8’x8′ tarp recommendations

[Cory Formby]

Hey everyone I'm wanting to try doing some tarp camping soon and I have been looking for a 8'x8' tarp to start with but I cannot seem to find any. Does anyone have any recommendations for a tarp?

[D M]

zPacks 8.5 X 8.5 if you want cuben fiber.

http://www.zpacks.com/shelter/tarps.shtml

[Ian]

I've never owned one of their tarps but Borah Gear makes one at an affordable price

[Dale Wambaugh]

Consider a bit larger. 8' is a little short in A frame mode and smaller yet if trying to make a pyramid. I would get 10×10 if you must have square. 8×10 is a good size for A frame. That extra foot on each end makes a big difference.

Go to the hardware store and buy a cheap poly tarp and experiment with that in the back yard. You'll get a much better idea of what you need.

[Bill Giles]

Campmor has the 8' X 10' Equinox Silnylon tarp for $90 or the 10' X 10' "Versatile" tarp for $55. The 10 X 10 is PU coated and a bit on the heavy side. I started out years ago with a 9' X 12' tarp and found it a bit large for solo camping, but fine for two. Ryan Jordan's article "Tarp Camping Techniques for Inclement Conditions" is a good guide.

[Jack R. Abbit]

Once you decide the size your looking for, there's a few choices here too. Some are lighter than others.

http://www.bushcraftoutfitters.com/BCUSA-Tarps_c23.htm

[Richard Scruggs]

Oware has flat tarps in a variety of dimensions —

http://shop.bivysack.com/FlatTarp-TM_c6.htm

I have an 8'10" x 8'10" Oware Flat Tarp 2.5 with 21 tie-outs — sixteen around the perimeter & five on the face, with one of those five in the very center.

There was a very small additional charge to have that center tie-out added, the rest of the tie-outs were standard on the tarp.

Weighs 13.21oz seam-sealed, w/stuff sack but w/o guylines, which is about 3oz less than the 16oz described at the above link for the current larger 2.5 version (9' x 9' rather than 8'10 x 8'10").

Excellent workmanship.

An 8' x 10' Integral Designs SilTarp2 is another option, but w/fewer standard tie-outs than Oware's —

http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=727

http://www.mec.ca/product/5000-629/integral-designs-siltarp-2-tarp/

The Siltarp2 that I've had a long time weighs just a bit more than my Oware 2.5 at 14.10oz seam-sealed, w/stuff sack but w/o guylines.

[Andy F]

I agree with Dale's comment about preferring a 10×10, unless using a bivy.

I currently use an 8.5×10.5 tarp though.

[Cory Formby]

But are there not more pitching options for a square tarp?

[Dean L]

Bearpaw has various stock sizes. You can also get any size custom made. Plus they have a wide variety of colors beyond standard greens and grays. I have their 8×10 in a light tan.

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