Tarp advice

[ctznsmith]

I guess this may have been done before but looking for specific advice for my 'needs'.

I currently use a Alpkit bicycle 3.5 but I find that no matter how I pitch it I'm always wanting more coverage. It doesn't help that I'm 6"4 so once I'm under it there really isn't much in the way of room for anything else.

Suggestions for larger tarps that don't weigh a ton, pack fairly small but don't break the bank*?

*can I also have the moon on a stick. ;-)

[Bearbonesnorm]

I think a Rig7 satisfies all your criteria

Another option would be an ID Silwing but they're much more shaped, so not quite as versitile as a flat tarp. Needle Sports have them on offer at the moment.

[ctznsmith]

Hah! I was going to say a bicycle 7 was the obvious choice! The pack size on the Alpkit website seems 'big' though.

Can anyone take a photo of it packed down next to something for scale?

[ianfitz]

The pack size will be about twice the size.

[Zoglug]

What colour is the 3.5? If it's kelp and your looking to sell I may be interested!

[ctznsmith]

The pack size will be about twice the size.

In all dimensions? It's really hard to visualise!

[Bearbonesnorm]

It's really not that big packed, although I tend to stick mine in a 2l drybag* as I find the stuff sack a bit tight.

*lots of room, it doesn't fill it by any stretch.

[ctznsmith]

Thanks, good idea re: drybag. Packing up tents/tarps when it's cold and wet or there has been a frost is not a fun task!

[ianfitz]

The pack size will be about twice the size.

In all dimensions? It's really hard to visualise!

The bicycle 7 is twice the size so will have twice the volume when packed.

That's not the same as twice as big in all directions

I've got one and agree with stu that the bag supplied is a bit snug.

[ctznsmith]

I understand (honest!). With the greater freedom of a 2L drybag I think I can pack it so it won't make a massive to my overall packing/set up.

[Ray Young]

I went from a Terra nova comp 1 tarp which is similar to a bicycle 3.5 to a silwing for the same reasons you state and have not regretted it. Plenty of space underneath and pack size is only slightly bigger. I got Stu to make me a 130cm pole for the front to take full advantage of it's size. I haven't found limited set ups to be a disadvantage and the catenary cut means it's easy to set up with even tension all round. At just under £40 from needlesports as Stu mentions I don't think you can go far wrong.
Set to maximum height on 130/70 cm poles.
New Pole 002 by youngray50, on Flickr

[ctznsmith]

£40 is a good deal and no Kelp bicycle 7.0's at Alpkit.

Decisions, decisions!

[ianfitz]

I understand (honest!). With the greater freedom of a 2L drybag I think I can pack it so it won't make a massive to my overall packing/set up.

Haha. Had just been help kids with maths homework when posting that. It was about volume!

[jBay]

Bit bigger packed than a large can of beans