The Best Camping Tarps of 2022
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Loading... - Thomas Bourgeois
- 23 Jun 2022
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Asimple tarp is one of the most versatile items you can carry into the backcountry. It can be used as a ground or table cloth, a barrier from the sun and wind, a backpack, or in a pinch, as a makeshift rain jacket. A tarp can provide privacy for a primitive shower or latrine, to collect rainwater, or to cover your vehicle’s load on the way into and out of the backcountry. And, of course, it can be used as a shelter.
Tarps are available in a wide range of sizes, weights, and materials. Handy features like grommets or cloth tie-down tabs add functionality for a wide variety of field purposes, and smart buyers will also consider shape, whether rectangular, square, or asymmetrical.
All those features and functions should expand your expectation of a tarp, and change your primary question from “should I own a tarp?” to “which tarp should I own?” That’s where my review of the best camping tarps should help you.
- Best Backcountry: Kifaru Sheep Tarp
- Best Living Space: Litefighter Commando Field Tarp
- Best General Purpose: Etowah Tarp
- Best Budget Tarp: Generic Blue Tarp
- Most Durable: OilCloth Tarp
- Best Lightweight: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultralight Flat Tarp
- Best Repurposed Tarp: Surplus Military Parachute/Canopy
- Best Hammock: Dutchware Gear Ultralight Xenon Hex Tarp
- Best Bushcraft Tarp: MSS Multipurpose Survival Shelter
- Best Emergency: Sportsman’s Blanket
How to Choose a Camping Tarp
In order to select the best tarp for your needs, consider both your budget and the features you require. Basic tarps won’t break many budgets, but as you add key features and materials, prices increase. Consider square footage, too. For an emergency shelter for a single person, a smaller rectangular tarp that can also double as an emergency camping blanket pitched low to the ground makes sense. For a shelter used to support a larger group, a much larger square tarp pitched high will provide more room to cook the best camping meals, hang out, and store your gear. Consider how the tarp will be supported and where it will be pitched in order to determine the best design and fabric.
Traveling deep in the mountains? Lightweight nylon is your best option. Setting up a deep-woods canoe camp? A heavier, abrasion-resistant tarp is the better option. Keep in mind, though, added durability also adds weight.
Once you consider price, size, and material, look at smaller features that can make or break a design. Where are tie-down tabs, and are there places to attach guy-out lines for additional security. Can the tarp work with a support, such as a trekking pole? Or do you simply need a bombproof, simple tarp?
Best Backcountry: Kifaru Sheep Tarp
Key Features
- Weight: 9 ounces (canopy only)
- Dimensions: 9 feet x 5 feet
- Sleeps one person plus gear
- Made in U.S.
Why It Made the Cut
The Kifaru Sheep Tarp is designed as an emergency backcountry shelter for high-altitude hunting trips where ounces matter. The Sheep Tarp can fit inside a pants pocket and even though the tarp comes with a stuff sack, it can be compressed into a much smaller package for toting into the backcountry. It works as an ultralight tent, emergency shelter, and even a makeshift poncho draped over the body in a sudden rainstorm.
Pros
- Lightweight and highly compressible
- Multiple tie-down points
- Extremely versatile
Cons
- Questionable durability
- Relatively expensive
- Would benefit from seam coating
Product Description
The Kifaru Sheep Tarp weighs only nine ounces but is capable of withstanding winds to 60 mph. It measures nearly 5 feet x 10 feet and is the perfect size for protecting one person and their gear. Constructed of lightweight nylon, it has 14 tie-down points for various configurations and can compress down even further for packability, folding to fit in the sleeve of a pack’s hydration bladder. Mid-body tie-out tabs can convert the tarp to a lean-to.
Best Living Space: Litefighter Commando Field Tarp
Key Features
- Dimensions: 10 feet x10 feet
- Includes field repair kit, six ground stakes, and carry bag
- 25 configurations
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
Why It Made the Cut
There is a difference between living space and sleeping space. The Litefighter Commando Field Tarp can convert into a covert shelter for both purposes. The tarp is printed with OCP (Operational Camouflage Pattern), made entirely in the United States, and is configurable in 25 different ways. It’s perfect for suspending high above your head to protect an outdoor kitchen or gear storage. In a pinch, it can be lowered and set up as a group shelter for up to three or even four occupants.
Pros
- Durable
- Camouflage blends into surroundings
- Veteran-owned business
Cons
- Premium price for attributes
- Not available in non-camo colors
Product Description
The Litefighter Commando Field Tarp measures 100 square feet (10×10) and stuffs down to 5x5x12-inch cube. It weighs 2.1 pounds and includes six aluminum stakes. The tarp includes printed set-up instructions on water-resistant fabric on the outside of the stuff sack. An additional value, the tarp includes guy lines with polymer line-tensioner devices. One of the best ways to use this tarp for discreet camping is using it like a tube tent with material both below and above you. If you use this tarp this way, take the time to coat it with permethrin to keep the bugs from crawling inside. The Commando Field Tarp comes with textured cording that is easy to grasp with cold or wet hands. Read More…
