Any tarp recommendations too?

unless you are using a quilt I would recommend going with a tarp that is large enough to provide protection and skip the bivy.

Personally, I am fond of shaped tarps because they go up quickly, can be pitch to the ground when you need full on weather protection. If I was getting something today it would be the MLD DuoMid because it looks like a great size, would pitch quickly, and provide effective protection in nearly all weather conditions. I haven’t used the DuoMid… but I have used very similar shelters and like them a lot.

Flat tarps can be more versatile (and cheaper), but takes more skill (and often time) to pitch well. If I was going a flat tarp I would go with 8×10 or larger. I used the classic 5×7 poncho/tarp + bivy for a year… it was fine in moderate weather, but heavy rain storms were not fun. I mostly stayed dry but I was up all night worrying and monitoring the situation.

I switched from a tarp to a gossamer gear the one (solo tarptent) more than a year ago because I wanted a bug free environment at night. There were several trips in the sierra when the mosquitoes were so bad than they were on me within 15 seconds of stopping. It was hot so I wanted a breeze but I didn’t want the bug camping out on me. The One gives me a well vented space. Of course, something like the SMD or MLD inner bug tent would have worked as well.

A few more thought and links to other options on my recommended shelters page.

Glad to see you venturing into the world of tarps. You won't be sorry. I have lots of tarps in all shapes and sizes. I find the one that ends up in my bag the most of the time is the gossamer gear spinn twin. It is a large tarp so you can easily get away without a bivy in a heavy rain (if you are alone). It is a little heavier than a solo tarp, but has a lot of versatlity. Can hold two people and gear or three people if you are all friends. Has lots if pitching options for all kinds of weather. If you are looking for one tarp that will meet a multitude of needs, and is easy to set up be sure and give it a look.

Good look and have fun.

I'm new to the world of tarps too, and having tried a 5×8 tarp/bivy combo, I found it wasn't for me.
Instead, I went for a bigger tarp- 10×8 Integral Designs Siltarp 2. I couple this with a SMD bug bivy, if the nasties are out. Total weight with stakes- 650g.

I thought about a shaped tarp, but chose a traditional 10×8 for it's versatility in pitching- A frame, flying V, lean to etc.

Good luck with your choice- plenty of fantastic options out there.
I hope this helps.

cheers,
fred

Hey Dennis,
I have become a big fan of the good ol standard 8×10 Oware Flat tarp. It is cheap, durable and light in comp to full tents. It is also far more useable than a cat cut tarp over the broad spectrum of outdoor conditions I tend to find myself in.

Going out in hot humid weather? Pitch a high and open A-Frame for ventilation

Going out in blowing rain and wind? Pitch the windward side right to the ground for max coverage

Going out with the dog? Make a fully enclosed tarptent looking config

Staying in a Leanto during winter? Cover the opening to hold in more heat (never done this one, but heard it works well)

Need a lunchtime retreat from rain or sun? Make a simple leanto

match it up with a simple Ti Goat or Oware bivy and you have yourself a great combo.

I liked my MLD Silnylon Patrol shelter, enough so that I sold it and ordered another but, in Spectralite (Cuben Fiber)

I like its closed rear, and beaked front, which provides excellent foul weather protection, compared to a plain tarp.

For my money, the Ti. Goat bivy is a very good value. Lightweight, good optional bug hoods and low price.

I would'nt recommend using a tarp without a bivy, as Silnylon and Spinnaker fabric's can mist through under heavy prolonged rains. This is one of the reasons, I went with Cuben Fiber, besides just the lower weight.

Don't get me wrong though, as I've never got soaked from the misting, but if you use a down bag or quilt, its better to have the added protection.

I really like my GG Spinntwinn 8×10 cat tarp…Very lightweight for a 8×10 tarp(under 10 oz with guy lines).I have a bug shelter but I will just use a ground cloth under the Spinntwinn if the bugs are not to bad. You can never practice enough. Practice how to set it up and it will pay-off when you really need it.

If you want to try your hand at sewing your own, much cheaper than purchase and much more satisfying, get "The Tarp Book" by Ray Jardine and follow the simple instructions.

Tarps are about the simplest thing to make yourself, and silnylon is easy to find (e.g. http://www.owfinc.com cosmetic seconds are fine). Or you can buy a tarp kit from http://www.rayjardine.com that includes the tarp book.

Note: my wife and I used our tarp to block off the openings of ADK lean-tos in early fall when temperatures got down to freezing and there was a bit of wind. Not sure it kept any heat in, but it blocked the wind. Be sure to use a ground cloth…the cracks in lean-to floors will let in lots of cold air if the wind is blowing!

Thanks for all the input. After reading, it raises another question. Do tarptents also have the same potential for water penetration as tarps such that I would want a bivy in a tarptent to protect my bag?

Dennis,

A tarp and a tarptent are two different things.

A tarp is a piece of material that is either a square, rectangle or has a catenary cut that can be set up in many different configurations. No floor. No netting.

A Tarptent (which is actually a Henry Shire's product) is basically a single wall TENT most often with a bathtub floor and bug protection. No bivy needed.

If the tarp is small a bivy is advisable. Also, depends when and where you camp.

Scott

The Gossamer Gear SPIN TWIN is a perfect UL tarp. Just a smidge tight for 2, but really nice for solo camping.

Highly recommended.

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Spinn-Twinn.html?id=3VJ7WZAp:67.42.175.31

If you haven't tarped before I would recommend getting a basic 8'x10' (7'x9' is also a good size) silnylon tarp (just under a pound). That way you can find out if you like tarp camping before getting one of the custom cut, custom material expensive tarps. Not everyone likes tarp camping.

I like tarping for most conditions. For desert with very little chance of rain it is nice as an emergency shelter. And if rain is forecast I like a large tarp better than a tent because you have more usable space (an 8'x10' tarp is like a mansion compared to lightweight single man tents and it still weighs less. I have a basic 8'x10' tarp and a poncho tarp. The poncho tarp is more of an emergency shelter and isn't recommended for big storms unless you have a waterproof bivy. I got caught in the memorial day snowstorm north of LA last year (7500 feet in the Angeles Crest). http://www.pbase.com/kabeiser/image/97789865

One thing that you'll need to consider in your tarp setup is mosquito/bug management (not a big deal). Some/most people are happy with a simple headnet. Others want a small bug bivy (MLD sells one, it's nice and light but expensive) or a water resistant breathable bivy. I typically use my TiGoat bivy (6-7 oz) since it keeps the bugs farther away and adds a little warmth to my sleeping bag.

Ironically I just ordered a tent today…