9 Best Tarp Shelters and Tarp Shelter Configurations

Key Factors To Consider When Choosing

PRICE

Material is the biggest factor when it comes to a tarp’s price. Nylon tarps are the least expensive while premium tarps are made with ultralight Dyneema fabric. Size can also affect the price. Smaller tarps use less material which can make them less expensive.

Tarp shelters that provide the greatest value:

• Mountain Laurel Designs: Monk Flat Tarp
• Z Packs: 8.5' X 10' Flat Tarp
• Rab: Siltarp

Affordable tarp shelters:

• Mountain Laurel Designs: Monk Flat Tarp
• Outdoor Vitals: Delano Ultralight Backpacking Tarp

Premium tarp shelters (most expensive):

• Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Flat Tarp
• Z Packs: 8.5' X 10' Flat Tarp

WEIGHT

The main reason to carry a tarp shelter is to go ultralight. By cutting out the tent body and mesh, tarps can be very lightweight. Look for tarp shelters that are under 1 lb.

The lightest tarp shelters:

• Mountain Laurel Designs: Monk Flat Tarp
• Z Packs: 8.5' X 10' Flat Tarp

DIMENSIONS

What is a good size tarp to use for a shelter? A good size tarp to use for a shelter is an 8-by-10 tarp for two people and a 6-by-8 for one. You want to ensure that you leave an adequate surface area to cover your person. This is especially important in harsh weather conditions, where you might need to allocate more material to walls.

The largest tarp shelters for one:

• Sea to Summit: Escapist Tarp Shelter

The largest tarp shelters for two:

• MSR: Thru-Hiker 70 Wing
• REI: Quarter Dome

Other Things to Consider

Tie-Outs

HOW MANY TIE-OUT POINTS DO I NEED?

Ensure the tarp includes tie-out points on the edges for guylines and trekking pole tips. There should be a minimum of four tie-out points, one for each corner (the more the better). The best tarps will have tie-points on the corners, along the edge, and even in the middle The more tie-out points, the more options you will have for pitching.

Material

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NYLON AND DYNEEMA?

• Dyneema: Formerly Cuben Fiber, Dyneema is a lightweight and waterproof material that is extremely strong and durable for its weight. It doesn't stretch or sag though (good and bad), so getting the perfect pitch is difficult. You can't 'cheat' by stretching the fabric to compensate for a ridgeline that is a bit too slack. Dyneema shelters are generally double the price.

• Silnylon: another common fabric used to make tarps. It is a rugged fabric often used on the floor and rainfly of a tent. It is cheaper than Dyneema which makes it attractive to those on a budget. Unlike Dyneema which is a stiff fabric, Silnylon is flexible and compresses down to fit into the small nooks and crannies in a pack. Its Achilles heel is water - the material absorbs water when it rains and can sag.

Shapes

RECTANGLE, DIAMOND, AND HEXAGONAL TARPS - WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

There are three common shapes used by tarp manufacturers - rectangular, diamond-shaped, and hexagonal. There is no right or wrong shape; the style you choose depends on your individual needs.

• Rectangle: The rectangular tarp is your standard Walmart tarp usually with three or so tie-outs per side. This style of tarp tends to be bulkier than other style tarps, but it is very versatile and can be pitched in a variety of different configurations.

• Diamond: A diamond tarp is a square tarp that is designed to be hung diagonally on a ridgeline with one tie-out per side. It is limited in how it can be pitched and provides less overall coverage than a rectangle tarp. It is ideal for summer backpacking where you want maximum ventilation. It also works very well over a hammock.

• Hexagonal: Last but not least is the hexagonal tarp which falls in between the diagonal and the rectangular tarp. The hexagonal shape offers less protection than a rectangular tarp but more protection than a diamond. It is lighter than a rectangular tarp because the hexagonal cut saves on fabric. It requires two tie-outs per side.

Durability

Durability comes down to material and material thickness. Dyneema is strong and durable. Nylon is less durable, but still a strong fabric. In general, the thicker the material the more durable the tarp.

Versatility

A tarp can be pitched in several ways, making it a versatile piece of gear for a shelter, a dry common area at camp, and a multi-functional piece of gear in an emergency. Larger tarps will be more versatile. A basic rectangle shape is more versatile than a diamond or hexagon shape.

Packability

A big plus to carrying a tarp is packability. Without poles and a body, a tarp will pack down much smaller than a tent. Smaller, thinner tarps pack down the smallest. Larger, thicker tarps take up more space.

© WildCamp Scotland

Tarp Shelter Configurations

There are many different ways to pitch a tarp. We chose ten of the most common tarp shelter configurations and provided an overview of each one below.

1. THE STEALTH

As its name implies, the stealth tarp is a low-profile setup ideal for stealth camping. It is moderately difficult to pitch because it requires a ridgeline, three paracord prusik loops, and a rectangle tarp with lots of tie-out points. Once pitched, it holds up well against the elements thanks to the groundsheet. Don't expect luxury accommodation though, as it can be cramped inside the shelter.

2. THE TIPI

The Tipi tarp is a cross between the stealth setup and the typical A-frame configuration. It has a bit more headroom than a stealth setup, but you lose some legroom.

There is ample airflow in a tipi tarp so you will have few issues with condensation. This openness also means you won't have as much protection from the elements.

The tipi design is easy to set up, requiring just a ridgeline that attaches to one tie-out point on the tarp and a few stakes to secure the sides and back.

3. THE A-FRAME

The classic A-frame is one of the quickest and easiest ways to configure a tarp. It uses a ridgeline to support the center of the tarp, and stakes on the side to create the triangular shape of the letter A. The A-frame extends the tarp to its maximum width allowing you to fit two or more people and their gear. Because of its steep-pitched sides, it does provide ample protection against the wind and rain.

4. THE LEAN-TO

The lean-to tarp takes the basic design of the A-frame and cuts it in half. Instead of staking out both sides, the lean-to only secures one side of the tarp to the ground. The other side of the tarp folds over the ridgeline and is held taut using guylines.

Like the A-frame, the lean-to is easy to pitch, but it is very open. You can fit a lot of people underneath the tarp and can cook or use a fire, but you are very exposed to the elements. Use this configuration only when the conditions are favorable.

5. THE TARP TENT

The tarp tent is ideal when you can't set up a ridgeline but still need a secure shelter. The shelter uses a center pole for support which is convenient but reduces the interior space. It is great in inclement weather, but it is difficult and time-consuming to pitch so you'll need to practice this one at home.

6. THE HEADSPACE (AKA "PLOUGH POINT")

The headspace configuration provides plenty of space for a small group. You can even cook underneath it or have a small fire. It is super fast to set up requiring just a tree as an attachment point and a few guylines or stakes to secure the corners. The headspace is very open to the elements, but the quick setup means you can adjust the angle and direction of the pitch with ease.

7. THE BUNKER (AKA "HALF CONE FLY")

The bunker is a low shelter that wraps you in your tarp along three sides. It uses a tree-to-tree ridgeline or a pole to pitch the front of the tarp off the ground and a stake to secure the back of the tarp to the ground. A handful of guylines around the sides stretch the tarp out, and several stakes fasten it down to the ground.

It provides plenty of protection from the elements but can be short on space. It is moderately challenging to pitch as well.

8. THE DIAMOND

The diamond tarp setup is a popular shelter style for hammocks. You can use a dedicated diamond tarp or a rectangular tarp that is folded into a square. This configuration uses a ridgeline and two guylines on each side to hang the tarp securely over the hammock. It provides ample protection from the wind and rain and is relatively easy to pitch.

9. THE C-FLY WEDGE 

When pitched, the C Fly wedge looks like - you guessed it - the letter C! The tarp shelter resembles the basic lean-to shelter with an extra fold at the bottom to provide a ground cloth. It's not a complicated shelter to build, but it requires a lot of hardware including a tree-to-tree ridgeline, up to six stakes, and two additional guylines. It protects from the wind and rain on one side while remaining open on the other.

10. THE MINI-MID

There are a wide variety of pyramid shelters available today and for a good reason - their design makes them extremely wind and water-resistant. They are outstanding shelters in exposed areas where there is little to no vegetation. A mini-mid is a small version of a traditional pyramid that can stand up to five feet high.

All pyramid shelters use a single trekking pole in the middle to create headroom space and four solid sidewalls that extend to the ground. They require a fair amount of room to set up because of their broad base, but the extra protection they provide is worth their larger footprint.

They are roomy on the inside, but the single-door construction found on most pyramid tarps makes it challenging when you have more than one person.

Setting Up a Tarp Shelter

Before you hit the trail with an ultralight tarp, you should spend some time learning how to set it up. Pitching an ultralight tarp is not as easy as a tent - you have to get all the lines tensioned correctly or the tarp will collapse. You also have to angle the tarp correctly so it protects you from the driving rain or a stiff breeze. It takes practice, more practice, and some more practice.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SET UP: Make sure you have the necessary supplies before you pitch your tarp. At the bare minimum, you’ll need -

1. Trees. Ideally two trees for support. Hiking poles or paddles (if packrafting) work as well.
2. Paracord. For the ridgeline(s).
3. Anchors. A rock or stakes to secure the guylines to the ground.

ALSO, KNOW YOUR KNOTS: To secure the tarp, you'll need to brush up on your knot tying. The knots you use should be easy to tie, easy to untie, and strong enough not to slip under tension.

a. Bowline: (for anchors) hands down the most useful knot. Provides a fixed loop at the end of your rope.
b. Trucker's hitch: (for tension) allows you to add or release tension while you secure a ridgeline or a guyline.
c. Adjustable Prusik knot: (for trees) lets you attach your tent to the ridgeline.
d. Taut-line hitch: (for any tie-out) ideal for guylines. It’s adjustable and won’t slip when it is under tension.

All these knots are explained and illustrated in the following post - How to Tie Knots: 11 Essential Knots for the Outdoors.

The Bowline Knot | © Centre for Life, Newcastle

When To Use Tarp Shelters

Ultralight tarp shelters are at the pinnacle of minimalist backpacking. They are simple in design and only require a handful of gear to get set up. Tarps also are among the lightest shelters you can stuff into your pack. However, they can be challenging to pitch correctly.

There are four shelter scenarios where people typically use tarp shelters:

1. Ultralight: some ultralight hikers ditch their tent and replace it with a tarp. This helps long-distance hikers considerably reduce their pack weight.

2. Plan B: some backpackers carry a tarp as a Plan B emergency shelter and only use it when they can’t reach a shelter or conditions are terrible for cowboy camping. 

3. Hammocks: to protect themselves from the wind and rain, people sleeping in hammocks may hang a tarp above their hammocks. Several hammock tent manufacturers include tarps in their designs. 

4. Survival: some survivalists and preppers like to understand bushcraft fundamentals and tarp designs in the case of a doomsday scenario.

Pros & Cons of Tarp Shelters

Is a tarp better than a tent? Carrying a tarp can be better than a tent when you want to go ultralight and in climates with mild weather. But ultralight tarps are not for everyone. Before you ditch your tent and jump on the ultralight tarp bandwagon, you should consider the pros and cons of this shelter system.

PROS

• Lightweight
• Cheaper than a tent
• The open design makes you feel closer to nature
• Allows fresh air to circulate and reduce condensation
• Some configurations will enable you to cook/make a fire while still protected
• Customizable with many sizes, shapes, and ways to pitch a tarp

CONS

• No protection from bugs unless you carry an inner mesh tent
• Exposure to rain and wind if not pitched properly
• Less stable than a similar freestanding tent
• Can be difficult and time-consuming to pitch properly

© Mitch Barrie (CC BY-SA 2.0)