Reddit reviews EQUINOX Egret Tarps (8 x 10-Feet)

Honestly, I would just save up your money and get something that is silnylon or silpoly. 25 oz for a tarp is really heavy. Look into Etowah Outfitters and maybe warbonnet (I think they have one ground tarp). The price will be higher, but if you could get a more packable, lighter tarp for $100-130 it'll be worth it IMO

Edit: here are some good alternatives, keeping price in mind:
Sanctuary SilTarp 10 x 8: https://www.amazon.com/dpB01E6454HOref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_n2-6xbP8MYM51

Same weight, cheaper: Equinox Egret Tarps (8 x 10-Feet) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00205GHZU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_93-6xb309YGQT

equinox egret 10x12, $56, 2.2 lbs. the 8x10 version is 1.6 lbs. you could also make your own.

I am a big fan of Dream Hammocks with the HyperD fabric. Super comfortable and light, plus they come with suspension and ridgeline. At 60 inches wide they aren't going to be great for sharing, but as was pointed out elsewhere, sleeping double in a hammock isn't too comfortable for more than a nap. You can get one with or without a bug net and overcover (cold protection, not rain).

As for rain protection, I like the OES MacCat tarps, but you can get a decent silnylon tarp to do the job for less.

A Dream Hammock Freebird plus MacCat Standard tarp would be about $170 (leaving you some extra cash to save for an underquilt).

I have this $50, 8x10 silnylon tarp from Equinox, and it’s a great size for two people.

I'm going to suggest something a bit more advanced than a traditional tent. Have you considered going with a flat-tarp and a bivy bag? It is certainly cheaper than a tent and significantly lighter. Take the following for example:

| Item | Weight (g) | Cost (AU$) | Notes |
|:-----------|:------------:|:------------:|:------------|
| Equinox Egret Tarp (8x10ft) | 766g| $49 | Will require either sticks or trekking pole to pitch
| SOL Escape Bivy | 156g (312g total) | $31 ($62 total) | This will actually work as a 10C sleeping bag. There is a bigger version to help accommodate a sleeping bag, if it's more appropriate. Obviously you'll each need one.
|Polycryo Groundsheet (6x8ft) | 104g | $10 | Cheap and lightweight waterproof floor.
|
| Total | 1026g (1184g)| $90 ($121) | Cheap and Light.

You will obviously need to do a little reading on how to pitch it. Here is an article to get you started. You'll probably find a better one if you google it.

Yeah, I haven't done any tarp camping at all, but there are plenty of pros and cons to consider. One thing to think about, if you just want to try tarp camping, you don't need a full blown awesome tarp from a cottage maker. You can get an 8x10 Urethane coated Equinox tarp from Amazon for like $50. Yes it has grommets instead of tie-outs, but that's not a big deal. The Kelty Noah 9x9 from Amazon is about $60, and has more tie-outs than you can shake a stick at.

You could also get a blue tarp from Home Depot for much cheaper, and just deal with the crinklyness and weight.

Hell, people have even made tarps out of 3mil plastic sheets and duct tape for prototyping and short term use. Not to say it'll last forever, but should be fine for a couple nights in mild to moderate weather and will be useful to see if tarp camping is right for you.

I used to think trekking poles were dumb, and now I don't hike without them. Completely a personal thing, but they help my legs hurt less, and they're useful for so many things on the trail that I'm more than happy to bear the weight/cost.

Good call on the HG; did you see that they have an option for overfill? You could get a Burrow 40 and add an ounce or two of down to get the temp rating down. Not sure how that affects the rating/pricing; best way would be to call or email them and ask. Like I said though, both companies and quilts are great choices; can't go wrong with either.

There’s coated 1.9oz nylon tarps (2.7oz/yd2 with coating vs 1.1oz silnylon that’s about 1.3oz with standard sil coating....Paria adds an additional PU coating to their sil to make it heavier and more waterproof but also allows the seams to be factory taped since tape sticks to the PU side).

I originally bought one of the Equinox 1.9oz tarps and is was HUGE and heavy. As huge and heavy as a blue tarp.

Silnylon is so durable that it’s pretty great for even kids/car camping applications. My kids are always tripping over my guylines, and have yet too hurt the tarp at all.

Would not recommend (I returned mine for a Paria): https://www.amazon.com/Equinox-145775-EQUINOX-Egret-10-Feet/dp/B00205GHZU?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1