When you go camping, you probably want to bring at least a couple of tarps. Camping tarps are useful for a variety of purposes.
Rain Tarps
A waterproof tarp can be stretched overhead near your tent, to provide a rain shelter that will allow you to cook, read, play cards, or just relax outside the tent during the inevitable rain shower. (Doesn't it always rain when you go camping?) See our rain tarps for information on setting up a rain tarp. Your rain tarp will also provide shade on hot sunny days, making your cooking chores more pleasant and in general providing a more enjoyable time while outdoors.
Half Shelters and Lean-Tos
A tarp can also be used to create a temporary partial shelter or lean-to. Place it so that the open end is facing away from the wind (or rain). A tarp shelter can be created by tying the tarp to trees or by using poles for support. Ground stakes are always useful to secure the edges along the ground.
Ground Cloths
Use a waterproof tarp as a ground cloth, placed directly on the ground underneath the floor of your tent. The ground cloth protect the tent floor from abrasions and tears from stones, pebbles, and twigs or roots on the ground. The ground cloth should be slightly smaller than the tent itself, to avoid having it collect rainwater to pool under the tent. If it rains during the night, the rainwater will run underneath the ground cloth, keeping it from getting the floor of your tent wet.
Some campers like to use a ground cloth inside the tent as well. A quality canvas or poly tarp of an appropriate size can be used as an inside ground cloth. This protects the interior floor of your tent, and it's easier to clean. It's also cheaper to replace than the entire tent.
Sleeping Pads
Insulated sleeping pads or camping pads provide a layer of insulation and padding between you and the ground, making for a better night's sleep and a well-rested camper or hiker in the morning.
List Price:$74.99 Lowest New Price: $62.99 You save: $12.00 (16%) Average Rating: Reviews: 1 » Read All Reviews
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JUST IN! Crazy Tarps provide excellent coverage anywhere when you need instant shelter. Perfect coverage for your cook area, for gear storage and a make-shift rain shelter. 120 x 144". 210 denier coated nylon. Waterproof taped seams. Weighs 60 ozs. Order this minute! AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: Standard, UltraLite, Big Area Standard or Big Area UltraLite Crazy Tarp - word search in our Store for 'Crazy Tarp'. Big Area Lite Crazy Tarp, Forest Green
Crazy Tarps are some of the most useful and versatile pieces of gear ever made.
Provide excellent coverage anywhere, anytime that you need to shelter your cook area, gear storage, anything you want to protect from the elements
Reviewed by: Timothy A. Jackson, Review Date: 2009-05-29
I've camped under my tarp in massive downpours and in temps down to the lows 30's F. it has held up well, hasn't leaked, and survived howling winds. I camp out every month of the year in New England, and have used the tarp for 13 months.
Basically, it works as advertised. I'd like to see more tie down spots on the center line, there are only two, one at each end, while there are multiple tie downs along the edges and at the quarter fold.
It's well made and sturdy, and I recommend it without reservation.
By Grand Trunk The All Weather Extreme Shelter Hammock, Air Bivy is an all-in-one package that includes an ultralight Skeeter Beeter hammock in a rip-stop material, ultralight Funky Forest Tarp and hammock hanging kit. The ABES offers you protection from all of natures' elements and also a comfortable place to spend the night. Color: Navy Blue / Combine Packed Weight: 2lbs 13 oz / Combined Packed Size: 12" x 11" x 6" / Weight Capacity: 400 lbs .
The Grand Trunk Air-Bivy Extreme ideal for camping, backpacking, daytrips
Polyester taffeta hammock is durable yet lightweight
Overhead suspension system assembles in minutes, reinforced corner grommets
Triple-stitched stress points and mosquito netting increases hammock strength
Funky Forest polyurethane coated tarp keeps you dry when used with hammock
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215216 Features: Configure the setup to best protect you using your trekking pole(s), sticks, or by hanging it by its guy chords Pitch it over your bivy sack for increased protection, or keep it with you for emergency situations to it's lightweight and compresses to the size of a soda can Specifications: Capacity to suggested use: 1 person + gear to 4-season Trail weight: 7 ounces Floor area: 44 sq ft Number of poles to freestanding: 0 to no Fly material: silicone-coated ripstop nylon Stuff size: 5 x 3 inches
Minimalist tarp shelter for one sleeper; can also be used as emergency shelter
Use as a poncho or in combination with a bivy sack for added protection
Can be set up with trekking poles, sticks or tied-off overhead with guy cords
Stores in a stuff sack that's smaller than a soda can
Reviewed by: Chad Manering, Birmingham, AL USA Review Date: 2010-02-03
The E-Wing is definitely small and certainly solo. I have used it with (and plan to always use it with) a bivy sack and although the weather has been mild (so far) I trust it will block the weather when required. There are many ways to configure this with poles, stakes, ties to trees, and all combinations.
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JUST IN! Crazy Tarps provide excellent coverage anywhere when you need instant shelter. Perfect coverage for your cook area, for gear storage and a make-shift rain shelter. Shelters a 120 sq. ft. area. 20 anchor points. Comes with guy lines, stakes and stuff sack. Order this minute! AVAILABLE SEPARATELY: Standard, UltraLite, Big Area Lite or Big Area UltraLite Crazy Tarp - word search in our Store for 'Crazy Tarp'. Big Area Standard Crazy Tarp, Forest Green
Crazy Tarps are some of the most useful and versatile pieces of gear ever made.
Provide excellent coverage anywhere, anytime that you need to shelter your cook area, gear storage, anything you want to protect from the elements
This product is lighter than the cheap blue or silver tarps but way stronger. Great for the gusty trade winds here in the islands! Other tarps get the grommets pulling out but this baby is tough. This is not the ripstop lite model and its durability is more than worth the little extra weight (which is not much more). I used it for a canopy, lean-to and lowrise diagonal wing and its going strong after withstanding blasting wind and major tropical down pours while fishing and hunting. Everybody that saw and experienced its super multi-purpose functions were very impressed! Get a sharpie and have vistors sign it and log the days catch on it, it will be even more memorable as time goes on, as it should be around for years. I've had other "name-brand" tarps but this one beats 'em all!
