How do you pack your tarp?

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econnofoot

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I recently got a nylon 10x10(yet to really use it), I've done poly tarps, which were fine except for the bulk. The tarp goes down to about the size of a 1l nalgene rolled up ,I was just curious how people choose to pack their tarps and maybe cordage,ridge line and so forth....I'm thinking I'll just try stuff sack, I don't really have any that small, but cheap enough shouldn't be a big deal.
 
When I bought the M.E.S.T. tarp from the outfitter store I made a stuff sack for it. That's about as cheap as it gets. Very easy.
 
I leave all the lines attached but tied up so they are not a tangled mess. If the conditions allow I will fold/roll my tarp but if it is wet/windy I often just stuff it and then pack it neatly once home
 
Everything I've read to date says to stuff your sil-nylon tarps. Folding them creates weaknesses at the common creases. The BCUSA tarp comes with its own stuff sack and I keep mine in there. I keep all lines attached but rolled up. My ridgeline fits (just barely) in the top of the stuff sack. That way the ridgeline is out first and then the tarp.
 
I fold it up into a square of about 1 foot by 1 foot and then I roll it up and stuff it in my pack somewhere. (my pack is very unorganized)
 
Not very well. I'm gtg with my BCUSA tarp as I just stuff it in the sack.. Not quite that easy for me with my Old Man Winter tarp, I haven't gotten it completely back in the stuff sack yet. :/
 
I roll mine and keep it in a easy to reach pocket on my pack. If it starts to rain I can get to it quickly and use it as a poncho or start setting it up. The stuff sack it came in is used for my cord/rope line kit.
 
I'm leaning toward a stuff sack for now...should be funny if I take the tarp into the store today....

there are some smaller surplus items was looking at, that might work size wise and let me probably cram cords and all in as well....
 
BCUSA coyote stuffs just as well as expected and I strap it to the bottom of my Condor II. Looking forward to getting my MEST this week. I have a 5X7 Maxped pouch it should fit in easily, that will be strapped to the side of the Condor. Should be prettywell covered. Todd
 
i've got a couple tarps.

the most used is an OES/MacCat Standard. it's made of silnylon, and goes in a little stuff sack about the size of a large coffee mug.

the next most used is a homemade 8 x 10 silnylon that has it's own stuff sack, about the size of two standard coffee mugs sitting on top of each other.

finally, least often, i use a 5 x 7 poly tarp. this gets folded into roughly a 15" x 20" rectangle and then goes in my pack up against my back.
 
I always carry a 5'x7' tarp folded and placed in the game pocket on the back of my vest. It folds flat enough that I don't even notice it, but always have shelter if I'm caught without my pack (I rarely take my vest off, with all the gear on it, it's only 4 pounds). My big, repurposed tent rain fly tarp I fold and then roll and it goes in a color coded (green is shelter) stuff sack from Walmart (3 for like $5 or $6). All of the stakes and tie-downs, as well as the ridgeline fit, although it's a tight fit!

:41:
 
I have the rei outdoor products tarp and it comes with a mesh container. So I've just been folding my tarp to fit in the bag it came with.
 
I just stuff it in the stuff sack... no reason to put too much thought into a simple thing.

Ski
 
I carry my tarps in a stuff sack. I don't bother folding them, just shove them into the sack.
Also in the little package, is a baggie full of heavy wife tent pegs, a 30 foot length of heavy cord to use as a ridgeline, and a number of shorter, precut lengths of 550 cord. Last but not least, an assortment of S-Biner clips to help speed things up.
Whole thing weighs little, but is easily packed, and easily deployed.
 
I just jam it in the body of my pack with the my sleeping bag and the rest of my clothes. Very messy, but easy and stuffing fills up space better than stuff sacks.
 
on my tarps that i have had in the past. I have taken nalgene bottle that i have had no top for and cut the top rim off. Then roll the tarp to fit inside the bottle. Also will fit in a gi canteen holder. for the smaller ones
 
Bailion said:
on my tarps that i have had in the past. I have taken nalgene bottle that i have had no top for and cut the top rim off. Then roll the tarp to fit inside the bottle. Also will fit in a gi canteen holder. for the smaller ones
Click to expand...

I was thinking something like that actually with an old one.
 
the BCUSA 10x10 has it's own stuff sack - love it

the MESTS that I have I just fold to fit whatever space I'm putting them in. but I do try to not fold them the same way as it was before - if it has any fold marks left after use.

honestly...I've almost given up using my other tarps - these are just that good. :)
 
For years, I carried a nylon 10x12 tarp. Bigger is better, IMO. It only weighed 2-3 pounds.
I folded it 3 times along the short edge, and then rolled it into a log about 2 1/2 feed long. I wrapped my tie-downs around it like lacing up leggings, and draped it over my pack. It was the last thing packed, and got put up before I ever opened my pack for the rest of my gear.
Kinda like this...sorta...but smaller.

rangerpack1.jpg
 
My tarp is rolled. Stakes are rolled in it and the ridgeline is wrapped and tied around it. It packs small enough for me to stuff into my bag or a I can use the bag straps to tie it to the outside.
 
I just stuff it into the pack on top of everything else. Last in, first out works for me, and it takes up less room than if I put it into a stuff sack. Stuff sacks are nice for small items, but they can also waste space since they leave empty space between them and other things.
 
EdD270 said:
I just stuff it into the pack on top of everything else. Last in, first out works for me, ..
Click to expand...
That's why my tarp isn't even in the pack. I spent most of my time in the rain forests of Western WA, and shelter was usually the first priority. I could get cover set up immediately without even having to expose the contents of the pack to the elements.
 
one of mine stays attached to my hammock and gets rolled up in the snake skins, the other hangs out in the bladder pocket of my pack. I keep my stakes in my hobo stove (dual purpose) and my ridge line is the carry strap for my 12x5.
 
RM has the base way.. works
Have the Cords attached {I use the Heavy Braided Bank/Seine Tarred line} for the over and lay outs. Do not make them Short you never know where you'll be.
 
To my knowledge, the only way correct way to stuff a silnylon tarp is to either A) roll it, or B) stuff it. Never, ever fold one; I've seen a buddies 6 month old tarp tear right on the fold-line he made.
 
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