The Tarps I use for Bushcraft and Wild Camping. My Top Five Tarp Shelter Set-ups.

In this video, I head out to the pine woods with my armoury of tarps to show you what I use and why. I love tarps, they are my preferred shelter for camping, so much more versatile than a tent, lighter, more compact and they don’t obstruct your view or experience of being out in nature.

I will be going through the features and merits of six different tarps that I use frequently, each one suitable for different situations and activities. I will also show you my 5 best tarp shelter configurations for wild camping, bushcraft, hammock camping and canoe trips.

I hope you enjoy the video,
Thanks for watching!

Outhaus Fredlig 4x3 tarp

British Army Basha

DD 3x3 Tarp

DD Superlight Tarp

Warbonnet Superfly Tarp

Terra Nova Competition 1 Tarp

Contact me at:

Or by mail at:

Simon, a bloke in the woods
PO Box 384
Diss
Norfolk
IP22 9DB
UK

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Instagram - simon_a_bloke_in_the_woods

Music:

Autumn Sunset By Audionautix
Cats Searching for the Truth By Nat Keefe and Hot Buttered Rum

[honestreviewer]

If you're solo, a tarp combined with a good GoreTex bivvy bag is all you need. Learned this in the infantry. Had some of my best sleeps ever, dry, warm and snug as a bug in ruts left by tanks. Thanks for the video.

[tybean]

I have no intention of buying a tarp or camping in the woods but for some reason, I could watch this for days

[charlielewis]

You know a video is good when people are still regularly watching it over a year later.
I set up a tarp tent for the first time last night. I combined mine or a mosquito net as I was sleeping next to the Norfolk Broads where biting insects are rife.
It worked very well and added very little weight.

[richardstone]

I am a 68 year old tarp guy (old school).
A tent is a tent and can't be used for anything else, but a tarp or two are extremely versatile and can be used for many things and easy to field repair.
Need a hunting blind, make a litter, catch rain water, need a poncho or a sail for a raft?
Use a tarp!!!

[shockwaves]

hi Simon I, m soon coming up 60 yrs old and i did my 1st kayak and camping last year with my brother inlaw down the river wye it was 3 days and 2 nights and thoroughly enjoyed it. ive been watching your youtube videos and it has helped a lot on all aspects on camping. we are planning another trip on the river wye againg but for 4 nights and 5 days. I also watch your good friend Andy kents survival, when nature Pauls and Eze adventure. theres not time like the present to start new adventures. Thanks again for your inspiring videos Simon. Mike Harvey (just and ordinary guy lol)

[markcummings]

This was the most thorough and comprehensive video on tarps on YouTube. Thank you very much, Simon.

[michaelneuwirth]

🇬🇧​ A very good overview of the different tent canvas concepts.
The fact that at the end it was explained straightforwardly when a tent is preferable (in case of extreme wetness, cold and wind as well as stinging insects) is overall evidence of a sober view. With approx. 25 min. not too short and not too long, thank you!​
🇩🇪​ Eine sehr gute Übersicht der unterschiedlichen Zeltplanen-Konzepte.
Dass am Ende schnörkellos darauf eingegangen wurde, wann ein Zelt vorzuziehen ist (bei extremer Nässe, Kälte und Wind sowie stechenden Insekten), zeugt insgesamt von einer nüchternen Sichtweise. Mit ca. 25 min. nicht zu kurz und nicht zu lang, danke!

[jsand]

I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed watch some bloke walk through the woods. Really I can’t!

[ianguest]

As a complete novice this is just what I need to see - easily the most informative and useful video I have watched. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[remingun]

13:15 Simple configuration
14:05 Simple configuration with "doors"
15:00 Adirondack shelter
16:05 Plough point shelter
18:10 Tepee tarp tent (no trees)
20:40 Canoe tarp

[billyaitken]

Quality as always Simon⛺️🎥👏👏👏. Being an ex-para, I'm a tarp camper. If you need to add a mosquito net, place a 'nut' on the outside & bind one end of some cord to hold the 'nut' in place on the inside- then use the loose end to attach the mozzie net😊👍.
I know you love to tinker with set-ups. Look at tarp clamps & sewing on some additional nylon cord loops on the edges to boost your configuration options.
That rip-stop heavy tarp is the dog's conkers, it'll take a world of abuse & last decades⛺️👍

[Sirrehpotsirch]

I really like the concept of setting up the guy lines ahead of time with those slider knots. Time to practice my bush craft! Thanks Simon!

[outdoorpoormet]

Great closing music. Both fitting and comforting.

[BUZZKILLJRJR]

I've gone back to this idea again of using a tarp and just so much simpler lighter weight and fun!

[xsirdavidianx]

Banging video as usual. I've been watching for around a week now, and I have to say I've been thinking about wild camping for a while, and it's as if the gods brought me to your channel to learn how. Perfect, thank you guy in the woods ❤️👍

[carrdoug]

"I've forgotten how much room there is in here".👍😃
I love watching videos from a guy who loves tarps as much as I do. A note to everybody on the versatility of these tarps. Along with Simon's great video on using canoe paddles to give you more room in the tarp tent. Nothing prevents you from suspending your tarp tent from a ridgeline and setting it up otherwise as normal. This is my favorite cold weather shelter. Also, remember not to pigeonhole yourself when setting up these configurations. A diamond shelter can be setup off center, so you can shift coverage for better wind and rain protection. This is great to remember when you're using a smaller square tarp like an 8.5' x 8.5'.👍

[annebeginn]

Bought the dd 3x3 for my hubby and we tried out the tarp tent config he loves it 😁

[olspring]

Been bicycle camping for years. Switched to tarp and bivy setup a few years ago. So versatile so light. So easy. 👍

[ivarwb]

Thanx for sharing your thoughts and ideas, this was really informative!

[abdmj]

One of my favorite tarp vids. Extesive but curated and really fun