Tarps

Tarps are also worth considering for those embarking on long-distance hikes, where you often end up cowboy camping, or sleeping in shelter or hammock anyway, and a full tent is an unnecessary burden. One downside of tarps, which can often be solved by buying additional equipment, is the lack of a floor and mosquito net (inner tent). So, if you’re heading into areas teeming with mosquitoes and other annoying insects, you might want to opt for proven ultralight tents instead.

Tarp, tarpaulin, or shelter sheet?

Tarps are based on the simple concept of a waterproof sheet equipped with practical eyelets, loops, cords, and other features that allow you to set them up with a bit of ingenuity in almost any terrain. Apart from the classic tent stakes, you can easily tie them to various natural features in the surroundings, such as rocks, trees, bushes, etc. Their design often accommodates setup using trekking poles.

Tarps are particularly favored by ultralight and DIY (do-it-yourself) enthusiasts. At first glance, they often look like they couldn’t protect you from bad weather, but the opposite is true – thanks to their light weight and minimal space requirements in a backpack, tarps are appreciated by many hikers, bikepackers and other adventurers.

More bang for your buck

Besides their simple design and significantly reduced weight, tarps are often a minimalist solution in terms of finances as well – even the most sophisticated and fanciest tarps, such as Liteway Pyraomm Plus Tarp, can always be purchased cheaper than significantly heavier, basic double-wall tents. Despite the slightly higher experience requirements, you’ll likely get used to them after a few trips and you'll be surprised by the unexpected level of luxury this solution can offer.

Tarps are especially popular with ultralight enthusiasts because of their versatility and flexibility in the field – with a bit of experience and tolerance for discomfort, you can manage to set up a reliable shelter almost anywhere while maintaining minimal weight. But in addition to shelter, they can also function as a waterproof rain poncho, like the lightweight poncho and tarp in one Ultra-Sil15D Nano Tarp Poncho.

Whatever tarp you choose, remember that, as with any other ultralight gear, it's all about the experience and the time you spend with it. Even the most unassuming tarp can transform into a luxurious palace that fits into a pocket (or backpack) in the hands of an experienced thru-hiker.