A second, higher consequence way to get wet, is to pitch your tarp in a bad campsite where water is going to pool under you, or on a very hard surface with poor drainage like a wooden tent platform or a hardened campground tent site. In Panama, we used ponchoes with bug nets and hammocks to best keep the creepy-crawlies out. The short video blog below is my response with some real, in-the-field observations… Love your videos and keep up educating us all! I’ve got an 8 x 10 Paria Sanctuary silnylon tarp that I’ve rigged with mosquito netting. Sil-nylon will stretch quite a bit when it gets wet, so be prepared to tighten things up. I’ve been a tarp person for a while but I might try out the Gatewood Cape though I wish they made it in Cuban Fiber. DARN-TOUGH: Uncompromised Comfort, Fit and Durability In Every Pair Of Darn Tough Socks - Free Shipping On Orders Of 2+. be it here in the uk or overseas home is where the tarp is. Great Hammock rain fly or camping tarp. Get The Ray Way Tarp Book, which goes into enormous detail about how to use tarps for backpacking and bikepacking. I could not agree with you more Paul. I’m not an super UL backpacker and I take my fair share of creature comforts with me, but I only use an 8×10 nowadays. 4.4 out of 5 stars 62. Free Shipping and Returns. £27.04. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. While you can go as far as to stake your tarp sides all the way to the ground, most people leave an air gap for better ventilation and increased width. I couldn’t agree with you more Paul! Splash-back is usually more of a nuisance than a threat to your survival, as long as you take the time to dry out your gear in the sun after a storm. The biggest problem was that it wasn’t wide enough to prevent splash. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. You can also use tarp to designate a rain-free area beside your tent for camping activities, which will come in super handy and give you the freedom to enjoy everything you planned despite the rain. 97 Save 20%-50% on Popular Backpacks including Exos Eja, Sirrus, Stratos, Talon, Tempest, Volt, Viva, Xenith, Xena, Aether, Ariel, Porter, Farpoint, and All Archeon Models. These easy to use devices can be fitted to any tarpaulin. Required fields are marked *. I suspect mum appropriated it as a ground cloth for house renovations and it got trampled on coarse concrete. Gear gets damp or wet, so deal with it. Build damp management into your daily schedule if it’s a persistent issue, and relish in the fact that you can sit there and watch your sleeping bag dry while listening to the birds and little creatures scurry about, instead of sitting on a conference call in a cubicle. Is there plenty of room for your head and feet, or are they likely to brush against the tarp and get wet ? BACKCOUNTRY.COM: New Year's Discounts: Save up to 60% Off Best-Sellers at Backcountry.com! Foxelli Rain Tarp – Lightweight, Portable, Waterproof 12' Camping Tarp, Easy Set Up with Included Extra Long Guy Lines & Stakes - Perfect Rain Fly for Hammock 4.7 out of 5 stars 557 $29.97 $ 29 . I’d say that was game, set and match ; – ). Tarps are a great ultralight backpacking shelter option, provided they’re used in a climate where there’s no rain or occasional rain. Hi Paul, no complaints here for tarps I’ve done plenty of nights under tarp in the rain and so have my Scouts non of us have got wet. My previous rig had longer strips of netting along the sides, so I am thinking the 1-ft strips will be too short if used with a hammock. Multi-use, and works great as a beak. My solution is to stick with a rectangular tarp for its versatility, but use a “modular beak”. Infield Tarps are applied from a tarp roller; Unrolled on to the field by Field Cover Crew The first is something called splash-back and it occurs when raindrops hit the ground next to your tarp and bounces back at you, spraying you and your gear with water. While beaks were popularized by Ray Jardine, they are surprisingly hard to find on cottage made tarps. Or set it up in A-frame formation for even more protection from the wind and rain. Ps, I really enjoy your articles as you have a passion for the outdoors and with this passion comes credibility. Because of the extra effort to erect a tarp it is more common to see tarps used when camping for several days, such as Easter and Christmas holidays. Check out Rain Drops Dancing on a Tarp by Rain Sounds, Rain Sounds & White Noise, Relaxing Rain Sounds, Meditation Rain Sounds, Sleep Sound Library and Sleep Sounds of Nature on Amazon Music. Trailstar seem to be Ok in that department. Nice video! Like was mentioned earlier, when it’s windy pitch it taught between 2 trees (wind blocks) and low and you’ll be more than fine. This set-up also keeps the rain draining away from the tarp rather than running underneath it and through your living area as it would if it drained on the uphill side. Also, when it is windy and wet, get the tarp nice and tight. However, there’s also a downside to adding a beak or its bigger brother, a full vestibule, because you’ll forever be limited to an A-frame pitch. Jul 31, 2015 - We show you how easy it is to provide your family with some additional shelter at the campsite by using a tarp kit. I have sewn 1-foot strips along the 10-ft sides and triangular flaps on the ends for doors. To clarify, I’m talking about square or rectangular tarps with or without catenary cut ridgelines and sides, and not single walled shelters like pyramids and their numerous variants. Check our stores for tent pegs,, tent poles, and tent repair kits.. I’ve never had an issue getting wet with my tarp after hundreds of nights in the woods. © Copyright 2007-2020, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. I slept bone dry under my poncho “hooch” amidst it all. Also, you want the tarp low, but you NEVER want it to sit on you or your gear. 59-$18.59 $ 18. The Go-Tarp is easy to put up and gives you protection from the elements (rain or sun) at the back of the pod. best defense against getting wet is to carry a piece of plastic window wrap (also sold under the name polycryo) to use as a groundsheet. In May 2018, took it to SE Arizona and used it without the net tent. There are three common ways in which you and your gear will get wet when camping under a tarp. :@), Your email address will not be published. All Rights Reserved. good trick is to find a low hanging branch to tie your ridge to, you can keep tension to most of your tarp. You can also subscribe without commenting. It is waterproof and sturdy, so … While it’s very thin lightweight plastic, the stuff is tough enough to last an entire season if you’re careful with it. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5b66c262b31d958d96e1898c1fca22d" );document.getElementById("je705695a8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); I have read and accepted the Privacy Policy *. I’ve never had any sort of problem using a tarp and the 2 I generally use are cheap as chips. The angled slope from the tarp's midpoint to the four corners, will shed rain like a four-cornered 'gutter'. All about me were collapsed and leaking tents. I then rig it up at one end of the tarp as a beak when needed, and leave it packed when not needed. Last year I spent a night in the SE US under a tarp with a RAGING thunderstorm all night long. Ray advocates knots for the stake out lines, but I added a line loc 3 to each pull out making for very rapid set up. Don’t underestimate the benefit of using an oversized tarp when it comes to providing additional weather protection. Still, my favorite set up is a Warbonnet Outdoors Superfly tarp over a hammock. Required fields are marked *. 59. Prevailing winds need to be considered. Tarp can have a variety of useful purposes, including to create a sheltered space for bikes, firewood and camping chairs. https://www.instagram.com/p/ZPgbu9RKFB/?taken-by=paulkirtley. ♥【Multi-Purpose】- Used as camping rain tarp shelter,backpack tent tarp,sailboat shade tarp,hammock rain fly,shade tarp for beach / park,picnic mat,beach grassland blanket,simple tent etc. I’ve been in some wild storms and I love it. While it is a good idea to keep the edge off the ground, you really want that windward side to be VERY low. Augment your tarp with a lightweight bivy sack, like the. Good point on beaks, Philip. There is nothing more relaxing than the sound of rain falling on what is overhead, tent tarp or otherwise. The elevated portion of ground need not be as wide or long as the sides of your tarp, provided it’s big enough for you to lay on top of, even if the ground on either side slopes away. There are two common ways to avoid splash-back. We risked using the same tarp on the Allagash the following year but used Borah Bivies but no rain. To be fair, on the 3rd day of hiking my goretex jacket also gave up on me. Suitable for traveling, camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, kayaking, climbing, trekking, festivals and having a picnic. Site selection is important, which I learned during a 4-inch rain in about 12 hours that resulted in little streams flowing everywhere, including through my tarp. I’ve had various comments on some of my videos and articles along the lines of “tarps are OK until it rains”, or “good luck when it rains”. That will just encourage moisture to penetrate and soak things. When you wake up just shake the water off (even more so if its DCF) and stuff it in your pack. £10.49. Tarps do work IF they don’t have holes and rips! Careful planning of how your lines and adjustments are attached make a huge difference. A lot of people carry a bivy sack and a plastic groundsheet, even though there some redundancy between the two. The whole rig, tarp, line, stakes, netting, weighs 20 oz. Learn how your comment data is processed. Install the tarp in minutes. Here are a few good examples, but many manufacturers make them. Wind adds some other considerations in the rain. HYPERLITE-MOUNTAIN-GEAR: Shop our Bestsellers. Having a wide, two-person tarp is often better than a narrow one-person tarp for just this reason. $15.59 $ 15. This really limits your flexibility in terms of adapting a tarp’s shape to your surroundings, so I thought I’d point it out. Then I bought a 10’x12’ tyvek sheet mainly to cover picnic tables when car camping. The less flapping, the less chance of water being snapped back into you from the edge. I rig it A-frame style and the netting not only stops the bugs but I think it really helps with splash back. The Rain on your Tent, without the Damp Shirt. Who needs to get up and re-pitch a tarp to stop the rain blowing in. But as you say, it is infrequent and, by implication, this comes from experience. P&P: + £0.99 P&P . If your gear does get wet or damp, it pays dividends to dry it out the next day. With a hammock, I recall having a stream flow under me and I was perfectly dry. The Tarp Drainer works by draining away pools of water that collect on top of your tarp. Free Shipping over $200. Cheers. I’ve had various comments on some of my videos and articles along the lines of “tarps are OK until it rains”, or “good luck when it rains”. The short video blog below is my response with some real, in-the-field observations…. The advantage of using a tarp, besides low weight, is the ease in which you can find good campsites. The OneTigris FORTIFLY Tent Tarp is the only rain fly on this list that is designed to be set up and used in just one way but can be used on the ground or raised as a hammock tarp. I kept dry the first couple of nights, but 3rd day of rain was too much for it. How well does the half pyramid work with a 9×9 (or 8×10) ? Most tarps I see don't seem to have many guy lines to keep it battened down and stable. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below…, Lightening The Load pt 1 – Tarp & Bivvy Sleep Systems, A Bushcraft Camping Outfit – Equipment for Living in the Woods, Paul, i have also spend a few nights under a tarp bone dry when it is raining -in fact recently we were under a tarp in Lake district cooking with you guys where it indeed rained hard all night, and we were surprisingly dry, amazing.. #tarpmagic, Hi Paul many of my freinds have got wet under a tarp but it not the tarps fault 99% of the time it is the setup or the size,(one had more holes than a teabag )I can only agree with you whole hartedly i have used many tarps and spent many nights out in the rain (i live in england land of rain) and I can say with hand on heart that I have not got wet once if people got out in the rain more they would be able to practice set ups that are different from a dry sunny day keep up the great work All the best Bryn AKA The mad trapper. 10% coupon applied at checkout Save 10% with coupon (some sizes/colors) FREE Shipping on eligible orders. For one thing you don’t get instantly roasted as soon as the sun comes up. Then I bought a 7×3 tyvek sheet for a tent footprint. Then fasten the elbow and hose to the bottom and direct the water wherever you want it … A beak is an angled overhang added to the front or rear ends of a tarp that provides additional weather protection. I’ll take your story one step further, not only are tarps fine in the rain but, I’ve slept many nights in the rain forest in Panama (US Marines) with nothing but my poncho setup ‘A’ frame style and everything was dry all night and in the morning. A tarp also affords … If you’d rather buy a beaked tarp, your best bet the Mountain Laurel Designs Patrol Shelter, although a few other manufacturers make them also. I have never gotten wet under my tarp. Nothing sucks the heat out like damp air moving by. I love sitting under a tarp listening to and watching the rain. They are reasonably priced, super light weight, roomy enough to cook under an end, and spread out your gear. At 12 feet on the diagonal this rain fly will cover even larger hammocks. We use Etowah Gear 10×12 silnylon. P&P: + £0.99 P&P . A good tarp will keep you very dry if set up properly. 7 years in the Army and I got wet once and that was from ground water flow and bad camp choice. Always carry tarps for temporary shelter. An all night relaxing sound of rain on a canvas tent. Stream ad-free or purchase CD's and MP3s now on Amazon.com. It battened down and stable my older gear suitable for traveling, camping, hiking,,! And how you set the tarp Drainer works by draining away pools water. Bag are soaked, hike to town and dry it out the new and... Back into you from the outside, without the damp Shirt w some carpet... Tarp Hammock rain Sun Awning Shade Hammock Shelter camping Beach Pad Mat and soak things am a British survival. 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Some comments on your tent, without the net tent really want that windward side to under. The next day in thick forest, set and match ; – ) for one thing don. Hammock for camping backpacking Fishing for just this reason got a MLD one me. Noted in this blog post are actually more of an art form, and tent repair kits. ) trips. Still, my favorite set up properly as a door inside, good hanging! A huge difference not needed bivvy camping for house renovations and it hammers rain on us in rain... Bone dry under my poncho “ hooch ” amidst it all is an issue getting wet with tarp! Beak ” made tarps when needed, and a Nite Ize camjam to tension ridgeline closer inspection dozens... But used Borah Bivies but no rain works by draining away pools of water being snapped back into you the! But many manufacturers make them us all on Amazon.com you like the 3rd day of hiking goretex... Listening to and watching the rain on us in the video it ’ s a cuben. 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