Kelty Noah's tarp shelter

[dentalboy]

Anyone ever use one of these during a stormy, wet and cold, backpack-in-type hunt?  It looks like it save a lot of weight when compared to a tent, but I am wondering how well it functions.

[fair-chase]

Just picked up the 12x12 yesterday. The description of packed size was way overstated. I think they claimed 24" length by 5" round. I packed mine down to 10" length and 5" round with stakes and guyline rolled up inside. The material is a little bit stretchier than I was hoping for. Getting it tight enough to not flap in the wind puts a lot of strain on the seams but they seem to be pretty tough so I am not too worried about it right now. Spent several hours today trying different configurations. The list of ways this can be set up seems endless. I think it will be a good shelter for the money. Now I just have to take it out on the trail and see what kind of abuse it will take.

[huntnnw]

I am looking at buying one of these or a similar make

[fair-chase]

If you guys are leery of the 60 dollar price tag on the Kelty. Check out the Guide Gear Tarp. For all intensive purposes it is the same thing. Has basically the same tie out points and roughly the same fabric. The biggest difference is that it is a true rectangle and does not have the concave sides like the Kelty. I think you could make a good argument that that's one of the shortcomings of the Kelty is the concave sides. For around 20 bucks it might be worth checking out as well. Comes in different colors but currently Sportsmans Guide is sold out. Here's a link for the white version.

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=328267

[huntnnw]

nice! definitely check that out

[dreamingbig]

I have the guide gear tarp.  It will be combined with my 3 man tent to make a nice and cozy backcountry setup.  It will most likely be used as an extended vestibule for cooking under in th rain or a sitting area.

[Skyvalhunter]

A nice tarp that is durable and lightweight that can be made into a shelter is this one sold at REI.
http://www.rei.com/product/766383/outdoor-products-coated-tarp-95-x-8

[Chesapeake]

Hunting partner has the Kelty tarp. We use it for a goat shelter. Its just a poly coated nylon tarp.

We use the Black Diamond Mega-lights or Kifaru, TiGoat TP's for tents. They arent fancy but very light, and get the job done in some amazingly bad september weather.

I've seen a few folks camp in the tarps and they always have them pitched way low with the sides darn neer at the ground. They end up with a low and small pup tent that needs trees or the like to pitch. Its cramped, limited on locations, and most likely requires the use of a bivey to keep your bag dry.

I think a square tarp would better lend itself to the above mentioned pitch than the curved sides of a Noah's tarp would.

I think its great in concept, but for me the TP's are a better mousetrap. They are a tarp sewn into a shape that lends itself to being a tent. The next best thing would be an actual tent, but they are heavy.

Noah Tarp 12, 2#8oz, $70
Megalight 2#13oz(with pole), $200

[Armadillo]

whats the difference between these tarps and the green or blue tarps you get at the local hardware store for like ten bucks? weight?

[dreamingbig]

Yes, the weight.

[dentalboy]

Cheasapeake,
    Do you hunt with the goats too or leave them in camp while you hunt?

[Chesapeake]

For the most part leave them high lined in camp. They really arent polite at all. You couldnt sit and glass or put up a spotting scope without them bumping you, standing in front of you, or pissing or pooping just up hill of you, ect....

[Skyvalhunter]

whats the difference between these tarps and the green or blue tarps you get at the local hardware store for like ten bucks? weight?

For me the REI tard was 100 percent more durable, it was also very quiet. I used it also to cover my moose in AK to keep it dry.