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Tarp made of Tarp.... Tarp made of Tarp....
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  #1  
Old 29 May 2009
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Question Tarp made of Tarp....
Along with acompulsive need to buy tools from tool shops and bikes from anywhere, I also seem to have a finacially unhealthy interest in buying all sorts of tents.

As a result I often find myslef looking at funky bivis and even tarps. But these are rarely cheap.

Now that the summer is here, i Estonia, I'd like to start exploring, either by Ural or by XR400. Particularly for the latter, packing light is advised and so the idea of bivis and tarps is quite appealing.

So, in order to do this on a budget, I thought about trimming down some tarpaulin that I have packed away. At the moment it is 4m x 4m but is lighter than my tents (2.5kg). So, my questions are these:
  1. Instead of expensive MSR or Robens tarps at ££££ a hit, could old-fashioned tarp provide adequate shelter?
  2. Although it should cope with rain, will tarp stop water seeping through from the ground if I lie on it?
  3. 4m x 4m is a bit big and bulky. If I cut it down to size so that I can use it as either a shelter over me, or a surface to sleep on as well as shelter about me (folder to form a ground sheet and canopy above), or an awning for my tunnel tent, what size would you recomment? 3m x 3m? 2m x 4m?
Thanks
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Last edited by Warthog; 29 May 2009 at 10:39. Reason: Wrong figures.
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Old 29 May 2009
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Consider a Gortex BIVI bag

Then it doesn't matter if it seeps or leaks.

Loads of eBay. The Ex army ones are the best.

DPM GORTEX BIVI BAG army cadets camping para sas acf on eBay, also Field Gear, Surplus Equipment, Militaria, Collectables (end time 29-May-09 16:48:31 BST)
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Old 29 May 2009
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Or an Alpkit Hunka. Apparently they are excellent.

Hunka bivy bag - Alpkit

Matt
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Old 29 May 2009
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I plan to buy a Hunka next week. However, this would be supplemental to the tarp idea.

The tarp would be weather protection to the Hunka's temperature protection: I want to have the option of decent shelter should the elements rebel.

Tarpauline will do as a rain shelter (this much I have worked out for my self), but if it can double as a tent-type design then that is what I want: hence the question about its waterproofing properties and optimum size...

Any views/answers on those questions?
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Old 29 May 2009
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Camping near trees? Have you considered a tarp/Hammock combination.

Lots of ideas here... Hammock Forums : Your Number One Hammock Community - Hammock Camping&

Scroll down for gear manufacturers section.
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Old 29 May 2009
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I really just want info regarding any experiences lying on tarp over night: will it keep me, my bag and my mat dry, will it keep the rain off, or will it leak when the first twig pokes it.

I also would just like to know what size people recommend... 4x4, 3x3, 2x4....
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Old 31 May 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
...my questions are these:
  1. Instead of expensive MSR or Robens tarps at ££££ a hit, could old-fashioned tarp provide adequate shelter?
  2. Although it should cope with rain, will tarp stop water seeping through from the ground if I lie on it?
  3. 4m x 4m is a bit big and bulky. If I cut it down to size so that I can use it as either a shelter over me, or a surface to sleep on as well as shelter about me (folder to form a ground sheet and canopy above), or an awning for my tunnel tent, what size would you recomment? 3m x 3m? 2m x 4m?
Thanks
I think 3m x 3m seems to be the standard for a larger tarp (normally associated with a hammock) but may be a bit much for some as a bivi shelter. The smaller 2.4m x 2m seems to be a rough standard for one-man shelters (army) though I haven't personally tried them - I will if I can get one cheap enough.

At the risk of stating the obvious, maybe you should try things out and see what is best for you - in the garden maybe? It'll probably answer all your questions in one hit. I've dropped a couple of links for ideas. Hope it helps.

backpackinglight
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Last edited by teflon; 31 May 2009 at 03:10.
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Old 31 May 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teflon View Post
I think 3m x 3m seems to be the standard for a larger tarp (normally associated with a hammock) but may be a bit much for some as a bivi shelter. The smaller 2.4m x 2m seems to be a rough standard for one-man shelters (army) though I haven't personally tried them - I will if I can get one cheap enough.

At the risk of stating the obvious, maybe you should try things out and see what is best for you - in the garden maybe? It'll probably answer all your questions in one hit. I've dropped a couple of links for ideas. Hope it helps.

backpackinglight
DD Hammocks
Thanks Teflon, You've answered the other question I had.

Regrettable no garden, only a balcony, but I shall try it all out in the near future: Once I have K60s for the XR.

I think once used to it, tarp should be fine. I will, however, use my own tarp for now: no sense in spending another £50 if I realise that I can't live without a tent...

As for the Tarp size, well, I opted for 2 x 4m. That way we can use it as a tent awning or as a simply shelter for me, or even an improvised tent is the ground is damp...

Great links too...
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