I am looking for purchase a light weight tarp to use as shelter. Any recommendations of what or what not to purchase?

First, welcome to the board! Many of us use tarps made by Dan Cooke, CCS

CCS gear - link

Best light weight tarps and gear - check it out.

^^^ What GrandmaL said. ^^^

If you want the best and strongest tarp, one with loads of tie-outs and multiple uses, Cooke Custom Sewing has your tarp. You can buy cheaper tarps, but you won't find any that are better.

What Jackfish said!

(plus, you get a nice choice of colors)

CCS. Enough said!

I agree with what has been said about the CCS tarps. Having said that, I should report that last week a friend and I spent most of our time under/in a Nemo Bugout because in addition to the almost never ending rain the mosquitos were just awful. We found the Nemo to be a fine tarp. We also had a 10x12 CCS tarp pitched.

LithoLady - If you're not willing to drop the money on one of Dan's tarps (they're worth every penny, by the way), Kelty Noah's Tarps make very good rain flies for camping. Campmor also has a ripstop tarp that is decent, at least it's been reported to withstand the abuses of Scouts so take that for however you'd like.

Personally, I got a Guide Gear tarp from Sportsman's Warehouse before they changed the design of the tarp. Mine's cat cut like a Noah's, and basically is a clone of the same.

Whatever you get, spend some time before you're out camping to practice the various ways your tarp can be pitched.

A tarp is one piece of camping equipment where I wouldn't go cheap. CCS is the best you can get.
AdamX

CCS all the way! If you are going to use it to protect you from rain or sun, go with a CCS tarp; if you are going to use it for sleeping in/under, go for a CCS lean. A CCS is an investment. By the way I keep my CCS tarp, in a CCS ridgeline bag, in my CCS Pioneer pack while paddling sitting on my CCS seat cushion and looking at my map in it's CCS map case and thwart bag. Although sometimes the map is in my CCS bow bag, and sometimes the tarp is in the CCS Explorer pack or the CCS Bushcrafter. You get the idea.

I'm a little late to the party but I'll throw another vote toward the CCS tarps. I bought mine from a member here so I didn't have a choice but a bigger size would have been nice.

CCS

Tundra tarps are great for sure, but it would help to know how you plan to use it primarily. There are better options for certain applications (I realize that's heresy around here :)).

I know CCS will always take the top spot here and for good reason their product is top quality. I use a kelty and it has never let me down. I have rigged a lot of tarps over the years and IMO Square is no easier to rig up then the cat cut. If your on a budget I would recommend a kelty if money is no object to you go big with the CCS. Either way rigged right you will be dry.

+1 on the CCS

As others have stated CCS makes a great product.

If you want to spend a little less the Keilty Noah's tarp works well too.

Have owned and used,
Campmor Versatarp
Equinox Globe Skimmer
Noahs Tarp
Kondos Outdoors
Guide Gear
As well as many canvas and poly tarps. Lots to pick thru and some "use specific". There is a whole cottage industry making ultralite backpack and hammock tarps. Lots of discussion between flat, shapped, catenary styles. You are only limited by your pocketbook and skill-set. All the ones listed and many others will keep you sheltered. What you didn't indicate are budget, size, personal experience.
My only other addition is that I now have only flat CCS tarps in 1.1 silnylon. Light weight, packable, very durable, and because they are flat-cut very versatile. I do not use a pre-rigged tarp, rather fit the pitch to area and use, at the time.

butthead

None better than a CCS tarp.

Buthead made a nice list of tarps. There is also eno housfly and warbonnet superfly.

https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/superfly/

I have a warbonnet Superfly and a 1.1 CCS. I like them both. I have also used the cheap menards tarps, they are heavier and harder to pack. If you plan on going to bwca alot I recomend the ccs tarps.

Hmmm. We may need a bit more feedback at this point from litholady1 to be able to assist much further. How many people do you anticipate in your group? Is there a limit to how much you'd be comfortable spending on it?

When you say shelter, do you mean in addition to a tent or in place of? Another CCS suggestion...a Lean Plus. Just used one for an 11 day trip and it did it all! Huge space, light, easy and quick to pitch and pack and keeps the bugs at bay. One of those purchases I wish I had made years earlier.

I need some suggestions from you all on what size tarp to purchase? What size do you use?

Thank you!

A CCS tarp of 10' x 12' for 2-4 people works good. I use mine when I solo as well.

quote woodsandwater: "I need some suggestions from you all on what size tarp to purchase? What size do you use?


Thank you!"

If you buy a CCS tarp in 1.1 oz. silnylon, the weight difference between a 10X10 and a 10X14 is a negligible 4 oz., but gives considerably more protection. more protection

Will be taking my CCS 10x14 1.9 and my Hilleberg 10 in 2 weeks to the BWCA, then the same setup goes to Quetico in Aug.

If you can't afford one of the more expensive tarps, look at Outdoor Products. To see if the quality suits you go to Walmart; they sell the 7 x 9 version for $10: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Products-Backpacker-s-Tarp-Blue/36547567

It also comes in 8 x 9.5 and 9.5 x 12
https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Products-Tarp/dp/B004H2ZYTE?th=1&psc=1
https://www.rei.com/product/842320/outdoor-products-coated-tarp

I have the 7x9 and 9.5 x 12 and I've been satisfied with them.

Another brand to consider is Chinook: https://www.amazon.com/Chinook-Lightweight-Tarps/dp/B0052SXFXE?th=1&psc=1

Condos outdors make great quality tarps at reasonable prices. Took two 10 x 12s on May trip in the rain they worked wonderful.

Stayed nice and dry under the Noah's tarp through two days of steady rain. this is the 16/16 tarp

I'm a CCS guy too. If you wait till the end of the outfitting season you can pick up a used one from Piragis when they sell there used gear. They turn over their gear after one season. I have bought quite a bit of stuff from them and have never been disappointed with the condition of the gear.

Mike