Equinox SilNylon tarp

I have used that Equinox tarp for a solo shelter and found it to be wonderfully roomy and easily configured for a variety of conditions. The larger tarp lets you setup with the sides flush to the ground for weather protection and still have enough room to sit upright. Also, if you are not using a bivy the extra splash protection is really welcome.

I am not a fan of small tarps- a few extra ounces gives you luxury, better protection and enough area to organize gear and cook during a storm.

The Equinox tarps are very well made with reinforced tie-outs. I think they are a great value.

Price wise, its hard to beat equinox tarps. If you want to go smaller, I would recommend trying a $4 blue tarpauline from a box store that comes in 6×8 before making the switch to silnylon. I found the 8' length to be too short for me, but I am over 6' myself. I currently have a 5×9 tarp that I am very happy with, and a 6.5×10 for hammocking and 2 person camping.
One concern with equinox would be if they still use grommets instead of webbing tieouts. Grommets are much weaker. If you decide to go smaller and are on a very tight budget, the only options aside from equinox would be to make your own, or contract one of the MYOG folks here to try to do it cheap for you. Other than that, I don't know a cheap source of sil tarps. BTW, a tarp is one of the easiest things to make

For just a bit more money you can get an integral designs silnylon tarp. It has web ties and weighs in at 6.5 oz. It is 5×8 and is plenty of room for me, but I would recommend a bivy with it especially if the rain starts to come down hard. The ID tarp sell for $75 retail, but if you look around you can usually pick one up with a 20% coupon making it $60.

Jamie

I got a Jack's R Better 10 by 11 tarp for a hundred bucks today. I think the 8 by 8 is about 70 or so. Check them out they have some nice gear.

I guess I decided on the 8×10 Equinox for these reasons:

1. Good price for a beginning tarper
2. The 6×8 seemed like an odd shape and I am 5' 10" plus gear
3. More pitching options with the larger tarp
4. When it rains in Southwest Ohio it RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAINS! I'd say there is a good frog strangler more than half of the time I camp in this region.
5. If stuck in the rain for a day(s), there is enough room for a hiking buddy to come hang out under it.

It sounds like this tarp works well for a few people here. I think I'll give it a go. It just seemed way to big to wangle when I unfolded it.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I do have a bivy as well, a brand new OR Micronight. I am second guessing that as well because it is 19 oz and I wouldnt need a bomb proof bivy under tht giant tarp. It was a Christmas present and I dont know if it can be returned. Bugs are a top concern in this region. I really like the Titanium Goat bivy however.

I have a 5×9 that I like the length of. I am 6'3". I have an extra in gray that is 4'10"x8'7". PM me if interested. Similar to this one
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=16462&skip_to_post=128431#128431

Another source for cheap sil tarps you might want to check out is Etowah outfitters. they come in 6×10 8×10 and 10×10 and use webbing tieouts instead of grommits. I think you can pick up the 6×10 for about $75. I haven't tried one of these out, but it seems like a good deal. Just do a web search for etowah outfitters and it should bring up thier website if you're interested.

I've been curious about this tarp shelter…no one here seems to use it, but it looks like an interesting alternative for a more enclosed shelter.

FWIW, I'd keep your 8×10. One of the first things you said is that you like plenty of room. Don't forget that once you pitch it, you won't have a full 80 sq feet of coverage… Yes, it's roomy and spacious for one, but isn't that a good thing? As compared to the smaller 6×8 they make, there's only a 4 ounce difference. For me, the much greater coverage of the 8×10 is worth a few ounces, especially if you're expecting lots of rain and want some extra room under there.