Tarp Poles

[Joe.B]

Just picked up a cheap tarp from Amazon which we intend to put between the two small tents when all four of us are away touring. I'm quite happy with what I've bought with the exception of the poles, made of steel and weight a ton.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a lighter alternative that's about 2 meters high?

[bumper]

I use an MSR pole that aluminium and strong enough. Bought it from ultralight outdoors. I mostly peg out and tie off to something without using the pole, utilising some form of diamond pattern.

Bearbones forum shop sells tarp poles too

[nikki]

I'm using a shorter version of one of these and am happy with it so far: http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories/WA134.html

[Goldcrank]

I have the shorter version of thhe pole at backpacking light.

However a friend of mine has one of these:

http://www.jack-wolfskin.co.uk/telescopic-pole/36352.html

Which is very covetable, surprisingly.

[TPMB12]

JW pole lightweight? At 480g?

Bearbones is one brand I've heard is good. Carbon fibre i believe. MSR is aluminium and adjustable to a small extent. I think that's useful to get that last bit of tightness to the pitch, perhaps.

Look for American ultralight backpacking companies if you're willing to order from there. IIRC there's some decent companies out there. Some supply ultralightoutdoors.co uk others don't supply retailers over here.

Anti- Gravity Gear, Tarptent and six moon designs are some companies off the top of my head.

[Joe.B]

Cheers for the suggestions, looks like there are a few options out there. Going to double the cost of my cheap trap but I'm not lugging those steel poles round Germany for three weeks.

[andrew_s]

Spare tent poles are fairly common in camping shops. The drawback is that they won't be adjustable length.
I use sections from a bundle of 9 mm flexipole sections I got from Oswald Bailey in the sales one time.

[bumper]

These are pretty good and great vfm, tried them and they work

https://www.heinnie.com/exped-tarp-poles-115

[Moultonaught]

Another vote for bearbones here.