Owner Review:
Oware 8 X 10 Flat Silnylon Tarp

Year of Manufacture: 2000 (tarp is now 4 years old)
Fabric: Silnylon is 1.1 oz/sq yd (37 g/sq m) ripstop nylon that has been impregnated with silicone. The finished weight is 1.3 oz/sq yd (44 g/sq m). The material is completely waterproof and quite strong.
Listed Weight: 15.5 oz (439 g)
Measured Weight: 15.6 oz (442 g)
Total Weight With Guylines, Stakes, and Stuff Sack: 18.9 oz (536 g); guylines, stakes, and stuff sack were not provided by manufacturer when we purchased our tarp in 2000; the current tarp includes 50 ft (15.2 m) of cord for guylines and a stuff sack.
MSRP: $102 US (current price)

Product Description
The current Oware 8 ft x 10 ft (2.4 m x 3 m) flat silnylon tarp is essentially unchanged from the one we purchased in 2000. This tarp has no beaks, darts, gussets, or other stitching that would make it three dimensional; it is simply a flat rectangular tarp. This size is appropriate for 2-3 people. The actual size of our tarp is 7 ft 10.5 in x 10 ft 7 in (2.4 m x 3.2 m). It has a total of 16 tieouts (one on each end at the ridgeline, five on each side, four on the top). The number and placement of the tieouts enable the tarp to be pitched in a variety of configurations, making the tarp very adaptable to different sites and weather. The current tarp comes with 50 ft (15.2 m) of lightweight cord for tieouts plus a stuff sack.

Field Information
Location for Testing—Southwestern Colorado,  USA
Description of Use—My wife and I used this tarp on numerous summer trips in the mountains of  Southwestern Colorado over a 4-year period. The tarp was usually set up in a timbered area with adequate trees, logs, and rocks to tie to. Typically we chose a flat, smooth area and set up the tarp in an A-frame configuration using a hiking pole on each end. We used a Tyvek groundsheet under the tarp. Elevations ranged from 5500 ft to 11,800 ft (1700 m to 3600 m). Temperatures ranged from 18 F to 75 F (-8 C to 24 C). The tarp sheltered us during numerous mountain thunderstorms, hail, and overnight drizzles. We experienced wind gusts up to 25 mph (40 kph), but we did not experience severe winds. We used the tarp above timberline on one occasion, where we pitched it using hiking poles.

Backpacking Style—My wife and I are both ultralight backpackers. We typically go on 3-day trips with packs weighing 15 pounds (6.8 kg) or less.

Owner Review
Construction and Quality—The Oware flat silnylon tarp is very well constructed, and the workmanship is excellent. The number of tieouts (16) is just right to enable a variety of setup configurations and to securely anchor the tarp under windy conditions. The tieouts are 1 in (2.5 cm) wide webbing loops that are securely sewn to the tarp using an extra layer of heavy reinforcement fabric at the attachment points. The sewn webbing loops are claimed to be superior to grommets, which apparently tear loose under stress. There is one centered French-type seam (perpendicular to the ridgeline) that is top stitched. The edge hems are 5/8” (16 mm).

Features—The tarp’s four center tieouts enable the top of the tarp to be supported by tieouts to adjacent trees. Alternatively two of the top tieouts toward one end can be tied to poles or trees, allowing the end of the tarp to be staked to the ground, creating a boxed configuration for weather protection.

Tieout Cord and Stakes Used—Our tarp (purchased in 2000) did not come with tieout cord, stakes, or a stuff sack. The current model comes with 50 ft (15.2 m) of lightweight cord and a stuff sack. We use 100# (45.4 kg) Dacron braided line for the tieouts, and thin aluminum stakes. We made our own stuff sack out of silnylon. These added 3.3 oz (94 g) to the weight. We typically place rocks on the stakes to hold them; titanium stakes are strong and lightweight, but expensive.

Usability—Using a tarp requires the development of skills to properly set it up for a given terrain and expected weather conditions. It takes about 10 minutes to setup and adjust, and is easier with two people. After the initial setup, the tarp usually requires some adjustment to get it taught so it will resist wind and rain. An 8 x 10 tarp is very roomy for two people plus gear; however it would be tight for three people plus gear. Without a door, it is very easy to get up at night to pee without disturbing the other person.

Weather Protection—After we gained some experience with using a tarp, our confidence in using it increased immensely. An 8 x 10 tarp covers a large area and provides more than enough shelter for two people plus gear. In fair weather, we pitch the tarp high with both ends open to maximize headroom and convenience. When rainy weather is expected, we pitch the tarp lower, and often stake the foot end to the ground in the direction of expected storms. It is important to select a location that has adequate drainage so water does not run in under the tarp and create a puddle. Note that it is not considered good environmental ethics to dig a trench around a tarp or tent.

Bug Protection—Basically none. Bugs are normally not a problem where we live. When bugs are somewhat of problem, we wear a headnet in our sleeping bags to avoid being pestered by insects. Oware has tarps available with mosquito netting on the sides and ends.

Ultralight Backpacking Use—An 8 x 10 silnylon tarp is the lightest shelter available for two people, weighing approximately 20 oz (567 g) with tieouts, stakes, and a stuff sack. For comparison, a Tarptent Squall (a single wall, 2-person, silnylon tent) with a sewn-in floor and extended front beak weighs 30 oz (850 g).

Durability—The Oware silnylon tarp is sufficiently durable for general backpacking use. We did not have any problems with punctures, tears, or failures of any kind.

Personal Information
Name: Will Rietveld
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
E-mail: willi_wabbit@bresnan.net
City & State: Durango, Colorado 81301 USA
 
Backpacking Background
I have been an avid backpacker for 46 years, and have done hundreds of trips in the Rocky Mountain States and the Northern Midwest. Ultralight backpacking is my passion. In the fall, winter, and spring I backpack in  Utah,  Arizona, and  New Mexico. In the summer I backpack in several wilderness areas in southern Colorado. I have been a lightweight backpacker for many years, and an ultralight backpacker for five years. My wife and I present ultralight backpacking workshops in our local area, and have developed a website called Southwest Ultralight Backpacking to share information.

Conclusions
I have found that an 8 x 10 silnylon tarp is one of the lightest shelters available for 2-3 people. The Oware 8 x 10 silnylon tarp is exceptionally well made and very versatile.

Will Rietveld