lightweight tarp recommendation?

**mimstrel** · 09-13-2015, 02:00

I'm looking for a recommendation for a lightweight and not too expensive tarp for backpacking, which could be pitched either as weather protection over a hammock (in the future - I just bought my tent this summer and can't afford a whole second set-up at this time) or used with my tent.

Here's the deal with my tent. Whoever designed it, apparently has never camped in the rain. Sometimes, even if it's raining, you need to enter or exit the tent, or otherwise open the fly. There is no way to open the rainfly without letting it rain into the tent (and all over my nice down quilt). But I recently saw a genius solution (which in retrospect should have been obvious, but whatever): a group of campers had their tents set up, and then strategically placed tarps so they could eat or move about their campsite without being soaked.

The tarp could be small - just has to be big enough to keep the rain off the entryway - or big enough that I could ditch the rainfly and use the tarp as my only weatherproofing.

Thanks!

**Flatliner** · 09-13-2015, 06:53

What price range are you looking in?

**olddog** · 09-13-2015, 07:24

Check out the Tadpole.

http://wildernesslogics.com/Tad-Pole-Tad-Pole.htm

I've been using mine for 3 years now and have no complaints. It's reasonably light and inexpensive. Haven't ever had to seam seal it.

**Martin_1** · 09-13-2015, 09:27

I have the DD superlight tarp. It's 3 meters by 2.90 meters and weighs only 460 gram.

**mimstrel** · 09-13-2015, 22:07

Originally Posted by Flatliner

What price range are you looking in?

I would really prefer to stay under $75. I know that cuts out pretty much all of the truly lightweight options, but hopefully there's something decent available. I really like the tadpole that olddog recommended, but it's just a little more than I can realistically fit in my budget this month, and I'm crossing my fingers I can get something to test the weekend of the 26th. Want to try it out car camping before taking an actual backpacking trip the weekend of October 17.

I might hop on the marketplace and see if anybody's got a used tarp in good condition within my price range.

Thanks!

**Zeppo** · 09-13-2015, 22:20

I have a Hennessey Hyperlite Asym Zip with the stock tarp, which is a parallelogram, 63" x 99", with a (diagonal) ridgeline length of 132". It weighs 8 oz. Mine is like new. I am replacing it with a Warbonnet Superfly. You can have it for $60, free shipping.

**cherring** · 09-14-2015, 09:06

Wilderness Logics Tadpole will work well for this and for a hammock. Awesome tarp.

**jabraso** · 09-14-2015, 10:07

If you can't find what you want make it! I made this one using only 4yds of fabric and kept it under $40. The small doors on the ends make it so you don't need as much overhang on the ends of the hammock. I don't have a scale sensitive enough for "gram weenies" but it packs down to about the size of a baseball.

**SpitballJedi** · 09-14-2015, 10:08

I don't think it's considered lightweight, but the Kelty Noah is below your price range, is versitile, and works well. I have the 12' and it seems fine. I will some day get a lightweight tarp, but I can't justify the expense when this one works so well.

**mimstrel** · 09-14-2015, 11:02

Zeppo, I'm considering your offer. My concern is whether the assymetrical design will be awkward to use with the tent. I might have to set up the tent and break out the measuring tape.

My other best option so far seems to be DIY. I have good sewing skills and can get materials within my price range... but then I have to find the time to assemble it.