Bes Cuben Tarp

Many people would disagree, but my vote is for the pyramid or tipi(tee-pee) types.
MLD, Oware and many others

Are you looking for a flat tarp? Pyramid shape? Shaped tarps (think Zpacks Hexamid)?

In general, pyramid tarps will give you the best protection. Make sure you're comfortable with the drawbacks of cuben (catastrophic failure, possibility of developing pinholes from normal use). I think many of the manufacturers are gravitating toward the heavier cuben material to alleviate these concerns though.

I don't own a cuben shelter, but I think it'd be pretty safe to say that any of the usual companies makes a quality product. I can't recall anyone complaining of a "crappy" cuben tarp. Just different features and dimensions.

However, MLD is known to be right at the top for their construction quality.

Best is always relative.

I'm looking for a small square one but thinking of buying the material and building my own. I want to design a simple one that fits over my TT Sublite so the length needs to be just right and it may end up being slightly non-square to allow easy exit/entry on one side of the tent. I'll probably build something out of cheap scrap material and then try my hand at cuben.

Jace, like Kevin in front of me said, "Best is always relative."

My best tarp could be different from yours or the next guys. It's all about personal preference. But, IMO the pyramid styles would be best for winter. MLD SoloMid and DuoMid I've heard are bomb shelters in the winter, there's a guy in Japan making some quality cuben shelters, he's Locus Gear.

I'm fairly new to UL and from what I have found is that I'm doing a ton of "trial and error" with gear. Before I buy something I hop on here, read reviews and what others think about whatever it is I'm looking for then if all looks good I buy. But then when I try it out I may or may not like it and end up keeping it or posting it on Gear Swap here.

I guess I am looking for the most versatile. It would be awesome if I could have one tarp that I can use with my hammock that would also work well on ground in different conditions. I am leaning towards a flat tarp for the versatility but maybe a cat cut? I'm just trying to see whats out there that I don't know about. What brand/model do most people use? Zpacks hex? MLD?

Just a vast array of different tarps and no money to test out different ones.

I really want to see what people use and why they chose it and what they like and don't like about it.

The best cuben tarp is the one I'm sleeping under in the wild at any given moment! ;-)

My favorite is the cuben hammock tarp that Lawson Kline made for me to my specs. It's certainly not the lightest at around 12 oz with guylines (I think, if memory serves me correctly), but it's got 'wings' on each end so I can enclose my hammock under it when the weather is rather nasty. Could easily use it on the ground as well if I so desired, in the same configuration.

If you want something that can be used on the ground or over a hammock and have many types of possible pitches, a square flat tarp might be the best way to go.

A cat tarp would be the best for many situations including a hammock because it is optimized for an A frame type pitch. But a non-cat flat tarp would give you even more pitching options at the cost of not getting as tight a pitch.

Im leaning toward the MLD Grace solo. It seems pretty good for my needs. The only bad thing is the 4-6 week waiting, but I did it before for my blackbird hammock. From what I have found the Grace is a good solo tarp that will work in a variety of configurations. Does that sound about right?

The solo would be fine in most cases, but the duo would give you more coverage that may be appreciated in strong blowing rain or snow.

Since you're looking for a tarp that can handle extremes, I would opt for one made of 0.74oz cuben (CT2K.08) rather than 0.51oz cuben (CT1K.08) which contains half as much spectra fibers and is significantly less strong (about 40% less). I would also opt for one that is bonded where ever panels are joined (ie. ridgelines). Sewing is okay for reinforced tie-outs etc.

I have an early MLD Grace Solo Tarp before Ron added the linelocs and been in snow, rain with some strong wind behind it (say 30-50mph gusts). Though when you have it pitched down low for that sort of weather, there isn't alot of room in it. I also use a bivy sack with it which occasionally does gets some spray on it. If its pitched right, you'll be fine unless you are talking about 2+ft of snow fall or hurricane like weather, then a different shelter would be better.

The MLD trailstair is a good choice for dealing with really strong winds with plenty of room under it. For real winter conditons, I'd go with a pyramid shelter like a MLD xMid or similar.

So Question:

What do you usually use for a ground cloth/what do you do when the ground is wet or soon to be wet?

I've never really tarped before so Im just curious

Thanks a lot!

I use a 3 mil garbage bag cut open. Mine ends up being about 7 feet long and about 3 feet wide.

If you use a bivy, a ground cloth isn't necessary, but I usually carry one anyway to create a dry area outside of the bivy for gear and it helps protect the bivy.

Tyvek if I am going to be in areas where sharp objects could be on the ground, cactus, broken glass, pumice, …

Otherwise a polycryo(storm window plastic) sheet.

Is there an article out there that talks about tarps and the different ways to set them up? Like the different pitches and the best way to pitch for certain conditions? That would be really useful, I tried google and I tried the BPL articles so I'm lost.

Thanks!

Hey Jace,

With a cat cut ridge shaped tarp your going to be limited with your setup options since these are really only designed to work as an A frame. If your the kind of guy that likes the same position every time then you will love this kind of tarp. But if you love variety, then I would suggest going with a flat tarp.

There are many options with flat tarps.

Here are only a few examples by Sgt. Rock:
http://hikinghq.net/gear/tarp.html

Jace,

Here is a BPL thread that may be of some assitance.

Party On,

Newton

Jace,

There is a nice article on tarping, but I'm pretty sure you need to be a member to read it. Or, you can muy Ryan Jordan's book (from this site) – it's in there too; and you get a great read.

Jace,

The thread in my earlier post is available to anyone. I googled "pitching a flat tarp" and found it under images. I can read it without logging in to BPL.

Party On,

Newton

So What are the pro's/con/ of going with flat vs. cat cut?

I feel like the A frame/mod A is not all that storm worthy being that it has 2 openings and cannot be all that close to the ground. The flying A (i think) the one with a pole on just one side and the other short side staked to the ground looks better but I know very little. I also like this pitch for summery camping:
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=89

maybe I should just go with a flat tarp. But then I get to try to figure out what size.

Jace,

IMHO,

10 x 12 will give you all the room and versatility you could ever use.

8 x 10 is still plenty versatile but you give up some vestibule/gear area.

6 x 8 is one man territory.

5 x 8 is for those who have been tarping for a long time.

BTW a 10 x 12 can be set up in such a way that 4' of the tarp can also serve as your groundsheet. Google Brawny's 10 x 12 tarp setup and watch the you tube video to see what I am talking about.

It is pitched similar to a Monk tarp but 4 of the 12 feet of tarp fold under to form your groundsheet. A tie out is used along with a stick or trekking pole adjusted to a shorter length to from a "back wall" of sorts. I'll see if I can dig up a direct link for you.

Party On,

Newton

I think that right now an 8×10 will work best for me: Big enough to still be versitile, but small enough to be efficient. Am I wrong?

8×10 seems to be the most common for solo or two person use. It is big enough to allow some fully enclosed pitches if needed.
Smaller tarps are good if you use a bivy and/or can except some spray/spindrift in extreme conditions or are willing to re-pitch every time the wind direction changes.