Scramble G-38 Ultralight Solo Sil/PU Tarp

Scramble's G-38 Sil-PU Solo Tarp (v1.1)

"So I have to admit that Sil / PU coatings may be the way of the future for really high performance" - Roger Caffin (Backpackinglight.com)

The G-38 is a minimalist, ultralight tarp designed to be set up quickly in harsh conditions with minimal fuss. Targeted specifically at bivvy, hooped bivvy and UL tent users, the G-38 provides 3.8 sqm of cover with enough width to offer meaningful shelter in stormy conditions. Colour-coded, high retraction attachment loops aid setup in poor light and help reduce stress on ultralight tarp poles in high winds, while Cordura reinforcements and Dyneema/Polyester cord loops offer superb tear resistance and load tolerance. With an impressively small pack size and weighing in at around 290g (including stuff sack) the G-38 may be lightweight but it's proven, over years of testing, that it's tough enough to handle itself in extremely challenging conditions.

We strongly recommend looking over Scramble's full outline of the G-38 (to see the improvements that have been made over the G-Mod 38 and for higher resolution product images) and also their companion piece "Reasons To Go Modular" to see why the G-Series tarps were developed and the issues they were designed to remedy.

Note 1: Poles, tent pegs, ice axes, guy lines etc. are not included (we have to say that).

Note 2: The G-Series tarps have had a minor upgrade to the side attachment points and also the manufacturer on the UK side (see Scramble's note here).

Materials & Design

Scramble made the G-38 because they weren't happy recommending UL tarps that simply didn't serve their purposes. Most solo tarps tend to be too narrow to provide sufficient coverage unless the user is horizontal. This may be because manufacturers are trying to appeal to two very different users with the same product. Bivvy and hammock users have different requirements; the G-Series tarps are designed specifically for bivvy users, and because bivvies are waterproof the tarp doesn't need to be so long and can instead afford to be wider and consequently provide good coverage when sitting.

The main fabric is seam-sealed with a PU-coated inner and silicone impregnated outer providing outstanding weatherproofing with a 8000mm hydrostatic head.

The G-38 uses 420D Acrylic (AC) Coated Ripstop Cordura for the attachment points for its outstanding tear resistance. The 8 attachment points include 1.5mm Dyneema / Polyester cord loops, which have a breaking strength of 125 kilos yet each 20cm loop weighs just 0.32g. Each corner has an additional attachment option of 3mm high retraction elastic cord. This is substantially stronger and has much less give than traditional shock / bungee cord, and are there when you need to reduce the strain on ultralight tarp poles in high winds. Generally, the corners lowest / pegged to the ground are best attached / pegged down via the elastic 3mm cord.

Features

Highly Waterproof

• Main Fabric: 36g / sqm 20D silicone coated 360T ripstop nylon
• Hydrostatic Head: The silicone and PU coated, low denier, high thread count material provides a water-tight (and nearly air-tight) shelter with a hydrostatic head of 8,000mm - significantly higher than most ultralight tarps.
  
  

Coverage

• Sqm: 3.78 square meters (210cm x 180cm) provides good cover for bivvy users lying down or seated, with enough headroom (100cm) for cooking under, getting changed, and packing / unpacking your gear.
• Porch Mode: As a porch (in conjunction with a hooped bivvy or tent) the G-38 allows single-skinned shelters (like hooped bivvies) to fully vent regardless of conditions reducing condensation to almost nil.
  
  

Fixings

• Tear Resistance: Attachment points employ a one-piece, wrap-around design which means less points of failure. 420D AC coated ripstop Cordura has outstanding tear resistance.
• Load Tolerance: All 8 attachment points feature 1.5mm Dyneema / Polyester cord loops, which have a breaking strength of ~125 kilos yet each 20cm loop weighs just 0.32g.
• Strain Reduction: Each corner has an additional attachment option: 3mm high retraction elastic cord (substantially stronger and much less give than traditional shock / bungee cord) for when you need to reduce the strain on ultralight tarp poles in high winds.
• Poles: G-Series Tarps will work with any poles but have been designed especially with the excellent DAC 9mm Featherlite NSL poles in mind.
• High Viz: In poor light it's not always easy to see which is the long side, so the G-38s have colour coded elastic cord - grab the two corners with the white loops and you're holding the short side of the tarp.
  
  

Pack Size:

• Min Pack Size (Tightly Wrapped): Approx. 14cm (L) x 7cm (D)
• Standard Pack Size (Flat): 17cm (L) x 14cm (W) x 3cm (D)
  
  
  

Warranty & Repair

Scramble's G-Series tarps all come with a 3 year warranty should they fail and that failure is their fault (i.e. due to manufacture / workmanship). Depending on the nature of the problem Scramble offer a simple repair, replace or refund policy.

If the failure is the fault of the customer Scramble will provide support and advice on how best to remedy the issue. Part of Scramble's long testing process included stress tests to failure to test the durability of the materials and to see how easy the tarps were to repair in the field. If you rely on your tarp we strongly recommend carrying a small length of PSP Spinnaker Repair Tape and a small tube of PU based seam sealer. If you use an inflating sleeping mat of any description you probably already have a PU based adhesive / sealer as part of the repair kit.

Note: Propping up the tarp with a pole, trekking pole, branch, ice axe or anything else where the end of that item is pushing directly on the main tarp material will immediately void the warranty - that's what the attachment points are for. We know you wouldn't do this, but some people aren't so smart.

Aftercare

Washing Instructions

Do NOT machine wash. The G-Series tarps will last much longer if they never see the inside of a washing machine.

To wash simply wipe down the top (silicone coated) side with a sponge and very lukewarm water. Then hose off with cold water from a hose or shower.

Generally, there should be no need to clean the PU underside. If there is dirt on the underside let it dry off and then simply shake it loose or dust it off. Scramble have never had to wash the underside. If you do feel the need, then just use a sponge and cool water (no need for soap).

Leave it somewhere to hang and dry naturally (it will dry very quickly even indoors). Do NOT tumble dry or dry next to a heat source !!!

Re-Proofing

Very occasionally you may want to re-proof your tarp. The top coating is silicone, so you should use a silicone-based waterproofing treatment like Fabsil (the Standard is fine rather than Gold, since the PU side is providing much of the waterproofing) which can either be painted on (this will add more weight) or sprayed on (adding less weight) with a pump spray. Fabsil will also restore UV protection. The underside PU coating should be left alone.

Always use the coating / spray on versions of a silicone product and NEVER any wash-in DWR products (these are more applicable for garments and we want to avoid washing machines).

Home storage

Simply make sure the tarp is dry before long term storage. Obvious, but hey.

In Use

All Scramble products, no matter how benign or innocent looking, are shipped with a standard disclaimer that basically says in legal parlance, that you agree to use the product at your own risk.