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john chong
(johnch) - F
MLD Cuben Fiber SUL Solo Tarp on 09/10/2011 17:49:41 MDT Print View

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=142

anybody have experience with this type of tarp?

I wanted a tarp for when I'm doing overnighters without a bivy. I don't have a bivy, but I also live in SoCal, so I won't be seeing that much prolonged rain. For prolonged rain, I was going to just stick with my larger tarp.

What I'm worried about is that this won't provide any wind protection, since the site says to make it a flatter A frame design.

Should I just get the Grace Solo?
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=132
Dan Durston
(dandydan) - M

Locale: Cascadia
Tarps on 09/10/2011 21:24:43 MDT Print View

I wouldn't feel too good about using that [sul solo tarp] without a bivy. At that width, blowing rain will be a problem and so will large drops of rain that splash under. An extra 1-3oz for a nicely sized tarp would be really nice and versatile, but I also don't hike where you do and you would know your conditions better.

I find my HMG Echo Solo tarp (8'6" long and 7' wide taper to 5' wide) to be about the narrowest tarp that I'd want to be using in the rain. Ideally I'd like another foot of width for difficult conditions if I'm using it with the inner, but it's do-able.

Edited by dandydan on 09/10/2011 22:20:32 MDT.
john chong
(johnch) - F
re: tarp on 09/10/2011 21:32:34 MDT Print View

Which tarp were you talking about? The sul or grace solo?

in the places I backpack, it doesn't rain too much, and if it does, I would know. If I knew it was going to rain for a longer period of time, I would just take my bigger 8x10 tarp.
Gob Bross
(justin_baker) - M

Locale: Santa Rosa, CA
Re: re: tarp on 09/10/2011 22:02:52 MDT Print View

Then why are you carrying a tarp in the first place?
john chong
(johnch) - F
why i carry a tarp on 09/10/2011 22:06:08 MDT Print View

Just for a bit of warmth, and just in case it rains. When I sleep without a tarp, I feel more cold. Even my golite poncho/tarp helps a bit.

With the larger tarp, it would be for when I know it's going to rain a lot. Ex: I knew it was going to rain a lot when I did a trip at Redwoods. I took my 8x10 there.
Gob Bross
(justin_baker) - M

Locale: Santa Rosa, CA
Re: why i carry a tarp on 09/11/2011 00:01:31 MDT Print View

Yeah, makes sense. However, have you considered a poncho tarp? It might be similar dimensions, and be double use for just in case.
john chong
(johnch) - F
re: poncho tarp on 09/11/2011 00:28:07 MDT Print View

I have the golite poncho/tarp. I tried it as well, but I didn't like it in the rain.
John Abela
(JohnAbela) - M

Locale: www.hikelighter.com
Re: MLD Cuben Fiber SUL Solo Tarp on 10/30/2011 23:33:21 MDT Print View

anybody have experience with this type of tarp?

I wanted a tarp for when I'm doing overnighters without a bivy. I don't have a bivy, but I also live in SoCal, so I won't be seeing that much prolonged rain. For prolonged rain, I was going to just stick with my larger tarp.

What I'm worried about is that this won't provide any wind protection, since the site says to make it a flatter A frame design


I do not have that exact tarp but I have a whole bunch like it.

I recently started testing out a 9x6 cuben fiber tent using 0.34 cuben fiber (youtube video) as I already have a few in 0.51 of different sizes and lengths.

To address the issue of rain and wind: Just lower it to the ground. I present this near the end of my video. Just stake the tarp right to the ground and that pretty much solves the rain/wind issue on the sides when you face such issues.

And remember, just about every sleeping bag on the market these days can endure more water than what you will encounter in a SoCal rain storm, so even if you do get rain spray onto your sleeping bag, big whoopie do. That is what DWR and material is for.

The MLD Solo CF tarp is one of the best ones out there. Worth the money if you are looking to save some grams.
Nick Gatel
(ngatel) - MLife

Locale: Southern California
Re: Re: MLD Cuben Fiber SUL Solo Tarp on 10/31/2011 00:10:56 MDT Print View

I agree with Dan, a tarp this size is best with a bivy. When you are looking at anything 5' X 8' or less, a bivy is a good idea. When you get to the area around 10' X 8' a bivy is not needed. I live in So Cal and we do get some really nasty rain.