Tarps and Shelters
The best tarps and shelters, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on December 10, 2021. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.
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Recent Tarp/Shelter Reviews
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Flat Tarp
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… Full review
Paria Sanctuary SilTarp
This is a review of the Sanctuary 12'x10' hex SilTarp, Paria’s lightweight, double-treated and seam-taped 30D ripstop hex-cut tarp with catenary sides and ridgeline that comes as a kit with DCF guylines w/ line locks and alu Y stakes. It’s more suited for hammock camping and backpacking, but Paria also offers the Sanctuary in square/flat and tapered/catenary cuts and various sizes, which provides for all types of campers and backpackers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a good and lightweight… Full review
MSR Thru-Hiker 100 Wing
The MSR Thru-Hiker 100 Wing can be used with a shelter or by itself to create a spacious two-person environment. Two trekking poles or sticks are required to set this product up. The MSR Thru-Hiker 100 Wing is a great tarp option to use by itself or with a shelter like the MSR Thru-Hiker Mesh House 2. This tarp is ideal for arid climates where you won't have to worry about the spitting rain. It's compact, easy to carry, and great in a variety of different setups. Camping with the MSR Thru-Hiker… Full review
Sea to Summit Hammock Tarp
Great tarp. Excellent weight, coverage, and ease of use. Best tarp I have found on the market considering weight and coverage. I’ve had this tarp for three years now and it has held up great. It comes with its own lines and has line tensioners on all lines. This makes it much easier to use with simple knots. It takes three stakes to set up. It can work as a ground tarp in a pinch using two trekking poles, though not ideal without trees. The tarp provides plenty of coverage and I’ve gone through… Full review
MSR Front Range Tarp Shelter
This all-season pyramid tarp shelter is both lightweight and spacious, providing the best of both worlds for weathering a storm, or overnight hiking trips. Just over 1.5 pounds, this shelter uses trekking poles as the center-support which is approximately 5'4" at the apex. MSR's Front Range Tarp Shelter is a floorless design (Bug/Floor Insert available separately, 1lb 15oz) that is ideal for a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts—day hikers that want an emergency shelter, overnight backpackers, or… Full review
Kelty Noah's Tarp 12
Excellent tarp, durable with multiple tie-down loops. I used this tarp in AK to shield meat in game bags and in heavy rain and 40 mph winds it held up on the Tundra. We also used a second one on a Browning Tent because the rain was coming in. It was essential for keeping us dry. Full review
Eagles Nest Outfitters HouseFly Rain Tarp
This tarp is unlike any other that I have used. If you are looking for a hammock tarp that offers you more coverage than most tarps, then this is for you. I bought this tarp for the sole reason it had doors on both ends. I had not seen a tarp like this before. I used it in a storm this past weekend and it performed perfectly. No water entry at all. I stayed bone dry. It is pretty lightweight at 29 ounces and is much larger than other tarps I have used. It is 10'8" x 8'10". You can tie this one off… Full review
Tentsmiths Forester Tent
Very poor customer service. Tent loops too small. The tent's loops are too small to use a large enough (i.e. strong enough) stick/branch to support the tent. I have asked repeatedly what type of pole is intended and Deborah passes my email to Peter who never responds. There is no real photo of this tent in use, only a drawing that I tried to emulate, without any success due to the loops being about 2-3 sizes too small. The end effect is that the top of the tent sags, which then causes water to collect… Full review
Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape
Why I no longer use this as rain gear: In wind it blows all over the place unless tied at the waist. Hand and arms are exposed. Maybe not an issue for some, but if you are using hiking poles, your arms will be constantly exposed and rain will most like seep further up into your clothing. Want to get something out of your pack while it is still raining? It is possible, but not convenient to get your pack on and off without getting wet. Next, suppose it is still pouring rain when you want to put up… Full review
