Tarps and Shelters

Brand

User

Price

Recent Tarp/Shelter Reviews

Six Moon Designs Deschutes

This tarp is well made, spacious, and not difficult to pitch. It's essentially the more popular Lunar Solo, but without a floor/net. I've used this tarp on a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail, and in various trips in the Rockies, Ontario, Quebec, and the eastern U.S. It is easy to pitch, requiring one pole, and is well sewn so it's not terribly difficult to manage a taut pitch. It packs down very small, about the size of a Nalgene if necessary. Like all single-wall shelters, condensation can build… Full review

Kelty Noah's Tarp 12

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… Full review

Hennessy Hammock Expedition Asym Zip

Lightweight, versatile, comfortable, easy to use, but it has some drawbacks in certain areas. I've used this for over 10 years. I've even used it while taking a 47' Motor Lifeboat across the great lakes, and could manage to still put it up after a day of nasty Lake Erie sloughing waves. It goes up easy, is quick to use, versatile, and packs up really nice. Airline friendly as well. The downsides are simple; you have airflow on all sides, so it gets cold easier. If there are no trees or hammock stands,… Full review

Sierra Designs High Side 1

The Sierra Designs High Side tent is a good compromise between weight and space with a low profile, roomy if low interior, and intuitive setup. The 2-pound tent comes with poles and does not require trekking poles. The High Side 1 tent is a new tent from Sierra Designs, a company that is known for innovative designs at a reasonable price. This one-person, non-freestanding tent is lightweight, compact and intuitive to set up. The packed size is smaller than most due to the short length of the included… Full review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2

Ultralite secure shelter. I've long been a fan of floorless single wall shelters. To me the advantages of space per weight, dry pitch, flexibility of just how much to bring along, tracking dirt in onto...the ground, more than offset the disadvantages of fussier pitch, condensation control, and BYO bug protection. I've been a fan of pyramid tents since I first got a Chouinard MegaMid. The Ultamids from HMG are what the MegaMid wanted to be. The UM 2 is a pretty easy pitch since it has a rectangular… Full review

Appy Trails Mark III

Cost-effective lightweight shelter for 1+ The AT MKIII could conceivably shelter three people, but not any of their gear. It is even a bit cozy for two, but is spacious bordering on luxurious for one. Light weight (21.25 oz / 602 g + 4.65 oz / 132 g for the included pole set) makes this a viable solo option. I have a deep-seated distrust of grommets, especially if it's possible that tension could be pulled in any direction other than exactly parallel to the fabric. I would never put a tent stake… Full review

UGQ SilPoly Rectangular Cat Cut Tarp (10x12)

Light silicone coated polyester panels held together with sewn tape edges and ridge line make this tarp an easy to carry, yet sturdy shelter. Well designed and constructed by a self described cottage company located in Michigan well known in the hammock community for their quilts.   Drying out after a storm at the 13 Falls camp in the Pemi with some laundry on the line. Underground Quilt (UGQ going forward) is a small cottage maker of quilts and other hammock centric gear based in Jackson, Mississippi. Full review

Cooke Custom Sewing 1.9oz Silicone Tundra Tarp

Sturdy materials well put together make the Tundra Tarp perfect for applications where lighter materials might be a liability. Custom made in two weights (1.1 oz and 1.9 oz) and a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors Cooke gives you a lot of options to fit your needs. The numerous tie out loops and flat shape let you get really creative in your setup with lots of options at your disposal. Cooke Custom Sewing is a small family business well known in the paddling community for their shelters, packbags,… Full review

Gossamer Gear SpinnShelter

Ultralight and very weatherproof tarp. Late to the dance with my Spinnshelter. Got it used on eBay. Weight is 8 ounces on my scale. Can use trekking poles to pitch, sticks, or aftermarket poles. I bought two used for around 20 bucks. The tarp is made of spinnaker cloth—light and strong. I pitch with Groundhogs—use Groundhogs for everything!!!! I bought a Dimma Bivy from Borah to hang under it, but one night just slept in my sleeping bag on a ground cloth. The tarp bivy combo was under 20 ounces. Full review