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Post by cheaptentguy on Feb 15, 2016 16:03:28 GMT -8
I'm looking for a versatile backpacking tarp that could serve as a hammock shelter. Ideally, I'd like to achieve a hammock/shelter combo less than three pounds. Obviously, everyone wants light and inexpensive.
What's your best entry level tarp for under $100?
Is there a sweet spot for value?
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Feb 15, 2016 16:12:59 GMT -8
If this guy is still making tarps, you won't find any better. Close enough to your price point for the standard, but the Deluxe is well worth the extra $25. The way it is cut makes it so much easier to get a proper, silent, pitch. Use 12 inches of shock cord at each tie out, and it flexes out with any wind only to return to its proper tautness.
OES Tarps
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Post by cheaptentguy on Feb 15, 2016 16:20:24 GMT -8
If this guy is still making tarps, you won't find any better. Close enough to your price point for the standard, but the Deluxe is well worth the extra $25. The way it is cut makes it so much easier to get a proper, silent, pitch. Use 12 inches of shock cord at each tie out, and it flexes out with any wind only to return to its proper tautness.
OES Tarps While a little more than I wanted to pay it's also exactly what I want. Hmmmm.... Thanks! Other suggestions?
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Post by trinity on Feb 15, 2016 17:21:18 GMT -8
I don't think you're going to find anything less expensive. I got mine from Underground Quilts, it's really nice, but similarly priced. Warbonnet also makes tarps, you could get an Edge or Mamajamba. You might also pose your question at Hammock Forums, or maybe even Backpackinglight. If you do some research you will find that, though OES tarps are very well thought of, some folks have had trouble with their customer service.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Feb 15, 2016 17:35:10 GMT -8
That's a reasonable price for what you get. I use a Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Asym, 1 lb, 10 oz. I think the current model is slightly heavier but has more coverage.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Feb 15, 2016 21:35:01 GMT -8
I have an OES tarp - I understood when I was still frequently at Hammock Forums that he became unreliable later on, with long waits.
I would visit the Hammock Forums and check the "for sale" ads, and deals on tarps at Hammock Gear and Warbonnet. Lots of vendors doing hammock type cat cut tarps around now. Quality will be comparable and good. There was a fairly good deal on a basic rectangular tarp at Jacks R Better for that matter.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Feb 16, 2016 17:49:06 GMT -8
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Feb 16, 2016 21:29:14 GMT -8
Correct. I've used the tarp with my trekking poles and using the body of the hammock as a ground tarp above tree line but it shines when slung between two trees. It lays flat due to the Asymmetrical design so it works for side sleepers like me. When I got mine, they were $130 but success has a price. The current model is a side zip entry. Mine is a velco bottom entry. Same basic shelter though.
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crawford
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Post by crawford on Mar 7, 2016 12:10:53 GMT -8
Check out the Yukon Outfitter. Nice tarp over my hammock, can be set on the ground as a quick shelter. Can't beat the price.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Mar 9, 2016 18:10:46 GMT -8
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Post by Lonewolf on Mar 10, 2016 3:45:07 GMT -8
Basic 8'x10' sil-nylon tarp. 1.5# and can be found for under $50.
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crawford
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Post by crawford on Mar 10, 2016 4:40:03 GMT -8
Yes, you can also check on Woot. The walkabout isn't the largest or the lightest, but it has a good size, is fairly light, and you can't beat the price. Often on Woot for $30 or less.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Mar 10, 2016 15:50:07 GMT -8
Speaking of Woot. www.meh.com is the new Woot (former owners). Woot was bought out by Amazon.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Mar 11, 2016 8:56:34 GMT -8
To address the less than three pounds part -
You won't buy a Clark, then. You'll likely best achieve this by choosing something like the Warbonnet Traveler. For versatile, ground or tree hanging, a double layer as you'll need to use a pad.
$85 for Warbonnet 1.1 double layer with whoopie slings (lighter than webbing only) 17.5 oz HUG bug net from Arrowhead, $40, 5 oz
Tarps for three season use can vary but there are good ones at Jacks R better for less than a hundred bucks. I have a 14 oz OES MacCat that I use.
For insulation, a quilt or light sleeping bag, depending on what you need for low temps you will encounter, and a pad - if you can sleep on the ground on foam, that works great, and there are foam pads made wider for hammock use such as the Thinlight hammock pad from gossamer gear - around 9 oz. If you want to use a NeoAir or other inflatable sort of pad, there is a sleeve ENO makes that will add wings (foam) to a 20" wide pad, or you can tuck extra clothes around the edges of the pad especially if you have a double layer hammock to stabilize the pad.
I use quilts unless it's likely I'll go to ground at some point in the trip. Much more comfortable with an underquilt.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Mar 13, 2016 14:36:02 GMT -8
Looking for the Yukon on Woot. I guess their deal (no pun intended) is that they only have certain things for sale each day, a la Steepandcheap? How often does the Yukon come up for sale? By the way, did roll the dice on a Grand Trunk double for the hammock. Liked the review and they happen to have it for sale for $60 at the park we camped at this weekend. (I'm also a bigger guy, so needed the bigger size.)
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