Noah's Tarp 12

Equipment Tested: Noah's Tarp 12 by Kelty

Conditions Tested: Hail, sleet, rain, sun and high winds

Duration owned: 10 months

Retailer: REI

Price: $69.95

Performance: Under all of the conditions that I have tested this tarp in, it has performed quite well. I have been caught in several late afternoon downpours with dime sized hail and this tarp gave plenty of protection for two people, our gear and a two person tent. I have never noticed the tarp leaking. Under full sun conditions the tarp provides ample room and protection from the rays. The toughest conditions are during high winds. Sometimes it is difficult to configure the tarp guylines in exactly the right spot as to create tension along the edges of the tarp, which can lead to some flapping of the material. The more options for anchor points that you have, the less this will be an issue (using more than 4 guylines also helps).

Durability: The tarp, eyes and webbing all seem to be very durable. I have not seen any rips or material coming loose at the seams. After moderate use my tarp still looks brand new. They guylines are a bit thin and I have had 2 break during sustained winds, but only when the anchor was not 100% stable, causing movement of they guyline.

Versatility: I've used this tarp for car camping, backpacking and river running. Because of the multitude of configurations, large area of coverage, light weight and small pack size, I would classify this tarp as highly versatile.

Thoughts: This tarp fits my needs. When I'm in the backcountry I just want a minimal shelter to keep me out of a storm if one should pop up. Wile I'm car camping it is great to have a shelter to set up cooking, hang out and sleeping areas, all under one roof. I have added some carabiners and stronger guylines to my tarp for quicker and more secure setup.

Recommended: Yes, I think this tarp can be used in a variety of situations and will last many a moon if cared for and it doesn't encounter too many hurricanes.

Blog Foreward

I am starting this blog at the suggestion of a friend. Her inclination was "you are that guy" who reviews outdoor and backpacking equipment. I think this is because I am so pragmatic about what I purchase to use, and when I like something I tell everyone about it, in detail. Usually I research a product for months or a year before I make a purchase, to make sure that it fits my needs.

I'm going to try to review products that I've used under some extreme and variable conditions in order to report on their range of functionality. I may tend to review products that I like, but this is because I usually do enough research to get the right product, the first time. Sometimes I fail and buy a piece of junk.

Bear with me as I try and find my blogging groove. I hope to make these reviews somewhat interesting to read, but I undoubtably will fail some readers.

One more note: Gila Tested refers to the Gila Wilderness, where I currently spend most of my time outdoors. A 555,000 acre Wilderness ranging from 4800-10895 ft in elevation with highly variable terrain and climate. This is a great place to test gear. Rivers, mountains and deserts. However, this is not the only place I have used or will use my gear, just the most common place.

Hope you enjoy. And leave comments!