AquaQuest Safari Camping Tarp - Lightweight Durable Rain Fly - Waterproof Camping Essentials for Hiking, Backpacking & Hammock

You really cant go wrong with these tarps. They're solid, well built and hold up in wind and rough storms nicely. If you're looking for a nice tarp for outdoor adventures this should be the one you choose.

Rugged, high quality tarp

THIS IS AWESOME

This my 2nd tarp from Aqua Quest. The first trip that I brought my original Aqua Quest tarp on, we got hit by long, intense thunder storm with high wind (that shifted direction multiple times) driving steep-angle torrents of rain. The poor-quality (but still not inexpensive) tarp from REI that we also had setup literally shredded apart: failing at the grommets but also just splitting a few places in the middle as well. Even though we had the AQ setup in a much less sheltered spot, higher from the ground, and under quite a bit of tension, it came through that storm (and many others) with no sign of wear. Had it not been for the AQ tarp, much of our gear would have been soaked and we would have been confined to our individual tents. Instead we where able to enjoy the storm together dry and warm under the tarp and even had a hot meal.I usually leave mine up in the sun, wind, rain for week-long trips (only taking it down to move sites). My older model from the same company (apparently of the same material) and the one that's seen a few seasons of the use described above and is indistinguishable from the new one in terms of wear.This tarp is not inexpensive, but it's an excellent value. IMO even if this tarp makes the difference between 1 day being miserable or pleasant , it's already more than justified it's cost (how valuable is your limited vacation time to you?).... and it will continue to do so time and time again, year after year.Plus, considering it's size and durability, it's shockingly light and pack-able. I think they only way to beat it in terms of performance-to-weight ratio is with cuben fiber (and you'll pay 5x the price to save those few ounces.) The plethora of tie-out loops not make both getting a good initial setup as well as quick changes (when the weather shifts direction) easy, so you can have good coverage, good internal space, eliminate pooling of water/ direct run-off and have minimal buffeting. The new tarp (the one for which this review is posted) has even more tie-outs the older one.On my last trip this year we had 2 more rainy days in middle of the week (+about 2 hrs of hard storm). But we had both tarps setup: one lower to cover the sitting area and gear and one higher to give standing room for doing work like wood and food prep. We used the tie-outs to attach then to each other at the corners and then to also create a gap in the middle to let the smoke out. Again, these tarps turned days that would have been pretty miserable into ones that where fun and productive. It's like fort-building for big-kids, but the fun factor doesn't make them any less a seriously essential piece of gear.

I have had this Tarp for quite some and until recently have not had the occasion to make use of it. So imagine my surprise when I finally do set it up for short weekend camp out as shelter for My Hammock setup. I configure it as an Open A Frame cover, several feet off the ground using the Tarp Loops on a Ridgeline. It looks Great, nice and taught. As I am lying in my Hammock looking up and admiring the Tarp I notice that I do not see the familiar Grid Pattern of (Rip Stop) Fabric as some light from above is coming through. Ok, so giving the benefit of doubt maybe I think it's (Micro Rip Stop), or the Woodland Cammo Pattern is making it hard to see? No such Luck, this darn thing is not 70D (Rip Stop) as in the Product Description. I feel as if I have been Misled and I am extremely Disappointed, what a Miss on this One.Review Update: 6/2/2018I am changing My Rating from two Stars to five Stars. The reason I am doing this for the following reasons: First and foremost, because since My last Review I have had the occasion to make contact with a Representative from Aquaquest directly through Their Website. This very nice Person has made every effort to resolve my original issue of the earlier product description stating that Camo Safari Tarp is constructed with a 70 Denier Ripstop Nylon Fabric, which it clearly is not. This does not mean that is inferior to the other Safari Tarps which are. The proof of this in the Defender Series Tarps which have a ' Legendary Track Record ' of performance, and they are constructed without a Ripstop Fabric. I have more recently had the opportunity to use My Camo Safari Tarp on several outings, in some pretty harsh weather, with heavy rain and very high winds, and the Camo Safari Tarp just shrugged it off without even a whimper.Reason number two, as I mentioned before, as a result of my correspondence with the Very Nice Aquaquest Representative, of Whom then contacted this Amazon Distributor of Their Aquest Tarps. Together some kind of arrangement was reached, by which I was able to aquier the Safari Tarp I was originally intending to purchase. I am now the proud owner of the Olive Drab Safari Tarp, with the Nylon Ripstop Fabric, and I could not be Happier. Kudos, to the Awesome Folks at Aquaquest for their Great Products, and even Greater Customer Service. Also a Big Thumbs Up to Amazon and Their Partners, for bringing such a Incredible Variety of Great Products to Market.