Favorite Tarp Backpacking Storage Method

**toddseimer** · 01-08-2017, 18:42

So I have a Kelty Noah's 12' tarp and while I love the tarp I hate, hate hate the bag they include for it. Not only is it a weird shape it just seems like it doesn't really compress the tarp much for backpacking storage and it's awkward to stuff because it's more like a front loading zippered stuff sack. Wondering what people's favorite way to store their tarps on backpacking trips, Snake skins, stuff sacks, double ended stuff sacks or as I was thinking today, mesh stuff sacks?

**johnspenn** · 01-08-2017, 19:04

I got mesh skins from Mountain Goat Hats for my Kelty Noah 12, and they work great. After I skin the tarp I still put it in the Kelty bag, but I am going to make a double ended stuff sack for it at some point. I love the tarp skins, they make deploying and securing the tarp so much easier. Even putting them in that goofy Kelty bag is easy after they're skinned.

**FJRpilot** · 01-08-2017, 19:12

+1 on the skins. I've found that I'd rather pack the tarp loosely anyway. Fits into the nooks and crannies in my pack better. Mine are SilNylon, mostly to keep a wet tarp from wetting other stuff in my pack.. but those Mesh skins are really cool too...

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**Bubba** · 01-08-2017, 19:30

Mesh tarp sleeves from Mountain Goat

**zukiguy** · 01-08-2017, 19:51

Backpacking at Noah's 12....ouch. I bring it on lots of car or kayak trips but the 12' is kind of heavy to go in my pack.

That will be tough to squash all the polyester down into a manageable size. This may be one time that folding/rolling might get the package smaller. I was really surprised how well it fit in the bag the first time around. Since, I've had to get creative to get it squashed back into the provided sack. I normally fold it along the ridgeline then it kind of turns into some bad attempt to fold a bed sheet until I get it to the size of the sack.

Does your pack have an external pocket the tarp will fit into? Maybe just skip the bag totally except for home storage?

**TrailSlug** · 01-08-2017, 20:06

Originally Posted by zukiguy

Backpacking at Noah's 12....ouch. I bring it on lots of car or kayak trips but the 12' is kind of heavy to go in my pack.

+ 1. But hey HYOH. If you are man enough to pack this tarp then cram that thing in an outside storage. These tarps do not work with snake skins very well due to their inability to compress down. Check out MassDrop and pick up one of the UGQ tarps at a really good price and you will avoid this issue all together.

**toddseimer** · 01-08-2017, 20:17

Originally Posted by johnspenn

I got mesh skins from Mountain Goat Hats for my Kelty Noah 12, and they work great. After I skin the tarp I still put it in the Kelty bag, but I am going to make a double ended stuff sack for it at some point. I love the tarp skins, they make deploying and securing the tarp so much easier. Even putting them in that goofy Kelty bag is easy after they're skinned.

I've been interested in the tarp skins. I might pick up Dutch's kit and make some.

**toddseimer** · 01-08-2017, 20:20

Originally Posted by zukiguy

Backpacking at Noah's 12....ouch. I bring it on lots of car or kayak trips but the 12' is kind of heavy to go in my pack.

That will be tough to squash all the polyester down into a manageable size. This may be one time that folding/rolling might get the package smaller. I was really surprised how well it fit in the bag the first time around. Since, I've had to get creative to get it squashed back into the provided sack. I normally fold it along the ridgeline then it kind of turns into some bad attempt to fold a bed sheet until I get it to the size of the sack.

Does your pack have an external pocket the tarp will fit into? Maybe just skip the bag totally except for home storage?

It really is a beast and probably the heaviest item in my pack. I've upgraded to HG quilts and a Dream Darien. I have a sil nylon asym tarp that I use when I'm pretty sure weather will be nice that I've been considering doubling the width to use instead of the Noah but haven't done so yet. The Noah is just such a reliable and huge tank that I never have to worrry about as long as I don't die shlepping it in.

**monkeynono** · 01-08-2017, 20:28

Another vote for Mountain Goat snake skins. I use them for both my superfly and Winter Haven

**johnspenn** · 01-08-2017, 20:29

Seriously guys, sure the Noah's 12 is heavier than comparably sized tarps from our cottage vendors, but it's not THAT heavy. Y'all talk like it's carrying a ton of lead or something... sheesh. If I can carry the thing 30 miles on the AT it just ain't that heavy!