I was just wondering if someone could help clear up some confusion I have with tarp pricing. I don't understand how a tarp could possibly be worth spending $200 on. I have never used a tarp or seen an expensive tarp in person. I bought a lightweight $30 tarp that I plan to use in the bdub this spring. I just don't think that an extra
$170 would buy me that much of a better tarp. I would like to hear from people who have expensive tarps. If they are worth every penny, I might consider buying one.

I use a Kelty Canyon Tarp I got from Sportsman's Guide for $57. It's 17 x 17, has lots of tie outs and weighs less than 3 lbs. I would use a 12 x 12 plastic Wal-Mart tarp before I'd spend $200!

If money is no object, I'm sure I could do better. But I work for a living, and $200 will buy me a lot more important gear other than a fancy tarp.

I buy a lot of outdoor stuff real cheap from sportsmansguide.com and their service is good and quick.

I have been using nylon tarps from CCS (Cooke Custom Sewing) for many years. Dan Cooke is a BWCA sort of guy and uses everything he makes in the wilderness. With a modicum of care my tarps are still like new. The CCS tarps have sewn in loops for tying out lines as well as a center patch and loop arrangement for securing a pole. The tarps are lightweight and pack down to be fairly space saving size. I put a 10 x 10 and a 10 x 14 in a small tubular stuff sack and the size is approx. 5 inch diameter by 20 inches long. With all the tie outs on these tarps I am able to rig an infinite variety of shelters. In the past I have used the cheap blue "rip stop" tarps from the home stores and found them to be bulky, heavier than my CCS tarps. They also have grommets that are constantly prone to tearing out. The grommets on the cheap nylon tarps have the same problem. Granted the initial investment cost more than cheaper alternatives but in the long run will save you money since they will not need to be replaced for many, many years. You can check out the CCS tarps at; http://www.cookecustomsewing.com

I have a CCS 10x12 lightweight tarp great for 2-4 people.It is made out of 1.1 oz sil-nylon. It packs down to smaller than a nalgene bottle. I didn't pay $200 for it (it wasn't that expensive to begin with and I always find sales) but definitely more expensive than the wlamart special. If the cheaper tarps work for you than by all means don't let anybody talk you into spending more of your hard earned money.

I opted for the more expensive tarp because we travel alot and cutting a pound or two on each piece of equipment allows us to single portage. Also I am very hard on equipment so I need something that will last. I like having the option of a middle pole my tarp is reinforced for this, plus as another pointed out NO GROMMETS and lots of tie out loops. This makes it easier to set up with more options. Having a tarp fail is no fun and I don't wwant to spend more than a few minutes with tarp setup when I could be fishing.

So to sum it up why I paid more for my tarp 1)weight 2) ease of setup 3) quality 4)weight oh yeah did I mention weight---I am a little nuerotic when it comes to weight.

It really comes down to your own personal preferences.

Tim

High quality tarps are nice but there are some good and less expensive tarps out there. KONDOS TARPS 10x12 deluxe $80 or so. I use a CAMPMOR 10x10 tarp $40 and KELTY NOAH'S TARP 12x12 $50. Got a sewing machine? Material is available, it does not have to be pretty. Tieout straps work far better than grommets and having them in the middle of the tarp greatly increases the pitching options.

butthead
Same CAMPMOR tarp, different setups.

I also use that Campmor tarp,one thing I'm going to do to mine before this year is sew a patch on in the middle with 4 loops for securing a pole under the tarp.

I've also got that same campmor tarp. Ate quite a few meals under that thing in unexpected downpours too. It's lasted 3 trips to the bdub, and a ton of backpacking trips. Also, what is a parabolic tarp? Is it shaped like an oval or what?

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Something like this,

I have a MSR Parawing that is over twenty years old. I bought in when it was first introduced by the Moss tent company. It was much more expensive than the blue plastic tarps I had always used, but it has been well worth the money I spent on it. We use it in the backyard, for picnics and on camping and canoeing trips. I leave the poles behind when traveling to the boundary waters, but they come in handy if we need them at home. I know that $200 is the list price for tarps of this nature, but if you are patient and watch for sales, you can get one for a lot less money. The old blue tarp became a covering for the floor when painting and was thrown out long ago. I expect to hand the Parawing down to my grandkids one day.

What's a CCS tarp and where can I find one? I love the idea of a one trip portage. I try to keep my pack down, but we always seem to have too many packs. When portaging, do you both where you backpacks and then carrier the canoe together over your head?

I've never NOT one trip portaged. Usually, my friend and i are set up with two Duluth packs of gear/clothes, plus a backpack of food and a backpack of fishing gear. Odds and ends, then include pfd's poles, fishing net, etc.

Sooooo, my friend takes the lighter of the duluth packs, wears a pfd, and carries the canoe (kevlar). I, being the pack mule of the two of us, take the heavier of the duluth packs, the food pack on my front, and carry fishing pack as well as odds and ends with my hands.

I'd rather strain a little that way, then to travel a 150+ rod portage a second time, despite little weight. Sometimes at the end of the day or when i want photo ops I'll double portage on purpose, though.

That's just how we do it. Of course we're young and spry, which'll change soon enough.

I'm not young or spry... but I can't see carrying 2 big packs at once. I'd rather portage twice than die on the portage! I can, however, carry a pack (not the heaviest one) and a kevlar canoe. I also enjoy taking my time at portages, and enjoying a nice walk in the forest. My excess baggage is not a heavy tarp, though. My 17 x 17 Kelty Canyon weighs only 3 pounds.

FrogWood, Cooke Custom Sewing makes a wide range of canoeing and camping related products including packs, tarps, thwart bags, canoe covers, and much more. Their website is www.cookecustomsewing.com

Cool, I just checked CCS site, seems I've seen that logo before. I like his tarps, but a little costly. But I just might have to go for one. Thanks!

butthead (or anyone else), do you find the Kelty Noah's tarp is better/more versatile than the Campmor 10x10? I find the design of Kelty's sexy vs. the average square or rectangle ones - namably the cut to ensure a taut pitch, but I can't really get a good bead on how they stack up (performance and pitching-wise).

Could you suggest some pros and cons? I'm leaning toward the Kelty Noah's 12 - in staying around that price-range.

Square tarps are more versatile.
Parabolic tarps need to be set up as designed to get a tight setup, but are more storm proof.
I still use my Noah's Tarp, but lean more to a flat tarp for it's variety of setup options [especially on solo trips].

butthead

I use an 18x12 Walrus parawing type tarp. Bought it on Ebay new in the box for $55 a couple years ago. I really like it. We used my brother's Walrus tarp for a coupple years before I got mine.

Mountain Hardwear - Stingray, it comes in two sizes and has stood up to some of the worst weather and winds. Best tarp I've ever owned! I'm pretty sure they stopped making them but I did pick up the larger size on ebay last year for about 60 bucks.

voting for the $39.95 campmor. an addidtion you might want to consider to make it REALLY versatile....buy these grommet thingies from menards. plastic keyhole looking thing and rubber "buttons". easier than trying to tie in a pinecone. :)