Do I Need a Tarp for My Backpacking Tent?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking tents provide a lightweight and portable shelter for those who love to explore the great outdoors. But do you need a tarp to go with it?

The answer is: it depends. Tents are designed to keep you sheltered from the elements, but depending on where you’re camping and what kind of weather you expect to encounter, a tarp can be an invaluable addition.

Advantages of Using a Tarp

  • A tarp can provide additional protection against precipitation, wind, and other environmental factors that your tent may not be able to withstand alone.
  • Tents typically don’t come with floors, so if you’re camping on rocky or damp ground, a tarp can provide an extra layer of protection between you and the terrain.
  • Tarps are lightweight and easy to pack up and transport. They also don’t take up much room when folded up.

Disadvantages of Using a Tarp

  • Tarps can be tricky to set up correctly, especially in windy conditions. If not properly secured, they can flap around in the breeze or even blow away.
  • If your tarp is too small for your tent, it won’t provide adequate coverage and will leave parts of your tent exposed.

Conclusion

Whether or not you need a tarp for your backpacking tent really depends on where you’re camping and how much protection from the elements you need. For many campers, having a tarp provides extra peace of mind that their tent will keep them safe and dry no matter what Mother Nature throws their way.