Tarps and Shelters

Featured review by John Galt

The ENO Housefly Rain Tarp is a large hammock shelter designed to provide full coverage with the added benefit of overlapping doors that provide full wind and weather protection with the added convenience of buckles to stow the doors out of the way when not needed.

I was looking to assemble my first hammock system and decided that the ENO HouseFly offered the most ready to go, factory provided, features that would expedite my entry into the world of hammock camping. The HouseFly is 10' 6" X 10' and weighs 27 ounces. Upon initial receipt I was impressed with the quality of manufacture. There was no loose stitching anywhere and all seams are well sown and taped. All of the tieout and stress points are well constructed and survived a couple of days subjected to winds around 20 mph on a few occasions. There was no evidence of stretching or tearing at any location.

Read more: Eagles Nest Outfitters HouseFly Rain Tarp reviews (3)

Featured review by MrsMustard

Excellent versatile tarp that is extremely rain and wind resistant. Every camper/backpacker should own at least one of these!

I own this tarp in the 12' and 9' size and love them so much. They can be set up in so many different ways. There are guide loops along one diagonal seam if you want to string a rope through them. There are also loops along the edges to create a shelter in any situation. There are poles that can be purchased separately to prop up one or two corners to create a raised shelter if you don't have trees. I just purchased these poles but haven't used them yet. These tarps are light enough to bring on a backpacking trip if you know the weather is questionable.   Every winter we go on a five-day paddling trip to on the west coast of Florida to go beach camping.

Read more: Kelty Noah's Tarp 12 reviews (20)

Featured review by PNW_John

The HMG UltaMid 2 is a four-season, floor-less tent designed for the weight conscious adventurer seeking more coverage than a flat tarp without the weight of a full tent. This easy to set up, lightweight, pyramid shaped shelter is roomy inside and provides adequate protection from snow and wind.

Equipment tested: Hyperlite Mountain Gear, UltaMid 2 Key specifications from manufacturer: Fully seam sealed 8 perimeter tie-outs w/line locks 4 body (center panel) tie outs Tie out on cone for hanging the mid from a tree Vents covered with no-see-um netting Guy-line HMG 2.8mm Spectra core line Can be pitched high off the ground or tight to the ground Weight: No Guy-lines 16.6oz - With Guy-lines 17.6 (I measured the weight at 21.8oz.) Width: 83” Length: 107” Height: 64” Square Feet: 63 Shown below is a picture of what you get: Shelter Extra cordage for panel tie-outs Stuff sack My background and conditions of use: I am primarily a backpacker/ day hiker and live in the Pacific Northwest.

Read more: Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 reviews (3)

Featured review by Ben Rivers

This is a great tarp that packs up small. The coverage will keep you comfortable and dry.

I was hesitant to buy a rain tarp from ENO for a pretty long time because they're so expensive ($80 +/-). Luckily, I have an awesome friend who bought me one as a gift, so I didn't have to spend the money. However, after having it, I would say that it's worth every penny.  Before having the ProFly, I used a normal heavy duty tarp like you get at any hardware store or Walmart. The difference is unbelievable. With the ProFly, it packs up small and is lightweight. It is easy to set up and and tear down.  I have slept under this thing in some pretty heavy downpours and stayed completely comfortable and dry.

Read more: Eagles Nest Outfitters ProFly Rain Tarp reviews (7)

Featured review by Sarah Bork

Huge Dyneema tarp with tons of tie-out points. Can go into lots of configurations. Heavier weight Dyneema that has been durable. Perfect for the Pacific Northwest—can make a great big rain shelter, can be pitched in c-configuration which provides ground cover, can pitch beaks or flaps for privacy.

I have been using this tarp for several seasons for solo backpacking in the Pacific Northwest, including the Olympic and Cascade mountains and section hiking the Pacific Coast Trail. The tarp is showing no wear. I pair it with an ultralight bivy sack and put my rain gear on the ground for a ground sheet, or if I expect rain I carry a section of the lightest painter’s plastic drop sheet. It is plenty big for two backpackers or a backpacker and a dog. What I’ve noticed is that when it rains, I stay dry under the tarp even when packing up, getting dressed, eating etc, while my buddies with tents get much wetter, because of rain fly, going in/out, and needing to pack their tent into their backpack (wet tarps go in outside mesh pocket). 

Read more: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Flat Tarp reviews (3)

Featured review by Ward Kamo

An excellent tarp that delivers on exactly what it promises. It's lightweight, simple to use, allows a variety of different setups, works well with the separate Escapist Bug Tent, and unlike other silnylon tarp products (read you, Integral Designs) it comes ready to go out of the bag. Half a star off for making the discovery of dark matter easier than trying to repack the damned tarp.

This is a 3x3m tarp that I bought to accompany the Escapist Bug Tent (reviewed separately).   Setup: A previous reviewer has noted it takes a bit of practice to set up. This is particularly so if you are also joining it with the Escapist Bug Tent. I spent about an hour getting used to pitching it. You can see in the photo I got it largely right (it was taken on the Hillary Track with me the weekend just gone). Just after the photo I reset the middle and got the pitch even tauter (couldn't photo as I was running out of battery).

Read more: Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp reviews (3)

Featured review by Dale Van Valkenburg

Great value and good performance in a large tarp.

I use this tarp for group rafting trips as a kitchen/gathering shelter when it rains and as a beach shade maker when it's hot and sunny. I typically use four poles (actually, 2 oars and 2 poles) to create more usable space and to drain the runoff efficiently. At 16' x 16' it creates plenty of area to shelter the kitchen and provide space for chairs. The tarp fabric is pretty lightweight, but is waterproof and has not been damaged by wind or sun in several years of use. The weakest link in the product is the cords it comes with to guy the tarp out; they are simply too light weight to effectively support a tarp of this size, especially in any sort of wind.

Read more: Kelty Noah's Tarp 16 reviews (3)

Featured review by Chris Carl

BD's Mega Light is a versatile, multi-seasonal shelter. In wet weather it makes a bivysac livable. In winter it provides a perfect bubble of comfort without compromising your sleeping quarters.

Bought my Mega in the '70s, yea, 1970s and it still works. As a 3-season minimal shelter it's good enough. It can be drafty but sets up in 2 minutes with you inside during a downpour if necessary. Works best with a bivysac as they aren't really "waterproof." I use mine for kayak beach camping but my preferred use is as a lounge/cook shelter on winter trips. Set it up over a snow dugout and you can lounge in shirt sleeves with a stove for heat at -10°F and the next morning shake off the frost and pack it away.  This is by far my favorite, most long lived tent, BD rocks!

Read more: Black Diamond Mega Light reviews (3)

Featured review by Troyfromtexas

An inexpensive ripstop nylon tarp appropriate for shade for three to four people or as a shelter for one or two people.

I went on a camping trip with a friend and he pulled out his Kelty Noah Tarp 16 (16 x 16). It worked out so well for our group, that when I got home I went online and bought the Kelty Noah Tarp 9 (9 x 9) for myself. This tarp has quality construction, is relatively inexpensive and versatile. I've only used my tarp twice, but both times I put the tarp to the test. It does not cost a fortune like a cuban fiber or sil nylon tarp, so you can use it and abuse it and not worry. My tarp came in a bag, with four cords and six stakes.

Read more: Kelty Noah's Tarp 9 reviews (10)

Featured review by LoneStranger

The Gatewood Cape from Six Moon Designs is a minimalist's dream that can serve as rain gear, pack cover, and shelter, among a few other things. Others dealing with harsh conditions or preferring more comfort will find it useful in addition to their regular kit.

  Laraway Mountain summit on the Long Trail in Vermont As part of my continuing search for an improved long-distance experience I am always trying out new things. This year I tried out a couple of things from Six Moon Designs that aren't new, but certainly improved my experience. They introduced their SilNylon Gatewood Cape in 2006 as a shelter that doubled as rain gear and pack cover. The name Gatewood is famous in Appalachian Trail lore as Grandma Gatewood was known for trekking the AT with her shower curtain shelter long before ultra lighting became a thing.

Read more: Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape reviews (6)