What is your favorite CCS tarp weight in dimensions? I frequently am in a group of seven.

After my first rain day, in a large group, I will never go back in without a tarp.

I was considering other tarps, but every time I looked up tarp recommendations on this website, 95% have the same answer, get a CCS tarp.

I like the 10' x 14'. I don't have a preference over the weight of the fabric, they both have advantages.

10x14 or 12x12.5 would be great for your group. You can't go wrong with either one. I had same size group last year and took 15x15. It can be harder to rig if you can't find trees that are spaced appropriately. Mine are all 1.9 ounce material (I have 4 tarps). They are a little more durable and let less UV through. 1.1 ounce are great tarps. They are more money, a little less durable, less bulk in pack and less weight. You can't go wrong with either one. If you were getting two tarps I would say 12x12.5 and 10x10.

My 10x14 ccs tarp has been awesome! 1.9 oz has worked great for me.

1.1 oz 12.5’x12.5’ bug shelter. Bulky, heavy, expensive, and nothing short of paradise when hanging around in the mosquitoes and flies.

Don't be like me and cheap out on an Amazon tarp to save money. I did that last year and then it rained for 24 hours straight and it wetted out pretty much immediately. We were forced into our tents for most of the day.

I bought a 10x10 1.9oz CCS tarp this Spring and I have zero regrets. It has been plenty of space for 3 people, 4 is doable if you're ok being in close-quarters. I went with 1.9 primarily because it was cheaper, but also because it's a bit more abrasion resistant.

We have the light weight 10x10, most often two of us; so, I'd get something bigger.
Then, utilize a telescoping pole in center, or rope to run a ridge line, for better set up. Have used ours for years, no complaints - love it.

CCS 10'X14' 1.9 oz. Tarp + stuff sack + cordage = 2 lbs. 14 oz. Worth every ounce.

CCS tarp is one of my best purchases. I like the 1.1 oz material as it is only slightly weaker but still ridiculously strong. Mine survived a 70-80 mph wind which actually pulled a small tree out of the ground with one of the guy lines. The lighter weight and smaller size makes it a no brainer if you travel. This is especially true as you age, you either sit more or you get lighter, and every single ounce counts. Backpackers count grams, smart canoe trippers (travelers) should count ounces more than they do imho. I like 10*10 for up to 3, 10*12 for up to 4 (what I have), and a 10*14 for up to 5 and a 15*15 for up to 8. The more gear you leave out the more people you could squeeze in and the more uneven the ground the more room you need. If you err on the side of a lighter/larger tarp than you think you need I think you will be happier longer. Watch the videos on YouTube about quick set up methods etc., as well as different set up options there and on this forum. Definitely get the special two compartment stuff sack and learn to use it properly. Of course it all comes at a pretty stiff price, and the cheaper options are still very good, especially if you base camp or are just young and strong!

One thing I'll add: My brother and I both have 10 x 14's. It's nice to have the extra length when it's windy, cold and windy, or raining sideways so you can drop an end down and use it to deflect the wind or wind/rain. It seems like on almost every trip I've done this at least once and really appreciated the extra length. Another thing, just because it's 14' long doesn't mean that you have to use all 14', you can rig it to a shorter length very easily.

For those of you that bought the 1.1 ounce material versus the 1.9 ounce material. Have you found it worth the extra money?

My 10x14 is 1.9oz, and I also have a Lean 3 in 1.1oz, I have not been very careful with the lean at all, and it has held up well. My next CCS tarp will be a 1.1oz regardless of size.

CanoeViking: "For those of you that bought the 1.1 ounce material versus the 1.9 ounce material. Have you found it worth the extra money?"

Agree with camphfish above on 1.1 oz over 1.9 oz. 1.1 oz stuff is bomb proof.

My setup -

10x14 - 1.1oz tarp
Ridgeline stuff sack
60 ft Amsteel blue 1/8 inch
Approx 80 ft Zing It

Total weight is a little over 2 lb (< 1kg).

Adequate for group of 6. More than sufficient for group of 4.

Watch this video for setup: Ridgeline stuff sack setup

I've got the 10x10 in 1.1 oz and have had it rigged through hellacious winds. Fortunately, we were tripping with a friend who is a fantastic tarp rigger and it was in place the next morning after listening to the winds howl all night.

Is 1.1 worth the extra money? I really like light weight and small size for my pack. So to me, yes.

We are generally in groups of 4 and the 10x10 is enough. We've even handled 6 people eating under it in the rain. But from reading this forum over the years, if I was starting over again then I would go 10x14 for a little extra room and an easier time rigging a wall against and still having a good amount of cover overhead.

With 7 people, you might want to go bigger.

If you go in heavy bug season then consider the bug shelter. With 7 people you may not mind the extra weight and boy does it look like a great place to eat and hang out when the bugs are bad. We took a Nemo bug shelter on one trip in July with a young family and it was key to keeping the little boys happy. And we didn't mind either.

CanoeViking: "For those of you that bought the 1.1 ounce material versus the 1.9 ounce material. Have you found it worth the extra money?"

I have a 10X12 1.1 ounce I take backpacking and a 10x14 1.9 ounce I use while canoeing. I hammock camp so these are my shelters. When weight is not as important, I'd say go with the 1.9.

CanoeViking: "For those of you that bought the 1.1 ounce material versus the 1.9 ounce material. Have you found it worth the extra money?"

I own the 1.1 oz , 10x12 CSC tarp. It has been a solid performer. I have no reason to believe a 1.9 oz tarp would be any more durable. On selecting the 1.1 over the 1.9, the 1.9 was notably heavier. I can find no reason to carry the heavier tarp.

I have the CCS 10x14 in 1.1 with the ridgeline bag. I have been very happy with the 1.1 because I count my ounces and I like the bulk savings versus the 1.9. It has been plenty durable. It is more than enough for 6 people; I doubt we would be cramped with 8. If I had it all to do over again I might consider sizing down to save a couple ounces. Then again, the weight penalty for the extra size compared to a 10x12 or 10x10 is pretty negligible.

plander: "

CanoeViking: "For those of you that bought the 1.1 ounce material versus the 1.9 ounce material. Have you found it worth the extra money?"

Agree with camphfish above on 1.1 oz over 1.9 oz. 1.1 oz stuff is bomb proof.

My setup -


10x14 - 1.1oz tarp
Ridgeline stuff sack
60 ft Amsteel blue 1/8 inch
Approx 80 ft Zing It


Total weight is a little over 2 lb (< 1kg).


Adequate for group of 6. More than sufficient for group of 4.


Watch this video for setup: Ridgeline stuff sack setup "

Thank you for that video link that is gonna make my decision much easier and future set ups a breeze

Thanks for the valuable advice. I just purchased the 10x14 1.1oz ccs tarp with the ridge line stuff sack. Super excited to try it out.

Thanks again for the input.

Merry Christmas.

CanoeViking: "Thanks for the valuable advice. I just purchased the 10x14 1.1oz ccs tarp with the ridge line stuff sack. Super excited to try it out.


Thanks again for the input.


Merry Christmas. "

You are absolutely going to love that tarp! Take time to seam seal the underside when you get it. It's an easy winter task.

I have a large CCS tarp, I believe 15x15. Two things I wish I could change about it. First, it’s a bit too big for my taste. I never travel with more than three other folks though. Second, it’s red. I wish I’d gotten white or yellow. My white CCS Lean is perfect as it seems to be brighter inside on cloudy days. The red color of my tarp gives everything a strange dark-room vibe and actually makes it hard to read maps. The CCS quality is top notch. I’ve never even used the included seam sealer and never had a leak.

What size ridge line and guylines do you guys use?

CanoeViking: "What size ridge line and guylines do you guys use?"

I use 50 foot ridgeline. Guylines I believe I have 4 that are 20 foot and the rest are 15 foot. If 15 foot doesn't cover it then I use sheet bend knot to add another 15 foot to it. Can always use sheet bend knot to make your guylines longer. I probably carry at least 300 feet of guylines.

I have my 10'x12' pre-rigged with a 50' ridgeline and 6 10' guylines, plus some extra cordage.

I have two 10x12 CCS tarps. One is a green 1.9 and the other is a yellow 1.1. More often than not I take the lighter one. It has held up fine in 50mph winds and days of rain. I also have that one strung on a ridgeline with the CCS ridgeline stuff sack. It’s awesome how easy it is to set up solo.

I also have 8 tie outs of 15’ lengths that I use hair ties to keep as bundles dangling off the loops like some surry with fringe on top. Like many, I also take extra cord for other configurations.

I forgot to mention the CCS ridgeline stuff sack - makes it easy. Also use "hair things" to bundle line - faster for me than figure-8.