Do you like the square or rectangle tarps? Simplicity of the square- you can never have it in the wrong direct or Functionality of the rectangle, making a roof and side wall.... and yes I know, all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares. I could also ask hamburger or hotdog shape?

Pros cons? It reached a balmy high of -4 today... so looking forward to summer time tarp season

I have a 10x12 and like the versatility of the rectangle. We struggled with which direction was long and short until someone (maybe Dan Cooke) suggested labeling the corners. Now that I have labeled each corner (using a Sharpie) with an arrow pointing to the 10 ft and 12 ft directions, setup is much easier.

I don't really care. Mine is 10x12 I believe so slightly longer one way but not by much. Sometimes it's nice to have different lengths depending on the trees at a certain campsite, can turn it one way or another to fit better.

In reality though, either is fine here...

I get that a 10 x 12 is pretty close to either a 10x10 or a 12x12... but what about those 10x14 or 10x16?

ghamer: "I have a 10x12 and like the versatility of the rectangle. We struggled with which direction was long and short until someone (maybe Dan Cooke) suggested labeling the corners. Now that I have labeled each corner (using a Sharpie) with an arrow pointing to the 10 ft and 12 ft directions, setup is much easier."

+1

And I use the CCS ridgeline stuff sack which is awesome. My ridgeline is rigged on the long axis but I have read some like their ridgeline on the shorter axis.

Rectangle shape work better for the tarp shapes I like.
On my hammock tarp I use a 10x12 size. That means the 12’ part is over the center for great coverage and that gives me 5 feet overhang on each side coverage.
On my camp tarp I like to drop one side down for wind blockage, this would be the 12’ side. Then there is plenty of tarp left over on the 10’ edge for the top.

THEGrandRapids: "I get that a 10 x 12 is pretty close to either a 10x10 or a 12x12... but what about those 10x14 or 10x16? "

With a fixed ridgeline you don't have to worry about which end is the long end. I like the 10x16 because everyone can sit side by side as opposed to sitting behind someone and not getting a view of the lake. Never had a square tarp but one of my canoe partners has a Kelty Noah and it is rather difficult for me to set up and be effective against wind and rain.

Like others, I use a 10x12. Sometimes I would like larger for more coverage, especially the side option to block wind, but then I run into other problems with usually do not need that and the weight and finding a place it will fit without rubbing against branches deters bigger. I guess it isn't so much about shape as size and the rectangle does give me more size with better chance of finding a place it fits.

One big enough. Square or Rectangle no difference to me and both setup the same way with the same rigging.

butthead

I always trip with a 10'x14' with a continuous ridgeline and 20' of cordage on each corner and middle attachment point. I love the the flexibility it provides.

unshavenman: "I always trip with a 10'x14' with a continuous ridgeline and 20' of cordage on each corner and middle attachment point. I love the the flexibility it provides.

"

What's with all the tails? Are they attachment points or there for visual aid? wind?

I Have the CCS Lean 3 and leave a cord at the ridge line when pack away. I use it as a tarp a lot. Really versatile in the various arrangements a guy can set up with it. I also bring lots of cord...can never have enough. I also bring one or two collapsible poles in case I am missing a tree. Yep takes space and weight but if stuck with a day or rain.... Such as the Turtle Flambeau flowage last summer that setup made for a great day of sitting warm and dry in our chairs snoozing and catching up on our reading....and being lazy slugs.
:-)

drbob

dr bob

THEGrandRapids: "Do you like the square or rectangle tarps? "

Yes, better than the others.

DrBobDerrig: "I Have the CCS Lean 3 and leave a cord at the ridge line when pack away. I use it as a tarp a lot. Really versatile in the various arrangements a guy can set up with it. I also bring lots of cord...can never have enough. I also bring one or two collapsible poles in case I am missing a tree. Yep takes space and weight but if stuck with a day or rain.... Such as the Turtle Flambeau flowage last summer that setup made for a great day of sitting warm and dry in our chairs snoozing and catching up on our reading....and being lazy slugs.
:-)


drbob


dr bob"

Nice setup!

Flying diamond.

It was cheap and I could make it work....with enough tie-outs!

THEGrandRapids: "

unshavenman: "I always trip with a 10'x14' with a continuous ridgeline and 20' of cordage on each corner and middle attachment point. I love the the flexibility it provides.

"

What's with all the tails? Are they attachment points or there for visual aid? wind? "

I had different color tie-offs on each side so I could tell the long from the short end. I took them off though as it's self evident when you have a continuous ridgeline.

When posting this thread- In my mind I would have had the short side against the ground with the ridge-line cutting the long side in half. So If I had a 10x14, I could run it 6 feet up and 8 feet long, with 10 feet wide the entire duration. Think more like a classic mullet. But I have only seen pictures the other way. One person alluded to more people being able to sit side by side, out of the elements, enjoying the view. Does anyone else run the ridgeline the opposite way? (Ridge line parallel to the short side, perpendicular to the long side) Have you tried it the other way and realize how you have it set up currently is better???

Typically when I use a ridgeline set up, I run the ridgeline the short direction of the rectangle tarp. Gives me more roof and it can be higher than if I run the ridgeline down the long side. You can also offset the ridgeline so the side going to the ground is shorter or longer than the "roof" length.
The sharpie method of marking the corners if you do not have the tarp preset to a ridgeline set up helps to make a faster decision of how to go about setting up the tarp in a new space.

Using a large square tarp (15x 15) this past summer, that was preset with a ridgeline set up I ended up setting the tarp up several ways as conditions warranted. Some setups were all using trees, others were using just poles, and most a combination of trees and poles.

Windy campsite, tarp blocking cold wind with rain looking clouds


Windblock set up tarp ridgeline set up doubled back on itself to the ground.


Set up for shade with wind allowed to pass through to keep the heat down.

Dan, I like your doubled back wind block setup. I'm going to have to add that to my hanging repertoire in the future. Thanks for sharing!

I have a 10x12 and a 10x16 - both CCS. Both are set-up in the CCS Ridgeline Lean stuff sack with ridgeline down the middle long way, sides staked or tied out. I do it this way as I set the tarp over my tent to allow a dry area to hang out and cook under during rainy days, yet dry access to my tent during these times, as well. Unless its a driving rain, it also allows for the tent fly to be off, allowing much better air flow. The 10x12 is great for solo, or ok for 2 people. The 10x16 is a great amount of space for 2 with gear and sitting and cooking all day if need be.
This has greatly improved my wilderness experience during long or multi-day rains.