tarp recommendations for Scouts ?

**Ranc0r** · 05-10-2017, 08:04

Howdy!

I was asked to do a talk for the Boy Scout troop on backpacking in general. A number of the boys have started hanging, and at least three asked for a tarp recommendation. I have a Hennessy Hex and a Tadpole tarp, but those are both in the neighborhood of $100. I mentioned the Kelty Noah 12, blue poly tarp from the hardware store, and DIY using silnylon/silpoly from RBTR, as well as DIY kits. But I don't think I quite satisfied the questioner. I think he was looking for cheap, good enough, and not DIY.

If you were approached by a teenager with limited income, who already had a hammock, pad and sleeping bag, for a tarp recommendation, what would you offer them?

**Trackerfiend** · 05-10-2017, 08:08

BCUSA 10x10 coyote brown or olive green appx $60-65(last I checked) at www.bushcraftoutfitters.com
DD Hammocks does group buy special pricing specifically for scouts.

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**Andy "Bull" Bullock** · 05-10-2017, 08:08

The egret tarps by equinox are pretty good. 8x10 (hung corner to corner) $48 on Amazon. Or the 12x10 for $67, I have that one. I also have a UST base tube tarp 1.0 that I removed the zipper and I can hang it diamond shaped, $30(!).

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**TrailSlug** · 05-10-2017, 08:12

For Boy Scouts I would recommend the inexpensive blue tarps from Walmart. Many of these guys (and parents) do not want to invest at this point a lot of money just in case.

**Hillbilly Gal** · 05-10-2017, 08:37

I like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HILPQLQ...a-309402263658

It's 10 x 10, relatively lightweight, has lots of cordage, and is $26.

**ag1024** · 05-10-2017, 08:37

For scouts who buy an inexpensive hammock to try it out, I would recommend this 8 by 10 tarp from Outdoor Products. The scouts can buy better gear if they find they really like hammock camping.

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Produ...+products+tarp

**vmonarca** · 05-10-2017, 08:48

I recommend kelty noah's 12 for all my scouts. You can find them several times a year for as little as $33-38. I found them a few months ago on groupon for $35 and bought a bunch. they are durable and very adaptable.

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**kitsapcowboy** · 05-10-2017, 08:49

Easy DIY 6'x9' rectangle tarp from 3 yards of Dutch Xenon Wide, about $30... (Multi-use, hammock and various ground pitches)

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...-Simple-quot-)

**rais'n hammock** · 05-10-2017, 10:11

I put this together for the boys in our unit. Give them and the parents the infomation and let them make the choice that fits them. We encourge the boys to pay as much as they can themselves. They tend to take better care of the gear when they have some skin in the game. We also encourage the DIY for boys who are willing, and many are.

Tarps Recommended for Hammocks Cost, Weight (~oz), Size (Ft), Features/Style

Starter
https://nextadventure.net/eno-dryfly...6NcRoCf_zw_wcB $49.95 22 10.5 X 5.2
https://www.amazon.com/theBlueStone-...sporting-goods $30.99 31 10 X 10

Best buy
https://dutchwaregear.com/xenon-hex-tarp.html $61.00 13 11 X 9.5 Hex
https://outdoorvitals.com/product/ba...ralight-tarps/ $59.97 16 11 X 6.5 6 sided
https://www.amazon.com/Hennessy-Hamm...ods&th=1&psc=1 $67.95 27 12 X 10 Hex
http://www.hammockgear.com/the-quest/ $99.00 13 11 X 9.5 Hex
https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/superfly/ $140.00 18 11 X 10 w/doors
https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/edge/ $95.00 10 11 X 8 Hex
https://dutchwaregear.com/tadpole-tarp.html $95.00 12.7 11 X 8 Hex
http://www.undergroundquilts.com/hangers/default.html $144.95 13.5 11 X 10 Hex

Advanced
http://www.hammockgear.com/dyneema-c...iber-hex-tarp/ $235.00 5.5 12 x 8.5 Hex
http://www.hammockgear.com/standard-...rp-with-doors/ $295.00 7.9 12 X 8.5 w/doors
http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hammock_tarps.shtml $249.00 7 11 X 8.5 Hex
http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/hammock_tarps.shtml $315.00 9 11 X 8.5 w/doors

**slugbait** · 05-10-2017, 10:22

A 9'x12' 2 mil polyethelene plastic drop cloth makes a serviceable tarp which can be cut to any shape and size desired (good for experimenting). Teach your scouts to tie cord to the corners with a sheet bend- this is remarkably strong (and uses Scout skills). Tie outs not on a corner are a little more challenging- creative use of tape or making a tarp clamp out of caps and threads cut from beverage containers will work here. A tarp this size weighs around 12 ounces. These plastic sheets are not Scout-proof (nothing is!) but work well and pack small.