You are all set for your camping trip and your tent is packed. But there’s something you might be missing. It’s a camping tarp! A camping tarp, fly or hoochie is a simple gear piece that offers a range of uses and benefits. Tarps are generally hex, rectangular or square cut pieces of fabric that have tie out points. They can be effectively used with a tent and can also be used without it. They are pretty adaptable and offer a wide range of uses. Tarps are a significant camping gear that you need to keep with you while you are out in the woods on your own or with your friends or family.
Here’s a look at the vital reasons as to why you need to get a tarp to make your adventure of camping better:
- Easy access
A tarp tent makes way for an easy entry all around. One is not required to deal with any zips or doors. Getting up at night becomes easy for quick trips to the loo.
- Protection from weather
A tarp offers best protection from the elements. They make for an easy shelter from harsh winds or shade from the summer sun.
- Spacious
Tents can feel a bit suffocating at times with small walls and spaces mere inches from your space. This does not happen with a tarp as you can set them as low or as high as you want to.
- Waterproof
Tarps like vinyl tarps and poly tarps are waterproof while canvas tarps are generally water resistant. A waterproof and great sized tarp can keep your gear and you safe from rain and dew.
- Lightweight
Tarps weigh less than a tent and are pretty easy to carry.
- Ventilation
One of the many benefits of tarp in camping is that they offer great ventilation and you are not required to suffer from the humid or damp space of a tent.
- Simple
Tarps are very durable. No bits and pieces and required to assemble them and they can be set up easily.
- Inexpensive
Tarps are pretty cheap compared to a tent and best for people on a budget.
- Creativity
If you do not like to travel heavy, then a tarp is a great choice for you. A tarp can teach you how to camp in multiple ways and you’ll get creative and begin to think outside the box.
Best complement to a tent
Tarps work great with tents. When you have a tarp, you can easily get away with a small tent as a range of functions of a tent can be carried out by a tarp. You can use the tent for sleeping and a tarp for the rest of your activities.
Back up gear
A tarp acts as a great backup in cases of emergencies.
Versatile
Tarps provide a range of uses and numerous ways in which they can be set up. Examples include hammock tarp, windbreak, covered cooking or living area, sunshade, footprint under your tent and added waterproof layer. The uses are innumerable and you can get as creative as you want to.
