If you can only have ONE tarp, what would it be?

**Diz** · 02-03-2016, 17:17

In Byndam’s thread “How much coverage do I need?” I replied, “I have always used a winter tarp and every time I think about going to a hex or an asym to save weight and money, I’ll have a brush with wind or rain and I am glad to have the coverage. Yes, it weighs a bit more but wet gear is heavy also and uncomfortable. It could lead to a cold, wet and miserable hike out with heavy wet gear as well.
If I can only have one tarp it would definitely be a winter, bigger is better (IMHO), but I may still get (or rather make) an asym for use on only short “guarantied” fair weather trips.”

Now I’m curious what do all of you think?
If you can only have ONE tarp, what would it be? Would it be an XL Winter Tarp, a Standard Winter Tarp, a Hex Tarp/with or without doors, or would you go minimal with an Asym Tarp

**kunzman** · 02-03-2016, 17:20

HG cuben fiber with doors and it's what I have.

**BanjoPicker** · 02-03-2016, 17:22

In a rainstorm, I would prefer the one that I'm under!

**Nighthauk** · 02-03-2016, 17:26

I would keep my Superfly. I love the weight of the Cuben fiber but it lets too much light in the morning. So I would go with my darker tarp.

**Diz** · 02-03-2016, 17:29

Originally Posted by BanjoPicker

In a rainstorm, I would prefer the one that I'm under!

A wise guy ah?
Any port in a storm, right?

**pgibson** · 02-03-2016, 17:34

Years ago on this forum the prevailing mode of thought among many of us was that it takes skill and woodsmanship (I just made that up

) to be able to camp anywhere with the least amount of tarp and gear to be safe for the conditions. In those days there was only one "winter tarp" the Speer winter tarp and it was a small tarp, compared to todays tents. Many of us worked to hang and make due with the HH napkin tarp and many folks did just fine with it. Just Jeff hung under in in a tropical storm in NC and high in the mountains of the west through winter. I have hung in a lot of places in a lot of weather and I know that I can make due just fine with a standard sized Hex over any hammock made. Some of what I look for in myself is the learn and push outside of my limitations both with my gear and with my mental state. Most of us...raising my hand not pointing fingers...live in a day and age when so much of life us handed to us and we take a lot for granted. My time in the woods is to step out of that life and into one where I have to work a little more to be sure that I am going to stay warm, dry, hydrated and fed. I work to prepare better meals in the woods than I do most of the time at home...no drive through to bail me out if I screw it up. No furnace to turn on if I have a failure...and I see that as part of what I want and need. Not saying to take undue risk but rathe to evaluate your skill and put it up against the challenges you face out there.

**BanjoPicker** · 02-03-2016, 17:40

Originally Posted by Diz

A wise guy ah?
Any port in a storm, right?

Heh heh. Well, I voted for a hex tarp. Mine is SilPoly. Good compromise between weight, coverage, and cost. I could add removable doors later if I want.

**SilvrSurfr** · 02-03-2016, 17:43

I'm not sure I understand why a Winter Palace is an XL Winter Tarp and the Superfly is a standard winter tarp when they are basically the same dimensions.

**Diz** · 02-03-2016, 18:26

Originally Posted by pgibson

Years ago on this forum the prevailing mode of thought among many of us was that it takes skill and woodsmanship (I just made that up

) to be able to camp anywhere with the least amount of tarp and gear to be safe for the conditions. In those days there was only one "winter tarp" the Speer winter tarp and it was a small tarp, compared to todays tents. Many of us worked to hang and make due with the HH napkin tarp and many folks did just fine with it. Just Jeff hung under in in a tropical storm in NC and high in the mountains of the west through winter. I have hung in a lot of places in a lot of weather and I know that I can make due just fine with a standard sized Hex over any hammock made. Some of what I look for in myself is the learn and push outside of my limitations both with my gear and with my mental state. Most of us...raising my hand not pointing fingers...live in a day and age when so much of life us handed to us and we take a lot for granted. My time in the woods is to step out of that life and into one where I have to work a little more to be sure that I am going to stay warm, dry, hydrated and fed. I work to prepare better meals in the woods than I do most of the time at home...no drive through to bail me out if I screw it up. No furnace to turn on if I have a failure...and I see that as part of what I want and need. Not saying to take undue risk but rathe to evaluate your skill and put it up against the challenges you face out there.

A Speer winter tarp is what I have been using with my WBBB XLC and it is only just long enough for a few inches of overhang at the ridge line. I'm working on an 11 inch winter tarp now so i have a bit less fiddle factor in setting up.

**Kanguru** · 02-03-2016, 18:27

+1 on HG cuben w/ doors. Although I stayed dry in a downpour under my JRB 8x8 on one occasion. I some ways I prefer the 8x8. Only 2 stakes and super fast to set up.