Kifaru Paratarp vs Supertarp

[Gunnersdad49]

As many here know, good gear is addictive, and it is easy to justify more purchases to ourselves. I have the Sawtooth, and an 8 man tipi, but was looking at something light for a simple overnight (planned or unplanned).

I was leaning towards the Sheep Tarp over and over thinking of how useful it would be for quick rains, glassing, etc. but decided a shaped tarp with a closed end would be more comfy in a driving rain. That revelation led me to the Paratarp or the Supertarp.

Digging around online, I could find setup videos for a megatarp, but not the Supertarp or Paratarp. It turns out the reason is they all pitch the same way. First, you stake out the two back corners. (I’ll call the closed end of these tarps the back, the open end the front).
Next, measure the front trekking pole between the two loops of paracord stitched along the seam at the hem near the front of the tarp.
Insert the pointy end of the trekking pole into the cup at the front of the tarp.
Stake out the guy line from the peak of the front of the tarp straight forward from the tarp.
Now, stake out the two front corners.
Next, measure the rear trekking pole and insert it into the rear cup.
Then, stake down the sides.
Finally, stake out the zig zag guy lines.

A few things I noted; the Paratarp used 18 stakes, total. The Supertarp used 2 less.
The Paratarp is plenty big for one person. I’m 6’ tall and had plenty of awning.
The Supertarp is damn big. The Paratarp would fit inside it easily.

Hopefully this comparison helps some folks in coming to a decision on which they want.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

A few more for size comparison.

 

[OneSkinnyHunter]

Great info - I’ve been wondering about the real size difference for a while.
Thanks!

 

[nodakian]

The Paratarp is good when I’m by myself for a night, maybe two, but pretty cramped. I can’t sit up to get dressed. No chance for two people except in a dire, short emergency.

The Super Tarp is plenty for two, and I can sit up to dress. I could live in it for several days if necessary.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

The Paratarp is good when I’m by myself for a night, maybe two, but pretty cramped. I can’t sit up to get dressed. No chance for two people except in a dire, short emergency.

The Super Tarp is plenty for two, and I can sit up to dress. I could live in it for several days if necessary.

Completely agree. I wish I had another set of trekking poles, I’d pitch them side by side to share better pics.

 

[Felix40]

Do you really need 18 stakes for the paratarp? Seems like you could get away with 10 or 12 pretty easily

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Do you really need 18 stakes for the paratarp? Seems like you could get away with 10 or 12 pretty easily

You definitely can. That was just the count for one stake per hole. I will probably pare that down to around 7 for going very light. One for the front, 1 for each corner, and one in the middle of each side. I can improvise other stakes or guy out places for the rest.

 

[nodakian]

A dozen stakes are enough for the Paratarp for me. Also, rather than putting the foot pole inside, I stick it in the ground near the center stake at the foot, angle it toward the outside loop above where it’s inside location, then run a guy line from the loop over the upper end of the pole and stake the line somewhere beyond the foot end. This lifts the foot end properly and gives more inside room.

For when we use the Super for tailgate camping, I made a couple wood poles 5.5 feet long and lashed them into an A for an external front support rather than the standard inside trekking pole.