Ground cloth with “storm flaps”

Where can you get a 7 x 7 tarp? Other than custom.

I'd either have one made or do a myog.

Seems a bit short in length as they are usually slightly smaller than the size listed due to seams and the edges. What about a 9×9? Readily available. Do you really want to unclip your flap to answer the call of nature in the middle of a rainy night? Just sounds like a bit of a hassle to me.

I can go that route. I was really just wanting to get the whole thing as small and streamlined as possible. Not even sure I would pursue something like this. Just kind of tossin around ideas I guess. I can't see why it would t work though. Even if the triangle was almost touching the bug net at the head end. Maybe I'll try it with some plastic drop cloth and see what happens.

Sure, You can easily cut it off the groundsheet if you hate it.

My whole thought process for this was after reading that a 9×7 was about the smallest you should go for solo and 8×10 is better since misty rain will still get in on a 9×7. so I thought why not get detachable storm flaps for a 9×7? But if I were to do that, why even have the extra 2 feet on the length?

Well that attachments, velcro, clips or whatever will be heavier than fabric. Also just more to deal with. I like simple. Not a fan of getting wet. Would rather err on the side of more coverage.

You're probably right. Guess I take after my dad and try making everything more complicated than it needs to be. 8×10 tarp is the simplest and probably an ounce more than my crazy set up would weigh. :)

Sounds like you want something with a closed foot and open head. Comparing your 7×7 to an 8×10, cut 18" off the foot of the 8×10 and sew in a triangular wall. Best of both worlds and probably the lightest of the 3. Aside from the effort to make it, the only downside is you lose the flexibility in pitch that a flat tarp gives you.

The width of the tarp is going to depend on the width of the fabric. My last tarp was 54". The width of the fabric. A 7' width would require 2 widthes of fabric with a 2' strip cut off. A little extra labor and potentially wasted fabric. Just something to factot in…

For a few dollars you can buy a painter's drop sheet and make your own mock up, so that you will see if it is big enough or not.
Get some tape and some string and you are in business.
Better still, next time it rains go out and set it up, put your mat and sleeping bag under it and crawl inside.