Tarp Thoughts

**litetrek** · 04-18-2012, 19:31

I am putting together 2 hammock set ups with tarps and the cost is much higher than I expected. So, I'm trying to economize a bit on the tarp by taking a weight penalty. I'm a lightweight backpacker and taking a weight penalty hurts a little, but I figure maybe I'll sleep better in a hammock. I have narrowed the tarps to the gear guide with the 12 foot diagonal or the hennessey hex in PU coated nylon. The two tarps weigh essentially the same. The 2 guide gear tarps will cost me about $50 when you include the shipping. The 2 hennesseys will cost about $120. I believe the weather coverage will be a little better with the hennesseys . Any thoughts from the experts? My plan is to upgrade to silnylon when I can afford it or make my own silnylon when I have the time. I plan to use these for a 10 day hike so saving a few bucks on the guide gear if it leaks, unravels or doesn't provide good rain coverage wont be worth it.

**Stormstaff** · 04-18-2012, 19:52

Kelty Noah tarps maybe?

**Catavarie** · 04-18-2012, 20:00

A lot of people have had trouble with this year's GG tarps. Kind of sad since past years' models were so great. I'd say go with the hennesseys or look at Wilderness Logic's tadpole tarps.

**litetrek** · 04-18-2012, 20:14

I was at WL's site today filling up my shopping cart (two of everything) and by the time I was done the total was right at $500. I am impressed with their stuff and its reasonably priced but I simply am unwilling to pay that much to try something new hoping I'll like it. The Noah's tarp is a good option at about 50 bucks. But, we have one in our Venture crew gear and I've never really liked it for a couple of reasons. The info on the guide gear tarps is also helpful. If the quality is currently not great, I'll skip that option I may also consider the campmor 8x10 or 10x10. I'm buying an 11 foot hammock so I'm shooting for at least 11 feet on the diagonal...the 10x10 is a little too long.

**spaceweaseal** · 04-18-2012, 20:16

I have a couple of the Hennessy hex tarp and absolutely love them.
They give you excellent coverage and are high quality.

**SilvrSurfr** · 04-18-2012, 20:19

This year's Guide Gear tarps were not that bad, though apparently not as good as previous years. I bought two 16 x 16s, added the ridgeline tie-outs, and reinforced the guyline tie-outs. I also seam-sealed it since it didn't come with advertised factory taped seams. Though I haven't had it out in a typhoon, I have had it out in rain and there were no leaks. There is really only one seam that would cause a leak - the center seam. You could restitch that too if you were worried. If you're willing to invest a little time in it, the Guide Gear should be fine.

The Guide Gear has great coverage - I get a lot of driving rain where I live and that was one of the reasons I took a risk on it. You can close the doors and be pretty much safe from anything but fog.

The Hennessy Hex is also a fine tarp, though I dispute the notion you'll get better coverage (no doors) than a Guide Gear 16 x 16. At $60, you'll get plenty of use out of the HH Hex, though at double the cost of the Guide Gear. The quality of the Hennessy Hex out of the box is going to be infinitely better.

**sunshower** · 04-18-2012, 20:40

My Kelty Noah's 9x9 when hung on the diagonal runs 120 inches. I love the space it covers.. you could put two chairs, your bag, and your hammock underneath.

**SilvrSurfr** · 04-19-2012, 00:40

Originally Posted by StaplesHuskies

My Kelty Noah's 9x9 when hung on the diagonal runs 120 inches. I love the space it covers.. you could put two chairs, your bag, and your hammock underneath.

My experiences with hanging tarps on the diagonal is limited, but discouraging. When I hung the 10x10 GT Funky Forest Tarp on the diagonal it acted like a giant sail in 20-30 mph gusts. Coverage was excellent in straight down rain, but I really had a problem staying dry in blowing rain (or snow). Things improved drastically when I made Tyvek Grizz Beaks to close off the ends. However, I'd rather just have a tarp with doors for inclement weather.

A lot of people say that you can get away with a minimalist tarp without doors if you have proper site selection: find a low valley, and angle the tarp so you're catching the wind right. That's poppycock, to me. The trees don't know to align themselves to solve my tarp problems. The driving rain doesn't know that it should only blow from a certain direction or I'll get wet.

**PuckerFactor** · 04-19-2012, 02:31

If you don't know if you'll like it, get a good hammock and a big blue poly tarp and hang some to see if you like it. If you do, you have a tarp for covering the lawn mower, and buy a good tarp.

KISS,
PF

**lattie11581** · 04-19-2012, 02:51

I just received two green GG tarps. Have owned a few white and one camo for a few years.. MUCH cheaper now. Tie outs cheaper, to out re- enforcement is poly tarp material and seam is not taped, you need to seam seal it. BUT they cost about $20 less than they used to. You get what you pay for.
BTW I love my HH Hex tarp. However on a budget the GG is "good enough" IMHO