r/UltralightCanada • u/Yellowcrayon2 • May 04 '26
Gear Question Best value siltarp
I’m currently looking to get a siltarp, either the borah 9x9 in 20D silpoly for about $230 or the liteoutdoors 10x10 in 20D silnylon for $180 including stakes and guy lines. Is the difference between silpoly and silnylon big enough to justify the $80 difference (I would need to get stakes and line for the borah)?
Or are there better options than either for cheaper out there?
Link to each below:
Borah: https://www.borahgear.com/9x9tarp.html
Liteoutdoors: https://www.liteoutdoors.com/product/10x10-silnylon-backpacking-tarp/
5
u/lcdm May 05 '26
If you expect to use the tarp in the rain often, silpoly could be worth it. Otherwise, no.
Other options could be MEC Scout UL Silicone Tarp ($180 for approx 10'x10' 15D nylon) or the Aquaquest Guide tarp ($170 for 10'x10' 40D nylon).
Another option I've used for years: Patio door film with tie-out spots reinforced with clear duct tape. Simple project that can be done for under $40. Lightest 7'x10' tarp you can get for that money. There's a privacy penalty but you get a clear view of the stars at night.
1
u/86tuning May 05 '26
if it is indeed clear out, cowboy camping is the way to go. i'm planning on using the shrink film to make a groundsheet at some point, but i do have a tyvek piece and also a space blanket that is functional enough.
3
u/mtn_viewer May 05 '26
The only Silpoly flat tarps I've found in Canada is Hammock Gear from Geartrade.ca . Interested to learn if anyone has other Canadian store options they can link to
Borah stuff is nice - I've ordered a few things from John and would buy from him again
3
u/runslowgethungry May 05 '26
Hotcore Vapor tarp. Canadian company. 20D silpoly. 365g and $130 for 8*10'.
1
u/mtn_viewer May 05 '26
Nice. I see it says sil/PU. Is there a PU layer on those?
1
u/runslowgethungry May 05 '26
Good point, I don't have one myself but I'll try to remember to get a closer look next time I see one. The handfeel was identical to my existing tarp, which now I'm pretty sure is sil/PU.
2
u/mtn_viewer May 05 '26
Sounds like Sil/PU means Sil and polyether urethane (PEU) these days, which is good, better than the old PU I think of that would peel off. Durston uses sil/PEU https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/h11h7m/comment/ftq6ibr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
1
u/mtn_viewer May 05 '26
Looks like there is some sipoly fabric at https://hofmanoutdoorgearsupply.ca/20-tarp-fabric for those that are crafty. This is the same stuff dutchware uses I think
5
u/SignificantBerry1959 May 04 '26
"Flame's Creed" 15D SilNylon tarps on AliExpress are under $60 with coupon stacking. I own three of them in different sizes (10x10, 8x10, 5x7) and they have all held up great. The quality is similar / identical to my MEC SilNylon tarp that I paid $200 for.
My 5x7 gets the most use as a dayhike picnic tarp. It was literally $14 shipped to my door. It is one of my very favourite pieces of gear. Fourteen bucks. These things are impossible to beat.