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. Thanks guy . BOTTOM LINE: The Six Moon Designs Haven Bundle is one of the best value tents on this list. As an organization, we feel this issue is too important to remain silent and do nothing. The classic A-frame is one of the quickest and easiest ways to configure a tarp. Three-season tents can usually handle a little snow, but theyre not made for heavy snow and harsh winter conditions. In exchange for referring sales, we may receive a small commission through affiliate links. This means you may have to re-tension the guylines during sustained bouts of heavy rain. tarp ultralight peregrine ripstop seam taped 30d sil We chose ten of the most common tarp shelter configurations and provided an overview of each one below.
Image by: @jitterbug_art, The OR Helium Rain Jacket and Pants (updated for 2020) are among the most affordable options in the ultralight rain gear market.
Affiliate disclosure: We aim to provide honest information to our readers. awning 15d BOTTOM LINE: The ZPacks Duplex and Triplex are among our all-time favorite ultralight tents for thru-hiking and fast and light adventures. It is ideal for summer backpacking where you want maximum ventilation. The other side of the tarp folds over the ridgeline and is held taut using guylines. It is limited in how it can be pitched and provides less overall coverage than a rectangle tarp. tarp bushcraft shelter toldo awning creed 3x3 flame refugio fredlig 3x4 outhaus coating supervivencia imreadyforsummer bsn tarp ultralight We like to use the Zpacks carbon fiber poles (sold separately) with our Plex for convenience, but you can save even more weight by using trekking poles as the tent structure. tarp If youre a solo hiker who doesnt mind small spaces, go with the ProTrail. The vestibule of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 can unzip to be used as an awning. When choosing a bivy sack, make sure to choose a size that will be long and wide enough to fit your body and your sleeping pad. Casey Handley is an avid outdoor adventurer and self-described gear nerd. ALSO, KNOW YOUR KNOTS: To secure the tarp, you'll need to brush up on your knot tying. I caught this fellow hiker coming around a bend and boy does he make a great prop!
MLD also makes the 1-person Solomid and the two-person Duomid, two pyramid style tarp tents that are lightweight like a tarp but as easy to set up as a tent. This means you can keep the inner net packed away and dry until youre ready to clip it in.
We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. BOTTOM LINE: So many ultralight tents save weight by cutting out living space, but thats not Hyperlite Mountain Gears style. - Polycro is a plastic sheet thats exceedingly durable for how thin and light it is. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Tent-specific footprints - Only a few ultralight tents on our list have the option to purchase specific footprints designed by the manufacturer. That said, ultralight tents will literally last for thousands of miles if treated with care. The Haven Bundle is perfect for hikers on a budget who like having the versatility of a tarp and the option for protection with the net insert. 11.8 oz. Here are some of our favorite groundsheet options: Polycro (4' x 8', 1.6 oz.) canopy ultralight tarp shelter backpacking tent fly camping rain outdoor Ultralight tarps are not for everyone. The semi-freestanding design requires a little more time to set up, but the bulk and weight savings is worth it in our opinion. Interior condensation buildup can be frustrating in single-wall tents during cold, rainy weather, so we really love that Tarptent gives the option to add an interior liner to help keep water from dripping on you and your gear. We prefer the HMG Ultamid 2 because its larger, easier to set up, and the DCF material doesnt sag when wet. You can use a dedicated diamond tarp or a rectangular tarp that is folded into a square. If you need a shelter for two or youre solo and like a little extra living space, go with the MoTrail. Trees. greenbelly It will always include the tent body, the rainfly, and the poles. Best ultralight 1-person tents: Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, Zpacks Plex Solo & Gossamer Gear The One, The Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo is our favorite 1-person tent because its spacious, lightweight, and it packs down small, PROS: Ultralight, 2 doors/vestibules, ample space for two (Triplex), DCF material wont sag when wet or soak up water, trekking poles can double as tent poles, seams are factory-taped, CONS: Expensive, condensation management necessary for single-wall tents. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more. WALL CONSTRUCTION - Double-wall tents come with two separate parts - a mesh tent body and a rainfly. We prefer the Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo because it provides much more livable space for about the same weight. Don't expect luxury accommodation though, as it can be cramped inside the shelter. BOTTOM LINE: The MSR Freelite 2 is a great option for those looking to go a little lighter without sacrificing the protection of a double-wall tent. For pairs, we suggest bumping up to the UL3, which has more interior space and only weighs 13 ounces more. We put these tents on our own scale to give you an accurate reading of how they stack up against each other. tarp ultralight msr Survival:some survivalists and preppers like to understand bushcraft fundamentals and tarp designs in the case of a doomsday scenario. If the rectangular is too big, you can dial it down with the square version.
REI Flash Air 2 - This is REIs first entry into the super ultralight tent world. 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. DIMENSIONS (L x W x H): 88 x 52/42 x 40 in. If youre okay with a tighter interior or you often backpack solo, the UL2 is an excellent choice. The Silwing is a 6-sided tarp with a catenary cut that protects you from the elements. We break down each of those criteria below. One of our favorite things about this tent is that you can adjust the tension on the straps from the inside - no more getting out of your tent in the rain to adjust sil-nylon sag. The tarp tent is ideal when you can't set up a ridgeline but still need a secure shelter. The following ultralight tents didnt make our final list, but theyve still got a lot of good things going for them. So get in the mix! It has two large doors, two roomy vestibules, and the interior space feels more generous for two hikers than other similarly designed tents. This configuration uses a ridgeline and two guylines on each side to hang the tarp securely over the hammock.
It pairs well with the Thru-Hiker Mesh house which provides a ground cloth and mesh to protect you from bugs. This was one of my favorite shots from the hike. Check out our full review of The Two here.
The hexagonal shape offers less protection than a rectangular tarp but more protection than a diamond.
This design makes choosing a camp spot much easier, and setup is a lot quicker than many other ultralight tents. The tarp is available in either a less expensive silynylon version or a Dyneema version that costs $50 more but cuts the weight in half. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund They save weight by cutting out tent poles, but require more time and space to pitch, and will take more practice to master. Link in bio, Crisp rushing water and distant snowy peaks in the Wind River Range. The Zpacks Dyneema tarp is an ultralight backpacker's dream. (wider at head), PROS: Ultralight, small packed size, ample headroom, 2 doors/vestibules (The Two), seams are factory-taped, CONS: Thin material isnt as durable as some and can sag in really wet conditions, condensation management necessary for single-wall tents. Montbell Breeze Dri-Tech UL Sleeping Bag Cover (6.3 - 8.3 oz) - The material of Montbells Dri-Tec Sleeping Bag Cover provides excellent waterproof protection for cold and wet trips. batwing tarp ultralight Check out our full review of the Copper Spur HV UL2 here. MOST SPACIOUS AND WEATHER-WORTHY ULTRALIGHT TENT.
Its not as durable as Tyvek (below), but it folds down smaller and is the lightest option available. Chris also wrote How to Hike the Appalachian Trail. They come with a fixed pole system that can be set up almost anywhere - even on solid rock. Sil-nylon tends to sag when wet, so tents made with this material may need to be retensioned in rainy conditions. Best value ultralight tents: Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo / Lunar Solo, Gossamer Gear The Two, REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 2 & MSR Freelite 2, Best high-end ultralight tents: ZPacks Duplex / Triplex, Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 & UL3, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 & Slingfin Portal, Best budget ultralight tents: Six Moon Designs Haven Bundle, TarpTent Double rainbow, 3F UL Gear Lanshan 2 & TarpTent MoTrail / Protrail, The REI Co-op Quarter Dome SL 2 is an awesome value because its lightweight, packable, and has good headroom. The large vestibules are designed to open completely without disturbing the structure of the tent, so you can have similar ventilation and view benefits of a double-wall tent. Wind river part three. Since its a bit less durable, we wouldnt recommend the Lanshan for a thru-hike, but the price cant be beat for couples and solo hikers on a budget. It protects from the wind and rain on one side while remaining open on the other. The headspace configuration provides plenty of space for a small group. We do not do sponsored or paid posts. Material: 0 .51 oz/sqyd Dyneema Composite Fabric. The Mountain Laurel Designs Monk Flat Tarp is a seamless, rectangular-shaped flat tarp with 14 tie-outs. A few creature comforts, like well-placed pockets and a rainfly gutter, make the Freelite particularly appealing for any backpacker looking for the best balance of low weight, livability, and weather protection. There are many different ways to pitch a tarp. WEATHER PROTECTION - Many ultralight tents require some extra attention to detail when it comes to performance in bad weather. The Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape is a pyramid tarp that you can wear as a rain jacket when it is not being used as a shelter. For example, many two-person tents are a tight fit for two average-sized people. Tyvek Ground Cloth (4.5 x 8, 8 oz.) Mountain Laurel Designs Superlight Bivy (5.5-7.3 oz.) Montbell Breeze Dri-Tech UL Sleeping Bag Cover. Material: Ultralight silicone Sil-Coat impregnated 30d ripstop Cordura. A backpacking tent will be among the heaviest items you carry on backcountry adventures. Some manufacturers may even exaggerate how light a tent is to make it seem more appealing. It comes with a tarp and an inner net that can be used together for a full tent setup, or separately to save weight and adapt to conditions. DURABILITY & WEATHER PROTECTION - Sturdier tents that hold up in bad weather tend to weigh a bit more, but its worth it for the comfort and the years of enjoyment youll get.
As its name implies, the stealth tarp is a low-profile setup ideal for stealth camping. We constantly update our guides when new products launch. They are simple in design and only require a handful of gear to get set up. Since theres no required industry standard for calculating this, some manufacturers exclude more items than others. post to help decide if you want to add one to your setup.
The Ultamid is the only 4-season tent on our list, and the pyramid shape provides excellent protection from wind, rain, and snow. greenbelly Non-freestanding and semi-freestanding tents are set up using stakes, guylines, and trekking poles. tarp peregrine ultralight The Tipi tarp is a cross between the stealth setup and the typical A-frame configuration. The mesh inner-tent acts as a barrier from condensation that forms on the inside of the rainfly. That said, we still think the MoTrail and ProTrail are solid tents for ultralight backpackers on a budget. The SlingFin Portal provides excellent headroom and weather protection. Campaign Zero There arefour shelter scenarios that people typically use tarp shelters: 1. BOTTOM LINE: The MoTrail and ProTrail are the ultimate shelters for minimalist backpackers who are looking for the no-frills simplicity of a tarp, but like having the bug protection of a tent. Extra space will add weight, so youll probably want to choose a lightweight tent to keep your backpack light. The Big Agnes Onyx UL Tarp offers an outstanding size to weight ratio.
We've put together this guide to help you understand the different tarp tent configurations and find the one that's right for you. Hiking poles or paddles (if packrafting) work as well.2.
Thats especially true for those who hike with trekking poles because they can be attached to this tents frame for increased stability. Ideally two trees for support. See our full review here: https://www.cleverhiker.com/blog/outdoor-research-helium-rain-jacket-amp-pants-review, Need a gift for the outdoorsy person in your life? It provides ample protection from the wind and rain and is relatively easy to pitch. Compare this to the average 2 lb one man ultralight tents. This is especially important in harsh weather conditions, where you might need to allocate more material to walls. SETUP - Freestanding tents are generally preferable because theyre quicker and easier to pitch. You can't 'cheat' by stretching the fabric to compensate for a ridgeline that is a bit too slack. tarp shelter ultralight grassman waterproof fly camping rain
As a rain jacket, the cape provides a great balance between protection from the rain and ventilation. 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. 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.
If you want a tarp that is waterproof and durable, then look no further than the Hyperlite Mountain Gear flat tarp. Weve got you covered from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items. Plan B:some backpackers carry a tarp as a Plan B emergency shelter and only use it when they cant reach a shelter or conditions are terrible for cowboy camping.
Tarps also are among the lightest shelters you can stuff into your pack. Check out our full review of the Quarter Dome SL here. They're built for spring, summer, and fall trips where youll need to keep bad weather out while promoting ventilation, which helps keep interior condensation to a minimum.
Hammocks:in order to protect themselves from the wind and rain, people sleeping in hammocks may hang a tarp above their hammock. Check out this quick list of our favorites if youre in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews. You also have to angle the tarp correctly so it protects you from the driving rain or a stiff breeze. The package includes a Dac featherlight strut pole and aluminum I-style stakes for easy setup. Act Blue - Bail Funds
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