Any opinions on tarptents?

[Luke Downing]

Been doing a lot of reading trying to figure out gear and so on for my first trip out west for elk
Found on here someone suggested a tarptent so I checked them out and they look very good the prices are great and the weight is little. So I was hoping that some of you might have some opinions on them and also maybe some pictures of them set up


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[gschuer]

I have a Tarp Tent. Mine I think is called the Scarp. Its very small and light yet tough. Has an inner mesh lining and the fly is attached to this. Mines great when its just me. Have used it on several hunts and fishing trips including Alaska and New Mexico hunts. In Alaska it rained constantly and it was weird putting it back in the sack wet when I moved spot to spot but worked out okay. In New Mexico it survived extreme winds just fine by being weighted down good. Overall very happy with the purchase.

 

[Luke Downing]

The one I have been looking at is the contrail but the pictures on the website are hard to see and i can't tell how it is on the inside. It looks like the "bed" part of it is like a cradle almost and I'm wondering if in a hard storm weather if it would come under the outer shell


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[Bitterroot Bulls]

Hey Luke,

i have the Contrail. It is my go-to solo shelter. While it isn't like a 4 season tent, with a tight pitch it handles some pretty good wind, in my experience. The corners of the floor are tensioned with the lines for the tarp, so it won't come out or anything. i can get a much tighter pitch with a trekking pole than the optional pole.

 

[Luke Downing]

Bitterroot would you by chance have some closer pics of the tent set up and of the inside set up by chance. Would love to see them

 

[HiMtnHnter]

Bitterroot would you by chance have some closer pics of the tent set up and of the inside set up by chance. Would love to see them

I have a Golite tarp that weighs about a pound. Only requires a hiking pole and/or a few sticks to set up. If you are hunting early season they are fine shelters, especially if you are looking to go light. I use a space blanket to insulate my bag from the ground. If the weather is warm you can set it up with plenty of air flow. If you get rain then you can set it up tight to the ground for good coverage. Can't beat it for early weather saving weight.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Bitterroot would you by chance have some closer pics of the tent set up and of the inside set up by chance. Would love to see them

I have posted this one before ...



I will see if I have an interior pic somewhere...

 

[Drhorsepower]

I remember this photo...

 

[Luke Downing]

I have posted this one before ...



I will see if I have an interior pic somewhere...

I remember seeing that picture before bitterroot. Awesome picture. I would really approximate some pictures of the interior if you have any. On their website that have multiple pictures of the tent but they won't blow up to full size and I can't really tell much about it


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[Knappy]

Luke, I'm glad you posted this. I was getting ready to ask the same question. I have read in Mike Eastman's book that he likes these so that's when I got curious about them. I've just started looking into these tarptents as well. People say they are "bomb proof" tents suggesting they stand up to wind, rain and snow very well. I'd be worried that if you have the one side always open, that the wind, rain or snow could blow in on you. Unless there is a way to you can close the opening?

I may try one this fall in Western Oregon. I hear it gets very wet up there so I hope it can keep me dry. I assume that if you use the tarptent, you'd also need a bivy sack or another tarp, in addition to your sleeping bag/pad, to keep you up off the ground.

 

[cnalder]

I've been looking into the tarps made by Kelty or MSR. Does anyone have any experience with these? We are planning an August 10-day wilderness deer hunt and was thinking about carrying a lightweight tarp as backup in case the weather turns. There will be 2 of us and we both have goretex bivys and would only use the tarp if weather got bad. Thoughts?

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I will set it up in the yard and get some interior pics today.

 

[Luke Downing]

Thanks a ton Bitteroot. I really like the look of the contrail and the weight and price also.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Here is the interior (I am 5-9 175):



And with the door closed:

 

[Luke Downing]

Thank you very much for the pictures
Have you ever had any problems with weather of any kind coming from under the outer tarp getting to you on the bed?

 

[ssliger]

Here is the interior (I am 5-9 175):



And with the door closed:

Nice Rokslide shirt.

 

[Musket Man]

Looks like a good setup BB!

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Thank you very much for the pictures
Have you ever had any problems with weather of any kind coming from under the outer tarp getting to you on the bed?

No I haven't.

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Nice Rokslide shirt.

Thanks. It is the performance hoody. I wear it everywhere.

 

[tim]

my kifaru super tarp