How to choose a tarp cover to fit your budget?

Our group of testers took the easy way out for this one and unanimously agreed to try a Silnylon. The cost for this material is in between Cuben Fiber and regular Nylon materials, however, its strength to weight ratio is much better than both. Other things to consider when making a decision on a tarp cover are: How much coverage you need, what size tarp will fit your number of hikers and how much does your wallet weigh? We encountered many tarp covers that were just too heavy for further consideration. To actually make a tarp cover lighter than Silnylon seemed like impossibility to us; we knew we could go even cheaper though if we didn’t mind putting up with the tarp’s limitations.

Seeking a tarp cover that would be considered ultra light, we looked at tarp covers made from Polycro plastic sheeting, Tyvek and Thermax. With tarp sizes ranging from 8×10 feet to 12×14 feet, spanned between trees or stretched taut over hikers’ heads, our testers sought tarp covers that were strong enough to withstand high winds and rain but not so heavy as to cause fatigue on long hikes. By thinking creatively about this project, we discovered materials that have been around for decades yet people are still adding their own unique touches by sewing in grommets or creating tie loops/doors with zip-ties.

The most common tarp covers are made with Silnylon because it is the lightest tarp material available. Since tarp size and number of hikers will vary, tarp covers a range in weight from 6oz to 18oz for typical tarp sizes. Some are just rectangle tarps while others have pre-cut slits or doors to close off your area from rain spray. Other tarp covers were not tested because they came without suspension, door(s), floor or bug netting built-in.

Here are our findings:

1. 8×10′ tarp cover-

Weighing in at 10 oz., this “ULTRA SIL NYLON” tarp by Gear Aid is the heaviest tarp we reviewed but also comes with the most features. It has doors with zippers and tie-downs on all four sides to keep tarp taut and tied down.

Material:

Made of pack cloth and silicone impregnated nylon, its tear strength is rated at 400 lbs (pound-force) or 5400 lb (pounds). The tarp weighs 10 oz without a suspension system. Its dimensions are 8ft x 10ft, which covers one person up to 6’5″ tall sleeping on a Neo Air Xtherm pad. Each tarp cover comes with six tent stakes and six guy lines that can be adjusted for height and tension. There is also a door with a zipper closure on each side – obviously designed for two people – that can be closed and opened from either inside or outside. The tarp also has reinforced corners and grommets evenly spaced on each side at the four corners, and along both long edges for attaching guy lines.

People who got a chance to use this tarp cover liked the full coverage it provides around their entire body without having to fuss with fine-tuning individual guy lines as you get with low-quality tarp covers. The tarp cover was easy to set up even in the dark, which is definitely an added bonus. Other users felt that it could be improved by increasing its length because standing up while taking care of personal business still left them wet if it had rained recently and they did not bring a tarp taut by the time they woke up.

2. 8×10 tarp cover –

This tarp uses one Y-shaped aluminum pole, stakes and guy lines to provide full coverage for your sleep area. It is made of Silnylon so it is very lightweight for backpacking at only 5 oz. However, the tarp does not come with a suspension system or a floor included in the weight, which means you would need to purchase those separately if needed.

Material:

The tarp consists of 2 triangular panels made of 1.1oz silnylon material with one end having a Y-shaped aluminum pole that goes into the corner grommet on each panel as part of its setup for tautness. It has 4 tarp stakes and tarp guy lines that can be attached to the tarp’s guy points or tied onto nearby trees, rocks or bushes. The tarp weighs 5 oz before adding a suspension system, floor or bug netting.

Conclusion:

This tarp provides full coverage around the body, similar to tarp covers that cost twice as much. It includes tarp stakes and tarp guy lines but does not include a suspension system or floor/bug netting. If you want more features, consider tarp cover #1 above instead for $25 extra dollars.