Zpacks 8.5×8.5 Tarp

Bump.

Personally, I would not use just a tarp of that size without a bivy of some sort. Too easy for bounce, spray of shifting winds to blow the rain sideways onto my sleeping bag.

A square tarp does give some different rigging options over a dedicated A-frame – nice.

YMMV.

It's Zpacks. Have them make you a 9 x 6 (or even 10 x 10) tarp, should provide lots of coverage and options. I've never heard them refuse a customer's gear designing or modification efforts. My own crazy ideas included.

I have been researching tarps lately. I also don't like using a bivy, so one of my criteria is to get one large enough to provide good coverage. I have settled on the Zpacks 8'x10' tarp. That size seemed to be the forum consensus pick for a solo tarp with good coverage and some pitching options.

I personally like a side-entry, so I don't pitch in A-frame style.
I pitch in modified half-mid style, so I like a 9' long and 6' wide tarp.
However, this is still open on one side, so you must pitch the opening on the lee side of the wind, or you're going to get wet in the rain.

The only two ways to get full protection in tarping is to get a very large tarp, or use a shaped tarp.
If I were getting something from ZPacks, it would be a Hexamid Solo. Same weight, better coverage.