bob shelter

Personally I wouldn't use a poly tarp. They are noisy and heavy as well as shiny and therefore reflective. The product shown is bright in color and would stand out in any natural environment as well as expensive. I go with treated ripstop nylon in earthtones that you can get at most sewing supply stores. It can be made to the dimentions you want for a fraction of the cost and you can add grommets and bungee cords to make it adaptive and durable.

I carry an 8X10 poly tarp to be used as a ground sheet below my tent. It could be used as a cover, but that is only if my 10X18 canvas tarp is not available.
However for building a more permanent shelter, a poly tarp can be tied tight to use as a barrier for a sod roof etc.

That is an expensive Tarp system, you could easily make your own for a fraction of the cost. You should have a shelter for a bob, though you can make an expedient one for only a few dollars to match this one.

An upgrade for yourself might be those collapsable walking poles. Expensive but very good as well if you like that, turn them upside down to use as poles for the tarp system if you need. Myself I carry a military Rain Poncho, 550 cord already attached to it, more 550 cord in the BOB and some bungy cords. In BOB there are also a couple of knives to use for making camp, firewood, defence etc. These are my thoughts you need to do what you need to do.

The Military Poncho can be used;
walking in cold rain
shelter
wrapping around sleeping bag
creating an opening to a poly tarp system, so in effect a doorway
2 together to create larger tent/shelter system

Dollerama right now has those Emergency Tube Shelter and Emergency Blankets, cheap but great for one time or limited use if needed. Also very lightweight.

I've included a Simple $5.00 Tube tent in each of my B.O.B.'s (sadly, they're bright orange) but I'm not anticipating to have to use it much, if at all.

I am however considering picking up one of the new Instant Tents that Canadian Tire seems to be pushing pretty hard these days. A large tent that sets up in seconds has a certain appeal to it, especially if its available in Camoflage or something similiar.

Anything that saves weight is a plus for me.

Hey DaScribbler.. Scibe for short 🙂
good post, I will go and look in Canadian Tire later to see this tent, did not know they were selling any.
Orange comes in handy when Hunting Season Opens! very handy

DaScribbler: I'd advise caution when it comes to these instant tents.
I haven't tried the Canadian Tire's one, but I gave a chance to the LightSpeed system that's sold at Costco.ca. It opens like an umbrella - nice idea! Alas... It's quite fragile. After the 2nd or 3d usage the pole swivels started turning inside-out.
So I went for a heavier-duty, more traditional one (although that's for camping, not for the BOBs)

Hey there
Got a large tent at a yard sale for 5 bucks and water proofed it with spray
Used some material dye to cam it and saved 2 poles to go with
Takes up no room at all and can be used for any thing a tarp is needed for
Quick simple and cheap
Hope this helps Hobo