Is bigger better?

[ScotchDave]

Alright lads (and lasses),

Time has come for me to purchase a tarp. I'm pretty much set on a DD as they seem to be well priced and of high quality, though feel free to suggest others of similar prices. But I'm not sure which size to get: 3x3 of 3x4.5 metres.

The reason I'm unsure is that I'll most likely be camping with my family some of the time and therefore extra space will be needed, which draws me to the XL.

However I'm not sure what, if any, drawbacks there are to the larger tarp for when I'm out on me tod. Also can the XL be pitched with the ridge along the 3 metre length?

I'm not bothered about the extra weight because I'm fairly large meself...

Thanks,

Dave

P.S. I did try a search and got lots of reviews of tarps, but nowt about selecting them,

[Shewie]

Are you hammock camping or on the deck ?

I use the 3x3m 99% of the time but if the rain is coming down sideways it's nice to have the extra length. The 3x4.5 is a great size for a hammock in foul weather as it covers up your suspension nicely, if weight and bulk isn't an issue then go for the bigger one.

The extra room underneath is good for establishing a camp for a few days, gives you somewhere to hang stuff and crash out.

You can hang the 3x4.5 with the 3m length as the ridge no problem.

[Chainsaw]

Couple of tarp reviews for you;

XL tarp (http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?17900-New-DD-hammocks-4.5mx3m-Tarp-review) and the normal one (http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?13765-DD-hammock-lightweight-tarp-review&) I'd go for the bigger one, especially if it's not just you as it's not that much bigger or heavier than the 3x3.

HTH

Cheers,

Alan

[drewdunnrespect]

well personally i would go for the big one and ave done with it cos space is then never an issue

[Wayland]

The downside will always be weight really.

You have to decide how much you are prepared to carry compared to any extra comfort given by the larger tarp.

[TREETOP]

I'd say go with the large. A 3m x 3m is fine on your own but whould be a little cramped if you had two under there in bad weather IMO.

[ScotchDave]

Thanks for that gents *reaches for credit card*.

Dave

[Kerne]

I use a 2.5 x 2.5 metre Kathmandu basha and have slept two under it comfortably. 3 x 3 seems luxurious by comparison. Size matters when the weather is awful but weight matters when you carry it mile after mile. Of course, you could give it to some other member of the family to carry - if so, go for the biggest you can get...

[Peter_t]

these all seem big to me!

i first slept out under a small poncho (bearly fit) in army cadets untill i bought my own 'big' army issue basha (cammo tarp about 2x2.5m)

never felt the need to go any bigger really:dunno:


pete

[drewdunnrespect]

hiya peter are u a ground dweller if so your spot on but hammocks you have no chance

[MrEd]

these all seem big to me!

i first slept out under a small poncho (bearly fit) in army cadets untill i bought my own 'big' army issue basha (cammo tarp about 2x2.5m)

never felt the need to go any bigger really:dunno:


pete

yeah me to, i get on fine with it and a hammock, if the weather gets ****e i just pitch it more steeply

[wentworth]

I think a bigger tarp is worth the weight. An 8 by 10 foot silnylon tarp with guylines will run to about 400g.

[Paul_B]

As a ground dweller I think you don't need as big a tarp. I use the same Kathmandu Basha in 2.5m square as Kerne. ALthough I bought it at the Outdoor show off Bison Bushcraft in 2009. It is good but I just noticed the centre external lifting loop webbing tape has the corner cut off it and where that corner is ther is a hole in the sil-nylon. I have not spotted any leak but it is annoying me. Anyone know how to seal a hole in a sil-nylon tarp? I know nothing really sticks to sil-nylon. I can't really take it back now, had it too long. Any ideas? I once heard something called shoe goo sticks to stuff nothing else does. I thought cling one side then squeeze something into the hole and cling the other side squashing it flat until it dries might work if I can find the right clue or goo to use.

[Paul_B]

As far as size I found my 2.5m square a bit too low down at the weekend. Was good for the high winds but could not sit up in it. Was well spread out though gearwise. Used trekking poles for tarp poles. Mind you was late back from pub so just crashed out. Used the tarp in a campsite recently. Worked well when you walk into the darkness and the only place is a campsite. Pitch late get up early = no fee. ;)

[leaf man]

To seal any trpe of hole or seam i use motor bike puncture repair kits. Cheap as chips and does the job

[Paul_B]

SIl-Nylon too? I guess Halfords would sell it.

[Thoth]

I use a Katmandu 2.5 x 2.5 for 'ground dwelling' and the DD XL for hammock or luxury 'ground dwelling'. I rig the XL when with a group too.

[forestwalker]

I would hesitate to get the bigger tarp. It will be harder to find a good spot to pitch, and for 2 people a 3x3 m is plenty, and ok for 3. I would rather have two 3x3 m tarps, in order to have have a choice for campsites. Assuming ground dwelling here.