Tarps!

Oware is a good choice. I have an MLD Grace Solo as my primary shelter and love it. You might check that one out. The interior hang loops and the "oh, so easy to use" LineLocks are a big bonus with the MLD tarps. Don't confuse the permanently attached LineLocks that MLD uses on the tie out points to with the more common clamshell style aftermarket version that MLD (and others) has/have.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=21&osCsid=57ee20afdb5c0fa268b7cfd1fa6895e6

Joseph I think you can't go wrong with the Oware 1.5 they make beautiful gear. I'm in the market for a smaller tarp and I'm debating between the Oware 1.5 and the MLD Solo Plus. The Oware is an ounce lighter, but the MLD has a feature that really intrigues me: LineLocs on the tieout tabs. In my experience with tarps, a device like this would make setup way quicker and give you a "hummer" pitch more easily. Also, since silnylon stretches a bit when wet and under tension, they allow you to tighten your lines from underneath the tarp. I hate re-staking in the rain when my tarp starts to sag!

Again, I think these are the best two choices I've seen; of course there's the SpinnTex tarps from MLD and GG, bigger for nearly the same weight … Happy Hunting!

Who says you need to tighten your ordinary line at the stake end?

Can't you get the same effect with ordinary line by putting your loop around the stake, and your trucker's hitch, tautline, or however else you tighten your line at the tarp end? You could tighten that from under the tarp, too.

— MV

An easier way to get your tarp tightened from you sleepingbag is to pitch the tarp with the poles at and angle and when the silnylon 'relaxes', put the poles into a more upright position.

Here is a quote from the SpinnTwinn Manual that describes what George mentions in the previous post.

"Here’s a suggestion to acquiring and maintaining a taut pitch
for the SpinnTwinn; as you pitch the front of the shelter, angle the
front pole so that the base is approximately 6” – 8” further from
the shelter than the peak end of the pole. With the front pole
angled, pull your guy lines as taut as they will go. If you are happy
with the pitch, leave things as they are and enjoy the extra room
at the entrance now that the pole is a bit more out of the way.
However, if your pitch is still a bit loose, or if it loosens up later in
the night, simply grasp the base of the front pole and move it
inward toward the inside of the tarp. This will bring the front pole
to a more vertical position and will result in a very taut pitch. You
can use this process for tightening your pitch from the comfort of
your sleeping bag at any point that you need to –just reach out,
grab the front pole, and pull it toward you to tighten your pitch. "

At Gossamer Gear the website, click on "Manuals" to readily read their advice and see photos for further clarification.

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Here is a Link to a combo of knots allowing guyline adjustment at the tarp end.

Yes, you can certainly use various hitches at the pullout end and achieve the same effect. You would also have to leave your guylines on the tarp all the time. I always end up with a tangled mess when doing this. I suppose you could re-tie the hitches on every pitch, but that would be time-consuming in the rain. IMO, the LineLocs provide for easy guyline management, while also being easy to rig quickly and allowing adjustment from underneath the tarp.

You would also have to leave your guylines on the tarp all the time. I always end up with a tangled mess when doing this.

It's easy to make the same setup detachable using mini-biners or #1 S-biners if you are OK with an ounce or two of extra weight.

Or you can skip the weight penalty and use the same setup. Just tie it detached from the tarp. Insert the guyout loop through the guyline loop and thread the rest of the rope thru the guyout loop.

I've also used linelocs for the same purpose. Lineloc adjusted guylines can be made detachable. Sew a short loop of 1/2 inch grosgrain to the linelock and attach to the guyout loop in one of the ways described above.