Shelters - Tarps & Floorless

The whys and wheres of catenary curves, with downloadable spreadsheet for calculating your own MYOG curve masterpieces. Read More...

Tarptent's newest, lightest solo tent is innovative and available in breathable Tyvek and traditional silnylon versions. At 18.5 ounces, the Tyvek Sublite is the lightest breathable fabric tent available. Read More...

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear of 2007 Read More...

A clean, simple way to attach guylines to your tarp or shelter Read More...

Lightest bug-proof one-person shelter on the market. Read More...

Bug-free living, even with your bag wide open!

The Convertible creates a new “Light Four-Season Tent” category, and the Mirage will challenge the lightest three-season single wall tents currently available. Read More...

An utralight monopole shelter that requires no trekking poles sets up with as little as two stakes Read More...

Fourteen new lightweight single wall tents, some with breathable fabric Read More...

Gossamer Gear offers an ultralight spinnaker fabric catenary-shaped tarp for one or two people that weighs just 8 ounces! Read More...

The Gatewood Cape has the same dual functionality as a poncho/tarp, but promises better shelter. Read More...

Poncho Tarps are not just for the eccentric. Learn how to use them in foul weather and save considerable weight and simplify your gear kit. Read More...

The lightest silnylon poncho/tarp we have reviewed, but also the shortest. Read More...

Compared to a poncho/tarp, is it possibly a better poncho AND a better shelter? Read More...

Roomy, bombproof floorless shelter for one. Read More...

A ski-pole supported day-use shelter to provide refuge from the storm during winter tours. A more polished version of the British "Bothy" bag. Read More...

A premium quality one or two person tarp with catenary sides, sidewalls, and optional end vestibules. Read More...

Solo silnylon catenary ridgeline tarp at a nice weight, size, and price but it requires a lot of room to pitch. Read More...

Why use a silnylon poncho/tarp when spinnaker is lighter? The answer may surprise you. Read More...

A poncho/tarp is a good choice for SuperUltraLight backpacking. With this one you get a good shelter, rainwear, and pack cover for only 7 ounces. Read More...

Full three-season (non-bomber) weather protection for one person for only 11.2 ounces including guylines and stakes. Read More...

Just because Skurka and Coup chose this raingear/shelter for their record-setting thru-hikes, that doesn't mean it will work for you. Here's the scoop on a tough poncho that makes a great shelter but suffers a little in raingear mode. Read More...

Discontent with cramped space in your tent? Try the Malcontent - one of the roomiest three-season tent systems on the market, with modularity, excellent storm protection, and adaptability for all four seasons. Read More...

Palatial bug and rain free area for two people at well under 2 lbs Read More...

Five panel equilateral triangle tarp. Read More...

First look at the Jacks 'R' Better 8'x8' Square SilNyl Tarp. Read More...

Comprehensive review of the MSR Twin Peaks Shelter, a single wall floorless tarp shelter that uses two trekking poles for setup. Read More...

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The GoLite Lair 1 Shelter offers more weather protection than a tarp without a dramatic weight penalty. At less than 12 oz, the Lair 1 is ideally suited for solo travel in areas where ventilation is important but the chance for rain is very real. Read More...

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The GoLite Hex 3 Shelter is a winter traveler's dream: a floorless shelter that provides bombproof wind and storm protection. For 3-season use, the Hex 3 is a roomy refuge from fringe season storms. Read More...