Bes Cuben Tarp

Just emailed Ron Bell about making a custom 8×10 flat tarp.

Thanks everyone for putting up with me.

You won't be disappointed with an MLD tarp. 8 X 10 is a good size; big enough to be plenty forgiving, and, (if it's cuben) still very light. It's just the right size for a hammock tarp too if you ever decide to go that route.

Cheers

A rectangle kills some of your potential setup options. I have built and tested a 4×8, 5×8, 5×9, 5×10, 6×8, 6×10, 7×9, 8×8, 8×10, 9×9, 9×11, 9×13, 10×10, 10×12, and 12×12. The only advice I can give is to GO SQUARE and of all the sizes I have tested, built and used the 9'x9' and 10'x10' are still my favorites.

Good Luck

Jace,

Here is the link that I promised that I would find for you.

Party On,

Newton

I just wanted to state that I really like lots of tie-outs on my tarp. It looks like the pictures on the MLD site for the "Super Tarp" does have a good amount of tie-outs. Make sure it's not optional. Sometimes those center tie-outs come in handy. They allow more pitching options and make for a more storm friendly pitch.

I do like the flexibility of a square over rectangular tarp, but most would probably disagree. It doesn't make that much difference.

Yeah, I like a lot of tie-outs, too. Square gives better pitching options, but with a 9X12 or 10×12 it doesn't seem to matter much. I can always just stake it out one loop higher, essentially turning it into a square tarp, ignoring the rest.

Jace,

Have you considered this as an option . It is light on your wallet and your back.

Party On,

Newton

I don't see a cuben version only an 18oz silnylon?

I like this one:
http://www.equipped.org/tarp-shelters.htm
He covers square and rectangular tarps. He also does some others, but. once you get the idea, they seem pretty redundent…

Steven,

>>I don't see a cuben version only an 18oz silnylon?<<

Agreed.

The OP was about cuben. Jace seems open to options since in one of his later posts he stated that he was leaning towards a MLD Grace Solo which is Spinntex, ripstop polyester with silicone impregnation.

Jace said in one of his later posts,

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

We're exploring options here. Cuben, Spinntex & Silnylon for materials versus Jace's return on his investment. $$$$ per ounce of weight removed from his pack and the pitching optons.

Jace also said,

>>I've never really tarped before so Im just curious.<<

A small initial investment on a good, servicable piece of gear could be a way of finding out whether or not he likes tarping. A silnylon tarp could easily be sold later in Gear Swap to be re-invested in a cuben replacement should he find out that he wants to stick with tarping.

Party On,

Newton

Edited to change/correct nylon to polyester in reference to Spinntex.

Thanks Ron ;-)

Yup he's right on.

Leaning towards Cuben however because of the "cool factor" which admittedly is a terrible way to choose gear. I'm thinking about asking for a tarp for Christmas so that is one of the other reasons I am leaning towards cuben–hopefully I won't have to pay for it (i'm 16 so…) But with a cuben tarp, a GG Mariposa+ pack and WM ultralight bag my big 3 is somewere around 3lbs.

Another issue is that I don't currently use poles, not that I am against them per say but I will need to invest in a set in order to make tarping more practical. I feel like if I actually have a use for poles I will be more inclined to use them as I have wanted to for the benefits but end up with them on my pack.

I know a few people who don't normally use trekking poles, but carry them and use them from time to time, like going up steep climbs, creek crossings or in one case to keep going with a sprained ankle.

I also know people who started a thru-hike without, but by the end of the trail had a pair and never went back.

You could just use found objects, poles specifically made for shelters or get a pair of the lightest hiking poles, carry them and occasionally use them.

You could also bring just one pole. Many pitches only require one pole and you can always use a tree, bush, large rock… if you need two support points.

I first tried them when I planned a 500 mile hike and I'd had a knee injury from my last hike that was still acting up. I figured if it would provide some extra safety margin as my knees adapted and if I ended up limping, a couple poles would help me hobble out to a road.

I was young then (maybe 24-25) and in good shape, could run 2 miles <12 minutes and generally fit. I didn't have any knee problems on that trip but from that point forward I've never done another hike without them.

Go to Wal-Mart and buy a pair of the $18.88 specials. At least that way if you don't end up liking them you are not out much money and even though I can afford better ones, that is what I use now.

Hey Jace,

You should go with silnylon. Cuben is nice but it cost quite a bit more and you might not even like tarp camping. People either love it or hate it. Spend the extra money on a nest or a bivy which can make tarp camping that much more enjoyable.

As far as trekking poles go, you don't need them. I only carry poles about 10% of the time when I use my tarps. Find yourself two trees 15'-20' apart and string some non-stretch cord across. (Polyester/Spectra/Dyneema) Use a prusik knot on each end to pull everything tight and you have a perfect A frame. Its the lightest shelter you could ever carry. Keep in mind you can't do this with a catenary cut ridgeline tarp.

Good Luck

Jace,

If you read all the info in this link you will probably have seen every pitch known to man. :-)

http://www.equipped.com/tarp-shelters.htm

Party On,

Newton

Do a search on youtube.

I use different pitches depending on the situation. High A-frame or high lean-to for summer heat.

One thing they don't show much of on youtube are the extreme weather pitches.
I've used flying diamond, wedge, pyramid or tetra variations for cold or stormy weather.

"A rectangle kills some of your potential setup options. I have built and tested a 4×8, 5×8, 5×9, 5×10, 6×8, 6×10, 7×9, 8×8, 8×10, 9×9, 9×11, 9×13, 10×10, 10×12, and 12×12. The only advice I can give is to GO SQUARE and of all the sizes I have tested, built and used the 9'x9' and 10'x10' are still my favorites."

I always found rectangular tarps to be more weight
efficient due to the shape of the body making a generally rectangular shape on the ground. Here are
some shapes using rectangular tarps.

Flying diamond from 8x 10

A frame closed end with 6×8

Hey Dave,

About your advice "I always found rectangular tarps to be more weight
efficient due to the shape of the body making a generally rectangular shape on the ground. ".

How would you know:-)

Actually, my two favorite shelters are an Oware Aplhamid and an Oware 10×10 flat tarp.
The 10×10 has far more pitching options, but the Alphamid is quicker to pitch for nasty weather.

Hey Dave,

Tarp shapes are like colors. The best one is the one that you like the most. We might not agree on which shape is the "best" but I think we both can agree that a flat tarp is much more versatile then a shaped tarp.

This thread has taken on a life of its own.

Tarps are like the main course in a restaurant. Some might order meat, some may order fish, others may order surf and turf while a large salad may satisfy one's appetite.

The best tarp is the one you have with you when you bed down for the night or seek shelter from the rain.

I have a shaped tarp that I can't seem to leave behind when I go hiking.

And I have an 8 x 10 flat spinnaker tarp I made to replace the shaped tarp because of the pitching options.

They weigh virtually the same. The shaped tarp is like my first "hot rod" that I can't stop fiddling with. My flat tarp is like a shiny new sports car that I want to drive flat out. Pun intended! ;-)

It's like a being in a candy store trying to choose between jelly beans and chocolate.

I own both kinds of tarp so I don't have to choose which one to get. But I still have to choose which one to take hiking. Believe me it is not easy for I like them both.

I encourage everyone to try different varieties and use whatever they like best. But from my experience it's not an easy choice.

Party On,

Newton

Edited for spelling and to insert correct picture.

Here is a pic of an MLD 8.5' X 10' Cuben Super Tarp.

10oz

16 perimeter tieouts w/ linelocks on all. (about 1.5oz of linelocks)
4 side panel tieouts
3 ridgeline tieouts

Note that 8.5' wide is the max for a single seam Cuben tarp due to the limits of the Cuben fabric width.

Hey Ron,

Is this tarp available? I don't see it on your website. (if it's not on the site, what is the price?)

Do you think this would be able to be pitched, "diagonally", to adequately protect my hammock?

Dimensions of hammock:

9' 9" long x 4' wide (www.mosquitohammock.com)

If I did my math correct, the distance from point, to opposite point, is just over 13'… I'm just wondering if there would be any issues pitching it in such a way…

Cheers. Nice pictures!

Its' on the site under the Super Tarp.

It could work fine over a hammock but may need a line though so it would not have to be stretched diagonally too much.

A hammock specific tarp with a directionally diagonal ridgeline is better if that is your main use.

"9' 9" long x 4' wide (www.mosquitohammock.com)

If I did my math correct, the distance from point, to opposite point, is just over 13'… "

How did you arrive at that number?

–B.G.–

@Ron,

Impressive!

23 tieouts and approximately 79.5 square feet of A frame coverage in a 10 ounce package including the 1.5 ounces of linelocks, I am "flat" out impressed.

I believe it is safe to say this tarp has many possible pitching options.

And if anyone really wanted to they could get the weight down to 8.5 ounces by removing the linelocks. I'd keep the linelocks because of their convenience factor and never notice the 1.5 ounces.

Are the seams bonded or sewn?

@Bob,

It's Pythagoras' Theorem. A squared + B squared = C squared where C is the hypotenuse or in this case the diagonal of Ron's Cuben Super Tarp.

8.5' squared plus 10' squared equals 172.25'. The square root of 172.25' equals 13.1244' or the length of the diagonal/hypotenuse in Ron's tarp.

Party On,

Newton