Outhaus canvas tarp

[Woody girl]

Anybody used one of these? What is the quality like? Would you say its worth the outlay?
I'm looking at this for my plastic free kit. It's obviously much heavier compared to a dd tarp, but it has a lot of tie out points which saves me having to hand sew loops on a cheaper tarp.
If you've had one, would you recommend it for weather proofness and bushcrafting?

Cons
There is the the extra weight.

Obviously more care needed to look after, making sure it's stored perfectly dry etc.

It's not cheap

Pros.

It's natural fabric.

It fits with the plastic free ethic.

Don't need to worry so much about sparks from the fire.

 

[lou1661]

Not got a tarp from Outhaus, but I have a couple of bits from them, seems to be very well thought out and really well made kit. Also, I can't see any on the website that are not polycotton, so not exactly plastic free.

Louis

 

[Woody girl]

Not got a tarp from Outhaus, but I have a couple of bits from them, seems to be very well thought out and really well made kit. Also, I can't see any on the website that are not polycotton, so not exactly plastic free.

Louis

I didn't notice they were poly cotton. That's a bit of a nuisance. Still better than all nylon tarps . Though I'd prefer proper cotton canvas, or oilskin, can't afford bushcraft Spain prices, and havnt got the where withal to make one. This looked a reasonable compromise, although heavier and still pricey.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Outhaus tarps are very good indeed. I don't have one myself, but I do have a few friends that use them and have no complaints.

If you think the Outhaus tarps are too heavy for you, then I'd heartily recommend a waxed canvas tarp as they're much lighter while retaining all of the useful properties. Thornhill Ultraheavy are probably one of the best in the business (in my humble opinion). Scotty makes some wonderful waxed canvas tarps. All handmade up in the Lake District. Not cheap, but comparable to Outhaus and worth every penny. I have two Thornhill tarps and they're made to a very high standard.

Check out the Thornhill Ultraheavy website here:
https://2d9141.myshopify.com/

 

[CrispyDuck]

I’ve been abusing an outhaus waxed tarp for 5 or more years and apart from being in desperate need of rewaxing it’s practically indestructible. It heavy duty and hard wearing, but is very heavy… This works for me as I use it to cover a trailer and take car camping. But wouldn’t want to hike with it.

 

[Falstaff]

https://www.eufabrics.com/haberdash...#/3637-colour-black7018/3634-size-2_8m_x_2_8m - £100, various sizes, no idea what weight.

There are various suppliers of waxed canvas in various weights out there, sold by the metre. If you have the ability to sew canvas it could save you a lot of dosh. Do you really want loops or would reinforced eyelets do? Personally I prefer eyelets, no unused loops flapping about and seem to last longer.

 

[Glow_worm]

If you could find the wherewithal to sew your own, it would be far cheaper than that, have a look here 8oz wax cotton here at 1.5m width. A couple of 3m lengths sewn down the middle, round the edges, add fittings of your choice, a 3mx3m could be made for £50, or £80 if you want veg tan and copper fittings.... The weight before fittings would be 2.5kg, but canvas beats plastic!

I've used that very material in the past for all sorts of things, it's great stuff, very versatile.

 

[Woody girl]

I don't have a machine capable of sewing canvas, or the space to do it.
I do like making my own gear, but this is not something I can not do at the moment. I know it's cheaper, but a ready made is the only option for me at present.

 

[Brizzlebush]

Tatonka also have some decent- looking polycotton tarps.
I've not used them, but I've seen them, they look well made.
I couldn't tell you how they compare on price though.

 

[nigelp]

Tatonka also have some decent- looking polycotton tarps.
I've not used them, but I've seen them, they look well made.
I couldn't tell you how they compare on price though.

I have one. Very good quality and more cotton than polyester, not true waxed cotton but a nice fabric.

 

[Falstaff]

@ Glowworm Agree on the cost/make case. I have an old treadle sewing machine that can sew canvas. Could you advise on/suggest what weight of canvas is needed for a tarp? I've seen that there are a range of weights go up to 12ox but have no idea what would be right.

 

[Falstaff]

And also what weight for John's hammock!

 

[Glow_worm]

Could you advise on/suggest what weight of canvas is needed for a tarp? I've seen that there are a range of weights go up to 12ox but have no idea what would be right.

The Thornhill Ultraheavy 3x3m tarps are 8oz, 12oz once waxed.

I would think the 8oz ready waxed material would be adequate for smaller tarps, this is Barbour jacket material to give you an idea.

12-14oz you're into big Ridge tent territory (think Icelandic Scout tents) and above you're getting into single skin bag/luggage territory, right up to really heavy stuff like18oz before wax- I have a couple of 1930s Carradice saddlebags and a set of panniers on similarly vintage pushbikes which are 18oz. The canvas looked sound but you could put a thumb through it. I unpicked the stitching to provide a set of patterns, cut out new canvas, and reassembled using the original straps, badges and trimmings. A few months of UV treatment in the greenhouse to fade the new black canvas a little and they look the 30's part again!

I have a heavy duty Singer industrial (which incidentally belonged to Arthur Ransome's nephew) but I'm halfway through converting the old clutch motor to a modern brushless servo motor so it's out of action at present. Loads of projects mounting up for it!

 

[Glow_worm]

Just noticed the hammock question.

I'd say 10oz, 12oz would be very tough if weight isn't an issue.