When the going gets tough, you better have a good set of Tarps that will be able to work with. Tarps are nothing but materials having a large surface area made from any type of fabric or plastic sheeting that is lightweight and easy to fold. Tarps can either be used in industrial purposes or for household needs. Tarps are highly durable and long-lasting when compared to any other types of similar products available in the market. Tarps can help you protect your vehicle, machinery, temporary roofing, tools, building supplies etc., while transporting them more easily than if they were not covered at all.
Tarps provides great convenience while moving things here and there during some outdoor events like family picnics etc., Tarps can also be put to creative uses. For example, Tarps can be used as a ground cloth when camping, as an awning or tent while fishing or hunting, as a privacy screen while changing clothes near the swimming pool and so on.
When it comes to choosing the right type of Tarps for your needs, you will have plenty of variety to choose from. The most common type of Tarps is made from polyethylene plastic and is known as vinyl Tarps. Vinyl Tarps are usually blue in color and provide good water-resistance. They are also lightweight and fold easily for storage. However, they do not offer much in terms of fire-resistance.
Tarps are a classic in the backpacking and camping world. Tarp setups can range from a bivy sack to a fully enclosed tent, with any number of accessories in between. Tents vs Tarp campsites are an ongoing debate, and while tarps certainly aren’t for everyone, they do offer some advantages over tents. Tarping your camping trip requires more work than simply rolling out the tent and staking it down, but gives you an unparalleled view of nature. It also doesn’t shelter you from flying insects or crawling creatures that may be nearby (although there are net-less tarps). By no means am might I saying that tarps should replace tents altogether; just that campers interested in pushing their limits want to give tarps a try.
There are a variety of Tarps on the market, but all share some common features. Tarps can be made from a variety of materials, but all should be waterproof and have high tear resistance. The most popular Tarps are those made from Sil-nylon, which is very strong, waterproof and has good tear resistance. Tarps also come in different sizes, with the most popular being 8’x10’ and 10’x12’. The weight of Tarps also varies, with the lightest weighing in at about 9 ounces and the heaviest at about 2 pounds.
Standard Features:
Waterproof Material:
All Tarps should be made from waterproof material, such as Sil-nylon, Polyurethane Coated Nylon, Polyethylene or PVC. Tarps will be waterproof to their rating, which can vary from 2000mm/2400mm depending on the model. Tarps that are exposed to lots of water and wind will need to have a higher waterproof rating than that use in fair weather conditions
Tear Resistance:
All Tarps should also have good tear resistance, or otherwise be able to resist tears during everyday use. Many Tarps include reinforced corners and edges for extra durability and abrasion resistance
Guyout Points:
All Tarps should include at least one guyout point (the grommet(s) where you stake down the tarp). Tarps with more guyout points will be able to be set up in a variety of ways and offer more stability in windy conditions.
Other features that may be included on Tarps are:
Zippered entrances
Netting for insects
Pockets for gear storage
Reflective strips for night visibility
Creative Tarps:
While the standard features of Tarps are a must, there is also a lot of room for creativity in setting up your tarp.
A few creative Tarps include:
The All-In-One Tarp:
This Tarp includes all the features you need, such as guyout points, waterproofing and tear resistance. It also includes an integrated mosquito net and a zippered entrance for easy access.
The Hammock Tarp:
This Tarp is designed specifically for hammocks and includes a ridgeline for attaching the hammock, as well as guyout points and loops for staking it down.
The Square Tarptent:
This Tarp can be set up in a variety of ways, but is most commonly used as a square Tarptent. It includes guyout points on all four sides, as well as a center ridge line, to create an enclosed space.
Conclusion:
Tarps are a versatile piece of gear that can be used in a variety of ways to suit your needs. They offer many advantages over tents, such as weight savings, extra ventilation and a unique experience. Tarps also have some disadvantages, such as giving you less protection from the elements and being less comfortable than their tent counterparts. So if you are looking to lighten your load or give Tarps a try, I encourage you to check out The Ultimate Hang’s Complete Guide to Tarps.