We have larger diameter trees where I live in the PNW so I prefer longer guylines. My kit includes one 50 ft quick deploy ridgeline with several prusic knots and plastic toggles, two 20 ft lines, six 13 ft lines, and four 4 foot lines. I also use loop alien tensioners. This kit is perfect for my needs. I just added a 20 liter dry bag for my tarp based on the re ommendation here. Brilliant!
I love tensioners. Pull quick to taut and a fast breakdown next morning. Never experimented with size, always gone with 10x10. Just enough to cover tent and chair
I have 5 Aqua Quest tarps of different models and sizes. The Safari 10 x 13 is my favorite. A little more robust than the Guide series but not as overkill as the Defender series. I use bowline knots instead of slip knots. 9 ft guy out lines are what I like too, but I use much longer lines for the top two sides because trees here in the Pacific NW can be very large in diameter. Many times I use a solid ridge line with prusik loops and simple toggles. A dry bag to store everything in makes so much sense! Love that idea for the reasons you shared. Hope you and your family are safe with the effects of the hurricane!
I keep a tarp kit bag in my gear. It's some really old shoulder bag from some random business convention or something with a few compartments. It's literally something you'd find at a garage sale or goodwill or whatever. This kit is decked out with the tarp I use which has 4 x 9' guy lines attached to the corners , a handful of tent stakes, 4 x 6' long line bundles, a quick deploy ridgeline (credit: Dave Canterbury with Pathfinder school) , an extra length of bank line, a couple of carabiners, and a small fire kit (just in case). It's nice having a kit you can just grab and you know it's a shelter. I am a big fan of setting up a tarp with a continuous ridgeline.
Luke, I really like this channel, and you have made me spend more money in gear than you you can imagine, but I love them. I was hoping that in this video, you were going to show step by step how to set up the tarp, I struggle to do the setup with the poles when I don't have trees around.
I use a 10' x 10' Aqua Quest Defender &\or a 10' x 10' Bearhard tarp . For my guylines I'm thinking I'll follow your example and switch from 550 Paracord to Dynema cord , I already use the same type of tent stakes you do . I'll also replace my tarp stuff sacks with larger dry bags . Thanks for the great ideas .
Thanks for this video Luke. I’ve been hoping you’d make a video about this. Glad y’all are safe and made it through the storm. Hope lone wolf mountain has minimal damage.
I just got a 10 x 10 One Soldier tarp. I thought of a trick which I'm sure others have too. I tie a bowline in the tent stake end and attach the other end to the tarp with a tensioner. This way when it rains I can just reach out from under the tarp to adjust it without getting wet. It's kind of reversed from the usual way. I leave them attached to the tarp and hank them up
Completely agree. Tensioners close to the tarp to readjust saves you from going to the tree to untie and readjust. It only wastes time if you are going to repurpose a line to another area of the tarp or for something else. However that is what the extra line is for. Granted the Dyneema line won't stretch, but if it is a SilNylon tarp, IT willl stretch so you have to readjust the line anyway.
Hi luke, and the community. I love tarps I use a big on 4mx5m It work with most setup I use .. With my massif tent from naturehike on fall and spring. And also with my bug mesh tent also from naturehike... Choose after your rewiew... Cheap versatile even on beach for shade.... love my tarp ..
I have a Unigear 10 x 13 foot tarp, with Garden V telescopic poles. I have #42 tarred bank line to use with it. Thank you so much for making this video it answered my Messenger question I had for you yesterday. So, I will be adding 9 feet to my system and will be testing it out this weekend. Thank you for the big dry bag idea. I will be including my Niayafly 30L dry bag to this system. I already have a Ridgeline bag set up. Be well my friend.
3m²( 10' square) for me, as I am in a less rainy place and it's to provide shade in the daytime and protection from dew at night. Usually flown with all 4 corners above head height. However I also use an Australian military tarp known as a hootchie. It is about 2.8m x 1.9m (9' x 7'). They have snaps to join 2 or more together.
Thanks for putting this video together as well as all of your videos! All of them are informative and I appreciate the genuine and honest reviews as well as sharing your experiences. This place looks familiar… Jessup Mill?
I used to use tensioners with my 3m x 3m DD tarp. But I recently swapped to using Jungle Knots and toggles for my guylines after borrowing an idea from the UK Bushcrafter, Greencraft, and I've found the ease of setup and flexibility worth the wee bit extra weight. Currently that's being done with 550 paracord. But I like your point about dyneema cord, Luke, so will swap to that soon. Thanks for the tip.
I recently bought a 3x4 meter tarp on Temu for $26 (now $31), and after two uses, I'm very happy with it. It may not last, but it seems durable at this point. It has 19 tie outs, so it's very versatile. I've pitched it as a fully enclosed, A-frame tent and more as you've pitched the tarp in this video to cover a cot and bug net sleep system. I saw the A-frame pitch on youtube and wanted to try it. I haven't used it for camping. It feels too confined, but it seems to provide exceptional protection in wind and rain. The more conventional pitch provides far more ventilation and room to maneuver, and it seems to provide ample protection from the rain outside of a tropical storm.
Hey Luke I hope you and Susie are safe. I've never met you in person but I feel like I know you well enough to know you are probably busy helping those around you who need it. Just wanted you to know you all are in our prayers.
Stay safe, such devastation in the mountains. I used to live on the coast of NC.......I agree about tarp size. I got the AquaQuest 10 x 7, wish I had gotten the 10 x 13. Much more versatile.
Hope you and your family are safe. I don’t use tensioners, but I do use two hole pumpkin clamps. I run my cordage through one hole, through the tarp grommet, back through the other hole, and then tie a knot in the end to prevent it pulling out. Then I tie a 6 inch piece of 550 around the doubled cord on the tarp side of the clamp. The 550 cord prevents the clamp from slipping, but will not prevent retensioning as the tarp stretches out. As long as I remember to move the clamp close to the grommet when taking it down, I don’t get any excessive tangling, and it makes it very quick to set up, since I don’t have to get tension tight while anchoring. I just get it close, and then move the clamps for final tensioning. I have set it up in pouring rain and 30 mph winds in under 5 minutes. It usually takes less time than that, but it was hard ground and my stakes kept bending. Good tip on the tri-stakes. I will be searching them on Amazon now. Stay safe.
I know you normally stick to smaller tent reviews but PLEASE review the new One Tigris Jovian. Your reviews are the most thorough so I only trust you 😂
something ive never heard any of the hikers or knot people talk about is the handedness of knots. its kind of hard to visualize but the order in which you tie knots is the most important factor for them comming undone due to slippage. i learned this during my surgery and ob rotations in medical school while tieing sutures. most sutures are very slippery but you can prevent them coming undone from tension just by doing a right hand knot followed by a left hand knot, then usually i do atleast 2 more quick right handed knots. i know dynema is a big fancy name but i prefer the dupont aramid string (the brand name everyone knows is senzored on yt coments). it has much more abrasion resistance and less fatigue than dynema, you just have to worry about UV a bit more for long term sun exposure. it also has much less fatigue than dynema, the off shore oil rig industry uses a lot of dynema chain but has to throw it all out after a few months because it fatigues in a weird way like aluminium.
I use 9x9 and 10x10, wish I purchased 10x12. I also like my Aqua Quest 10x7. It's my back up in case someone steals my tent from my campsite. I used the Aqua Quest twice when I arrived late and had to leave early, in a Holden tarp tent style. My cordage is 2.5mm, 270lb load from Paracord Plant.
Search UA-cam for the 'truckers' hitch knot' and 'two half hitches'. One ties the rope ro itself after being wrapped round the tree, and the first is a good tensioning knot. You can also do the taught line hitch which is easier but I prefer the truckers hitch as when you pull to tighten it the knot pulls towards the tree where as the taught line hitch moves towards the tarp for tension, not great if space is tight
Always carry and ultralight 2.9m x 3.0m tarp, several colour variants and these are all from DD Tarps. Also have some larger ones I use from time to time and an usual one that is a winged tarp
I own 2 AquaQuest tarps and I love them. One is a HD 12 x 16 ( forget the model name) I use for car camping - in fact I just got back from using it for 5 days up in northern Ontario crown land camping. It's in its 5th year and stands up to everything. My 2nd is the 10 x 10 defender. I use it for canoe camping. All my lines are attached. I can string it up in a minutes. I do however like your idea of the 10 x 13 after watching this - ay have to add a tarp to the collection. Thanks!
For car camping I use a 10x13 AquaQuest Safari (King Camo). Tarp is fantastic, my setups are not. Takes me a long time to get a ridgeline, poles and guy lines setup. I think I'm one of those who overly complicates it. I do use tensioners and my lines are 13' each. Ridgeline is about 30' and I use carabiners to clip the tarp to it. Sometimes I use a tautline hitch and sometimes a Niteize figure 9. I don't setup tarps frequently enough to get good at it.
(In keeping with the subject matter of the video)… I think the best tarp size is entirely dependent upon its intended use. But if I could carry only one, it would be a 10x10. That’s large enough to accommodate most situations without being too big or cumbersome to deploy in adverse and windy conditions. I do like your suggestion of using a dry bag to carry the tarp. But I differ in your thoughts on tensioners. I’d say if you forego tensioners on your guylines, you’d best know how to tie a tensioning knot on one end of each of them. As you say, many times speed is of the essence when deploying a tarp. So to not be able to quickly re-tension your lines as weather conditions (and tarp fabrics) change- you’re not really tarping “like a pro”.
I usually use a basha (about 2×1.8 meters - 6ish by 5ish ft), stakes and bungees. Or I use 3x3 or 3.5x3.5 meter tarp. I do use some paracord but usually only on two corners. Doesn't matter if I'm ground or tree dwelling (I hang as low as I can - especially after one badger incident..).
IMO, tensioners (like lineloc 3's) absolutely save time without complicating things. Don't substitute them for knowing proper knots. Everyone needs to find the setup that works for them. There are lots of other videos out there with different methods that might work better for some people.
I now use a 15x15 defender 😊 mostly as a tri pyramid tent , also have a 10x10 tarp , and I must agree, the tarp is the first thing up and running in camp , cordage as an old timer said , two pieces of small rope wrap around the edges of your tarp , then a piece in each corner that runs to the opposite corner , that way when you roll up your tarp the cords are ready to deploy for most occasions. . . . Don't think I would use dry bag to store food in , then stuff your tarp in , wouldn't your tarp smell like food afterwards ?
Hi Luke, I love your channel after hearing about your dyneema cordage I did some research and it seems that people say it’s too slippery to hold simple knots. I value your opinions on camping gear and was curious. Am I researching the wrong cordage
It depends on the type of Dyneema you are referring to. Zing It, Amsteel, or similar brands of Dyneema cord are polyurethane coated to BE slippery. Forestry workers use it to climb trees and they need it that way to glide over branches so they can smoothly hoist gear to use to manage trees (Cut down limbs, etc.). On the other hand, the cordage Luke showed was Sheathed Dyneema line, such as paracord is, (Dyneema inner core with a Nylon/Polyester woven sheath as is Lawson Ironwire), that has a moderate abrasion level that Can hold knots well. I own both types and the Lawson cordage is the one you want for tent and tarp guylines.
I thought you were going to talk about strategy - where and how to set up depending on the incoming weather, etc. But I guess you're basically a product guy, so fair enough.
my fav tarp`size is 4.5x4.5m (sorry, no imperial measures here) and the cordage of my choice is paracord 350, much more compact and even less stretchy than paracord 550.
I like the video but i’d like to reiterate on my last request of multiple set ups for the 13 x 20 Aqua quest tarp. I have 2 set ups like yours but what about turning it into a tent?
All good from east Kentucky. Hope the flooding hasn't impacted you to severely. Terrible. Hel[ping what we can. A tarp comes in handy at food distribution centers. I always carry mine in the woods. it's as important at times to stay out of the sun as it is to stay dry. Same size same tarp. Cordage much the same. I need to get me some of those poles. Generally cut some limbs where I go. Next time
I am sure the Aquaquest tarps are durable. But I believe there are similarly durable tarps out there, such as the Texas Bushcraft, Bushmen, and the Sarma TST ones sold on Varusteleka's site. I have both an Safari from AQ and the Sarma and the tie outs on the Sarma are WAY burlier than the ribbon used on the Safari. I know that AQ is trying to save weight on the Safari/Guide by using the ribbon, however after seeing the Sarma tie out material (Think molle-like webbing or burly seat belt nylon), I wish AQ went back to using that instead.
@@Xeno-M.Definitely some trade-offs made on the Aquaquest Guide tarps. The Defender series, omg I bet they could withstand a hailstorm! All a trade, it has to be strong enough for what you need. I actually have one of each, just depends on what I think I'll need.
I guess we are all wondering how you & Susie are after this horrible tragedy. Please just post a short video to let us know you are safe. I am missing your treks into the wild. I am guessing you will be delayed for some time due to all the destruction. Stay safe. Faithful viewer here.
Hi Luke, i like to use 10x10 tarp, also i use ridgeline - it helps with stability (no sagging in the middle in damp conditions) and i can hang gear or a light on it. I noticed that You don't. Is that because it's faster without it or some other reason?
Was hoping you would go over knots. Man I suck at them. I've got an app, Ive watched videos and the only thing I can do is a slip knot to the tarp itself and just get sloppy tying off to trees. I have a set of the same poles too which I use slipknots on but for typing off to stakes, I get sloppy again. Slip knots on both ends just don't work out from my experience.
@lookwhaticando447… There are some really good (practical and easy to follow) knot tying tutorials on UA-cam. Dave Canterbury has some good ones. Something else I would recommend is a small Knot Tying Kit. They’re inexpensive and available on Amazon. The one I bought comes with small laminated cards that illustrate the steps to follow and the kit covers all the basic but useful knots to get you started. The key is to practice, practice, practice so you develop a muscle memory for each knot. You can practice while sitting in a chair watching TV. to build the muscle memory. But I can tell you from experience there is absolutely NO substitute for practical application in real life scenarios. Because everything looks and feels different when tying around objects of different heights, sizes, angles etc. Hope this helps. And don’t give up. You’ll get the hang of it with patience and diligence.
You may want to research mechanical fasteners if you really can't tie "not so simple" simple knots, such as the fasteners from Dutchware Gear, Nite Ize, or just use small carabiners. However learning a few knots such as the Larks Head, Half/Slippery Half Hitch (Super Simple), or Bowline (more complicated) are very valuable for many uses other than tarps. So I would suggest hardware until you master the knots.
3x3 DD Hammock ultralight tarp All guys have a carabiner attached for very fast deployment One very long ridge guy and 6 short guys Origami at its best Or A poncho as a tarp
No need for a drybag for tarps in my opinion. I'm using a 10x10 tarp, but it always stays OUTSIDE my bag. So even if it's wet, it can dry off a little and will not leak on my dry things. I also prefer leaving my cordage on my tarp, but rolled in figure 8, so I can easily deploy them when hanging the tarp. I'm also using bowline knot to attach the cords instead of a slip knot. It works fine
Hope you guys are staying safe down there! Give us an update when you can.
Hi Luke! May you and Susie be well and safe!! Strength and honor my brother!!❤️💯👍🏿
We have larger diameter trees where I live in the PNW so I prefer longer guylines. My kit includes one 50 ft quick deploy ridgeline with several prusic knots and plastic toggles, two 20 ft lines, six 13 ft lines, and four 4 foot lines. I also use loop alien tensioners. This kit is perfect for my needs.
I just added a 20 liter dry bag for my tarp based on the re ommendation here. Brilliant!
I love tensioners. Pull quick to taut and a fast breakdown next morning. Never experimented with size, always gone with 10x10. Just enough to cover tent and chair
I have learned more here than any where else thanks Luke
I’ve waited for this video for a WHILE. Ever since you’re last tarp instructional video
I have 5 Aqua Quest tarps of different models and sizes. The Safari 10 x 13 is my favorite. A little more robust than the Guide series but not as overkill as the Defender series.
I use bowline knots instead of slip knots. 9 ft guy out lines are what I like too, but I use much longer lines for the top two sides because trees here in the Pacific NW can be very large in diameter. Many times I use a solid ridge line with prusik loops and simple toggles.
A dry bag to store everything in makes so much sense! Love that idea for the reasons you shared. Hope you and your family are safe with the effects of the hurricane!
Luke I hope you guys are safe up there . Love the show
I hope you and your family are safe and have the supplies you need. My heart and Prayers are with you all. Strength and Honor brother.
Stay strong!
You always have such GREAT reasoning behind what you do! Like I said, you should have some in-person meet-ups and adventures! They would be amazing!
I keep a tarp kit bag in my gear. It's some really old shoulder bag from some random business convention or something with a few compartments. It's literally something you'd find at a garage sale or goodwill or whatever. This kit is decked out with the tarp I use which has 4 x 9' guy lines attached to the corners , a handful of tent stakes, 4 x 6' long line bundles, a quick deploy ridgeline (credit: Dave Canterbury with Pathfinder school) , an extra length of bank line, a couple of carabiners, and a small fire kit (just in case). It's nice having a kit you can just grab and you know it's a shelter. I am a big fan of setting up a tarp with a continuous ridgeline.
Thanks for giving beginners (like me) a good piece of advice on what to do.
Also hope that you and your family are doing ok.
Thank you for showing your tarp setup. Great tips to help keep simple.
I've used bungees in my system for years. It's simple and maintains tension in the tarp as it moves and stretches.
I'm sitting under my Aquaquest 10 x 12 Safari.
Used it through last winter too.
A good company from B. C. Cananindia.
Thank you for a basic but important aspect of outdoor activities.
I have been stressing hoping you and your family are safe glad to at least see a video post hope all is well.
Luke, I really like this channel, and you have made me spend more money in gear than you you can imagine, but I love them. I was hoping that in this video, you were going to show step by step how to set up the tarp, I struggle to do the setup with the poles when I don't have trees around.
I use a 10' x 10' Aqua Quest Defender &\or a 10' x 10' Bearhard tarp . For my guylines I'm thinking I'll follow your example and switch from 550 Paracord to Dynema cord , I already use the same type of tent stakes you do . I'll also replace my tarp stuff sacks with larger dry bags . Thanks for the great ideas .
Excellent video! Thank you for the information. I always learn things when watching your content. Hope you guys are well.
Thanks for this video Luke. I’ve been hoping you’d make a video about this.
Glad y’all are safe and made it through the storm. Hope lone wolf mountain has minimal damage.
I just got a 10 x 10 One Soldier tarp. I thought of a trick which I'm sure others have too. I tie a bowline in the tent stake end and attach the other end to the tarp with a tensioner. This way when it rains I can just reach out from under the tarp to adjust it without getting wet. It's kind of reversed from the usual way. I leave them attached to the tarp and hank them up
Completely agree. Tensioners close to the tarp to readjust saves you from going to the tree to untie and readjust. It only wastes time if
you are going to repurpose a line to another area of the tarp or for something else. However that is what the extra line is for. Granted the
Dyneema line won't stretch, but if it is a SilNylon tarp, IT willl stretch so you have to readjust the line anyway.
Hi luke, and the community.
I love tarps I use a big on 4mx5m
It work with most setup I use ..
With my massif tent from naturehike on fall and spring.
And also with my bug mesh tent also from naturehike...
Choose after your rewiew...
Cheap versatile even on beach for shade.... love my tarp
..
How are you and the fam doing since the hurricane?
Thanks!
Hoping this can help you out my brother Luke
Stay safe man, hope everything is as good as can be expected on the coast.
My prayers are with you guys stay safe. As you say strength and honor
I have a Unigear 10 x 13 foot tarp, with Garden V telescopic poles. I have #42 tarred bank line to use with it. Thank you so much for making this video it answered my Messenger question I had for you yesterday. So, I will be adding 9 feet to my system and will be testing it out this weekend. Thank you for the big dry bag idea. I will be including my Niayafly 30L dry bag to this system. I already have a Ridgeline bag set up.
Be well my friend.
The most important thing you said in this video was "Keep it simple." If things ever get dicey, you don't have time to think, you just have to do.
Occums Razor rules!
3m²( 10' square) for me, as I am in a less rainy place and it's to provide shade in the daytime and protection from dew at night.
Usually flown with all 4 corners above head height.
However I also use an Australian military tarp known as a hootchie. It is about 2.8m x 1.9m (9' x 7').
They have snaps to join 2 or more together.
great tip on the size and length of the cord. I need to add two for the center of my Aquaquest I'm using parachute cord might not be the best choice.
Thanks for putting this video together as well as all of your videos! All of them are informative and I appreciate the genuine and honest reviews as well as sharing your experiences. This place looks familiar… Jessup Mill?
I used to use tensioners with my 3m x 3m DD tarp. But I recently swapped to using Jungle Knots and toggles for my guylines after borrowing an idea from the UK Bushcrafter, Greencraft, and I've found the ease of setup and flexibility worth the wee bit extra weight.
Currently that's being done with 550 paracord. But I like your point about dyneema cord, Luke, so will swap to that soon. Thanks for the tip.
I recently bought a 3x4 meter tarp on Temu for $26 (now $31), and after two uses, I'm very happy with it. It may not last, but it seems durable at this point. It has 19 tie outs, so it's very versatile. I've pitched it as a fully enclosed, A-frame tent and more as you've pitched the tarp in this video to cover a cot and bug net sleep system. I saw the A-frame pitch on youtube and wanted to try it. I haven't used it for camping. It feels too confined, but it seems to provide exceptional protection in wind and rain. The more conventional pitch provides far more ventilation and room to maneuver, and it seems to provide ample protection from the rain outside of a tropical storm.
Hey Luke I hope you and Susie are safe. I've never met you in person but I feel like I know you well enough to know you are probably busy helping those around you who need it. Just wanted you to know you all are in our prayers.
Stongest is a tape used for hamocks.
VERY Helpful!!!
Thank you!!
Ive been trying to figure a helpful size of tarp. Thank you for suggesting 10 x 13
Stay safe, such devastation in the mountains. I used to live on the coast of NC.......I agree about tarp size. I got the AquaQuest 10 x 7, wish I had gotten the 10 x 13. Much more versatile.
Hope you and your family are safe.
I don’t use tensioners, but I do use two hole pumpkin clamps. I run my cordage through one hole, through the tarp grommet, back through the other hole, and then tie a knot in the end to prevent it pulling out. Then I tie a 6 inch piece of 550 around the doubled cord on the tarp side of the clamp.
The 550 cord prevents the clamp from slipping, but will not prevent retensioning as the tarp stretches out.
As long as I remember to move the clamp close to the grommet when taking it down, I don’t get any excessive tangling, and it makes it very quick to set up, since I don’t have to get tension tight while anchoring.
I just get it close, and then move the clamps for final tensioning. I have set it up in pouring rain and 30 mph winds in under 5 minutes. It usually takes less time than that, but it was hard ground and my stakes kept bending.
Good tip on the tri-stakes. I will be searching them on Amazon now.
Stay safe.
Very helpful video ! Thanks ! 👍👍👍🇨🇱😊
I know you normally stick to smaller tent reviews but PLEASE review the new One Tigris Jovian. Your reviews are the most thorough so I only trust you 😂
something ive never heard any of the hikers or knot people talk about is the handedness of knots. its kind of hard to visualize but the order in which you tie knots is the most important factor for them comming undone due to slippage. i learned this during my surgery and ob rotations in medical school while tieing sutures. most sutures are very slippery but you can prevent them coming undone from tension just by doing a right hand knot followed by a left hand knot, then usually i do atleast 2 more quick right handed knots. i know dynema is a big fancy name but i prefer the dupont aramid string (the brand name everyone knows is senzored on yt coments). it has much more abrasion resistance and less fatigue than dynema, you just have to worry about UV a bit more for long term sun exposure. it also has much less fatigue than dynema, the off shore oil rig industry uses a lot of dynema chain but has to throw it all out after a few months because it fatigues in a weird way like aluminium.
I use 9x9 and 10x10, wish I purchased 10x12. I also like my Aqua Quest 10x7. It's my back up in case someone steals my tent from my campsite. I used the Aqua Quest twice when I arrived late and had to leave early, in a Holden tarp tent style. My cordage is 2.5mm, 270lb load from Paracord Plant.
If you need paracord, Paracord Planet and Atwood Rope are unbeatable for their variety.
How are you doing? Would love an update.
He has posted an update on the Facebook page, just in case you want to read it.
I'm sure Luke took advantage of this humongous rain event and did some great testing and hiking
Great video and information, Luke. Thanks! 👍
Hope everyone and everything is ok up there! The video was just loaded with great tips and advice!
Hey the watch is back.👍
Nice! I’ve been hoping you would do a tarp setup video!
Hi Luke, I had asked you to show(step by step) how you tie your tarp to the tree’s?
Thank you.
Also can you again mention the cordage ! Thanks
He put an Amazon link to the cordage in the video description.
Search UA-cam for the 'truckers' hitch knot' and 'two half hitches'.
One ties the rope ro itself after being wrapped round the tree, and the first is a good tensioning knot.
You can also do the taught line hitch which is easier but I prefer the truckers hitch as when you pull to tighten it the knot pulls towards the tree where as the taught line hitch moves towards the tarp for tension, not great if space is tight
Always carry and ultralight 2.9m x 3.0m tarp, several colour variants and these are all from DD Tarps. Also have some larger ones I use from time to time and an usual one that is a winged tarp
I needed this!
Hope you guys are doing well please give us an update 🤞🏻
I own 2 AquaQuest tarps and I love them. One is a HD 12 x 16 ( forget the model name) I use for car camping - in fact I just got back from using it for 5 days up in northern Ontario crown land camping. It's in its 5th year and stands up to everything. My 2nd is the 10 x 10 defender. I use it for canoe camping. All my lines are attached. I can string it up in a minutes. I do however like your idea of the 10 x 13 after watching this - ay have to add a tarp to the collection. Thanks!
Thanks…my method is rewatching the wisdom of you methods
I did learn stuff here but I thought you were going to show actual tarp set up techniques. Oh well. Stay safe out there!
I like a 10x10. This size works well for me personally.
For car camping I use a 10x13 AquaQuest Safari (King Camo). Tarp is fantastic, my setups are not. Takes me a long time to get a ridgeline, poles and guy lines setup. I think I'm one of those who overly complicates it. I do use tensioners and my lines are 13' each. Ridgeline is about 30' and I use carabiners to clip the tarp to it. Sometimes I use a tautline hitch and sometimes a Niteize figure 9. I don't setup tarps frequently enough to get good at it.
Will pray for all the people suffering from hurricane and hoping they get as much relief as possible under the circumstances.
Hope you guys are well. Thinking of you all ❤
(In keeping with the subject matter of the video)… I think the best tarp size is entirely dependent upon its intended use. But if I could carry only one, it would be a 10x10. That’s large enough to accommodate most situations without being too big or cumbersome to deploy in adverse and windy conditions. I do like your suggestion of using a dry bag to carry the tarp. But I differ in your thoughts on tensioners. I’d say if you forego tensioners on your guylines, you’d best know how to tie a tensioning knot on one end of each of them. As you say, many times speed is of the essence when deploying a tarp. So to not be able to quickly re-tension your lines as weather conditions (and tarp fabrics) change- you’re not really tarping “like a pro”.
Just noticed you have now removed “Like A PRO” from your thumbnail header. (?)
That seems to be what most recommend and is what is in my bugout bag. Not too big, not too small.
Yep, I wholly agree. 10x10 just seems a good universal fit for most situations. And I am more a fan of square vs. rectangular.
LOTS of good info 🏕 👍
prayers that you & yours are safe & doing ok 🙏💒
I hope you are safe. I've been seeing pictures and video's, it looks like you guys have gone thru hell.
I usually use a basha (about 2×1.8 meters - 6ish by 5ish ft), stakes and bungees. Or I use 3x3 or 3.5x3.5 meter tarp. I do use some paracord but usually only on two corners. Doesn't matter if I'm ground or tree dwelling (I hang as low as I can - especially after one badger incident..).
It's a good method.
Great tips thank you
Tensioners are 100% your friend. Tensioners and a small carabiner are as easy as it gets.
Plus 1 on tensioners
What bag do you use for your cordage bag? Thanks! Great video!
I used the Satinior line tensioners... they ripped my line to shreds after a few uses
IMO, tensioners (like lineloc 3's) absolutely save time without complicating things. Don't substitute them for knowing proper knots. Everyone needs to find the setup that works for them. There are lots of other videos out there with different methods that might work better for some people.
Do you ever use toggles?
Sending best wishes
I now use a 15x15 defender 😊 mostly as a tri pyramid tent , also have a 10x10 tarp , and I must agree, the tarp is the first thing up and running in camp , cordage as an old timer said , two pieces of small rope wrap around the edges of your tarp , then a piece in each corner that runs to the opposite corner , that way when you roll up your tarp the cords are ready to deploy for most occasions. . . . Don't think I would use dry bag to store food in , then stuff your tarp in , wouldn't your tarp smell like food afterwards ?
How cold outside can you use a tarp? How do you pitch it in cold windy weather?
Hi Luke, I love your channel after hearing about your dyneema cordage I did some research and it seems that people say it’s too slippery to hold simple knots. I value your opinions on camping gear and was curious. Am I researching the wrong cordage
It depends on the type of Dyneema you are referring to. Zing It, Amsteel, or similar brands of Dyneema cord are polyurethane coated to BE slippery. Forestry workers use it to climb trees and they need it that way to glide over branches so they can smoothly hoist gear to
use to manage trees (Cut down limbs, etc.). On the other hand, the cordage Luke showed was Sheathed Dyneema line, such as paracord is, (Dyneema inner core with a Nylon/Polyester woven sheath as is Lawson Ironwire), that has a moderate abrasion level that
Can hold knots well. I own both types and the Lawson cordage is the one you want for tent and tarp guylines.
I thought you were going to talk about strategy - where and how to set up depending on the incoming weather, etc. But I guess you're basically a product guy, so fair enough.
Hi Luke great video! How do you feel about using Atwood micro cord for a ridgeline and guylines?
Is there a link for the Green Elephant poles?
Are you OK? What about your little RV trailer, did it survive the hurricane? I wish you and yours well, and I hope everything is well.😊
I carry dri bags in my pack , but never thought to use them as a tarp bag . Hope you are well amongst all the destruction.
my fav tarp`size is 4.5x4.5m (sorry, no imperial measures here) and the cordage of my choice is paracord 350, much more compact and even less stretchy than paracord 550.
I like the video but i’d like to reiterate on my last request of multiple set ups for the 13 x 20 Aqua quest tarp. I have 2 set ups like yours but what about turning it into a tent?
All good from east Kentucky. Hope the flooding hasn't impacted you to severely. Terrible. Hel[ping what we can. A tarp comes in handy at food distribution centers. I always carry mine in the woods. it's as important at times to stay out of the sun as it is to stay dry. Same size same tarp. Cordage much the same. I need to get me some of those poles. Generally cut some limbs where I go. Next time
How did you get an internet connection in the storm. It looked bad around your home.
I carry the 15x15 aqua quest Safari
Do you stuff it in a bag or do you fold it?
Any advise Luke about the best tent for a tour in africa ?
I use my DD tarp works great off the back of my OllllllllO when camping or when I need it
My Tarpaulin was usually a 12 Foot by 12 Foot, light oiled Canvas.
The weakest Aquaquest is stronger and more waterproof than most tents of any make, or any other tarp.
I am sure the Aquaquest tarps are durable. But I believe there are similarly durable tarps out there, such as the Texas Bushcraft, Bushmen, and the Sarma TST ones sold on Varusteleka's site. I have both an Safari from AQ and the Sarma and the tie outs on the
Sarma are WAY burlier than the ribbon used on the Safari. I know that AQ is trying to save weight on the Safari/Guide by using the ribbon, however after seeing the Sarma tie out material (Think molle-like webbing or burly seat belt nylon), I wish AQ went back to using
that instead.
@@Xeno-M.Definitely some trade-offs made on the Aquaquest Guide tarps. The Defender series, omg I bet they could withstand a hailstorm! All a trade, it has to be strong enough for what you need. I actually have one of each, just depends on what I think I'll need.
I guess we are all wondering how you & Susie are after this horrible tragedy. Please just post a short video to let us know you are safe. I am missing your treks into the wild. I am guessing you will be delayed for some time due to all the destruction. Stay safe.
Faithful viewer here.
Show your knots for tarps sometime - please!!!!
Sorry been under the weather but could use this to collect water in an emergency
Hi Luke, i like to use 10x10 tarp, also i use ridgeline - it helps with stability (no sagging in the middle in damp conditions) and i can hang gear or a light on it. I noticed that You don't. Is that because it's faster without it or some other reason?
Was hoping you would go over knots. Man I suck at them. I've got an app, Ive watched videos and the only thing I can do is a slip knot to the tarp itself and just get sloppy tying off to trees. I have a set of the same poles too which I use slipknots on but for typing off to stakes, I get sloppy again. Slip knots on both ends just don't work out from my experience.
@lookwhaticando447… There are some really good (practical and easy to follow) knot tying tutorials on UA-cam. Dave Canterbury has some good ones. Something else I would recommend is a small Knot Tying Kit. They’re inexpensive and available on Amazon. The one I bought comes with small laminated cards that illustrate the steps to follow and the kit covers all the basic but useful knots to get you started. The key is to practice, practice, practice so you develop a muscle memory for each knot. You can practice while sitting in a chair watching TV. to build the muscle memory. But I can tell you from experience there is absolutely NO substitute for practical application in real life scenarios. Because everything looks and feels different when tying around objects of different heights, sizes, angles etc. Hope this helps. And don’t give up. You’ll get the hang of it with patience and diligence.
You may want to research mechanical fasteners if you really can't tie "not so simple" simple knots, such as the fasteners from Dutchware Gear, Nite Ize, or just use small carabiners. However learning a few knots such as the Larks Head, Half/Slippery Half Hitch (Super Simple), or Bowline (more complicated) are very valuable for many uses other than tarps. So I would suggest hardware until you
master the knots.
3x3 DD Hammock ultralight tarp
All guys have a carabiner attached for very fast deployment
One very long ridge guy and 6 short guys
Origami at its best
Or
A poncho as a tarp
Luke could we see how Susie goes about setting up a tarp and why or why she may use one ßnd what tents she likes
Where is the small bag from?
No need for a drybag for tarps in my opinion. I'm using a 10x10 tarp, but it always stays OUTSIDE my bag. So even if it's wet, it can dry off a little and will not leak on my dry things. I also prefer leaving my cordage on my tarp, but rolled in figure 8, so I can easily deploy them when hanging the tarp. I'm also using bowline knot to attach the cords instead of a slip knot. It works fine
I always enjoy your videos Including this one. But I knew you wouldn't tell us much about knots.