Vihe Vaellus silver backed tarps

[Teal]

Does anyone have one of these? I'm pretty tempted as it seems like a logical idea, in theory it will be warmer under the tarp and in hot conditions you could use it inside out to create a really cool puddle of shade... however they're quite pricey and I'm just a little concerned they haven't caught on because they're rubbish....

http://wildward.com/en/

 

[Man of Tanith]

Scruff had one last weekend when he came down for a camp
Its not a bad set up at all
If i may offer one observation. For me personally i think they are overkill for the UK. They would be ideal with a long log fire in Finland etc. But in the UK i feel a standard tarp and one those robust Space Blankets with the heavy duty backing would work just as effectively

 

[Teal]

MoT, thanks. I'm considering the smallest 1.5 x 3m version as a lightweight personal bivvy tarp for backpacking, so I'm unlikely to be using a fire with it, but hope the reflective properties add the ability to control temperature a little.

Ill mainly be using it in the UK but also for backpacking in the Mediterranean next summer, when I may want to use it silver side out for siestas!

 

[Man of Tanith]

Itd work well for the reflective side i reckon. Or as the outer of a Mors Super Shelter.
Ive not seen the 1.5x3 ones...... i may be tempted by one those i confess

MoT, thanks. I'm considering the smallest 1.5 x 3m version as a lightweight personal bivvy tarp for backpacking, so I'm unlikely to be using a fire with it, but hope the reflective properties add the ability to control temperature a little.

Ill mainly be using it in the UK but also for backpacking in the Mediterranean next summer, when I may want to use it silver side out for siestas!

 

[Man of Tanith]

If memory serves
Decorum and Twodogs on here have the Louhe thingy out of the same material by the same manufacturer. Might be worth contacting them for their opinions. They have used theirs a lot more than my brief nose at scruff so may be of more help to you?

 

[decorum]

I've the Vihe Loue 2, had it about 5 or 6 years

The silvering used on the outside may or may not work as you want . Unless you use a closed tarp configuration you should get breeze through and get the heat away anyway ...

 

[scruff]

Honestly, they are not worth the money.

I picked mine up years ago from Scandinavian Outdoors Store.

The quality and method of construction is poor. Eyelets punched through seams and stiches.

My missus, a Garment Technologist, rolls her eyes whenever she sees it. She can't bare to look at the shoddy workmanship.

It was however my first tarp after graduating from Basha and Ponchos. So I love it for that. When it finally falls to bits, I'll get something different.

The level of quality of reflection is also significantly worse than mylar or similar products, such as SOL's utility blanket.

Really, if you are wanting to escape the sun, Sunsafe/UPF50+ fabrics are the buzzwords you want to be looking at.

A bright colour, yellow, orange or even white, would also make more sense than greens or something similarly dark.

 

[Teal]

I've the Vihe Loue 2, had it about 5 or 6 years

The silvering used on the outside may or may not work as you want . Unless you use a closed tarp configuration you should get breeze through and get the heat away anyway ...

Does the silvering work as per a space blanket in cool climates? What's the overall build quality like?

I've used a space blanket in hit sunshine before, the ideal is to create a pool of shade with ventilation around the sides, rather than cut it off. You still get warm air but the shade is 'deeper' and significantly cooler than the shade through a tarp or tent. If the silvering is decent quality it should work the same way.

I realise I could probably just gaffa tape a space blanket to the bottom of my tarp, but I need a new tarp anyway and this seems like a very elegant solution.

 

[Teal]

Honestly, they are not worth the money.

I picked mine up years ago from Scandinavian Outdoors Store.

The quality and method of construction is poor. Eyelets punched through seams and stiches.

My missus, a Garment Technologist, rolls her eyes whenever she sees it. She can't bare to look at the shoddy workmanship.

It was however my first tarp after graduating from Basha and Ponchos. So I love it for that. When it finally falls to bits, I'll get something different.

The level of quality of reflection is also significantly worse than mylar or similar products, such as SOL's utility blanket.

Really, if you are wanting to escape the sun, Sunsafe/UPF50+ fabrics are the buzzwords you want to be looking at.

A bright colour, yellow, orange or even white, would also make more sense than greens or something similarly dark.

Stuff, thanks. That's pretty clear! Guess I'll get another DD and an SOL!

 

[decorum]

Does the silvering work as per a space blanket in cool climates?

Not that I've noticed.

What's the overall build quality like?

It would seem that mine is a bit better quality than Scruff's. BUT there's a bit here and there on mine where I think that QC in some of bigger/better known companies would have sidelined it to being sold as a 'seconds' . iirc it's a very small family business and the sudden upsurge in popularity/demand might have affected build ~ not enough hours in the day and struggling to meet demands (Mind, a reason for it to happen is not always a good excuse for letting it happen ) . On the balance of things, I'd listen to Scruff's warning


That said ... I consider mine a good purchase, one which I'm glad was made prior to the sudden increase in popularity and price .

 

[Herman30]

http://wildward.com/en/

Perhaps on of these would serve you better? https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/sarma-tst-tarp-m05-woodland-camo/57549

 

[decorum]

I've just followed the Woodward link ... How much? I thought it was expensive when I got mine

 

[scruff]

I've just followed the Woodward link ... How much? I thought it was expensive when I got mine

Exactly!