Micro Tarp

If you have a bivvy bag, how big a tarp do you 'really' need? 

In an effort to keep things light, but practical just enough to cover the head and torso is usually enough, especially during the 2-3 seasons. Enough to keep the cold wind from troubling you, enough to keep the stove effective and somewhere to store your small pack and gear. It allows you to sit up and pull on some clothing and can be erected and dropped down in less than a minute.

Using a pair of walking poles or sticks, this micro tarp can be configured in the the traditional 'A-Frame', 'Flying-V' and 'Lean-To' format. However it really comes into its own when pitched in the latter two of the three styles.

Just big enough to get your head and torso under cover with your bag and cooking gear, with the rest of your body in the bivvy bag. Once out of the wind and rain, you can perform most activities needed to make your outdoor experience more pleasurable.

The 1.45m x 1.2m (approx) micro tarp is made from siliconized nylon and weighs in at an incredible 150g (lighter than previous models). It is double stitched around the hem, with reinforcements on every tab support so the tarp will take a variety of pressures from all angles. On the centre ridge line of the tarp there is a 'lifter'. These are not for central support from a line when pitched as an A frame', but for a 'lifting' cord, to pull back the flat surface area and provide more useable space underneath the tarp. (See gallery)

Extra tabs have been attached so that when in 'lean-to' format a natural 'drip' is formed which acts both as a drip and as a 'beak' from heavy rain. (See gallery)

Optional extras include titanium ultralight pegs, a 15m length of 3mm paracord and 3m of 3mm shockcord. Depending on which method you use and of course how bad the weather may be, a tarp can be pitched using as little as 4 pegs and as many as 12. Once you find a pitching style which suits your needs, shockcord may be a permanent attachment to certain tabs for swift pegging out.

The bag which comes with the tarp is a loose fit to be able to accommodate cords, pegs and shockcord.

Plus of course every tarp we sell, arrives with a free digital download of The Tarp Video which explains in video form, how to tie all the knots you need to know, how to hank cordage and erect your first tarp in the 3 main configurations. As pitching a tarp may be new to your outdoor experience, we suggest you take your time practicing with the various configurations in your back garden before you head out into the wilds!

Using a tarp with a bivvy bag is a great way to see more of the outdoors and feel 'part' of your environment. These tarps are designed to support the lightweight backpacker and bivvy user. Of course there's many ways they can be used, including extending the vestibule area of a tent, as a windbreak on the beach or a 'hide' for photographers.

NB: These tarps are custom made in our workshop, so please use the 'notify me when back in stock' button. It allows us to make to order.

Colour: Olive
 

Specifications:

• Size: 1200mm x 1450mm
• Weight: 150g
• Material: 40D/230T nylon with silicon treatment +PU2000mm
• Colour: Olive Green
• Attachment points: 10 exterior and 1 central
• Construction: Double stitched reinforced hem with reinforced attachment points
• Edge and lifter webbing: 15mm polypropylene webbing
• Supplied with bag: Loose fit to accommodate pegs and cord. Free CD-Rom (PC and Mac) video explaining how to pitch your tarp with all the associated knots.

Optional extras

• 12 Titanium Ultralight Pegs: Weight 12g
• 15 Metres Paracord: Weight 80g
• 15 Metres 1.5mm Dyneema: Weight 16.3g
• Packs of 12 Line Locks: Weight 6g
• 3 Metres Shockcord: Weight 30g