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Dutchware Tarp Flyz

rated 5.0 of 5 stars
photo: Dutchware Tarp Flyz tent/shelter

Classic Dutchware bling, the Tarp Flyz weigh almost nothing, but make getting a tarp tied to the trees super easy. Barely a gram each, they are perfect for hanging on the ends of your non-continuous ridgeline.

Pros

  • Light
  • Easy to use in all conditions
  • Can move along line for wide span

Cons

  • Dutch gets richer

 

DSC08647.jpg
Tiny but powerful

As you can see in the picture above, these things are tiny bits of titanium that weigh about a gram each. Less than an inch long and just over half an inch tall, it is a good thing they are permanently attached to the ridgelines. You can order them alone or already attached to a length of line.

Basic Function:

Once secured to a ridgeline between tarp and tree the line can be wrapped around the tree and then easily attached to the Tarp Flyz. This is a very solid connection and will maintain whatever tension you apply to the line.

As needed, the loop securing the Flyz can be loosened, allowing them to move up and down the line. This is very useful when trees are either too near or too far. It also allows you to hang the tarp closer to one tree than the other if you prefer.

Demonstration:

The easiest way to explain how the Tarp Flyz work is to show you. This video is just a few minutes long, but demonstrates how the hardware is mounted to the line and how easy it is to use.

Testing Conditions:

 

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Day 14 on the mighty Cohos

I purchased my first set of Tarp Flyz over three years ago and recently purchased my third set. They have been used on all of my solo trips and now I have enough for the entire family.

Conclusions:

Years ago, when I was more foolish, I used to think Dutch's bling was some sort of silly status symbol. Now of course I understand I wasted a lot of time hanging my tarp that could have been spent sitting down eating cheese. Yes, titanium doodads are not cheap, but they are such useful tools it is hard to hold it against them.

As you can see in the video, hanging a tarp between two trees can be done in less than a minute if you don't waste too much time walking from tree to tree. Getting the tension I want and knowing it will hold at that point no matter what the weather does is a comfort when a storm blows through. Fast, easy, secure...these are what I want when making camp.

Do I need these Tarp Flyz? No, but based on the fact that I keep purchasing them for all of our tarps I'm getting the feeling I want them. If you use a tarp and don't need to tie majestic knots to justify carrying all those fingers around you might want them. If you just want to get camp up so you can eat and sleep you definitely might want them. Dutch will be happy to trade you titanium for dollars when you are ready heh.

Background

I have been using the Tarp Flyz for several years now and currently own three sets of them.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $16 + shipping

About the Author

John (LoneStranger) enjoys both solo adventures and family escapades on the trails and waters of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Alone or with his wife and daughter the preference is always for places without people where you can hear the breeze or watch a patch of sun slide through camp. He and his family help maintain a section of the Cohos Trail in northern New Hampshire and are seasoned veterans of Maine's Baxter State Park. On his own, John likes to push himself to always think a little bigger, higher, or farther and has hopes to do some longer distance trails. If you meet him on a remote summit you'll recognize him by the Trailspace hat on his head and the cheese and sausage he's stuffing into his smiling face.

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Specs

Price MSRP: $16.00
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