Arcturus Survival Blanket Retest

[@GruntProof]

Is it the worst item you can get for $20? Probably not. But here is a far superior option: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ6rp4h9d651Z6s

[@RavenRedwood]

"I'm not a knot guy" Hope that changed since this video 🙃

[@homeyv]

I have a cheap no brand version...it sucks....I was looking at these Arcturus ones...but now I am re thinking it. I saw Dave Canterbury reinforcing his blanket with duct tape. Have you tried this? and will this help?

[@The_Knucke_Dragger]

I really appreciate , tho very rare , honest reviews @GruntProof . Arcturus , build a $40 blanket that lasts, & I'll buy one.

[@GruntProof]

Arcturus sent me an "upgraded" version of their Heavy Duty Survival Blanket to test. What do you guys think?

[@kennethh5657]

Having used this and several other brands. The arterex is the most heavy duty available for the money. For the price i can't really fault it. It works just fine under a conventional tarp as a reflective sheet. I've even hauled wood with mine. Although it was pretty trashed afterwards. I would like to see the upgrades you mentioned, but im skeptical that it could be done at this price point. I've seen better reflective tarps, but they are over $100. I think for the price point they did a good job. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@GruntProof]

True, it's not the worst product in this category

[@GruntProof]

Thanks! I'm waiting on a company to get it right

[@kennethh5657]

Well let's put it in perspective. For years the gold standard was those 99cent mylar blankets that everyone, including major manufacturers and the military, included in thier survival kit. Those mylar blankets basically fell apart if anything touched them. Next SOL comes out with thier version which was stronger and less prone to ripping. SOL also charged $6 for thier stronger version. Then someone gets the the idea to use a stronger backer material and add grommets to the corners so people didn't have to use a rock. Now arcturus produces the strongest version of these blankets. If those 99cent mylar blankets worked so well for thier purpose, then a heavier duty version should be like glamping. Yeah, it's not 500d ripstop, but it doesn't cost 500d ripsop price. It's designed to replace that 99 cent mylar blanket in someone's survival kit and for that purpose and price it's hard to argue they did a bad job. Is it great? No. Could the company make some improvements? Yes. Can it work in a emergency? Yes, and a hell of a lot better than a 99cent mylar blanket.

[@ralphwatten2426]

Looks like they sent you a free replacement for the other POS.

[@nicholask7347]

Reminds me of all the college kids giving me crap about carrying my "heavy" Gore-Tex bivy bag that I was issued. Funny thing was though is all there lightweight ones were destroyed couple days into the trip. After years of use mine still works and is strong enough that I'm pretty sure I could drag a body through the woods in it and it would still be fine.

[@gary7vn]

Funny, my lightweight bags last for years and years.

[@nicholask7347]

@@gary7vn they definitely can if you use them properly.

[@GruntProof]

I've seen some very costly good ones but most light stuff has to be babied. This is not that type of channel

[@jodamo5953]

Yeah those 3 piece sets are bomb proof. One of 11b's best friends IMO

[@MsRotorwings]

I have enlightened equipment quilts (one 20 degree down, one 40 degree synthetic). My plan is to purchase the bivy bag of the MSS to augment my system. The bivy will protect my more “fragile” but very warm quilts.

[@rps714]

Single stitching has to be #1 red alert FOR EVERY cheap POS.

[@natashaball316]

Great review and test. It is sad that it failed the tent peg tension right away. Thank you for being straight up honest and using it in a realistic way with no BS.

[@GruntProof]

Thanks!

[@SuperNeutrophil]

I have used mine all winter every day to block the wind. I used one ridge line for the top and bungees for the bottom. So far so good!

[@Adam4E1327]

Great review. I never thought about the fact that in a survival situation your not thinking about being nice to your stuff, your just trying to survive. Makes me re-think what I'm taking with me.

[@GruntProof]

In Survival there's no room for weak equipment

[@rjvanloon4769]

@@GruntProof That's why I have a really heavy duty tarp and a reflective blanket in the car. Tarp will water-/snow proof an emergency lean-to shelter, blanket to reflect the heat. I haven't been able to find something that combines both and is durable. The Iron Horse tarps are expensive but also seem to last, as do some regular heavy duty canvas tarps. And as I always say: "I can't afford to keep buying cheap stuff all the time"

[@MrSkinnyn71]

@@rjvanloon4769 well said and it always rings true, buy once cry once. Rebuying cheap stuff always bites me in the end and end up spending well more than I intended.

[@drewdavis5197]

Thanks for the video, surprised they would even send another blanket without improving it.

[@GruntProof]

There were a few, but they didn't touch the issues I mentioned before.

[@Robmancan1987]

@@Matthew_Australia Yeah. You should always get advice from people who break stuff for a living. Not people who sell stuff. That's why I like this channel. Just ask a plumber because he knows his shit.

[@auroraborealisknives4019]

Nice to see you are an unbiased tester.

[@GruntProof]

I try

[@snuffle2269]

I wanted to protect my Gortex so I bought a mid-weight Tyvek off a roll (washed it without detergent to get rid of the crinkle). I folded it up but still stitched the foot side and stitched one side then used small Velcro tabs on the other. My Gortex would go in this and the Tyvek would take the stick and rock damage. A made a second one and layered a heavy polyethylene (silver) survival blanket on one side topped with a light (green) nylon ripstop with Velcro tabs on both sides. This gave me a winter -summer color with the heavy survival blanket being a night vision (heat) blocker for escape and evasion. Very light roll. Just a thought. Love my Gortex bag though.

[@robertw4230]

I'm thinking the actual material is the problem , a complete redesign is needed .

[@alexanderweaver4838]

Thanks for saving me the time and money, Randall. Best tarp I have is the MARPAT tarp that I set up on my backyard Hobo Camp where I test a lot of my gear before taking them out into the field. The MARPAT tarp has withstood deluges of rain, snow weight and constant UV exposure during the warmer months. Another tarp I love is the Aqua Quest. One hack I use are the short looped bungees with the plastic balls. They allow the the tarp to balloon in high winds and stretch with water and snow weight without ripping the grommets from the tarp. Aqua Quest offers three grades of tarp: regular, Safari and Defender. Mine is the 10X10 Safari in camo...great for stealth camping. I'll use a reflective blanket for a ground sheet in the winter and tyvek in the warmer months.

[@GruntProof]

Good to know

[@MilitaryHistoryGearReview]

The other great thing about a tarp is that I don't get too upset when I singe it, tear it, cut it, etc. Because it's not a 'heavy duty survival blanket' its a tarp. I also have to say my heavy canvas Plash Palatka tarp/poncho is, as far as I can tell, unkillable.

[@hardtrooth1776]

They beat the heck out of those pocket emergency 2 dollar one's.

[@TAVAAR7]

Only thing I'm trusting my standard size for is with a poncho/woobie/wool blanket for a sleep system. I'll rely on something better for cover/shelter.

[@richardhenry1969]

I use those inside my tent as a second ground cloth. Every reflective ground cloth I've ever seen rips. I've been using one as a ground cloth for over 20 years they keep it dry inside the tent

[@SnakePliskin86]

A group of friends and I were kayaking and the waves became too much, so we had to camp out one night. It was super windy, so we put cheap harbor freight tarps up. I don’t remember if they held up or not, being a decade ago. But definitely had to keep it nice and tight, or the wind would whip it all around. Definitely need to test them in bad conditions. Thanks dude!

[@miken7629]

Just bought one of these Arcturus XL (8.5 x 12). Based on your test I am going to reinforce with duct tape. I am planning on folding one edge into a floor (4 x 8.5) then use the remaining (8x8.5) as a plow point into the wind. Looking for dry floor & roof and to block wind.

[@urbanjungle9600]

Dave Canterbury’s Pathrinder school reckon their reflective blanket Is better but it looks very similar. Also, if you want a good strong cheap tarp get a British army issue version - it’s reinforced with webbing and designed to be used as a stretcher. You can pick them up really cheap and they last a long time.

[@Tiggerr1965]

Use Tyvek material almost indestructible, in combination with Mylar for extreme cold weather

[@lessharratt8719]

Absolutely. Working on a tyvek/mylar Bivy. My second attempt. Less mylar on v2. I'm going to put the reflective material in 4" strips with 1.5" between. We will see.

[@GruntProof]

Cool

[@MariusHofert]

I use the 2GoSystems V4 Trifecta, which is 'gruntproof enough' given its weight.

[@cantstartafire]

Stellar as always man. We use the Arcturus in the back yard. It's fun for my son and easy to deploy but I'm not putting it in the truck just yet.

[@nw649]

Great idea for a ground sheet. They are weak for sure. But if used like a literal blanket, the mylar itself is invaluable tech when it comes to keeping you warm. Some thick tarps at harbor freight even have mylar insides now though.

[@skeetwebster9389]

I have one. My first thought when I saw the grommets was "those are stupid" . It's obvious that it's made from a tyvek type material and wouldn't survive under tension. However, it's still useful as a survival blanket or would be good to use in constructing hide sites, especially if you were trying to hide from thermal.

[@josephpauley93]

Within the last couple of months I bought a survival blanket off of Amazon from a company called bear hard that looks the exact same as this green topped, mylar underside and black reinforcement stitching. And on my first use it also ripped at the metal grommets with very little tie-down pressure and barely no wind.

[@GruntProof]

Yea I did a video on them and destroyed it as well. They sent me an "updated version" that I've been playing with. Not impressed. The one I reviewed from Bushmen is awesome.

[@GruntProof]

The Bushmen Thermo Tarp: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJrKqZd-hZ6nodU&ab_channel=GruntProof

[@josephpauley93]

@@GruntProof hell yeah thank you I'll definitely check it out now

[@VictorGarciaR]

Adding extra stitches is useless if the material rips right next to them. They need to put more material there. I would add 25mm/1" nylon webbing around the perimeter and reinforced loops on the corners. The material cant take the stress, add other material in between. That way the tension is on the nylon and the blanket has to deal with the wind/storm pushing on it and not a very strong and local shearing stress (using the gromets)

[@q-man762]

A tarp and a survival blanket to wrap up in. There's video's on treating painters drop cloths with silicone/naptha solution to make it waterproof if want to make your own.

[@MarcS-zu1qf]

Thx for the new Test! I have the smaller one for a daytrip in the Backpack. Just as a fast simple weather protection.

[@monstersaint]

Wow. Thanks for help with survival Arcturus! You care about things and stuff.

[@devildog17013]

Wow! That one sh*t the bed rather quickly. I agree with others that yes, they need to rethink the materials and manner of attachment of the grommets. It's better than having nothing, but you would definitely need to be careful. Like the military taught us - test it to failure, then figure out why it failed and try to fix it.

[@thinkfirst6431]

I have 2 of the Arcturus blankets that ride around in a bag. Apparently that is all they are good for. Better to find out now than when needed.

[@savage22bolt32]

I had Arcturus confused with Arc'teryx. They have the interesting dinosaur bones logo, & supposed to sell good quality outdoors products.

[@George-pf8zb]

IDK for sure, but I'd guess the similarity of the brand name Arcturus was intentional.

[@constancemiller3753]

I thought there must be a difference between this crappy tarp and what Homemade Wanderlust/Dixie carries on trail. 🤔

[@OregonMike]

The name was designed to gain from arc`teryx reputation. They make good stuff but they are pretty proud of anything they make and are overly expensive, that blanket would be $450 if arc`teryx made it.

[@kst357]

I'm not a physicist but it seems as though bonding reflective mylar or some other heat-reflecting coating to a rip-stop poly tarp shouldn't be that hard or expensive. Once winter ends I'm thinking of experimenting with spray painting different mirror-chrome finishes on a true heavy duty tarp to see if any of them will reflect heat as good as the standard cheap survival blankets and not peel or flake off too easily.

[@GruntProof]

True. Standard space blankets tear easily, so I'm trying to find a tough, reflective material to try that with

[@asmith7876]

Wow, I've seen other reviews of this tarp so I'm a bit mystified...I considered getting one but they were always so small but this XL size, hell I would've jumped all over it! So thanks, you saved me $25! I guess I'll continue using my Aquaquest. No reflective lining but I did just camp out and scraped ice off of it two weeks ago, no harm done. It also cost $110 so you get what you pay for. You do the best reviews!

[@GruntProof]

It's not the worst product. You just have to baby it

[@asmith7876]

@@GruntProof The Army never issued me anything I had to “baby”! LOL. I’ll pass on this one until they improve it. Thanks for the review.

[@petesheppard1709]

A failure when used as a tarp, but how well does it hold up as a *blanket*, retaining heat when wrapped around an improvised sleep system?

[@GruntProof]

It's fine for that

[@petesheppard1709]

@@GruntProof Thanks!

[@staceymiller4765]

I completely agree! If it doesn’t handle the stress of the outdoors, it’s not a “ survival “ tool!

[@nateminegar6974]

Fair test Randall, thanks for the video, love your stuff brother!

[@oceansoftomes5018]

Folk, there are two blankets from Arcturus😮.. my favorite is the 4.5 pound wool blanket. I am replacing my junky military ones. I love this Arcturus wool blanket not to be confused with the survival one

[@GruntProof]

The wool blanket is great

[@GruntProof]

I really need the fanboys to understand that they do promote this as a shelter. I think it's a great blanket and I use it as a ground sheet as well. But it's dumb as a shelter, as they and their product pushers claim. www.amazon.com/Arcturus-Heavy-Duty-Survival-Blanket/dp/B01H6NC8XU?ref_=ast_sto_dp

[@lessharratt8719]

Good on you for giving this junk a second chance. Maybe there will be a third. I will watch. Snow here too.

[@shyamlynn243]

YES!! I love the fact you are pointing out poor quality manufacturing. These companies can and should do much better. I hope they take notice.

[@hoteltesla]

What do you think of Jerven Bag? They are made for Scandinavian military and were in used for quite a long time

[@warpony4202]

I agree a good tarp is what I carry in my bag never fails me.

[@JohnDoe-kf7md]

I was literally just looking at this on Amazon earlier today. 🤯

[@FranklinHicks-qs4gs]

No way !!!!

[@JohnDoe-kf7md]

@Edward Fletcher tell me about it. If anyone knows of a decent one let me know.

[@thatkajunguy8029]

Interesting, so Randall you could be back on the coast and still be getting snow right now. Crazy huh, bbrrr. 🥶

[@ottomechanic1370]

Omg! I was thinking down the road to purchase one. Thanks for your review and test. 👍

[@samuelsims4625]

Well harbor freight has camo tarps for about $10 and it definitely holds up. I carry one in my bag just as a backup in case.

[@George-pf8zb]

Direct UV light and wind shredded my Harbor Freight tarp the second day. It made it through 2 nights though.

[@waggtech8793]

I’ve had one hanging on the side of a chicken coop for at least a year now to block wind, rain and snow without any failure. It looks like they’re more than twice the tarp. I should have just hung a cheap blue one and saved the camo tarp for camping use...

[@gregpoe1993]

Gotta make sure 100% it's worth hanging my hat on. I appreciate you being blunt and honest 👍

[@alf3553]

I prefer a good Square tarp & a SOL double blanket for heat reflecting. I rarely use the SOL but I still carry it.

[@irondog8250]

Great test, But about your gortex jacket, which Product do you recommend to reproof it with ? All the best, Richard.

[@GruntProof]

I haven't run into that issue. Now I'll start looking! Thanks

[@irondog8250]

I thought your cuff looked saturated, It may say which product to use on the label, l just thought you may know the best product to use. Ok thanks for your reply.

[@GruntProof]

I haven't laundered mine in years. Maybe that's the problem. According to the Goretex site, that's all you need for DWR: www.gore-tex.com/blog/restore-durable-water-repellency-raingear

[@George-pf8zb]

I was taught or read, I don't remember which: to never use soap when washing the Gore tex, because soaps can make it less capable for shedding water.

[@George-pf8zb]

@@Matthew_Australia yeah, the product label says you can wash it but leave no residual soap. No dryer heat above 150 Fahrenheit. Gives a military product code for restoring water repellency. Basically like what you said.

[@gerdymanos9571]

Thanks for showing

[@gary7vn]

I tested the SOL blanket as a tarp in wind. The grommets failed. I have used Space blankets too, the grommets fail. Looks like nothing has changed.

[@GruntProof]

I mean for 20 bucks they're just above novelty. I use my casualty blanket as a ground sheet now

[@rw7594]

Dammit. I'm guilty of not testing this. Just checked mine bought in 2022. It only has corner grommets in the 5x7. The reinforcements part os double stitched along the diagonal but single all the way around. I took a ferro rod and gave some good pulling tension on a grommet and it didn't tear. However, I'll go back to keeping my 5x7 brown poly tarp with several grommets and keep that Arctaurus in the truck as a blanket as the factory describes or as a ground sheet. This one is thick enough.

[@Grizzly907LA]

I don't want to "baby," my camping gear. I have a similar blanket, but after this, I won't be using it as a shelter. I do have the USMC tarp, and that seems pretty stout.

[@newnormal1841]

The grommet didn't fail The fabric failed. 🤺💐

[@paulpetrie5482]

As you mentioned...nothing beats a tarp. I have never seen one of these so called "survival" blankets stand up to any sort of heavy usage. Lots of good companies out there that make great tarps for a reasonable cost. I have an Aquaquest and a OneTigris. Both of which I have punished and they are still holding up. Great video and once again I like seeing how you call it for what it is. Keep on keeping it real! Cheers

[@GruntProof]

thanks!

[@Kazad22]

I would love to see your reviews of the thermo tarp by the Polish company Bushmen. I wonder if he would have survived the test.

[@GruntProof]

I checked it out and might get one

[@larrykramer6057]

Compared to other SURVIVAL blankets the Arcturus does well. Also, nobody would erect the kind of shelter (?) you made unless they wanted to catch the wind so they could die quicker. Low to the ground and with someone who knows how to pound stakes the Arcturus would last most storms. Not as good as a tent or tarp, but that is not its purpose. Small, light, and better than nothing is what you want and what you get-- especially for a measly $20.

[@roninrusso872]

Wow, I almost bought one of these. Thank you so much for putting this video up. You saved me a whole lot of money, do you have or can you tell me about a survival blanket that actually works? Thank you so much for your time

[@billopad9625]

How would you rate it for folding in half and having a bed roll inside? Bivvy-esque, Even trifold, well wrapped, I imagine it would be warm & waterproof?

[@GruntProof]

It would be fine. I tested it twice and in two shelter methods, because that's how they promote it.

[@jimzwerlein6012]

Nice review thanks for making the video and sharing. Been in heavy winds before with a so called survival blanket which couldn't handle the wind and self destructed. I was sure glad I wasn't in a survival situation! It just proves you need to test your gear! Have a great day!

[@invictus3598]

Thank you for an honest product review. This is must have information for prospective buyers.

[@waggtech8793]

Wishing I’d seen this before buying two of them.... oh well. Maybe they’ll come in handy somewhere. Maybe as a ground cloth?

[@GruntProof]

Yea just baby them

[@0bserver416]

As always nice video with true and hones review, Grunt! Little off topic. What's your height (in cm) and your DCU ECWCS (Lvl 3 guess? ) parka? Trying to figure out a size that will perfectly fit me.

[@GruntProof]

Medium regular. I'm 175 cm

[@0bserver416]

@@GruntProof Thanks. So with my 180 cm (75kg), I guess it;s either Medium Long or L regular, right?

[@GruntProof]

Depends on the fit you want. M-L would fit you fine. It's American so wide in the shoulders

[@vikingmitch4049]

Take a sewing machine to it Randall and make that tarp into a cover for a thermarest or roll matt. Just an idea..

[@GruntProof]

Good idea, but if I take a sewing machine to anything it definitely won't worth anything anymore 😁

[@tiberiumnp8030]

One good alternative might be 2GoSystems tarps. The company is known for it's reflective bivvys and such (which I own a couple, but have no experience with their tarps).

[@GruntProof]

Cool thanks

[@HistoryOnTheLoose]

Those are super accurate simulated survival conditions there. What is that, a ski lodge lol? There are undeniably some major issues with the product. I have to say that survival applications wouldn't always support such a set up, though. In the event of a cold camp (for whatever reason) a tall backstop reflector is ill advised. Better to erect a low, small, more enclosed (not fully) shelter to conserve body heat. Allowing outside snow to further insulate. Not sure why to place grommets on anything considered a "blanket". Better a light tarp. Use a blanket as a blanket.

[@ndubstar]

for me these are more likely to wrap up in, with a blanket. if using for a tarp, I would use for a ground tarp.

[@jamesozment1]

Dave Canterbury has a shop called self reliance outfitters and sells arcturus blanket but much more heavy duty version than the proprietary hd model.

[@GruntProof]

It looks like the same model but with their logo on it

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Grommets in any tarp create a weak link. Why they didn't reinforce those areas and add fabric loops is beyond me.

[@Flashahol]

If it's labelled a "survival" item, it basically means it's a toy you shouldn't depend on for survival. I believe the SOL all-weather blanket is much stronger than this (definitely rip-stop at least), but I won't find out as I'm returning it... it just is too hard to fold back into a decent package which means I ain't carrying that. My old waxed shower curtain is more practical... I quit on reflective blankets as a tarp solution.

[@mfish7]

Thanks for the video as always. I asked you what made a good ground sheet last time you reviewed their smaller product. I found the German "plane" you were talking about, but I could only find them outside the US. I ended up finding some Woodland camo polyurethane coated diamond ripstop nylon by the yard on ebay and am going to try that. It seems tough enough, but I haven't put it through much yet.

[@GruntProof]

I never used the German Plane. Any small, tough tarp can be used as a ground sheet for tents.

[@abandonedotter4270]

I bought one of these and the grommet reinforcement ripped off the corner the first time I used it. 😄

[@Apocraphon]

They should interweave the mylar into the tarp fabric on one side so that it can flex

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

Finding good equipment you can both trust, and afford, is always difficult. It's almost always a question of cost vs quality vs weight. When you get to be my age, (47), weight becomes more of an issue, especially over the course of several days. I find some surplus equipment is the best, and will suck up the weight, others i'll shed for civilian equivalent because it does *almost* as good in the durability department, is purpose made, and is lighter. I shuffle stuff around, but one thing I'll never do is buy cheap survival items at are of the more serious nature. Shelter and warmth falling into that category. When you run solo in the mountains, equipment failure is not acceptable to me, at all, ever.

[@duanebrower7896]

I have one thanks for the info. I didn't even see any wind and the damn thing tore.

[@chillios2222]

The'yre better to full seam the edge with one consistent stitched nylon and nylon loops not grommets, just some input you can send them

[@UltraMaga45]

I bought one of these just to use as a ground sheet for my snugpak scorpion 3 and ionosphere thats about as all they are good for.

[@FeldwebelWolfenstool]

I got a good deal on a piece of carbon felt, to make a stove-jack. Wish I would have had more Jack at the time to buy a 4x8 piece for a campfire blanket, to keep the flying embers off the spendy outdoor clothing...

[@timothygourley5690]

Great video, I was going to get one but I found this video first and you've saved me money

[@bOoBiES9356]

I think the order of how the wind block was constructed may play a large part in the quick failure. I think staking the bottom first and covering it with several inches of dirt/snow before hoisting the top part to attach to trees/posts would work much better. But as the tester stated ripstop and more stitching would definitely help. Good video.

[@kellymountsr2358]

Reminds me of a flimsy tarp that you can get at that H.... Freight store for free with purchase.

[@MarkRuslinzski]

Stick with the military tent and mass sleep system, it's a big load to carry but you can count on it

[@Shankdaddy16]

Are you planning on doing a review of those Gen I ECWCS parkas? They seem pretty cool

[@GruntProof]

I just might. Thanks

[@Shankdaddy16]

@@GruntProof Awesome! Love your channel!

[@azclaimjumper]

Direct & to the point. Well said. I think we're in the same neighborhood. I have an AquaQuest tarp that I'm certain would provide me with shelter during strong gusty winds. Warm Regards from Reno, Nevada.

[@GruntProof]

Cool! I'm doing some work in Sparks currently

[@azclaimjumper]

@@GruntProof Today, I hiked up Deadman's Creek, up to the Gazebo, which is on the South Side of Washoe Lake. Am now planning to hike the Jones/White's Creek 9.2 mile loop hike that begins @ the Galena Creek Recreation Center on Wednesday or Thursday. I'm an old fart, 76 years old, 5'3" tall & still full of piss & vinegar.

[@GruntProof]

Awesome!

[@patriknydensten1363]

You can basically hear how bad it is by the sound that it makes. You're better off buying a surplus basha or a nylon tarp like DD. If you want quality survival bag/tarp with reflector look at Jerven. If your survival depends on it then, I'd suggest, you might spend some extra money rather than buying the cheapest possible.

[@melyssa8585]

I just bought the SOL version and my plan is for either a summer ranger roll or if I have to use it as a shelter I’ll build a frame for it lol

[@carlbernsen1290]

3.6 pounds! My tarptent Rainbow is 2.2 pounds and sleeps 2, with bug netting and a floor. The saved weight means I can carry more insulation and food. The only advantage to a tarp this big and heavy is to be able to make it into a three sided shelter, with a floor, and build a fire in front. But there are much lighter, more practical solutions. A tarp is never going to protect as well as a good tent.

[@thefucrew9865]

Are these the same ones that they sell at The Pathfinder/Self Reliance Store (the Dave Canterbury one) ????

[@GruntProof]

I've heard they use the same product and simply put their logo on it. Most plants in china do this: it's all the same product but with different compnies' names.

[@brushbum7508]

Thanks Randall ! TAKE CARE..

[@chipdavitt1415]

Thanks for this review..I was actually going to buy one of these

[@alpinealpine2793]

If they send another unimproved tarp can you use it as a ground sheet so we can see if it's viable for that application.

[@GruntProof]

I tried their regular size as a ground sheet not too long ago and had similar results. Any sort of abuse and this thing tears horribly.

[@alpinealpine2793]

@@GruntProof thanks,. I've only just started watching your channel. I'll make an effort to catch up with the older ones.

[@HIPPIETHUG92109]

Have you tested the Pathfinder survival blanket?

[@GruntProof]

Have not

[@craigshugg2332]

Corporal kelly corner pushes the Arcturus survival blankets, he hang a brake drum off one. The pathfinder school have video where they go round and duct tape the edges and grommet holes to give it more strength.

[@GruntProof]

I aware, but I haven't found a video of them using it in inclement weather

[@B_Rael]

IA 100% agree with you when it comes to the tarp to the tarp I've only used it once when I was living in my car actually I've used it many times living in my car can swear by it you can get any normal tarp and it will help you survive that least that 1 night but getting a tarp will make you like sweat and I mean trap all that body heat inside that no matter how cold it gets but to the point where stuff is like snowing on you and you're taking off layers so the tarp Is the best part to go

[@jackrandall4660]

You missed while hammering it down! Using paracord letting you miss and not screw up! I've used the regular size and the large size in the desert of New Mexico and both have worked well!

[@GruntProof]

I've set it up in all kinds of ways, with different tie offs. It's okay for a cheap ground sheet

[@hammerhound168]

Thanks for showing us the limitations of this product. It's not a stand alone survival for sure, But its not a total nogo item either, seems it could be used as liner for tents and tarps but not structural item at all. So pair it with a poly tarp or sil-nylon tarp maybe ? Ground mat ? We have house wraps and roofing underlayments that are ripstop reinforced poly-mat. why can't it be mylar coated. Seems like for a few dollars more and some corporate will we could get a truly decent product. Maybe there is a operatunity for small business here?

[@GruntProof]

Yea it would work for a ground sheet, as long as you take care of it

[@behindthespotlight7983]

Great review. Short and to the point. And we didn’t spend 5 painful minutes reviewing packaging or instructions either. I guess the only solve (if someone already owns one) would be to do big triangle gussets of Gorilla tape (like 6-8 inches all three sides) with the hole bored out through the tape. Probably easier to just buy a better quality tarp. Personally I won’t go under $50 on Amazon. Anything cheaper is a one n done

[@nomad6737]

Only good thing about this product is using it as a ground sheet, as tent next to useless, but good for keeping the mud off the ground

[@GruntProof]

Same here

[@couchcamperTM]

I'm happy with my Grabber, didn't fail me in ~15 years. While it's not advertised as a tarp, I used it as one on several occasions. I recommend using toggles with the grommets, they are the weak spot on every product like that incl. a poncho, there is a reason good tarps come with reinforced loops... it's called wind xD

[@couchcamperTM]

@Randall Actual on the arcturus website?

[@Delta922]

You shouldn't have it so tight at the corners. It'll damage the tarp material at the gromets.

[@hardtrooth1776]

Any tarp with enough tension on the grommets with a stake and a cord that has very little or no give will be damaged Would be a better video to teach.