first tarp

[north star]

Hello guys,iam new to bushcraft although i have always had an interest.What tarp do you think i should buy to begin with?

[Pablo]

Hi mate,

Welcome to BCUK.

You can get cheap surplus ones from a surplus store and they are okay, but might not last too long so buy the best you can afford but obviously within some parameters.

Size makes a difference (despite what they say :) ) Obviously the larger, the more expensive. You will pay extra for a poly cotton one which are heavier but will resist sparks from your fire better. Have a look if you can at the corners. Are they reinforced and are there enough loops for your guy lines?

Tatonka do good ones IMHO at about £40 for a 3 x 3m (a popular size). Mr Mears does a his hootchie at £60 for a 2.7 m x 1.75m :eek: .

Ebay (supposedly) Army surplus about £10 but as I said, beware. A strong wind and all the eyelets pop out!

Hope this helps.

Pablo.

[Twoflower]

This would always be a nice cheap start ... http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/Product_arborescence/mountain/hiking/hiking-tents/shelters/product_2363223/index.html

[Nat]

For a cheap start i'd recommend the british army dpm or od tarp. Cheap as chips on ebay or from surplus suppliers.
Or you could try a Tatonka tarp starting at around 25 quid

[SOAR]

You could always try the DD tarp they go for about £20 on Ebay, I have one and it serves me well.

Simon.

[spamel]

I can see the idea behind getting a cheap one first and then upgrading only if you like it. If you haven't slept under a tarp before, it may not be your thing. Don't feel pressurised just because others are doing it. If you really do want to sleep under a tarp though, I would go for the best you can afford, but would definitely suggest a poly cotton Tatonka tarp. They have far too mant good reviews to dismiss out of hand.

[Dingo]

i dont think the buy cheap and then upgrade is a good idea, the purchase of a tarp is not just for ground dwelling, if you move to the tree's (hammock) you can still use your tarp, so like the others have said get the best you can afford, the cotton are heavier but more robust, the 3m x 3m are good starters, there is a good outlet used by many on this forum, His name is Andrew and his shop is called outdoorcode (no association) and he also sells the accessarys, pegs, para cord etc.

and the tatonka ones come in there own stuff sack!

http://www.outdoorcode.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=56_73

[Nat]

Or here for slightly cheaper prices... http://www.sailgb.com/p/tatonka_2_tarp/

[spamel]

Buying cheap is a good idea if you want to try it out though. What if your first night under a tarp you realise it isn't for you? You could sell the tarp on, but you'll make a loss.

[Nat]

What you could do is borrow someone's tarp for a night or two in your back yard? Not ideal but it would give you an idea on basha sleeping.....

Just a suggestion like.

[north star]

Thanks for the great responce,i will digest all the advice and make my move.

[copper_head]

just a thought north star but you could by a surplus poncho, only cost you a tenner makes a passable shelter and if you dont like tarp camping then at least you got a cheap waterproof, see one at:

http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr3465.html

[Fin]

I'll echo Pablo's advice. If the tarp is going to be your main, year round shelter - then go for polycotton and the largest size you can afford (up to 3m x 3m).

If, on the other hand, you are only going to use it in clement weather - then go for the lighter, cheaper, synthetic options.

This is one reason why most people's winter gear weighs quite a bit more than their summer gear!

[Aragorn]

as already mentioned, the 2TC tarps are quite a bit heavier than the other options, i love mine but be aware of the weight, ofcourse if your built like arnie as i am you will be fine :D got mine from HERE (http://www.peglers.co.uk/3_Tarp-2TC.htm), no connection, blah, blah

[Jodie]

This has been a very helpful thread - ta! I've spent four nights out this year (and the others
in my armchair!) and on three of them I had a poor night's sleep while in a tent and the
minute I went over to the tarp side I had a good bit of kip.

Admittedly I don't tend to sleep as soundly outside as I do in my bed with its fluffy
pillow / duvet combo, but I did actually achieve unconsciousness on my fourth night
which was a big step forward.

I understand that there are times when a tent is a sensible thing to sleep in but my new
philosophy is "avoid where possible" so I want to get me one of these tarps.

[Pablo]

Admittedly I don't tend to sleep as soundly outside as I do in my bed with its fluffy
pillow / duvet combo, but I did actually achieve unconsciousness on my fourth night
which was a big step forward.


I've found that the more times I sleep out, the easier it is to get a good night's kip. When I first started, I kept waking up during the night. I now normally sleep right through even on night number one.
Pablo.

[Aragorn]

i was vary warry of spending my first night under a tarp, but i slept like a log, i find the hammock really comfortable much better than a tent, so much so that on the last delamere meet i came very close to outsleeping goose :D

[Jodie]

I've found that the more times I sleep out, the easier it is to get a good night's kip. That could be it of course!
Mind you, it was such a dramatic improvement from tent to tarp that I can't help thinking
the tarp played a part. It might even have been that when I did wake up the scenery
was so lovely, all trees and moonlight, rather than a dark tent :)