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Bit late but I use 2 tarps about the same size and fold the ground sheet accordingly. I like to have enough space to put my bags and whatever on the ground sheet next to my sleep mat and I like having something big enough that it's a usable fly in emergencies
I just use a builders type tarp for the ground sheet and use a smaller than most people would get away with for the fly, neither particularly lightweight but the thickness has come in useful at times.
Never had a problem with water pooling, be very selective in your choice of ground, overhang the ground sheet by as much as possible and go really close to the floor if the weather is that grim. I've run it right down to the floor before when the rain was horizontal. I've slept out in some shockers and stayed dry
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EasyAndy
Just wanted to ask about groundsheets, and using one with a tarp. I have never tried tarp camping before, but would like to get one for the versatility, and to save money and weight. I use a 195 x 65cm sleeping mat, and a 200cm long sleeping bag and quilt.
With tarp camping, if any rain or snow blows in from the edges, would it be better to have a groundsheet that exactly matches or is slightly smaller than the sleeping mat, so that water does not pool on top of the groundsheet and get the sleeping mat wet from underneath? Or is it ok to have the groundsheet slightly wider?
I am trying to choose between 0.6m x 2m (will fit under my sleeping mat with no exposed edges), or 0.8m x 2.2m (7.5cm either side and 10cm either end exposed). The advantage I see of the slightly wider groundsheet is that it'll keep my sleeping bag and quilt cleaner, as they are less likely to touch the ground. But I would like to avoid any water pooling issues as mentioned before.
Sorry for the silly question. Any info would be appreciated.