Testing Out a CHEAP £6 Tarp!! | Ex-Military Bushcraft Enthusiast Kit Testing

[@PeterPeadar]

The pebble commentary alone was worth the price of admission. "Grounding." Well done.

[@fractiousfauxpas1368]

One thing I love about this channel is there is no elitism. This tarp is cheap and it may be subpar, but nick has no qualms with admitting it has its uses, so many outdoor channels will trash anything under £9999999 that isn't made by NASA and has at least 100 Instagram points. Whereas nick is a simple no frills man. Simple video with a simple messaage. Does it do a job? Yes. Could it be improved on? Yes. Would you prefer the DD? Yes. But it works so, you do you boo.

[@anthimatter]

I love your channel Nick; it's been my rabbit hole for the past month lol. You're a very good teacher and I've learnt so much from you since discovering it. It's refreshing to see someone reviewing and hacking cheaper stuff instead of going straight to arm and a leg level kit! Much respect from Australia mate.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

I could see that as secondary footprint/ground sheet for my French F-2 tent... just have to tuck a few inches in.

[@lukec1651]

5ft 9in x 7ft 9in or, basically, a 6ft x 8ft tarp here in the States. Great video by the way.

[@earlshaner4441]

Hi from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else thank you for sharing your adventures

[@originalreelcamping6045]

I've used this cheap tarp on a couple of occasions and have found no downside to it apart from the noise when windy (in which isn't that bad), setting and packing up. I'm on a tight budget so this is a good option for those who are on budget. Also these tarps are very light weight at only 80g per square metre in which is lighter than most other tarps on the market that are more expensive and weigh about 100g - 120g per square metre. My tarp is 1.5m by 2m, feet stuck out of the end but no rain so didn't mind so much, got a bigger one now 2.4m by 3m now I won't have to worry about feet getting wet when it rains ha ha. Great vid, about time someone done something about budget gear as we all don't have the money these days

[@sahhull]

Ive got a 4m x 4m budget blue tarp (£10) Ive carried it for the last 8 years. Its been great. Its a great shelter for lunch breaks during hikes. Its also got me out of a few scrapes when the UK weather does its thing. Earlier this year I spent 3 days camping under it, waiting for the weather. I use trekking poles, guy lines and pegs. The setup depends on wants and needs.

[@soggz4246]

Hi Nick. I have one of those exact Camo tarps. My BBQ has been quite happily camping under it for over a year now. Regards.

[@SketchieRecordsUK]

get a stick that is longer than the distance between the eyelets, get a length of cord and tie a loop at each end, put loops through the eyelets and around stick, pull out cordage into a V and use a clove hitch around peg and pull out to tension👍✊

[@Tanko3691]

I have one of those tarps, or rather same woven material in dark green. I bought it from poundland 18months ago but not seen any more since. I use it as an additional ground sheet to protect the floor of my tent being damaged from any sharp twigs etc if the ground is a little rough. Its light weight and came in a little net bag, not bad for only a few quid.

[@davejenx]

glad you mentioned bungees , if you're no good at knots perfect solution for a tarp

[@thegrumpyfugu9732]

The stone! In such a practical discipline such as bushcraft it's great to see a creator who isn't afraid to touch on the spiritual side of it once in a while.

[@JimmyD_C172]

Great Video Nick! We have a low-cost "tool and equipment retailer" chain of stores here in the US that sells tarps with that coloring. I would refer to that as similar to "Woodland" camo. I keep a larger version of that in my car trunk. This video makes me want to go out and test it.

[@tomcatt998]

Harbor freight

[@a.ramosakadrumgrl6677]

Convert the size to feet, it might make more sense. I use those tarps as ground cloths when car camping.

[@peter_roth_8812]

That's a very fair review of this cheapest kind of playground tarp. Maybe you should afford a second one for a more realistic shelter. Thank you for your clear 4-knot demonstration.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

Thank you for your advice about "widow makers". Did a country walk a few days ago and saw some devastation caused by a perfectly healthy tree. Turns out the tree behind it was much larger, older, and sick. When the older tree fell in a wind it ended up striking a perfectly healthy tree and taking that one down too. By my estimation about 20 tonnes of timber was felled, and the root span for the trees was about 60 feet a piece.

[@oilburner8548]

I recently bought a 3x2m all green coloured one with eyelets all the way around for £15, it works great for a beginner, washers on the cord and home made Hazel pegs 👍

[@ryanwisbey3387]

This vid took me back 30 or so years to the military. The remarks at the beginning made me chuckle. Can take the man from the army but cant take the army out of the man huh. 🤣🤣

[@jonbridge8064]

Great video Nick. You can thread cordage through the eyelets along the edges of the tarp. Additional tension lines can be added to these. This also allows for the tension to be shared between eyelets reducing the risk of them pulling out in wind.

[@edpikestone6800]

It looks exactly like the tarp that my kids got in a camping den kit. Great for getting the kids into the outdoors.

[@jimstillwell4668]

That pebble is a good luck charm. I carry one as well. Who a pebble would have multiple options. Great video.

[@jonfisher9214]

Nick, a good solution to the missing central eyelet are tarp clips. A screw tightened clamp you can attach anywhere around the edge. I got some from Amazon but the ones I got are no longer available or I'd have added a link.

[@inguzwulf]

I like that about the pebble (about bringing the outside in).

[@charlesmckinney]

You could add a few more grommets along the edges to make that more secure. I have two 10'x10' nylon tarps. One has only 8 attachment points and the other has 19. I use tarp clips when im using the tarp with8 attachment points if I need more but im considering adding more grommets. I use a 6'x8' poly tarp with 8 attachment points as an emergency tarp. I pitch it in a Holden configuration usually. Its big enough for me and my gear. I'm alone so thats sufficient. The 5'x7' tarps are a bit small as far as I'm concerned.

[@frankcqIII]

I've slept on top of a hill in a hammock under a polytarp in the middle of 40mph winds and heavy rain and stayed dry for the most part. They're very durable. However, you want to make sure the ridgeline is very tight and that the tarp doesn't slip.

[@gilbert7794]

A £6 tarp would be a luxury on a military SERE training coarse.

[@RambloManiacs]

I use these sort of cheap tarps for ground sheets so I don't care too much if they rip. I've tried stringing them up before and they just fall apart. A couple of bungees around each tree would make an easier, quicker set up without having to use those extra cords and drip lines.

[@dougdixonhull]

Hi Nick. Great video. I have a few of these cheap tarps and I tend to use them as ground sheets under my tents, in my Lavvu etc. Still use my DD tarps for the usual stuff but these cheap tarts. I also use one to collect my hedge cuttings.

[@ryan_bitzer]

Please do a video of the best bed set-ups for those who don't like swinging in hammocks when they're trying to sleep! I sleep on my sides and think a hammock just won't be the best thing for me when camping and I think cots would be too bulky for a bushcraft trip.

[@Drew-Abbott]

I've been using these types of tarp for yrs. Perfect for summer. Although they are noisy in wind

[@neilwarnock1449]

I really think the other place for a cheap tarp is in a day hike bag for contingencies or a quick shade/shower shelter when you stop for a brew (or if a member of the party is injured). Low cost and low expectations but an insurance policy (of sorts).

[@EricTheSwede]

I found a basically identical tarp to this one in a Swedish "low price" store called Överskottsbolaget for 20SEK (~£1.5) on sale, I think the normal price is roughly 40 SEK, so ~£3. Only difference is the corners aren't reinforced with those plastic bits. Dimensions are just like the one you found very odd, 1.7x2.4m so your thought about the "max tarps per roll of material" might be it! It's noisy as all hell but works wonders for a ground sheet to kneel on or use outside the tent/bivvy to keep one's feet clean and dry! :) Great video per usual, Nick!

[@eireanneruss2311]

Here in the states that gap would be sold as 6 ft by 8 ft with fine print staying that the published dimensions were the unfinished dimensions (or the dimensions that were cut before the edges were dressed and grommets added

[@steveclark..]

I'd get one just to use as a back up or as a ground sheet etc, handy item to keep in a vehicle, that's for sure.

[@LOFIGSD]

I got the DD hammocks Magic Carpet XL, which is similar form factor, part of my summer wild camping rig for less than 100 quid, that tarp you are testing definitely has its place, put over some really damp ground with standing water see how it fairs.

[@cruachan1191]

I've got that tarp as well, it's a great size for me to keep in my day pack as a ground sheet or sit pad whilst also doubling as an emergency shelter if the weather turns (which happens a lot in the UK! 😂 )

[@LOFIGSD]

@@cruachan1191 agreed, the Magic Carpet a great form factor, these cheap tarps are handy around camp too, keep firewood dry etc, even at home, chuck over the laundry if get a summer shower.

[@heffyhoff]

Have to say my DD magic carpet is rather pathetic as it actually soaks up the ground water. Tried reproofing now filed in the bin.

[@LOFIGSD]

@@heffyhoff surprised, I've found no different than my other tarps in that respect, that could be a good video.

[@TAVAAR7]

I've never seen that figure 4 knot used on corners to relieve stress on grommets. Ill have to remember that even for nicer tarps.

[@PlayaSinNombre]

Three of these, or similar, tarps are my shelter system. Mine are 5 feet (152.4 cm) by 7 feet (213.36 cm). I set up one to sleep under, usually in a plow point configuration. I wrap one in half, or thirds, around an automotive windscreen reflector to sleep on. I carry a third to sleep in, lined with a fleece blanket. Kind of a royal marine burrito, on the cheap!

[@hammerhound168]

Nick, Grommet kits are cheap and very easy to use. Just add an eyelet where you want one.

[@normanscout1864]

Great video nick personally I wouldn't use one in the outdoors but saying that I have a couple of them for my grandchildren to practice on in the garden and they love it so I've past on some military knowledge for them and it looks like it's going to cost me a pretty penny for the right gear for them I know it's a long way off but I think I have Xmas presents sorted

[@cestogram]

This tarp seems to be exactly the type which I bought in Greece (randomly choosed armyshop on the street) during my long backpacking & hitchhiking journey since 2016 from Central Europe to Hong Kong (across 25 countries with no taking fly). And I have it until nowadays and can honestly say it served me well and saved me many times throughout harsh conditions in various weathers and with some simple repair work (duck tape) i believe it will still be the gear I will occasionally take out for camping etc. in following years. Not the lightest tarp of course and and the size is also just fine - nothing luxurious, but it was good. It also taught me that the experience of adventures is not mainly about the gear i carry with me but about the intentions and attitude I have during my travels in my mind and about my creativity of course. ⛺

[@dylannelson1105]

As a fellow who wears boots all day for work I’ve noticed you wearing a couple different pairs of boots throughout your videos, and couldn’t help but wonder what makes you choose those pairs over others? Would love to see a video detailing what types of features or materials you look for in a good pair of boots. Thanks!

[@nigelgregory4777]

Nice one Nick, something like this would be perfect for kids, it gives them a chance to get out enjoy, explore, have fun out doors with their mates and it doesn't cost the parents a fortune for something that may get used once or twice before they get fed up with it and want their x box back, personally I'd consider this as a great tarp to carry on an expedition style trip to go over a campfire in bad weather, you can get eyelet kits cheap and put them where you like, and if you do the pebble trick in the centre you can create a central hanging point, and it won't upset you if you get a couple of spark holes in it. I'd definitely buy this if I saw one but they are normally bright blue. Take care Nick 👍👍☕☕⛺ Ps, I have found the video of my DD lightweight tarp during storm Ellen in August 2020 and will send it to you this week.

[@MikeWood]

I suspect that the measurements are in old school and not in metric. I have one of those very loud tarps in my vehicle as a just-in-case. Makes for an okay tarp but I wouldn't want to backpack with it. Good as a ground sheet or extending a cover off the rear hatch when it's lifted up. Gives a bit of shade.

[@kennethwilson8633]

Maybe a lean to or something with the tarp flying a little higher at 60 I don’t like to crawl all the time and would like to sit upright. Have fun stay safe.

[@a.i.a3949]

Ive slept under all sorts, i find its not necessarily price of the gear rather than how much knowledge you have setting up shelters. I started with cheap blue tarps from the gardening shop. So long as you have good steep angles water doesnt get through the gaps.

[@stevenkeithley4336]

Great video Nick keep em coming 👍. Hope the family's doing good. Stay safe and be well brother. Strength and Honor... 👊 🤙 🍻

[@inregionecaecorum]

I have used them to cover sundry stuff on the allotment, they degrade eventually.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Everything has a purpose, it's for the keen mind to ascertain what that purpose might be 👍 A lot of 'Bushcraft' to me isn't what gear you have, it's what you can do with what you have, mindset, mindset, mindset as a certain Man would say :-)

[@asmith7876]

We used such tarps for years when we were younger and broke, but not that size, way too small for me, rain can blow in it too easily. I use an Aquaquest brand tarp, 10 x I13ft/approx. 3 x 4 meters. Yeah it’s HUGE, but I can put my hammock and chair under it in the worst weather, all year ‘round and cook, whatever. Love a good tarp!

[@jory6781]

Really depends on where you get cheap traps like that from I know someone is going to say they are all the same but I have had a cheap boat tarp last me 2 years before breaking.

[@888johnmac]

' people ask me why i have a pebble in my pocket ' .. kudos for not saying ' i don't , i'm just pleased to see you ' .. lol

[@tedsemonis7905]

Run about 10 dollars here and has an odd size. But cheap and reusable so leave one or two in the car. You may run into a time when you have to use one and if you get a window broken good to keep elements out.

[@hugbearsx4]

To tighten the sides, tie the end of the corner cord to the adjacent grommet and peg somewhere inbetween. You need longer cords to be able to set the peg outwards (lengthwise). That tarp is way too small. For about 10 pounds you can get the same tarp in 2m x 3m size.

[@ChrisLambert-Yngvegodi]

Yes and have

[@trevorday7979]

Loving the content as always Nick. Great to let people know you can get out bush if you don’t have the funds. It’s not about the best gear, but functionality. Can do in a pinch, so long as you’re out there doing it! Love the pocket rock and grounding. You can always carry x 6 small ones too, just in case a you’re needed to umpire 🤣🤣 All jokes aside…Keep up the great work mate. 👍🤝🦘

[@AafkeArt]

I use a cheap tarp like that as a ground sheet, I sometimes camp at a place where we have flyball competitions with our dogs and the ground there is very uneven with some small stones here and there, and in this situation it is much better than my expensive lightweight ground sheet for protecting my tent. I have never noticed it letting through water, even when the ground was pretty soaked.

[@garycothren1294]

Those are very useful car camping, I keep two for that purpose. They also come in handy as a ground sheet for a tent. I mean they have a ton of uses but they don't always fit the needs of a shelter. Great video and keep on keeping on.

[@grahambonner508]

I've got one of those and use it as a ground sheet or to cover gear I don't want to get wet. The camo print can wear off leaving a less than camo whitish colour. I've heard that a hand full of pebbles is also useful to scare off wild dogs, haven't had to test this yet myself (hope I don't have to)

[@phuaphua4301]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@krishoogstraat6866]

I agree 100 % with you on this tarp. Great honest review. Well done sir !

[@morganwilliams8104]

Hi Nick, The tarp you reviewed is the same as the one you get in the military individual protection kit (ipk). No eyelets but it does come with a good amount of cordage and 6 or 8 aluminium ground pegs. It’s what I use but I’m thinking about the dd 3x3. Keep up the good work Morgan

[@beetooex]

Interesting. The sheet in the IPK I just bought is totally different. It's much higher quality. I think mine was mid 90s issue.

[@richardchapman7896]

Great info nick but my army issue DPM 95 is still holding out lol just take care all

[@Travelling-Tim]

It definitely had a place with me on my 10 day river kayak trip, along with a £10 tent, combined with a cheap ground sheet I had no problems 👌

[@MisterBurtonshaw]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@N1611n]

Great video Nick, I'm a shell scrape and poncho man myself.😁👍

[@jasongreen6447]

As always very helpful with my questions and decisions, thanks mate my kit is getting better with every vid.

[@crashoutdoors82]

I use the 3 x 3.2 free soilder tarp

[@malcoppock4255]

Great honest review.

[@mikehotshots7607]

The measurements are weird because they're done in US units. The measurement of tarps is for the cut material before any folding or sewing, so this is an 6x8 foot tarp, where the actual dimensions are closer to 5.75x7.75 feet. Its a bit like how our 2x4 inch wood boards actually measure 1.5x3.5 inches. Random? Not really, but your facial expressions while measuring just reinforces how little since it makes to continue using the imperial system.

[@JohnSmith-gs4lw]

Yes and.... Lamenting the fact that it doesn’t have correctly placed tie downs tells me that it is designed to cover things in the back of a pickup truck, or a half cord of firewood sitting on the ground. It’s not designed as a camping shelter. However, I think you’ve shown that it can be pressed into service for that usage. Might be better off saving your pennies, and waiting to get a cheap Chinese made camping tarp from Amazon for a few pounds more. Or not. As you say, probably perfect for kids in the backyard. That’s “super cool” for that use and light years beyond the black plastic weed barrier some of us used as kids. I also think you’re right on the generic woodland camo. US military doesn’t use that anymore, but everything in the 70s sure looked a lot like that.

[@johnshaw8060]

Hi Nick , love the videos, what ground sheet would you recommend when just using a tarp Thank John

[@joshwagner4368]

The measurements only seem odd until you convert them from metric to imperial. They were apparently aiming to make a 5x7 foot tarp, although it is more like 7.5 feet the long way. It is noisy, but I suspect that is from low-cost waterproofing to keep the price low. I would fix the lack of a center point along the long edge by running a long piece of cordage to both of the available grommets with bowlines, then pull the long cord out in a triangle fashion to stake it down where you wanted to give more tension.

[@888johnmac]

lol , i was trying to do the maths in my head .. thanks

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

I’ve got couple those cheap guys , 1 in boat , 1 in truck , 1 at home they’ll do on a pinch , I have to stop vid and convert cm- ft lol

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

Taughtline hitch sorta

[@donwaldroopoutdoors3665]

Take some gorilla tape make a mid spot tie out

[@garenkarapetian709]

Thanks for the video. Any chance of a link where we might purchase this tarp??? …or maybe the title to search for?

[@Drew-Abbott]

Great review.

[@rupertthebusdriver8997]

Well as they say "it is what it is" personally I have just like it haha , it gets abused a bit but it's there if I need it, a bit noisy, like the guy eating crisps behind you at the cinema,

[@MrDkgio]

Coated nylon is pretty cheap to buy, is simple to machine up 👍

[@dancreed]

Could you use a secondary ridge line laying across the top of the centre of the existing ridge line to form a cross formation, pegged out wide with the tarp then laid on top to give you the structure in the tarp sides?

[@dancreed]

Also I figured out that folding items in a zig zag reduces their pack down size rather than then fold, roll, fold, roll

[@twintwotastic3743]

strangely I was looking for a cheap camo tarp the other day. I think they were on Amazon uk. Cannot remember the make but there were alot of reviews say that when exposed over a period to sunlight the camo actually went a blue colour. No idea about the one you have but it could be an experiment?

[@dudleyedge1374]

Nick, survival Tarp or camping tarp ?

[@TheOneLegWanderer]

Do you have a link to this ? No such thing as to many tarps plus this will make a cracking grind sheet. Cheap as!!!

[@YukinagaFinn]

That material doesn't last. Will become soft very quickly after a short period of time of use. Then it starts starts leaking. (Its basically a criss cross weave, by the way.) A positive: the noise decreases as it gets older.

[@JamesBrown-bi7fj]

Can you tell us where you bought it please?

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

For those of us who don't use the metric system: 5 feet 9.685 inches X 9 feet 1.055 inches

[@mlsknnr]

The reason that the measurement seems odd to you is because the cut size before sewing the seams is 6' x 8' in US measurement and that is the measurement they are sold with. We understand that the finished size will be slightly smaller than the size given. The finished size is 7.775' x 5.807'.

[@Dingleowl1582]

👍

[@petepete66]

Extreme loud 🔥🔥🔥👍😂✌️🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[@myepicjourney8275]

I got confused on the knots you went too fast. It is a good learning experience.

[@MarcMallary]

About 70x93 inches very random. It's very noisy material also, not stealthy.

[@freddyoutdoors]

Great cheap tarp but I would use it for summer use only maybe days over night tho but will keep most of the rain off cheer nick

[@myepicjourney8275]

Imagine if it rains that's going to be a noisy trip.

[@myepicjourney8275]

The tarp looks too small. Noisy, I like the size to be touching the ground to keep the window off. You need something bigger.

[@JohnSmith-df4vb]

The noise put me right off, lol.

[@tac926]

The tarp is 93×70 Inches. Just saying

[@wildnesssurvival]

Many of you good outdoorsmans have lost your mind in DD Trap!

[@karlo7586]

Always go cheap at First some folk buy all The gear after watching Loads of videos n find out They don't like it

[@christopherevans2547]

Looks like a harbor freight tarp.