Ultra Light Tarp line?

[welshwhit]

What do folks use for their tarps that is strong and lightweight?

I use 550 paracord at the minute, but I'm after something lighter, what do folk recomend?

Cheers

Drew

[Mesquite]

I use cord that I got from a blind maker for the guy lines... only about 1.5mm but extremely strong and lightweight. Only problem with it is it only comes in white

Ridge line I use cargo paracord... slightly thicker than 550 paracord but I prefer it more

[Shewie]

I'm on 2.2mm Exped dyneema stuff these days. Either that or 2mm dynaglide aborists throwline

[coln18]

Thats shocking Rich, im using spiders silk straight from the spider, the line only weighs 0.000001 micrograms, but the spider weighs 3 grams, call yourself an ultralight backpacker.

[Shewie]

Thats shocking Rich, im using spiders silk straight from the spider, the line only weighs 0.000001 micrograms, but the spider weighs 3 grams, call yourself an ultralight backpacker.

Any finer and I wouldn't be able to tie the damn stuff, I struggled a couple of times last winter trying to get the tarp up in rain and cold wind.

[coln18]

Yeah your right mate, there comes a point where it just gets silly and you cant untie the damn line and knots, i mean check this stuff out, look at the picture half way down the page of the line and pegs on the tent http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...ctra_cord.html

[Shewie]

Yeah your right mate, there comes a point where it just gets silly and you cant untie the damn line and knots, i mean check this stuff out, look at the picture half way down the page of the line and pegs on the tent http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-...ctra_cord.html

Crazy stuff, okay in fixed loops for a peg but imagine trying to tie that stuff when it's raining sideways and only just above freezing.

(Should I expect a shipping notice from Ron btw ?)

[lab72]

I use comms cord

[coln18]

No all your things will just pop through the door in an envelope, unless you get picked up at the customs end of things.

I thought you would have got your things by now, he must of been incredibly busy this year with his spring rush of orders, problem is, that if you hassle him to much he will just send your things priority mail and then your guaranteed to get not only a customs charge but also a parcelforce handling fee, best just to be no hurry to get it. I know its a pain but to be fair he does say it will take till your 60 years old till you get your order, i suppose good things come to those that wait.

Next time your ordering anything from MLD you should keep checking out Backpackinglight.com (under community then forum then gear swap/sale) i noticed there is always MLD things up for sale, usually just as dear but you do forgo the waiting time.

Let me know when your gear comes and what you think of it mate.

[Shewie]

No all your things will just pop through the door in an envelope, unless you get picked up at the customs end of things.

I thought you would have got your things by now, he must of been incredibly busy this year with his spring rush of orders, problem is, that if you hassle him to much he will just send your things priority mail and then your guaranteed to get not only a customs charge but also a parcelforce handling fee, best just to be no hurry to get it. I know its a pain but to be fair he does say it will take till your 60 years old till you get your order, i suppose good things come to those that wait.

Next time your ordering anything from MLD you should keep checking out Backpackinglight.com (under community then forum then gear swap/sale) i noticed there is always MLD things up for sale, usually just as dear but you do forgo the waiting time.

Let me know when your gear comes and what you think of it mate.

Right o, I like the suspense

I've got a trip planned to the Lakes in a couple of weeks so I hope it's here by then



EDIT:

Sorry Drew

[adestu]

so going back to spider thread ,no matter how many times you take it down is it back up the next day?

[Teepee]

Polyester sheathed dyneema or dyneema arborist throw line is ideal. Exped line is poly covered dyneema, Dynaglide is throw line. I prefer the poly covered because the polyester acts as a UV and dirt barrier and stops the core wearing. Poly covered also knots better IME.

Marlow, English braids, Kingfisher, Liros and Samson all make a variety of these lines for arborist and marine racing use. A google will throw up loads of vendors for 'Dyneema rope'

Dyneema isnt just lighter- it floats, UV resistant, rot proof, harder wearing than steel, doesnt stretch, doesnt soak up water, hard to cut and is generally the mutts. The downer is it doesnt knot as easily and is pricier, but this is easily solved with hardware/modified knots and not needing to replace it for ages.

I've had Kingfisher and Marlow braids on my tarp for 2 years now (3mm kingfisher ridgeline , 1.5 mm marlow for tie outs), awesome stuff.

[welshwhit]

Whats the Dyneema like from tying knots?

I assume its a round cord?

Drew

[Teepee]

Yes mate, its round. The problem with tying knots in it is that its incredibly slippy stuff compared to the usual nylon/polyprop cords. Overhand knots will collapse easily. The polyester covered stuff has more grip and holds knots a little easier.

A quick search of HF will show plenty of knots to use with amsteel (Amsteel=pure dyneema braid)

[welshwhit]

No worries Shewie!

I guess its going to have to be a compromise between knot tying ability and weight then!

Unless there are any more wonder cords out there anyone knows of!?

[Shewie]

What do you want the line for Drew, is it for a ridge line, guy lines or both ?

To avoid knots you could use fig 9's on the ridge or mini line-loks for the guy lines.

[eel28]

What do you want the line for Drew, is it for a ridge line, guy lines or both ?

To avoid knots you could use fig 9's on the ridge or mini line-loks for the guy lines.

OK I gotta ask, but only as I've not heard the term before, what's fig 9's please?

knowing my luck something very simple!

[Shewie]

OK I gotta ask, but only as I've not heard the term before, what's fig 9's please?

knowing my luck something very simple!

The fig9's are just a hardware substitute for a truckers hitch, quite handy when you're hands are wet and cold ..

http://www.niteize.com/collections/figure-9

[Teepee]

UHMWPE Dyneema/spectra lines are the ultimate mate, nothing is stronger or lighter for this purpose. PBO/Zylon braid is stronger but doesnt like being flexed.

[welshwhit]

Cheers folks,

Shewie, I reckon it will just be the ridge line, I'll use a mix of lighter and shockcord for the guys.

I do however have my eye on some Dutch kit. . . . but I'm having trouble sourcing some in these parts! (missed the group buy ) Might have to go for the fig 9 option. . . .

Drew

[Ch@rlie]

hey guys, dont know if you prefer your dynema to be white or not but reading this post made me remember about some flying lines I have, are you aware you could get green flying lines, not sure what prices you normally pay for your dynema compared to this kinda stuff. (the white ends shown are just a sheath covering the ends used to larks head over the bridle knots to attach to the kite). http://www.powerkiteshop.com/accesso...yneemadual.htm
(remember its duo, 2 lengths of stated distance per plastic holder)

[rik_uk3]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Green-Guy-Line...item19bc15ba36

Easily strong enough for a tarp.

[lab72]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Green-Guy-Line...item19bc15ba36

Easily strong enough for a tarp.

Not Really lightweight .

[Shewie]

Not Really lightweight .

I don't think Rik does lightweight

[Pierr]

I use dyneema 1.5 and 2 mm in bright colors (http://www.extremtextil.de/catalog/B...ured::515.html).

I used 1mm plain white dyneema (from kite shop) before and it held perfectly fine but it did not have a cover/sheat and was a bit difficult to handle with cold fingers and was wearing down fast. The dyneema linked above has a polyester cover and that makes it much easier to handle and more durable (and more colored).

Paracord is overkill for tarp ridging.

Also I don't use a ridgeline but attach and tension the tarp from both ends.

[Hoodoo]

I use Kelty Triptease lightline. Not only is it light and strong, but you can find your tent or tarp easily in the dark because of the reflective yarn in the cordage.

[tetra_neon]

I've been trying to find that stuff in the UK for ages! I can't believe the shops here are uninterested in stocking such a big name brand.

[Shewie]

I've been trying to find that stuff in the UK for ages! I can't believe the shops here are uninterested in stocking such a big name brand.

Yeah does your head in doesn't it, by the time we've paid crazy shipping and then import taxes and PO handling fees then it's just not worth it.

I managed to grab a load of the Exped stuff off a UK seller on ebay but can't find it anywhere over here now. I wonder if Bob at BPL would get a load in, I'm sure it would sell for him.