If you still want to sleep in a tent after reading this review of the best camping tarps then at least consider a tarp to create an extended porch for your solo tent. Another thing we like about this camp tarp is that it is slightly larger than 3 x 3 meters which makes it a very generous cover for shelter building. The better camping tarp brands often test their material for waterproofness and provide the details in the form of a HH rating. The bugs (mainly biting insects) in some places or at certain times of years can be far worse than you ever expected and unless you pack a separate bug net you should come to terms with the fact that you will be bitten. Refunds may take between 5-7 business days to process once an item has been delivered to our warehouse. The Aqua Quest Guide is a high-quality camping tarp that is 100% waterproof, lightweight, packable, and easy to pitch with 17 reinforced webbing loops. The 20D Nylon fabric has a waterproof rating of 2,000 mm which will always keep you dry if pitched at an angle. There are plenty of attachment loops including three down the spineto make sure whatever kind of shelter you build, you can always have a taught roof. A cool feature about this tarp is that has poppers down the side to transform it into a bivvy bag in a survival situation. With 9 attachment holes, you can get good tension across all areas of the tarp to decrease flapping in the wind and deflect rain easier. The best part of the MIER tent tarp is it weighs right around 2.2 lbs (L)/2.7 lbs (XL) and packs down small, so you'll hardly notice it in your pack when you set out to beat your own personal record on the JMT or Pacific Crest Trail. Aqua Quest Guide Tarp Square 10 x 10 ft. This might be an issue for some people, but works perfectly well diagonally and helps keep the overall weight down. The freedom to pitch where you like is compounded by the lightweight and packable design of camping tarps. This is an important feature for rain tarps because it affects how many different ways you can set up your shelter. If you like the look of this tarp then you should definitely check out their hammock range as their all-in-one systems are some of the best. CONCLUSION: Overall the Hennessy Hammock Hex Rainfly is a great tarp for hammock campers and can be used as a ground shelter if needed. Shipping days exclude weekends and holidays. Diagonal or square tarps that can be made diagonal are the best shapes for hammock shelters. Thanks for reading our list of the 15 best camping tarpsand lightweight hiking shelters. The problem with such a small size is that it does limit your shelter designs to just a roof whereas with a larger tarp you can often create walls and a small area of the groundsheet. Tarp tents are like giant sails if the wind comes in at the wrong angle so you had best make sure the material is tough enough to be secured with strong tent pegs. CONCLUSION: We love the solid eyelets at first but we do wonder how the material will hold them in place after years of use. Guy lines enable you to set your roof much higher off the ground which is what you need in a camp kitchen or communal area with a small fire. If you are using hiking poles to create the props then you dont even need a ridgeline and instead, you are better off with shorter lines called guy lines and pegs. Talking about the upsides is all well and good but what about the issues you have to deal with when sleeping under a waterproof tarp? There is no denying though, that this is one of the best camping tarps for hiking thanks to its size, shape, and weight. You [], [] any other shelter out there apart from camping tarps. With two attachment points on each side and one at the back and front, there is also a pouch on each corner to stow your lines. The Snugpak Pro Force All Weather Shelter is designed by military veterans and outdoorsmen to protect you all year round. It doesnt have a hydrostatic head rating but it does have reports of poor waterproof performance which is a worry for some but if you pitch it correctly you wont have a problem. If you prefer to sleep in a hammock oversleeping on the ground then you will almost certainly need to erect a rain fly sheet above, unless you can say with certainty that there will not be rain. For your ease you can check more about camping tarps vs. tents [], [] camping with a tarp is by far one of the most lightweight and compact. All orders are estimated to ship typically within one to two days after the order is placed. The hydrostatic resistance of 20,000 mm and heat-taped seams make sure that you stay dry in the heaviest downpours. When you compare this to pretty much all the other hammocks on this list it is without a doubt the most lightweight tarp for camping. If you have any experience wild camping with a tarp then you will know that finding somewhere to set up without trees or branches can be a challenge. The DD Hammocks Tarp 3 x 3 m has an amazing 19 reinforced attachment points, including 3 across the ridgeline, which makes shelter building so much easier and open to creativity. They are made of a special material called Hypalon which is a chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) synthetic rubber (CSM) noted for its resistance to things that would perish PVC a similar PVC coating. The most lightweight tarps for camping are made from cuben fiber which is the least durable fabric albeit it very waterproof. The popularity of the DD Tarp has seen it grow to become an international brand that is now widely available in America. Those big blue tarps you see on farms or use to cover your lawnmower are ok in emergencies but not ideal for hiking and backpacking. CONCLUSION: At just 397 grams and a whopping 3.6 meters long, this large camping tarp is lightweight and ideal for hammock campers or 2 people and their gear. A central ridgeline loop is a big benefit as a central line can run through this instead of under the material. I like to carry 4 titanium tent pegs, a 5-meter length of paracord for the ridgeline, and 4 x 2-meter lengths of paracord to tie out the corners on a raised shelter. L Size is 1310 ft (LW) and XL Size is 1610 ft (LW). Having a large tarp is a great resource that can be worked with in many different ways but it isnt always necessary. The difference between sleeping in a tent and sleeping in a tarp shelter are two different things and they both have their pros and cons. If your shelter is not secured down properly or not pitched in the correct way then the wind can blow right through you at night and the rain can find a way in. Along with a hammock, lines, and stakes, you can still have an all-in-one shelter for well under 1,000 grams. Made by a very reputable and ethical outdoor brand, the Siltarp 2 isnt quite a square but can be set up in just as many ways. Tarp shelters are so much better for cooking under and you can even have a small fire under one if you raise it high enough. 8. we like the fact that these attachment points extend beyond the waterproof material so as to minimize strain on the fabric. One of the biggest worries with the super-light materials is that they will rip and tear with ease but you dont have to worry about that with the Abisko tarp. The Fjallraven Abisko Tarp is made from a super tough TripleRip Sil Polymide which is nice and lightweight but as tough as any other tarp on the market. CONCLUSION: At just 500 grams and the same size as the Sea To Summit Escapist, the extra 60 grams might be worth it for the toughness of the 40 D TripleRip Silnylon. Setting a tarp shelter up is easy and can be done in a multitude of ways to work with the environment you are camping in, instead of struggling to find the perfect square of flat ground for your tent. If you are heading somewhere with particularly bad weather or do not trust the waterproofness of your tent, then a tarp can be an easy fix to help keep you dry. They all have their merits, but I personally prefer a square design so that I can use it diagonally with a hammock as well as an A-frame ground shelter. There are also some notches to add structural ribs for extra support. The thing that stands out most about this rain flysheet is that is possibly the most waterproof camping tarp on the list. From music festivals and beach picnics to setting up a basecamp or putting a roof over your hammock, this generously sized tarp offers protection from both the sun and rain. Basically, it is tough as nails and durable for years. The large, square shape of this tarp makes pitching any kind of shelter easy and once its up you can feel comfortable spreading out. We may earn a small commission when you purchase items through our links. The smaller and lighter the tarp and material is, the better it will pack into a small backpack. I will admit that there have been times that I have been in under my camping tarp without a bug net, wishing that I packed the tent instead. If you have one of Eagles Nest Outfitters Hammocks then this tarp is the perfect addition to your gear. You can get camping tarps in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and materials and they all suit different people and scenarios. Check out TarpTents video below: Can you use a tarp as a tent footprint? These are mainly cordage, pegs, and potentially a support pole. The 2000PU rating means you will always stay dry when sleeping under this and I wouldnt be afraid of using one side of the tarp as a groundsheet if I had to. No, it isnt the lightest but it is a super reliable and adaptable tarp for any kind of wild camping and is built to last instead of being uber light. During the returns period, we will respond with authorization and instructions for returning your item(s). Most tarps in this guide will already be seam-sealed but if they are not then I highly recommend you take care of this before camping. You should only do this if you really need to. CONCLUSION: This camping tarp is an excellent choice for backpackers who dont want to carry a tent around and dont mind the wind on their face. As you can see in the picture these extra attachment points really give this tarp a tautness that others struggle to achieve. The Poly 4000mm hydrostatic head will keep you dry in heavy downpours and the Terra Novas Stormtex material is the same stuff they use on their tents and is very reliable. The streamlined shape helps it deflect wind and rain while keeping you and your hammock/bedding dry. The heavier options like the DD Hammock Tarp are far more rugged and durable making them suitable for having a campfire under (with caution). The best camping tarps are made from super waterproof but incredibly lightweight material that doesnt take up much space in your backpack. The Sea to Summit Escapist Waterproof Tarp is lightweight, tough, easy to pitch, and available in a medium as well as the large version featured here. There are 3 attachment points down each side which can be pegged to the ground or used with guy lines. It is only a minor thing, but the attachment loops do add more weight so you may see the lightest options not have many to spare. Don't know your order number? The 6 attachment points all extend out slightly to give it a curved rectangle shape that works very well to block out bad weather. You can make the roof as high, low, slanted, or domed as you like, and without a groundsheet to get muddy, you dont have to take your boots off to walk around. Without the 4 walls and zippered closing, you lose the claustrophobicfeeling of being in a tent and start to feel closer to nature and more in tune with your surroundings. Bigger isn't always better, but with the MIER L/XL Rain Tarp, bigger is perfect. You dont need to take any guylines with your tarp unless you are hammock camping but they always help with whatever design you chose to build. You can and should use a tent footprint though. Enter the code below at checkout to get 10% offyour first order. CONCLUSION: This camping tarp is best for hammock shelters and wont tear if you pitch it in thick brush and it rubs against a few shrubs. Tags: best camping tarpsCamping RainflyTarp Sheltertarps for camping, [] as well as energy when moving from one location to another. This guide is designed to save you time and money by recommending only the best camping tarps. The non-freestanding design means you'll need to either set the tarp up with trekking poles, accessory poles (sold separately), or between trees, but you'll still be snug as a bug in a rug because the tarp is made from lightweight 210T ripstop taffeta that has been treated with tape-seams, which repels water, also silver coated interior does a great job of blocking out the UV Rays. I would go no smaller than 1.6 meters wide and 2 meters long tarp for one person or 2m x 2m if you opt for a square. With the right skills, there is no end to the different ways in which you can create a tarp shelter. Watch some videos on youtube and experiment in your garden until you have learned the standard A-frame and lean-to shelters, then have a go at something more complex. CONCLUSION: The Chill Gorilla Rain Fly comes with 4 tent stakes, 6 guy lines, and a stuff sack which brings the total weight up to 860 grams but means you dont have to purchase them separately. Most of the tarps I use will fold down to the size of a 1-liter water bottle (and often much smaller). The open-air freedom you get from sleeping outside disappears inside the walls of a tent, combine your tarp with a bug net and sleeping mat or hammock and you have no excuses not to get rid of the tent really. But the best part about camping with a tarp is that the best rain tarps weigh just a fraction of what tents do. Master the basics first though. We will follow up with you via email within 24-36 hours, Please answer the following questionnaire, Taxes and shipping fee will be calculated at checkout, Adult Insulated Lunch Bag for Men, Women Multiple Colors, Dual Compartment Large Insulated Lunch Bag Cooler Tote, Insulated Lunch Bag Leakproof Meal Prep Cooler Tote, Waterproof & Durable Tarp ---- Made of 210T rip-stop taffeta with taped-seams provides excellent waterproof, tears and punctures resistance, UV-resistance Shelter ---- Silver coated interior does a great job of blocking out the UV Rays and lets you feel cool under it in heat of the day, Multiple Attachment Points ---- 18 tie-down loops with 10 grommets for multiple anchoring points, allow many more configurations, make the tarp more versatile. That being said, it is very good at what it is designed to do which is provide amazing weatherproofing when camping in a hammock. Is It Cheaper To DIY? That will work for lean-to shelters but if you want a pitched roof then you will need something a little bigger. The central attachment point is something we believe all tarps should have when done correctly with reinforcements as it improves your shelter by a vast amount. The more attachment loops you have the more ways you can set up your shelter and also make it more secure when pegging it down. CONCLUSION: With a 2000mm hydrostatic head and the options of Nylon and Polyester, you can get this tarp in a variety of colors including camo on their website. Quite often you may need to gather some simple materials to either support or secure parts of your structure this can be hard when you are in arid landscapes or above the treeline.