ok thanks. so you think this is more of a "full coverage" tarp, than minimal? I'm still new enough that I don't know what to expect in terms of coverage in various weather.
I have a 10x10 for car camping and a Yukon Outfitters Walkabout diamond-shaped Rainfly. the Walkabout works fine in mild weather with light wind. However, I'm going to do a couple weeks on the AT in shoulder season weather and think I'll need something more than that but lighter than the 10x10. do you think the Edge would be good for this or is there better?..
For all around use I like the Superfly.. it offers more coverage and has doors you can close. It weighs more though.
But the scenario you bring up is the exact one where I would get an Edge. Weight makes a difference on a multi week hike. I recommend getting out in some weather before your trip to get some practice in.
In my opinion Warbonnet tarps have the best weight-coverage-price ratio. That doesn't mean that the other tarp makers are no good. Warbonnet doesn't offer custom work or let you pick a fabric - Wilderness Logics, Undergroundquilts and Simply Light Designs do. They also all have their own designs. If you're looking for an usual shape, SLD offers some interesting tarps. Arrowhead Equipment also makes a lightweight tarp. If you're willing to spend some serious money to save weight, have a look at the Cuben Fiber tarps HammockGear sells.
The Superfly is a great tarp, with great coverage - but for me it has been overkill. I don't camp in winter, and haven't hung in a rainstorm, yet. In every other weather, the WB Mamajamba has been performing great. It's a good compromise between the Edge and the Superfly - basically it's a Superfly without doors.
It'd say check out all the tarp maker's websites, compare the specs, and pick a tarp that appeals to you. All tarps get good reviews, so it's mostly a matter of taste and priorities.
thank you for your reply, I have checked out websites and gotten some very helpful personal recommendations.
Cuben Fiber is certainly appealing from a weight perspective but too rich for me. SilPoly fabric looks to have some advantages but I don't know how significant it is.
I agree, of the nylon tarp makers, War Bonnet looks to have a fine feature set with good weight and price. I'm just trying to decide if the added coverage of the Mamajamba is worth the extra 3oz over the Edge.
my big hike is in September but I'll be doing a 2-week shake-down trip in June. I won't need a lot of coverage then and am wondering if I might just get by with Yukon Outfitters Walkabout diamond tarp. it works ok in mild weather and that would kick this decision down the road a couple months...
It really depends on the weather. If you don't expect days of rain, storms, snow etc. the Edge is a great choice. For mixed weather, I would prefer the Mamajamba. It offers more wind protection, and more space to sit out the rain. I guess if you're hiking from dawn to dusk and only use the tarp for staying dry while sleeping, and are willing to take extra care when setting up (e.g. avoid exposed spots even if it means walking a bit more), the Edge should work. There are certainly enough AT thruhikers who only used the Tadpole, which is a bit smaller than the Edge.
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