Tarp Size Question

I guess I have two questions. First, what is the smallest size tarp I can sleep under and not need a bivy sack? Second, will the size increase result in a weigh increase that will be heavier than the bivy sack I'm trying to leave at home?

I've only slept under a tarp a couple of times. They were not my tarps, so I don't know what size they were. Long story short, a tarp is on the list, but I don't know where to start looking.

You could use a 5x7, but that is way to small for me. UL's dual ridgeline tarp is pretty cool, and it is pretty small. The smallest that I have ever slept under is Amanda's 8X10 cat tarp, but you could get by with a smaller one.

I sleep with the huge 10X12, so I am not worried about getting wet.

I will admit that UL's is really sweet, look at my pics here, I am sure there is a picture of it from the Tarp Clinic.

I would agree with PM 5x7 would be the smallest I personally would want. Even for the summer. I too use a 10X12 and its great. I think its a little big for summertime though. I love UL's double ridgline but I think my shoulders would hang out from under the darn thing. But your about the size of a bean pole anyway Kyle lol.

willky:
If you want to have a storm-proof tarp and not use a bivy, then I would recommend nothing smaller than 8x8. Since you're 6', like me, you want a tarp big enough so that your sleeping bag does not come in contact with the sides of the tarp during a rain event. If your bag does, then it will get soaked. My 9x9 tarp weighs 14.12 oz. and an 8x8 tarp will weigh around 11 oz. In contrast, my dual ridge tarp weighs 8.5 oz and my eVent bivy weighs 8.75 oz for a total of 17.25 oz. One other option that is widely used by UL hikers is the poncho tarp/bivy combo. My poncho weighs 6.5 oz and is roughly 5x8. The main advantage that you gain from this setup is that the poncho serves a dual purpose. You have both your rain gear and shelter in one piece of equipment. When you combine the poncho and bivy, your total weight is 15.25 oz. This will save you probably a pound or more if you carried regular rain gear. On the days where there is no threat of rain, then you have the option of using just your bivy. If, on the second night, let's say, there is a chance of rain, then you can use your poncho in combination with your bivy. This would be the best way to save many ounces, while still providing adequate storm protection. You just have to play around with the setups until you find the one that works best for you.
UL

TM,
Don't know if bean pole is a good thing or a bad thing...haha (or if it is still true)!

UL,
The only reservation I have about the poncho/tarp idea is that if it IS raining, I have to take my rain gear off to set up my shelter. Is this not very inconvenient?

Actually Kyle, I have seen and I belive I could do it with mine, set up my poncho tarp while wearing it. At least get it set up enough so that when I do have to come out of the hood part its at the least set up enough that I am still in the dry. Just kind of sit down on the ground and start peging the corners out where you want them then all thats left is the open end. Little more to it than that but you get the idea lol.

Just wanted to post this. I am thinking of making a new tarp following this pattern. Its from http://owareusa.com/index.html and I really like the thought of the different configs one could get from it.

https://i.servimg.com/u/f60/12/40/17/43/tarp2010.gif

Here you can see one setup. I think that the added setups is worth the few grams of extra weight of added tieouts.

TM:
My 9x9 flat tarp is very much like the one you pictured above. When I ordered it, I had him add the four extra tie-outs in the field of the tarp, like the one above. I also had him add a tie-out in the middle of the ridge line. With these additional tie-outs, I have almost unlimited versatility in how I set up the tarp. I also had him make it a square tarp instead of a rectangle (like an 8x10), so that if I pitched it in a diagonal setup, such as a Flying Diamond, then the sides equaled out.
Be sure to let us see pics of yours,
UL

willky:
Like TM said above, you can stake out your poncho while you still have it on. It does take some practice, but you can do it.
UL

UL,

Who made your tarp? Link if you have one?

OH

The guy that made my tarp works from his home. This is more of a hobby than an actual business. If you want his email address, please PM me and I'll be more than happy to send it to you. I'm not sure if he would want his email address made public. He does excellent work and I've been pleased with both tarps that he has made for me. He is the gentleman that made the dual-ridge tarp that Preacha mentioned above.
Here's a picture of the dual-ridge tarp that Preacha took at the tarp clinic back in August.

UL