I was thinking of buying a Kelty Noah's tarp and was wondering if any AA'ers have used one and how did they like it. It looks like to me if it would get wet enough from downpour that it would start seeping through.

I must be old school!! What's with all these fancy named tarps????
Go to Canadian Tire and buy a 9 x 12 tarp for under $10.....I bought 2 of them this past winter on sale for under $5. Larger sizes as well but a wee
bit more. Bah humbug on fancy named tarps!!! LOL


Bo

I'd stick with Bo's solution. Recommend by his spirits perhaps

I'm not familiar with this product. Not sure why you think rain would seep through. Pretty crappy tarp if it does. Gone are the days of "Don't touch the canvas!"

I'm on the other side of the tarp fence as Bo. A good quality tarp will last decades. I've been using one of Zeb's tarps for 20 years, and I'm mean to gear. It just started to leak last year. That is, leak beyond the point of reasonable repair. It's still good for around the firepit/kitchen.

My tarp is the MEC Guide's Tarp. 10'x12' and never leaks, well never since I seam sealed the centre point.

When you buy a tarp, get a tube of seam seal. Stitched through points will likely have some leakage. Goop 'em up before you go, just to be safe.

A good quallity tarp will weigh less and is easier to work with than CT plastic. Get one with a centre line tie point on both sides. That way you can hang a light or a daisy chain to keep gear off the ground.

I haven't slept in a tent for three years, only one exception and it was winter. Only once did I get wet, that whole seam seal centre point issue.

Preacher wrote: "Gone are the days of "Don't touch the canvas!"

hehehe...Ron James....LOL



I remember seeing "fancy" tarps at Tent City. A para-wing of some variety. Sorry, it's been a few years....details left my memory long-ago.

The thing I don't like about the cheap "blue" tarps is that we have had a few, and they can develop an unbelievable stink. They were in fine shape, but the stench...ack.

And you can't use a car-wash broom to clean them....trust me.

Had to spend some time under orange ones, under the blazing sun, in an open field, once years ago. Holy sauna, Batman!!!!



Barbara

You also might want to check out the Chinook Tarps- very much like the MEC guide tarp. I think the largest is 14x16. They are far less expensive than kelty and MEC. Although I haven't bought one yet- I have found Chinook gear to be quite good and durable.

The Muskoka Paddle shack has the chinook tarps in stock (I think the largest is $63). I also know they have them at Adventure Outfitters in Lakefield (pricing a little bit less than the Paddle Shack).

If you get one, let us know what you think!!

Doesn't look like a bad tarp but seems a little small. For the money I'd go with the guide tarp from MEC, not the best in the world but certainly good quality and as preacher said my first one has lasted a long time.

I had a friend bring along a Kelty Noah's tarp last year. It DOES look flimsy, slightly transparant, but we had no issues with leaks, and it's extraordinarily light and compact.

Karior

I own one of the Kelty tarps and have found it to be pretty good. The odd shape actually gives you some interesting setup options.

This last weekend in the Park we were in the Cannsibay campground and on Saturday with all the heavy rain noticed that it was weeping though the fabric!! Definately not the seams as they have been sealed. I was a little suprised to see this as I had not noted this before.

Not a lot of water but enough to get wet from if you were stationary under the tarp for any length of time.