Lightweight Nylon Tarp Alternative?

[Rick Wiltshire]

Any recommendations for a lightweight nylon tarp alternative to provide coverage protection in bad weather?  Rick

[SCATTERSHOT]

For occasional use, a disposable painter's tarp works well. Pretty much a one use item, but it doesn't weigh anything, and it'll sure keep you dry. For rough use, though, I'd stick with the nylon.

[Steven Russell]

Check out the silnylon tarps at places such as campmor.  They're very lightweight, compact, and weather resistant.  I've used one as my primary shelter for bivy hunting for several years now and love it.

Tyvek is another option that may work for you.

Steve

[Rick Wiltshire]

Thanks guys.  Rick

[John Scifres]

Sportsman's Guide has a 12x12 polyurethane coated nylon tarp for $30.  It's not quite as light as the silnylon but just as tough.

If you can sew, get seconds on silnylon fabric from owareusa.com and you can customize it to whatever size you want.  I made a 9x11 for about $20.  It will be parked right next to Steven's green one this September in Idaho.

[ishiwannabe]

I used a poncho in the Army, they pack up light and small, and you can make a nice hooch out of one...and almost a house out of two. They can be had very cehaply through surplus stores too.

[Chris Surtees]

2 Army poncho's and 8 to 10 bungee cords can make a great hooch. Quick and easy setup plus they are very light. I have lived for weeks under this kind of setup so I know it works.

Make sure to waterproof the ponchos every once in awhile.

[Jon Stewart]

Wife and I use a old nylon tent cover/ rain fly.  Light weight and rolls up nice and small.

[ShadeMt]

I used a Kelty Noah tarp last weekend on a turkey bivy hunt.  Sure came in handy when the torrential downpours came.  It is lightweight, decent priced and very waterproof.

[John Havard]

Rick, I always carry one of these when I might not make it back to camp at night:

 http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=727&CFID=7378347&CFTOKEN=43005992&mainproducttypeid=1

It packs down into a stuff sack smaller than a nalgene liter bottle and weighs very little.  It's intelligently designed with proper reinforcements and guy-out points.  Having one and not needing it is much better than needing it and not having it!

[Beepy]

If you seriously want something cheap that works and is super light, use Tyvek.  Its the stuff that you cover houses with.  You can actually throw it in the washer and it will loose alot of the 'krinkly-ness' and get nice and soft.

[dosbow56]

Rick,
Are you thinking for a shelter or just a personal cover up? The foil "space blankets" that they pass out at running events are pretty light weight.
Dave

[TonyW]

For less than six bucks get a tubetent-

 

 

You can shape the tube with your gear and stay dry - tie up the ends in a downpour.