OR: Integral Designs Siltarp 2 - Kurt Papke

In conjunction with the call for shelter OR's from Jamie, here is my report
on my trusty old Siltarp 2:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/OWNER%20REVIEWS/ID%20Siltarp%20-%20Kurt/

or: http://tinyurl.com/qy324q8

Text pasted below:

Integral Designs Siltarp 2
 Owner Review by Kurt Papke
January 22, 2015
 Tester Information  Name: Kurt Papke  Age: 61
  Gender: Male  Height: 6' 4" (193 cm)  Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)  Email
address: kwpapke at gmail dot com  City, State, Country: Tucson, Arizona USA
My backpacking venues have included a combination of Minnesota hikes where
I have lived most of my adult life, and Arizona trails where I moved to
take a new job about five years ago.  I have always been a "comfort-weight"
backpacker, never counting grams, but still keeping my pack as light as
easily attained.  I have been a tarp user for most of my backpacking career
due to my passion for hammocks, but I do own a tent.
------------------------------
Product Information


  *Manufacturer*
 Integral Designs
  *Model*
 Siltarp 2
  *Year of manufacture*
 2008
  *MSRP*
 US $120
  *Manufacturer website*
 http://www.integraldesigns.com/
  *Color*
 Grey
Also available: Yellow and Olive
  *Weight*

*s (one shoe only) * Listed: 13 oz (378 g) minimum
Measured weight:  same as listed
  *Dimensions*
 8 ft x 10 ft (244 x 305 cm)
  *Material*s
 silicone impregnated 30D ripstop Cordura®

Manufacturer's listed features include:

   - 80 sq ft (7.43 sq m) of coverage
   - Waterproof
   - Can be set up with trekking poles or trees
   - Reinforced corner and center guyline points
   - Stuff sack

I originally purchased the tarp to use with my Warbonnet Blackbird hammock
(see my test report on BackpackGearTest.org).  Over the last six years I
have used it with hammocks and ground sleeping configurations.
 Test Conditions *Some pictures of the Integral Designs Siltarp 2 on the
trail*






  This is a brief listing of backpacking trips and usage of the tarp - it
is incomplete, but at least gives a flavor of the variety of conditions I
have used this shelter in:

*Date *
*Location *
*Trail *

*Pitch *
*Weather *  June 11-14, 2009 Northern Wisconsin North Country Tail (NCT),
Chequamegon section A-frame
 41 F (5 C)to 74 F (23 C), very light winds.  Mostly sunny with rain shower
June 13.  July 11-12, 2009 Mt Lemmon just north of Tucson, Arizona
 Mt Lemmon Trail (section of Arizona Trail) A-frame
 60F (15 C) to 88 F (31 C)  August 29-30, 2009 Mt Lemmon just north of
Tucson, Arizona Samaniego Ridge Trail Diamond
 80 F (27 C), low of 60 F (15 C)  September 12-13, 2009 Coronado National
Forest in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson, Arizona in the Madera
Canyon Old Baldy and Agua Caliente
 Diamond
 55 F (13 C) to 75 F (24 C). Thunderstorms developed in the afternoon and
rain persisted throughout the night
  September 19-20, 2009 Coronado National Forest in the Santa Rita
Mountains south of Tucson, Arizona in the Madera Canyon
 Four Springs
 Diamond
 53 F (12 C) to 70 F (21 C)
  October 9-11, 2009 Mogollon Rim in the Coconino National Forest just
north of Payson, Arizona Cabin Loop Diamond
 25 F (-4 C) to 78 F (26 C)  February 7-9, 2014 Grand Canyon National
Park Grandview
Loop
 A-Frame
 Mix of sun and clouds, 25-60 F
(-4-16 C)
Outcomes and Experiences on the Trail

I have had nothing but positive experiences with the Siltarp 2 shelter.  It
has been bulletproof and flexible.  I've been impressed with the variety of
configurations I have been able to use the tarp in - that is the beauty of
the design and form factor.  After 6 years of use and abuse, it is
unscathed today.  I have never had to wash or clean it.  It has required no
patching or repair - it just works.

I can only recall being frustrated with it once on a trip through the
Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota where it was *very* windy, and I had
some difficulty getting it pitched.  On the flip side, all the tent campers
with me on that trip had the same problem with their shelters - when the
weather is bad there is a bit of struggle no matter how good the gear.

The main purpose of a tarp is to keep the camper dry.  I have never gotten
wet beneath the Siltarp 2, and I have been through some nasty, windy
rainstorms under it over the years.  The key is to pitch the tarp with
anticipation of the intensity and direction of the rain.

One thing I do not have a good close-up picture of is the use of elastic
tieouts.  I use these more often than not, and they really help keep a taut
pitch in the tarp under varying wind conditions without subjecting it to
undue stress.  I highly recommend their use with any tarp.

The Siltarp 2 is a little heavy and bulky in comparison to some of the
catenary-cut tarps that are now available from many vendors specifically
for use with hammocks.  I have purchased one of these, and will likely use
it more often in the future with my hammocks.  When sleeping on the ground
(something I do only when I have to, such as the Grand Canyon where hanging
from trees is not allowed) I will likely continue to use the Siltarp 2 for
its flexibility and coverage.
  Summary Good Things

   - Reliable, durable
   - Light weight in comparison to a tent
   - Flexible pitching options due to geometry and the many tieout points
   provided

Areas for potential improvement

   - It is a bulletproof rectangular tarp with tieouts - pretty tough to
   improve on