by Michelle Dodd

Outdoor Product Nylon Tarp Outdoor Products Nylon Tarp set up in our camp in Southeast Alaska

Pros:

  • Quiet!
  • Packs small in a handy bag
  • Water runs right off
  • Folds down quicker and easier than a regular stiff plastic tarp

Cons:

  • More expensive than regular tarps
  • Heavier than regular tarps

Recommendation:
This tarp is great for trips to wet areas where weight is not a factor but space is: it was perfect for our paddling trip in Southeast Alaska where it rains all the time and it would also be good for a bicycle tour through a wet area.

Review:
We bought this tarp for our Sea Kayak trip in Southeast Alaska and that was the perfect application for this kind of tarp (we used the 9.5′x12′ size). It rained often so we set it up over our tent every evening. This allowed us to keep the tent relatively dry so we could pack it away dry. There is nothing worse than setting up a soaked tent and then having to put your cozy bedding in there. The best aspect of this tarp is how much quieter than a regular tarp it is. Our friends Kris and Leslie had a regular tarp over their tent and when it rained the noise would really drive them crazy. (This was a multi-week trip with several storms as well as regular rain.) I’d like to get another tarp for the next trip to use for our cooking tarp – then the whole camp would be quiet when it rains.

You’ll want to attach lightweight nylon cord to the tarp ahead of the trip so it will be ready to set up, and you’ll also want to seal the middle seam that runs down the length. This tarp should last well through many trips, so the initial investment will be very worthwhile.

 

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