Not so much of an answer as a related question: since many are recommending the MEC nylon tarps, my question is whether these MEC tarps are any different than the cheap tarps you get at Canadian Tire? I've seen them at the store and the material feels the same as a CT tarp. Does it have to do with weight?

According to their website it looks like mec isn’t selling these tarps anymore. Sucks.
They’ve discontinued a few products lately I just can’t live without.

They are( were) very different. Both of my Poly tarps are over 15 years old. Heavy use, been out in snow/wind/rain/sun and other than having a few patched from fire sparks are good as new. Cooke tarps are as durable but have more tabs for a bit better set up options. They are more $$ though. Sad day if MEC stopped making them.

So disappointed with MEC these days.
They arent making their products anymore, and good ones too (Volt tent comes to mind)
Im going to get an Aquaquest tarp since its Canadian, and seems top knotch.

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Mens sano in corpore sane

Check out the tarps made by Warbonnet. I just picked up a custom superfly...third tarp from them I’ve owned and they all are great. Their pole mod is an interesting feature. My new tarp has this and I very much like it.

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"It's healthy to be dirty" - Lars Monsen