We always travel as a pair and I am curious as to what size tarp others duos use.

My go to tarp is a 12x12 Noah's Tarp. Plenty of room for two and have used it with groups of four. I tried a 16x16 this last weekend with my dad. The extra coverage was nice with the amount of rain that fell, but for the extra weight and only two people sitting under it the trade off is debatable. Personally I'll stick with the 12x12.

I am almost always tandem and carry a 10 x 10. Never been inadequate but I agree with whomever said here recently 10 x 12. I usually pitch mine so it just clears head at a ridgeline - or lower of its windy and raining - and I'd guess the 2 feet would help that.

+1 on the Noah 12 x 12, carried it the last couple trips. Enough room to sit and stash gear and firewood, lot of tie-outs to make different configurations.

There are 2 of us and we use a 10'x14' CCS 1.1 for us. We had a 10'x12' CCS 1.9 but, we decided to go lighter and the cost and weight for additional space is minimal so we added 20 sf of coverage. My car camping tarps are Kelty and I must say I'm impressed with their customer service but disappointed in the tarps durability. Let me explain. This past trip 5/17-5/22 I had no more than set up the tarp and a small limb fell out of a tree on the tarp and punched a hole right through it. This is a 1"ish short section of limb. Disappointed I counted on the warranty to cover me. It did in fact cover me with only sending in pics of the damage to Kelty and a new tarp is on its way. However, to take the pics of the damage I had to take off the duct tape I had put on to seal the tear temporarily. While taking off the duct tape it became completely obvious this material is NOT rip stop and torn like a rotten bed sheet. forewarned is forearmed. My question is why would anyone make tarps out of material that is not rip stop.

10 x 12 works well for 2. For bigger groups, I use 2 of them.

Dreaded double post...

I also have the CCS 10 x 14 in 1.1 oz. silnylon. The extra size is nice when it's cold, wet, and windy for making a wall as well as a roof, and still have good coverage. If that kind of weather is not a concern, you can save 2 oz. by getting a 10 x 12, or 4 oz. by getting the 10 x 10.

I have a CCS 10x10 and it would work fine for 2. However, now that I've been on this forum, I would prefer a 10x14 for the extra ability to have a wall and the flexibility to fit larger spaces. You can always fold and hang as a 10x10.

I have a 10x12 CCS 1.9 oz. It works fine fir me. It is my choice for all types of camping. Solo, duo or car camping. Very versatile. It took me years to finally purchase a tarp, but now I never go without it.

Buy a CCS tarp and learn how to pitch it in a variety of ways. Tarps are wonderful tools.

My 10x10 1.1 is great for solo trips. We take a 10x14 1.1 on tandem trips, and carry my 10x10 in the day pack in case of bad weather.

I also favor a CCS 10x12 1.1 tarp for 2-4 people. Learning how to hang it a number of ways and quickly is important when you are racing the rain.

+1 CCS 10x14 1.1. Works well for us on 3 to 4 paddlers.

I think much depends on the time of year. In shoulder seasons I would definitely want a bigger tarp with the option of dropping a side and not have it get to close to a warming fire.

In summer you can generally get by with much less. I have a CCS 10x10 but I decided to save some weight and more importantly, space, and had CCS make me an 8x8 for my August solo trips. So far it works surprisingly well and has been on 3 trips with nary a complaint. The weight and space savings were substantial. Plus it sets up easily in the oft confined spaces of WCPP. It is also very easy to get everything drum tight which is a requirement for me.

A 10' x 12' CCS tarp for solo or duo trips for me. Seems to be big enough my use.

A Guide Gear 12x12 from before they redid them, so basically a Noah's clone. Used for up to 7 people on a trip once. Works better for 4. It's the only one I got!

Don't mean to hijack the thread but does anyone have any recommendations of a tarp that is somewhere between CCS tarps and cheap ones you can buy at menards? There has to be a middle of the ground tent that isn't north of $100. Looking for something like a 12x12.

Thanks!

quote jwmiller39: "Don't mean to hijack the thread but does anyone have any recommendations of a tarp that is somewhere between CCS tarps and cheap ones you can buy at menards? There has to be a middle of the ground tent that isn't north of $100. Looking for something like a 12x12.


Thanks!
"

I think you'll have a hard time finding a sil tarp that size for under a C note, but Etowah Outfitters tarps are a pretty good value IMO and may come close.

A Kelty Noah 12x12 will run you ~$50ish and is a solid play for the bargain conscious camper/paddler. That's definitely between the heavy and bulky $10 blue menards tarps and a CCS Silnylon tarp. Other than that you aren't going to find much because as previously stated, the jump to silnylon is pricey.

+4 on the 12x12 Kelty Noah's tarp. Reasonably priced, well mads, goes up quick

Noah's tarps are great starter tarps. Some folks find they're perfectly adequate for their needs and never upgrade to the more expensive lighter weight materials.

I have a 10 x 12 for when it's just me, when I have my daughter along i bring a 12 x 16

This guy makes makes a variety of custom tarps and tents however you want. The quality is very high and the prices are fair Bear Paw Wilderness Designs

10x10 CCS - perfect for solo or 2 people
Works great for clean water storage too :)
I always love when I get to post this pic

quote pamonster: "10x10 CCS - perfect for solo or 2 people
Works great for clean water storage too :)
I always love when I get to post this pic
"

Pamonster, I always get a kick out of that pic when you post it!

Here is my two cents

Go cheap until you are willing to spend the money on a nice tarp. I just weighed my tyvek (menards brand) tarp it is 10x14 with about 6 clips. 2lbs 13.2 oz. My 10x16 1.1 oz ccs with stuff sack repair kit and tie outs came in at 2lbs 2oz. You really don't need a tarp. I went many times with out one. Rain gear to get work done in the rain. A tent for happy hour.

Happy Trails

I have a 10' x12' Kondos from years back. I'd love to go to a CCS 10' x 14' 1.1 but this one just keeps doing it's job.

I find it works great for two or three and has even handled more.

Nomad