Tarp Tents Vs. Tents

Choosing between simple tarps or standard tents for camping shelters is a choice between speed and ease of set-up and a sturdier, more lasting structure. Standard tents better accommodate campers seeking comfort and protection from the elements, while simple tarps work best in situations requiring emergency shelters. However, some rustic camping enthusiasts prefer tarps to tents when roughing it in the wilderness.

Features

Tarp tents--often a simple plastic or canvas tarp draped over a leaning branch or erected with two upright poles--set up and break down quickly, are lightweight and take up minimal room. Standard tents equipped with poles, anchoring stakes, floors and zippered mesh screen doors and windows present a more stable alternative. Dome or A-frame tents anchor to the ground and are more aerodynamic than large tarps. But full tents also take up more space in storage or in packs and are heavier to carry.

Function

Folded-up tarps take up less space than standard tent kits in packs for remote camping or backpacking. For camping trips combined with treks through hills or mountains, these provide a lightweight, low maintenance alternative to regular tents. Keeping a tarp in vehicle ensures a quick shelter alternative in emergency situations as well. Standard tents work best for planned camping trips at set locations where backpacking isn't part of the equation. State park campsites or other designated campgrounds are ideal for standard tents. Standard tents also make better alternatives for family campouts, when larger dome or cabin tents are needed to accommodate multiple people in one campsite.

Costs

In 2010, the costs of tarps best suited for camping shelters start at $10 to $25 for heavy-duty polyurethane tarps, making them a cheaper alternative to standard tents. Tarps can cost $200 or more for heavy canvas, such as the Boy Scout dining fly tarps. Most common camping tents ranged from $50 for small one- or two-person tents to more than $300 for multiple-person cabin tents.

Considerations

In the case of makeshift tarp tents, choose the material based on desired use. Thick duck canvas--such as the official Boy Scouts of America dining fly--weather strong winds better than plastic tarps and last longer because of their resistance to ripping. But canvas also is heavier, making lighter--but still sturdy--heavy nylon a better choice for emergency or backpacking shelter tarps. For standard camping tents, the same rules apply. Lighter nylon is easier to carry and store, while canvas holds up to more punishment but is heavier to carry.

Warning

Tarps used for makeshift camping shelters lack floors that keep out insects, other critters and ground moisture from the sleeping area. Tarp tents also lack screens, meaning flying bugs--especially mosquitoes--have free reign to torment campers. These also don't hold up as well to wind and other elements. Most camping tents are equipped with mesh screen doors and windows that zip closed, keeping bugs and other wildlife out of the shelter. And these shelters won't blow away in the wind if properly pitched. For both tents and tarps, the waterproofing of canvas and nylon can wear out, requiring fresh applications of weatherizing sprays or creams. Never put away a tarp or standard tent wet as the material will grow rotting mildew.