Tarp vs Tent Pros and Cons

Are you debating to go with a tarp or tent? Here we discuss some pros and cons of each system.

[kirknyman]

When I was a kid I went cross-country skiing/backpacking in Glacier National Forest Montana for 16 days with 8 other guys. We stayed in makeshift tents made from tarps bungee corded down between two trees and staked down at the ends into the ground. Some especially windy nights we used our ponchos rigging them up like doors to the tarp/tent, and the hood to the Poncho made like a little breathable window we could use to get air into the shelter. It worked rather well. Each one of us carried a tarp with his pack. One of us would spread out their tarp as the shelter floor and the other would be used in the corded up and staked down manner I just illustrated. After a few nights of making and breaking camp is was amazing how fast we became at pitching these neat improvised little shelters.

[RevHiker]

Good video. I havent used a tent in several years. Was ground camping with tarps for a while and now Its all hammocks! Love em!

[bldeagle]

Great video, I am hunting deer this fall in a really primitive area that requires a lot of hiking and have been debating going with a tarp instead of the tent.

[BayouChilehead]

Those are very valid points! I have used both, as in a covered opening for the tent with the tarp sloping to the rear of the tent!

[phililpb]

very good video. One thing you did not say is you are a little warmer in the tent when the temperature drops

[Wingman]

I may have to try the tarp setup. Thanks for sharing. Good to see the young men with you learning the skills.

[alexoneal]

Thanks for the insight Mr. C....been considering augmenting my camping  with a tarp system...

[izmazix]

I don't know if someone said this already but: The thing about a tarp is you can get it close to the camp fire and if it's a cheap tarp you don't care if it is damaged. Camping is not camping without a fire and being able to sleep close to it is awesome. Also if you get a hole in your tent then it's a big hassle to fix it. Tarp gets a hole? Duct tape. Too many holes? New tarp.

[jazbronoh]

Tarps comes in many fabric option than tents depending on the application use. Is more useful in extreme weather conditions. Though require tinkering when set up.

Tents are only opted for people who like "worry-free" of critters. But it does not support against strong winds, and abrasion or tear.

[drzmanproject]

nice discussion with the rain as a background. Love the comments here also, e.g., using a bug net with the tarp.

[GeneG]

Great video man your a good father! Wish my dad did this.

[jackmaverick]

Have you taken a look at the Aqua Quest King Camp tarp 10 X 13 ? I think it has something like 18 tie out points for a lot of configurations. It is pricy, but if you like tarps it is well worth the money.

[MichaelTravisc]

I just spent the last week sleeping under a tarp in my hammock. My friend that was camping with was in a tent. I vastly prefer the tarp/hammock setup. Even with a week of having rain every day I never got wet.

[jelkel]

I use a British army Basha tarp and you do have to manage it a little more than a tent but that's a plus as well as a minus. I'm sure there are bug nets out there that can be used with tarp type configurations, I've seen them used in Africa and Australia but I'm not sure if I've seen them in North America. If I'm going somewhere known for a good breeze a smaller cheap/light tarp can be used to shore up the side where the breeze is hitting the structure, if its raining but little or no breeze, the tarp can be put out to catch some water for the morning. Thanks for the vid!

[ManuelLopez-ozrm]

Tie a mos.- net inside the tarp maybe?

[EatCarbs]

One nice thing about a tent too.. changing your cloths offers a little more privacy.
I slept under a tarp once.. when the fire died down it was cold.

[danclark]

What about wet floors or the water running under the tarp? Do you find that things get a little soggy under the tarp?

[livingsurvival]

Great comparison video, another option is a hammock with a bugnet and a tarp on top of that, got a video in the works about that. Thanks for sharing brother ;)-

[SezMan]

What kind of hat is that? I really like it

[RhinoViper]

Since the tarp is so light...I'm fine with bringing both and let the weather/bugs dictate which one I put up...and if it's a serious SHTF situation and I can't deal with the weight I can always just dump/cache the tent and keep the tarp, etc.