If you aren’t carrying a tarp like the Zpacks Flat Tarp on you backcountry trips, your should be. The number of uses for a lightweight tarp is almost endless. A tarp never comes out of my pack because I have found a use for it in every season, whether on day trips or multi-night, expedition-style trips. The Zpacks Flat Tarp is extremely versatile, and I spent almost an entire year putting it to the test on multiple different trips.
Zpacks Flat Tarp Specs
The Zpacks Flat Tarp comes in two different sizes. I tested the 8.5-foot x 10-foot size. Also worth noting is that the Zpacks Flat Tarp comes with the following in addition to the tarp itself:
- Small DCF Stuff Sack – .18 oz (5 g)
- 50ft of 2.0mm Yellow Zine – 1.7 oz (49 g)
- 2x Mini-D Carabiners – .1 oz (2.8 g)/ea
- Total additional items: 2.08 oz (59.6 g)
| Zpacks 8.5×10 Flat Tarp Specs | |
|---|---|
| Tie Outs | 16 |
| Materal | .55 oz/sqyd Dyneema® Composite Fabric |
| Packed Size | 4″ x 5″ (10 cm x 12.7 cm) |
You certainly don’t have to bring the extras, but they are nice to have if you want to maximize the tarp’s versatility and setup options.
Tie-Out Points & Design – Zpacks Tarp Review
This Zpacks Dyneema Tarp has a total of 16 different tie-out points and is 8.5 feet wide by 10 feet long. These 16 tie-out points consist of:
- Four corner tie-outs – one in each corner
- Two ridgeline tie-outs
- Three evenly spaced tie-outs on each side
- Two panel tie-outs on each side.
These tie-outs give you a ton of options when it comes to pitching the tarp, but more importantly, they allow you to secure it in severe, stormy conditions. The large number of tie-out points also allowed me to set the tarp up in a variety of locations, including multiple times in a grove of trees while trying to ride out some severe thunderstorms. I was able to tie it out to multiple anchor points and still protect myself from the weather. The sheer size of the tarp also allowed me and another guy to comfortably get out of the weather with all of our gear.
Another great thing that ZPacks has done with this tarp is tape the ridge seam so it doesn’t need to be seam sealed. This came in handy as I pulled out the tarp during numerous downpours of rain. The tarp is made of Dyneema Composite Fabric which naturally makes it waterproof without having to be treated.
I noticed that this tarp had the same great durability that I have come to expect from other Dyneema products like the Zpacks Offset Duo. You can read my review of that tent here. Durability and weatherproofing are non-negotiables for me when it comes to a tarp. The whole reason I am carrying a tarp is so that when the weather comes in, I have reliable protection from it while I’m away from camp.
Use Cases – Zpacks Flat Tarp Review
Not only do the size and tie-outs give you the versatility to pitch it in numerous different locations, but they also give you the ability to use the tarp as a true floorless shelter. This design is incredibly easy to set up in an A-frame style configuration.
If you are going to use a tarp as a shelter, I would encourage you to consider the time of year. I’ve found that during the spring or late fall, a tarp can be extremely useful due to the unpredictable weather during those times of year. I can’t count on both hands the number of times I’ve had to hunker down and wait out a nasty rain or thunderstorm that came up unexpectedly.
In adverse weather conditions, you can modify the A-frame pitch to protect yourself on all sides. I will stake out all four corners of the tarp tight to the ground and then use two trekking poles on the inside of the tarp to give myself a small living space completely out of the wind and rain. Then I will tie out as many of the tie-outs as needed to stabilize the tarp. This has worked very well for me on multiple occasions.
Why You Need One | Zpacks Dyneema Tarp Review
The weather protection doesn’t just mean protection from severe rain and wind. I also find a tarp to be incredibly valuable during hot spring days or early-season scouting trips. I often find myself setting up the tarp to protect myself from the blistering sun. It is crucial, especially during the spring and while scouting, to be able to sit behind glass for long sessions.
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This can become increasingly difficult when the sun is out. Glassing every angle during this time of the year is going to drastically increase your odds of finding animals, and that becomes difficult if you don’t have the luxury of a tree or something else to give you shade during the hottest part of the day. The Zpacks Flat Tarp is a great way to keep the sun off you on those open hillsides.
Another great use for this tarp is as a sun shade when breaking down an animal during a hot day. Every little bit of sun you can keep off the meat while breaking it down is beneficial.
While setting up to protect myself from the sun, I often find myself using a lean-to style setup. I will stake one end of the tarp down to the hillside, then extend the tarp up and away from the hillside. I place trekking poles in both corners of the side that is elevated and tie out those corners with cordage. This lean-to style setup allows me to get out of the sun while still taking advantage of any breeze, if there is one, coming in from the sides. Keep in mind, I wouldn’t recommend using this lean-to configuration in adverse weather conditions because it does not protect you from the weather on either side.
Only One Downside – Zpacks Flat Tarp Review
The only downside I can find with this Zpacks tarp is the price point. All Dyneema products are pricey, and the Zpacks Flat Tarp is no exception. There are a variety of reasons for this, but the primary reason is that Dyneema is a very expensive material, and Zpacks products are made in the USA.
Personally, I believe the price point is worth it for a product like this. A tarp is a necessary piece of gear for me, and every bit of weight and size I can save, I am going to take advantage of. The bottom line is that I highly recommend the Zpacks Flat Tarp, and for its weight, size, and durability, I think it is well worth the $399 price point.
Conclusion – Zpacks Flat Tarp Review
In my humble opinion, there are a plethora of reasons why you should be carrying a tarp with you year-round. In order to realistically carry one, the weight must be manageable. This tarp is made from 0.55-ounce-per-square-yard Dyneema Composite Fabric. With the tarp, the small stuff sack, and 50 feet of line, the total weight is just 8.6 ounces.
I also found that this tarp packed down really well. Packed in a small stuff sack, it measures right around 4 inches wide and 8 inches long. Another important thing to note is how easily this tarp fits into the stuff sack. One complaint I have had about other tarps in the past is how difficult they were to get back into the stuff sack following use, but not the Zpacks Flat Tarp.
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