It seems too much effort was invested to let us know this tarp is extremely expensive. What we can really use is a review that goes beyond the obvious. How many ways did you pitch it? Are the tie outs perfectly placed? Is the stuff bag just about the correct size? Did you feel the 8.5 x 8.5 size is a good compromise for bivi use? Did you try it on a diagonal with a 10 ft hammock? 11 foot? Thanks for the video.
The material is $30 dollars per yard (minimum) so you get the labor at a steal. A $100 silnylon tarp works well for many. These are for serious hikers ect...
Luke, nice overview, but you left out the down sides to Cuben for tarps. I had one and sold it after about 4 uses. I loved the lightness (got mine from Hammock Gear, 11'x8.6' and only paid 299 w/shipping), but the noise it made in the wind or rain, along with the fact that, if you set it up in the sunlight, you get no real shade from it because of the translucency. You're spot on about the cost. For the price of one CF tarp, I can buy 2 silnylon tarps, and a backpack or hammock w/suspension.
What's up fellow RUclipsr/Outdoor Gear reviewers! Expensive is a matter of opinion though and something else to consider is that HMG is made in the good ole USA! There is something to be said about that and supporting a company that does not outsource so kudos to them. I have used their gear in many a long hike through different areas and climates like lust green forests of Big Sur to the High Sierra and HMG never disappoints. Thanks for the video! I just got mine and will be reviewing it over the next couple of months.
This tarp is both a testament to what is good and bad about American industry. We make some really great stuff but it's often crazy expensive. We need to look at how to make it in the USA but get it in more people's hands at a cheaper price. On the other hand I live in South Korea and we can't get that type of technology over here. You'll spend $300 bucks on a polyester or nylon tent of the same size over here.
hf tarp when u get it is folded up and bout inch 3/4 inch thick.and then u burn it next day.easier to pack than bulky cuban tarp.and u dont even have to fold or carry home.u can do this for 60 camping trips for same price.
jesferher Expensive indeed my friend. For some though, the price is worth it as it really depends on who you are and what your needs are. Cheers. - Luke
Your first mistake was going to REI if you have any qualms about dropping wads of cash. Note that most cottage makers of ultralight gear have a black friday sale each year. Not all pf them yet many do..
Yeah I got my chill gorilla tarp last year for like $35. Is it heavier? Yes. Does it have the bug net tie outs? No. Is it an ugly green? Yep. But it didn't cost me $355. It cost me a tenth of that.
Hey Luke, nice review! and I waned to point out I've noticed in your more recent videos, the video quality is outstanding! Have you recently upgraded cameras? If so do you mind sharing what you've been filming with? The picture quality in your videos is awesome.
If I spent that much, there better be a little person in the bag that sets up camp for me and cooks me dinner! Seriously though, I get you're reviewing for a wide ranging audience. Good review.
Hi Luke, great review, I have this tarp and also the Echo 2 tarp, I love cuben fiber. is there a preview of some cuben fiber packs in the future? or other shelter systems? I would love that :) the Flat Tarp is better to turn into a hammock instead of the Echo 2, because it has all those loops all over, I use it as a hammock all the time, very comfortable. about the shipping, I had it sent to my brother, and he shipped it to me, works great that way, lol -Jake
Looking at the "folded size" near the end of the video, it seems pretty loose with a lot of airspace. Is there some reason it cannot be folded/rolled a lot more tightly?
DCF is kinda wrinkly. It can definitely be compressed more. The stuff sack that comes with the tarp is also made of DCF and doesn’t compress at all. If you wanted minimum size I assume you could use some kind of compression sack. I have this tarp and it seems like it could take it fine.
Its very tough but not very cut and puncture resistant. If yrepairs are needed...it cusually omes with tape that makes a permanent repair very easy. I had to save for months to purchase mine...I take great care when pitching it.
luketdrifter2100 i can buy 60 of them for one those others.bigfoot cant see through it.and only got carry it one way then throw away or burn.open up new one.
bob clark I completely understand what you mean in regards to the price and to be honest, there are a lot of tarps out there that come close to quality/strength for a lot less. For those who count every single gram, it's worth it to them and I get that too. Different strokes from different folks is the way that I see it. Take care everyone. - Luke
A great tarp, really love large square tarps, and yes expensive but on extended hikes especially in rugged country yeah I'd buy it. Thanks for sharing. atb Opal
Expensive, but it would be worth it on a thru hike of the PCT, AT, CDT. My question is, how durable would it be over extended use, like a long distance thru-hike?
We don't see clearly the system that is used for perimeter tie outs, it's not traditionnal eyes or webbing loops, it looks like plastic stuff, what is that?
HMG ships stuff outside of USA and from experience I can say that posting works very well. Just be careful on VAT if you are ordering this from Europe.Also I can highly recommend the tarp. I have been using it in Scotland for a while and it does wonders.
I also ordered it and got it very quickly here in New Zealand. We primarily bought it to add on to our tent as a verandah as our little Japanese tent has no vestible between the fly and the inner tent.
you really should have had this or at least some tarp with you on the last video I watched where you and your wife were car camping in the rain. good video. Seems like a great tarp but Yeah, too expensive, all the nice ones tough seem to cost a lot.
Wow for 72 square feet of space that's a ridiculous price .... That's more than 4 dollars a square foot.... My bathroom cost less than that to tile! What people will do to save a few ounces on weight
I can't imagine who would pay that ridiculous price. If it was $100 , it would be too much. I would maybe pay 300 if I threw it up in the air and I yelled " Teepee" , and it set it self up LOL.
@@brianbassett4379 Absolutely right. I can't believe how people spend money on drugs, booze and junk food. I'd rather spend my money on something that empowers me to keep on hiking. At 65 years of age, I'd like to be able to keep on doing this in safety and comfort.
For $300 you could pay a homeless guy to carry all your kit and set it up for you LOL !!!! if money was no object sure why wouldn't you invest in one, however its a bit rich for my blood I'll stick to my 4.5m x 3.0m DD for £45 Great review Luke thanks for the info atb
FYI: this product is made in Mexico and sold out of the USA.
It seems too much effort was invested to let us know this tarp is extremely expensive. What we can really use is a review that goes beyond the obvious. How many ways did you pitch it? Are the tie outs perfectly placed? Is the stuff bag just about the correct size? Did you feel the 8.5 x 8.5 size is a good compromise for bivi use? Did you try it on a diagonal with a 10 ft hammock? 11 foot? Thanks for the video.
Love that it's translucent. This is very expensive but I'm sure that it covers the cost of materials AND labor.
The material is $30 dollars per yard (minimum) so you get the labor at a steal. A $100 silnylon tarp works well for many. These are for serious hikers ect...
Just bought one based on your review, thanks again.
Luke, nice overview, but you left out the down sides to Cuben for tarps. I had one and sold it after about 4 uses. I loved the lightness (got mine from Hammock Gear, 11'x8.6' and only paid 299 w/shipping), but the noise it made in the wind or rain, along with the fact that, if you set it up in the sunlight, you get no real shade from it because of the translucency. You're spot on about the cost. For the price of one CF tarp, I can buy 2 silnylon tarps, and a backpack or hammock w/suspension.
I never thought tarps would go Gucci.
David Diaz - Take a large DD Tarp for 65 $ it works is reliable and weights 1100 gram with lines and spikes.
This could be a great piece of (almost weightless) safety equipment to always bring with you, especially if you are leading others into wild areas.
What's up fellow RUclipsr/Outdoor Gear reviewers! Expensive is a matter of opinion though and something else to consider is that HMG is made in the good ole USA! There is something to be said about that and supporting a company that does not outsource so kudos to them. I have used their gear in many a long hike through different areas and climates like lust green forests of Big Sur to the High Sierra and HMG never disappoints. Thanks for the video! I just got mine and will be reviewing it over the next couple of months.
Watching this in 2024. What a baby face you were!!
Dude I'm drooling! Thanks for the post!
This tarp is both a testament to what is good and bad about American industry. We make some really great stuff but it's often crazy expensive. We need to look at how to make it in the USA but get it in more people's hands at a cheaper price.
On the other hand I live in South Korea and we can't get that type of technology over here. You'll spend $300 bucks on a polyester or nylon tent of the same size over here.
hf tarp when u get it is folded up and bout inch 3/4 inch thick.and then u burn it next day.easier to pack than bulky cuban tarp.and u dont even have to fold or carry home.u can do this for 60 camping trips for same price.
excellent tarp Luke, thanks.
Great review Luke as always
chelseafeth Thank you my friend.
- Luke
$300? are u crazy? That prize is insane for a tarp!
jesferher Expensive indeed my friend. For some though, the price is worth it as it really depends on who you are and what your needs are.
Cheers.
- Luke
When I went to REI, and told them I wanted to go lighter, they asked me a pertinent question; "How light can you afford to go?"
Thomas Romo Absolutely correct Thomas. When you're looking to cut weight, the sky is the limit with price.
- Luke
Your first mistake was going to REI if you have any qualms about dropping wads of cash. Note that most cottage makers of ultralight gear have a black friday sale each year. Not all pf them yet many do..
we need a harbor freight tarp review.for us normal people.
bob clark really...I'm there with ya bud!
No. You need a different mindset. Some people drop this much every two months at Starbucks. Buying a tarp like this is an investment in yourself.
Yeah I got my chill gorilla tarp last year for like $35. Is it heavier? Yes. Does it have the bug net tie outs? No. Is it an ugly green? Yep. But it didn't cost me $355. It cost me a tenth of that.
@@geraldhenrickson7472 awful good of you to tell us how we should think. Smug sense of superiority?
Hey Luke your property is really looking nice. Have you built a shed up there yet for landscaping tools?
Hey Luke, nice review! and I waned to point out I've noticed in your more recent videos, the video quality is outstanding! Have you recently upgraded cameras? If so do you mind sharing what you've been filming with? The picture quality in your videos is awesome.
Do you have any recommendations for the best way to set it up? especially if there is high winds and rain?
If I spent that much, there better be a little person in the bag that sets up camp for me and cooks me dinner! Seriously though, I get you're reviewing for a wide ranging audience. Good review.
Sweet tarp!
Hi Luke, great review, I have this tarp and also the Echo 2 tarp, I love cuben fiber. is there a preview of some cuben fiber packs in the future? or other shelter systems? I would love that :) the Flat Tarp is better to turn into a hammock instead of the Echo 2, because it has all those loops all over, I use it as a hammock all the time, very comfortable. about the shipping, I had it sent to my brother, and he shipped it to me, works great that way, lol -Jake
Now that we have opened up relations with Cuba i should be able to pick up a sweet deal in Havana.
Hi luke do you somtimes sleep on a air mattress so yes can i now wich one.
Looking at the "folded size" near the end of the video, it seems pretty loose with a lot of airspace. Is there some reason it cannot be folded/rolled a lot more tightly?
DCF is kinda wrinkly. It can definitely be compressed more. The stuff sack that comes with the tarp is also made of DCF and doesn’t compress at all. If you wanted minimum size I assume you could use some kind of compression sack. I have this tarp and it seems like it could take it fine.
How does this resist to puncture? Suppose you want to install it in a bushy area with thorns. Or a similar situation. Thanks
Its very tough but not very cut and puncture resistant. If yrepairs are needed...it cusually omes with tape that makes a permanent repair very easy. I had to save for months to purchase mine...I take great care when pitching it.
I understand bout weight over distance.but a 7x9 tarp at harbor freight is $ 4.99.weighs 1.75 lbs.i pick that one.
bob clark But after one windy night you are picking pieces of that HF tarp out of the surrounding trees lol.
luketdrifter2100 i can buy 60 of them for one those others.bigfoot cant see through it.and only got carry it one way then throw away or burn.open up new one.
i hauled 6 ton of sand .tarped with before mentioned tarp.drove 65mph for hr.tarp same as new.u feel better wasting money go ahead
+luketdrifter2100 wouldn't matter cause we would have more than 20 HF tarps 👍👍
bob clark I completely understand what you mean in regards to the price and to be honest, there are a lot of tarps out there that come close to quality/strength for a lot less. For those who count every single gram, it's worth it to them and I get that too. Different strokes from different folks is the way that I see it.
Take care everyone.
- Luke
A great tarp, really love large square tarps, and yes expensive but on extended hikes especially in rugged country yeah I'd buy it. Thanks for sharing. atb Opal
Expensive, but it would be worth it on a thru hike of the PCT, AT, CDT. My question is, how durable would it be over extended use, like a long distance thru-hike?
gothmog40 I was thinking the same thing, about the durability of it.
gothmog40 This material is basically the standard for PCT, AT and CDT these days. It will handle these treks just fine.
We don't see clearly the system that is used for perimeter tie outs, it's not traditionnal eyes or webbing loops, it looks like plastic stuff, what is that?
HMG ships stuff outside of USA and from experience I can say that posting works very well. Just be careful on VAT if you are ordering this from Europe.Also I can highly recommend the tarp. I have been using it in Scotland for a while and it does wonders.
I also ordered it and got it very quickly here in New Zealand. We primarily bought it to add on to our tent as a verandah as our little Japanese tent has no vestible between the fly and the inner tent.
Sorry my mistake. Thought there were only 4 on each side.
Flat tarp? For the price it ought to be 3-D, lol.
And self inflating.
Too Cool"
Thanx 4 the headz up on the new product.....
What camera are you using man?
you really should have had this or at least some tarp with you on the last video I watched where you and your wife were car camping in the rain. good video. Seems like a great tarp but Yeah, too expensive, all the nice ones tough seem to cost a lot.
Haha first like and comment to one of my favorite outdoor RUclips channels
Trystan Freitas That means you can retire now.
Thomas Romo Hahaha
- Luke
Hey man I have something for you to review can I email you about it?
12 Perimeter tie-outs
Wow for 72 square feet of space that's a ridiculous price .... That's more than 4 dollars a square foot.... My bathroom cost less than that to tile! What people will do to save a few ounces on weight
NJ Chris For some people the cost is worth it. For others, it isn't. I understand both perspectives.
Cheers my friend.
- Luke
They ship internationally, at least to Switzerland.
Thank you for sharing that info.
- Luke
just bought a used one for 235$.by the way.a shop in germany where i come from sell your size for 550$.
killer LUKE I want one so bad for the water proof ness and wieght you can't beet it
Can it perform autofellatio cuz for $300 it should be able to do such.Very nice piece of kit.Playboy : )
If you would rather have a $5 Tarp, let me see by show of raising your HI-Point 916
I can't imagine who would pay that ridiculous price. If it was $100 , it would be too much. I would maybe pay 300 if I threw it up in the air and I yelled " Teepee" , and it set it self up LOL.
Bryan Resch Hahaha I'll be first in line for one of these magic tarps!
- Luke
I own 3 already. Not everyone Has to go low rent and the best and newest cost money. Sorry that you have such a stunted imagination, Mr. Resch.
@@brianbassett4379 Absolutely right. I can't believe how people spend money on drugs, booze and junk food. I'd rather spend my money on something that empowers me to keep on hiking. At 65 years of age, I'd like to be able to keep on doing this in safety and comfort.
OMG - The Price! Plus that stuff really looks cheesy and is glaring eyesore in the woods.
Tarp or trap?
Damn that´s pricey. I thought I already had an expensive tarp when I got the DDHammock´s SuperLight tarp, which costs a bit under 100$ here in Europe.
Ali Leiniö That's a great tarp there Ali! You've got to be careful with how you set it up if you're expecting strong winds though.
ATB
- Luke
That would be a good investment for keep me and my dog relatively dry on long walks.
Andrew T. I'm looking for tarp in the UK. Any ideas would be welcome.
Wow. There are a lot of poor people on the comments when you knew it was expensive. Move along...
+Dan Wesson I cover gear that touches upon all budgets that way there is something for everyone. - Luke
Yes you do. And we all appreciate your reviews and how you do it. Thank you for putting yourself out there
For $300 you could pay a homeless guy to carry all your kit and set it up for you
LOL !!!! if money was no object sure why wouldn't you invest in one, however its a bit rich for my blood I'll stick to my 4.5m x 3.0m DD for £45 Great review Luke thanks for the info atb
Very expensive, we can get 15 British Army Tarps for that and they will do the same job..Crazy..ATB nobby
Nobby Richardson It's all about that ultra light man. I'd rather have the heavy army tarps myself, but for the ultra light gear this is pretty badass
Too costly!
Price - LOL
u must b rich all u show is high dollar stuff
It's way overpriced at $300.