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Reviews > Shelters > Tarps and Bivys > Integral Designs Siltarp 1 > Owner Review by Theresa Lawrence

INTEGRAL DESIGNS SILTARP 1 TARP
By Theresa Lawrence
OWNER REVIEW

November 01, 2012

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME: Theresa Lawrence
EMAIL: theresa_newell AT yahoo DOT com
AGE: 35
LOCATION: Sparwood, British Columbia, Canada
GENDER: F
HEIGHT: 5' 8" (1.73 m)
WEIGHT: 125 lb (56.70 kg)

I have more than 15 years of backpacking experience. Day hikes and 2-3 day backpacking trips take place on most weekends throughout the year while longer trips are only occasional. I backpack predominantly in mountain terrain (Coast Range, Cascades and Canadian Rockies) with the goal of summiting peaks. Activities I use my gear with include mountaineering, ski touring, rock climbing, kayaking, biking, trail running, Search and Rescue and overseas travel. I like my gear to be reasonably light, convenient and simple to use though I would not claim to be a lightweight hiker.

Product Information

IMAGE 1
Courtesy of Integral Designs
Manufacturer: Integral Designs
Year of Manufacture: 2011
Manufacturer's Website: http://integraldesigns.com
MSRP: 70 US$
Listed Weight: 218 g (8 oz), without stuff sack: 198 g (7 oz)
Measured Weight: 295 g (10.4 oz) with 4 cords I attached
Dimensions: 152 x 221 cm (60 x 87 in)
Packed size: 15 x 8 cm (5.9 x 3.1 in)
Colour: yellow, olive, grey (reviewed)
Made In: Canada
Warranty: replace or repair manufacturer defects

The Integral Designs Siltarp 1 is a one person tarp intended for fast and light adventures. The tarp is made from ultralight silicone impregnated 30D ripstop Cordura nylon, which is meant to be fully waterproof and extremely strong and versatile. There are lightweight webbing loops on each corner and 3 additional ones on each side evenly spaced and one in the center of the tarp. All sorts of setup positions can be arranged with the use of trekking poles, trees and cord. The tarp comes with a stuff sack with a mesh bottom to allow for drainage and drying.

Field Use

FIELD CONDITIONS: I have had this tarp for about a year and have used it to keep out wind, rain and snow on several overnight backpacking trips. I believe I've set up this tarp at least 10 times over the past year and have packed it around for 'just in case' in my overnight pack, day-pack and search and rescue ready-pack for potential emergencies. This tarp has seen temperatures as low as -10 C (14 F) and high force winds and rains in the South Canadian Rockies. IMAGE 2 IMAGE 3 IMAGE 4













SET UP: This tarp is quick and easy to pack, unpack and set up. I keep 4 light cords of varying lengths attached to the 4 corners so that it is ready to tie down to trees or rocks. Even with the cords attached, the tarp still fits into its stuff sack and feels light. This way I don't forget the cord, avoiding a tarp disaster, or keep me from having to be extra creative in that endeavor. Having the cords attached makes the set up very quick. I usually try to tie two ends to trees and the other two ends to rocks on the ground and my trekking poles for the middle - works great.

PERFORMANCE: My tent has a fly, so I don't really worry about it getting wet. I use the tarp for cooking and relaxing. Under a rainy and windy downpour, I am able to stay dry and stay outside comfortably. The water beads and rolls off reliably never failing to keep me dry. As you can see I have used the tarp in very cold weather to cover my snow trench, which was my cooking and sitting area. It kept the wind and snow out of the trench making it quite pleasant and warm, my favourite winter camp set up.

IMAGE 5 DURABILITY: This tarp has stood up to all kinds of ill weather and still looks new. All the webbing loops are intact as is the whole tarp and continues to endure rain, snow and wind without compromise.

Summary

The Integral Designs Siltarp 1 tarp has proved to be a versatile, durable and reliable tarp for use in all kinds of ill weather from high winds to rain and snow. I absolutely love this tarp, it is easy to set up and light enough to pack in not only my overnight pack, but also my day-pack and search and rescue ready-pack to have in case of emergencies. I recommend this tarp for a quick and easy cooking and living shelter.

PROS
- Lightweight, easy to pack
- Durable and strong
- Reliably waterproof

CONS
- Nothing!

This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.5 Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

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Reviews > Shelters > Tarps and Bivys > Integral Designs Siltarp 1 > Owner Review by Theresa Lawrence



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