REI Co-op  Quarter Dome SL Tarp

I have used this tarp in many different ways depending on the weather conditions, a-frame, adirondack, flying a-frame, and tarp tent when solo, and as a backcountry kitchen when backpacking with my wife. I only have a couple of issues. First I wish the measurements were more exact. The listed dimensions include the tieouts. I find this a little deceptive because the measurements should be what a consumer uses to determine actual coverage and thus how many people a shelter can accommodate. Thus far I have had it in everything from sleet and freezing rain storms in November to June thunderstorms and have never been disappointed in it's performance.

Quarter Dome SL Tarp is extremely lightweight and durable. And because it has a very flexible usage, it is very useful. I have been camping with this tarp about four times so far. It is mainly used in combination with REI's lightweight tent, Flash Air 2, to improve weather resistance and comfort. I can't install it neatly because of my poor technique, but this light and easy-to-use tarp is still a very attractive item.

I have spent probably 20 nights just under this tarp. Has done me well thus far. Three of those nights I was in a thunder storm, and it prevailed. Now I carry a tent for the bug protection, but this tarp goes with me still as a good basecamp shelter, or just an extra layer over your tent on a monsoon day.

I bought a Pariah Outdoors tarp on amazon, and immediately saw numerous examples of poor craftsmanship that would've lead to holes and tears in strong winds. I returned it and bought this one, and it is night and day. This thing is SO well made, and light, and a square tarp is just so versatile. On one backpacking trip, my girlfriend and I spent two days with this thing in torrential, windy down pour. I made a sort of raised pyramid shelter with it, and we were able to hang out and enjoy a view of the mountains comfortable while rain dumped on us. Not a drop came through!

Tarp seems well made and light and functional. I have not used yet, but wanted to alert other purchasers and potential purchasers of one problem on some, if not all, quarter dome tarp guy lines. The 8 guy lines that I received with my tarp all had knots placed on both sides of the tensioner. That placement of the knots rendered the tensioner unusable. See photo 1, with the ball point pen pointing to the problematic knot. I untied both knots and rethreaded guy line through the tensioner and tied the knots as shown in photo 2. Problem solved. Alternatively you can just untie the knot that the pen is pointing to. The tensioner will work but also slide up and down the guy line when not in use.

I has wanted a 10x10 tarp with lots of tie outs so I could play 'tarp origami' for different conditions. And it has done that. It could be a little better if it has pulls mid panel. But I also understand that the tarp material itself is fairly fragile and I have resisted gluing on aftermarket pulls (they do sell such things). But yeah. Super happy with this purchase.

I've used the tarp for two just two nights thus far. It hasn't rained either time, but I fully expect that it'll keep me dry. It's inexpensive, light weight and a great alternative to buying a most likely heavier and more expensive tent. I'd recommend it if you're looking to lighten your load.

I have pitched the REI tarp as an A frame, a plow point, and mesh tent cover. It is particularly roomy using trekking poles set to 44" for an A frame. Unstake one side and fold it over for a lean-to, then bring it back over for weather protection.

Bought this to replace a heavier tarp. It’s a great tarp, light, packs small and has a lot of pitching options. I ditched the stock line for some 1.2 mm Dyneema and tied line locs to the nylon loops. Packs down smaller than a 16oz water bottle. Stakes don’t suck but seem a bit heavy. Used it with Tyvek ground sheet and stayed dry. Description incorrectly listed DWR but it looks like REI fixed that. Check out Papa Hiker on YouTube for great options to pitch a square flat tarp. I’m 6’6” and this provided more than enough coverage.

I love the potential of this tarp. I've set up this tarp in every configuration. I was hoping to find a similar product. That was about half the size. As luck would have it, my puppy decided he liked this tarp quite a bit too and tore up one side. Because of the well thought out design, and grommets in the middle, I was able to cut and salvage the unbroken half, and I know have my half sized model, and ordered a new full size one. The tie downs are great set up well to be attached to the top of trekking pulls with the a premade loop, or connect to the grommets with a plastic T connector My only initial complaint was a couple more stakes would be nice, but again with having two that is no longer an issue