Evening all,

New to the bikepacking scene but familiar with bikes, backpacking and camping Entered the Mach N Back and looking to get a tarp.

Quite like the look of the Terra Nova tarps and Field and Trek seem the cheapest, but I am confused by the specs! and the TN website is just as unhelpfull. F&T are selling the Adventure and Competition 1 and 2, sizes seem to make sense but weights dont.

Does anyone have any info on these? or own one? Looked at the Alpkit tarp but again they are out of stock :(

Any help and/or suggestions appreciated.

G

Look at Integral Designs SilTarp

I've seen the TN comp tarp 1 in use, it looks good but it's a sheet of green cloth with eyelets so it can't look that bad

The size of the 2 will give you more options which might be good in bad weather ... the 1 will set up as a 'ridge' or 'flat roof' but that's about it. Can't go wrong for the price really.

Have a look at the Tenth Wonder tarps on ebay, you'll find them under hammocks, I've tried a few and they're very good for the money.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tenth-Wonder- ... 740wt_1171

This is one of Tenth Wonders tarps, I've got a green version ... very light and well made. The extra length comes in handy too.

Ordered the comp 2 tarp from F&T in the end.

Quick question regarding lines etc.

What do you guys (no pun) usually carry? I was thinking 5mm ridge line 10m long? then just 4 standard guys with runners. Got spare pegs here thinking 6 should do it. I probably wont get time to pitch it until Mach & Bach next weekend so If you see a man who looks like he doesn't know what he is doing and struggling in the wind, give him a hand! :?

G

I don't bother with a full ridge line, just have a fixed guy at each end (if I'm going to set a tarp up as a simple ridge). I also tend to attach some guys along the edge of the tarp rather than just at each corner ... tends to help stop the thing flapping too much. If it's very windy I'll also attach some clips to the sides and run extra guys from them, it also adds a bit of internal space. Top pic shows clip in place and bottom one shows what I mean about pulling the sides of the tarp to add some internal space.

Where do you find them clips? they look like just the ticket.

Good point about the ridgeline, can probably do without. Like the look of that set-up. I have a 2.5x3m to play around with so that will be nice.

G

Where do you find them clips?

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... clips.html

Tarp arrived today, in time to test it out over the weekend :)

For anyone ele interested, The Comp 2 tarp from Field and Trek weighs 520g and packs reasonably small. 2.5 x 3.0m in size should give me loads of options, dare I say it, maybe even sharing

Came the next day to which was excellent, thumbs up F&T.

G

Any tips on using these grips Stu? Looks like a dark art

G

Any tips on using these grips Stu? Looks like a dark art

I know what you mean but they're easier than they seem ... imagine you're doing up a button, put the smaller part on one side of the tarp, then push it and the tarp material through the bigger half. The small half will now lock into the bigger half trapping the tarp material between them ... if you see what I mean. You'll end up with one half of the clip on the inside of the tarp and the other on the outside.

Got it

Looked at instructions on the net and I thought they 'clipped' into place, didn't realise the male part went right through and lodged back in. Excellent thanks.

All set for Saturday now... I think.

G