of doing a pole mod or adding a set of tarp pull outs and using my treking poles to give a little more room under it.
as it is not as roomy but it does cover well and keeps all the nasty out side when you need it too.

capm out.jpg

this is my Typhoon on the right and my sons Monsoon on the left.
set up.jpg

**ebrianschmidt** · 12-16-2014, 18:23

Thanks for the mentiom on the hh flys. I hadn't even thought about them. Not sure whh. Those look like an interesting possibility.

**Tacoma96** · 12-16-2014, 20:22

Have the Superfly and just ordered a Cloud Burst for my RR.

**russbus** · 01-01-2015, 16:46

The super-fly looks like a great choice. However there are a ton of great brands out there so broaden your search if you haven't already

**ebrianschmidt** · 01-02-2015, 22:42

I've looked at a few other makers, bit am now leaning towards the mambajamba. It seems to be the most coverage for the least weight. The winter tarp from simply light designs looke amazing, but I just don't think I'll need that much tarp in ga. Even if I wanted to go camping in our worst weather here, the roads will be closed. I'll probably add a door kit later. I really like the flexibility of the removable doors. The only down side I was able to find was the noise due to the sil nylon. But I can live with that for the price / weight.