What Type of Tarp is Best for Camping? Here’s Our Rundown

• July 25 2024, by Laurence
• 15 min reading time

Find out what type of tarp for camping is best for your trip with quick rundown. From tarp types to different setups, we've got you covered (literally!). Read more at Wood To Water.

Struggling to figure out what type of tarp you need for your camping trip? We’ve got you covered (literally!) with our guide below.

Whether you’re headed off on a stealthy wild camping trip to be at one with nature, or you’re planning a camping weekend with friends, a tarp is a great bit of kit to take with you – especially when none of us know what the glorious British weather will do!

But with so many different types of tarps and setups to choose from, it can be tricky to know which type you need for your specific trip. 

So, to help make your decision a little easier, we’ve put together a quick rundown of the different tarp types and setups available.

Things to Look Out For When Buying a Camping Tarp

When buying a tarp for your next camping trip, there are a few things to look out for. Here are the top things we look for in a tarp when we're upgrading our gear.

• Waterproofing: Ensure the tarp is fully waterproof to keep you dry during rain showers.
• UV Protection: Look for a tarp with UV protection to shield you from harmful UV rays.
• Size: Consider the size of the tarp relative to your needs; larger tarps provide more coverage.
• Shape: Different shapes offer varying levels of protection and setup options, such as rectangular or hexagonal.
• Material: Examine the material for durability, weight, and resistance to wear and tear.
• Reinforced Eyelets: Check for reinforced eyelets or grommets for secure and easy attachment.
• Weight: Opt for a lightweight tarp if you need to carry it on long hikes or backpacking trips.
• Packability: Ensure it can be packed down small for efficient storage and transport.
• Versatility: Look for a tarp that can be set up in multiple configurations to suit different conditions and needs.

You can treat this list as a checklist to compare different tarps to in order to make an informed decision!

What Type of Tarp to Use When Camping

When building your pack for your next camping trip, you can choose from multiple different types of tarps, which can be pretty overwhelming if you're a beginner. 

We've outlined the different types of tarps and their most useful uses to help you make an informed decision.

A Flat Tarp

A flat tarp is a versatile and essential piece of camping gear for any outdoor enthusiast.

Unlike tarps designed with specific shapes or configurations, a flat tarp is simply a rectangular or square sheet with grommets or tie-out points around the edges, offering the freedom to set it up in numerous ways depending on the camper's needs and the environment.

Uses of a flat tarp when camping: Shelter: Can be pitched in various configurations to create a rain or sun shelter. Ground Cover: Acts as a moisture barrier when laid on the ground beneath a tent or sleeping bag. Windbreak: Useful as a wind barrier when set up on one side of a campsite. Cooking Area Cover: Provides a protective covering over cooking gear to shield from rain or dew. Gear Protection: Can be used to cover and protect camping gear from the elements. Hammock Rain Fly: When rigged above a hammock, it provides protection from rain.

Our Recommendation…

Our recommendation for a flat tarp is the DD Superlight XL tarp. As the name suggests, this tarp is extra large, measuring 4.5m x 2.9m. This is big enough to create a dry area between tents or provide day shelter for your whole group of campers, ideal for scouts or D of E trips.

Made from ripstop nylon with 3,000mm PU waterproof coating, this lightweight tarp will shelter you in all weather conditions.

A Shaped Tarp

Unlike a flat tarp, a shaped tarp is pre-cut and sewn into specific configurations to suit particular camping needs.

These tarps often feature curved edges and tailored panels, which allow for more specialised setups and efficient coverage.

The design typically simplifies the process of pitching the tarp, making it quicker and more intuitive for campers.

Uses of a shaped tarp when camping: Tent Replacement or Addition: Can be used as a lightweight alternative to a tent, offering shelter with less weight to carry. It can also be used in conjunction with a tent to create additional living space. Rain Shelter: Its pre-designed shape makes it particularly effective at funnelling rainwater away, providing better protection during heavy rain. Snow Shelter: The specific configurations of a shaped tarp are advantageous in winter camping conditions, serving as a barrier against wind and snow. Privacy Screen: Its shape can easily be adjusted to serve as a privacy screen around campsites or portable toilets. Enhanced Aerodynamics: Designed to reduce wind resistance, allowing it to remain stable and secure even in strong winds.

Shaped tarps offer enhanced functionality and convenience, making them a favourite among seasoned campers who value both performance and ease of use.

Our Recommendation…

Our recommendation for a shaped tarp has to be the OneWind Dyad Lightweight Shelter. This versatile shelter can be erected in a range of formations to provide adequate protection from wind and rain on your trip.

Ideal for stealth camping, this survival shelter can shield you and your gear from wind and rain without weighing your pack down at only 265g! 

Made from durable Silnylon, you can be sure this shelter has your back on any terrain.

Tarp Tents

A tarp tent is a minimalist and lightweight shelter option that blends the features of a traditional tent and tarp. It provides more protection and structural integrity than a flat or shaped tarp alone but is less cumbersome than a regular tent.

Tarp tents often consist of a shaped or flat tarp combined with a simple framework, such as trekking poles, guy lines, and stakes, to form a tent-like structure.

This offers campers a versatile and efficient shelter solution without the bulk and weight of a traditional tent.

Differences between a Tarp Tent & a Regular Tent:

Feature	Tarp Tent	Regular Tent
Weight	Lighter	Heavier
Setup	Versatile, improvised	Built-in poles, specific instructions
Packability	Packs down smaller	Takes up more space
Ventilation	Better ventilation	Less ventilation, prone to condensation
Versatility	Configurable for different conditions	Fixed shape and setup
Cost	More economical	More expensive

Overall, tarp tents offer a flexible, lightweight, and cost-effective shelter solution, appealing especially to those who prioritise mobility and adaptability in their camping gear.

Our Recommendation…

Our recommendation for a durable tarp tent is the OneWind Blackthorn Ultralight. This structured tent is incredibly lightweight, at only 1.9kg, and big enough to shelter 3-4 standing adults. 

Made from durable Silnylon fabric, it will last you through multiple trips. But the main thing we love about this tent is the doors on either end, which provide additional protection from the elements and allow you to regulate temperature on your trip. 

What Materials Should a Tarp Be Made From?

The ideal tarp material should be durable, lightweight, and weather-resistant. Popular options include

• Silnylon – this silicone and nylon blend is known for its strength and waterproofing.
• Ripstop nylon – valued for its quality tear resistance.
• Polypropylene – appreciated for its affordability, water resistance, and chemical resistance. Polypropylene tarps are often used for temporary shelters and ground covers.
• Polyethylene – recognised for its high durability and excellent water resistance. Polyethylene tarps are commonly used for long-term covers and heavy-duty ground covers.

Choosing the right material depends on your specific camping needs and conditions, but these options provide a good starting point for any outdoor adventure.

What is the Strongest Tarp Material? The strongest tarp material is ripstop nylon. Known for its exceptional tear resistance and durability, it is ideal for enduring harsh weather conditions and heavy usage and providing reliable protection during outdoor activities.

Are Polypropylene or Polyethylene Tarps Better?

When camping, neither polypropylene nor polyethylene tarps are inherently better; it depends on your needs.

Polypropylene tarps are lightweight, affordable, and water-resistant, suitable for short-term use like temporary shelters or ground covers. However, they're generally less durable and less UV-resistant than polyethylene tarps.

Polyethylene tarps are highly durable and water-resistant, ideal for long-term use and heavy-duty applications like rain shelters or gear protection. They also offer better UV resistance for prolonged outdoor exposure but are heavier and less packable than polypropylene tarps.

For campers, the choice between polypropylene and polyethylene tarps can be difficult. We recommend changing tack altogether and opting for a lightweight, durable, water-resistant Silnylon or Ripstop nylon tarp instead.

Does It Matter What Colour a Tarp Is?

The colour of your tarp matters more than you'd think! It's more than just choosing a colour that you like, you need to take into account the type of camping you're doing and the environment you'll be camping in.

If you're attempting to wild camp or stealth camp, you'll need to choose a tarp that blends in with the environment you'll be camping in.

• Forest Camping = Green tarps
• Woodland Camping = Brown tarps
• Variable Environments = Multi Camo tarps

Of course, if you're camping at a campsite or a festival, the colour of your tarp matters much less in terms of helping you blend into your surroundings.

What is the Best Thickness for a Tarp?

Balancing weight and durability is one of the hardest parts of buying a tarp for a camping trip, especially if you're hiking.

That said, we'd say that the thickness of your tarp should be slightly more important than its weight to ensure it properly protects you.

The ideal thickness for a tarp typically ranges from 5 to 12 mils (0.005 to 0.012 inches).

Thicker tarps obviously offer enhanced durability and weather resistance, making them suitable for rugged conditions, while thinner tarps are lighter and more portable, ideal for backpacking and light camping.

You should choose the thickness of your tarp based on your needs, focusing on the terrain and weather conditions you'll be camping in.

Key Takeaways: What Type of Tarp to Use for Camping

There are various types of tarps available, each offering unique benefits for camping. Flat tarps provide versatile shelter options, shaped tarps offer specialised configurations, and tarp tents combine lightweight features with structural integrity.

Here at Wood To Water, we stock some of the best camping tarps on the market from high-performance brands. From Bushmen’s ultralight series for light packers to DD Hammocks’ range of high-quality tarps, we have a fantastic selection.

You can shop these brands and more in our full tarp range below!

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