I am deciding what to put in my get home bag. A survival one-man tent or would a tarp be better? If using a tarp would I need to put tent stakes in too? Of course what ever is lightest is a consideration, and cost also. What do you recommend and why and do you have any product recommendations?
tent or tarp
- Thread starter brandx
- Start date
Help Support Homesteading & Country Living Forum:
Tarp and twine. Lighter and much more versatile
In the British army we were told a tent is a shroud for those looking to die, A tarp under a bush or in the middle of scrub is just as effective and less likely to be bushwhacked.
Tarp and shock cord plus paracord.
Oh and if your shelter can be seen from 20 yards away you need to move it.
Last edited:
tarp and cordage
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2012
- Messages
- 18,449
I'd have to say tarp too. We pointed out it can be used for other things. . . A backpack to carry stuff in it you have to go on foot, a blanket to protect against wind or even a rain collector if needed. They also are lightweight for traveling and compact compared to a tent.
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2013
- Messages
- 18,445
I prefer a canvas tarp over a tent. Plus some light weight rope. Stakes aren't necessary in my opinion for securing a tarp.
I just relized that I don't even own a tent.
I just relized that I don't even own a tent.
Tarp
However...
I have a small tent in my BOB because of my circumstances here in South Florida.
It's very tropical, and mosquitoes, biting flies, bot flies, gnats, and so on make life miserable. These insects can even carry serious diseases like West Nile, LaCrosse Encephalitis, Zika, and Dengue to name a few.
I use a small tent so I can have the benefit (with the mesh panels) of insect protection, and a good night's sleep so that I can be more alert the next day.
A third alternative that hasn't been mentioned is the tropical covered hammock.
It has a rainproof cover, and side mesh ventilation panels to keep out the insects. Walmart has one for $29.00, and it's actually lighter than a tent or a tarp.
Tarp is the basic. Tent is an upgrade. Why not just go all the way up to an RV? (tongue-in-cheek humor....)
I actually just use a green waterproof minus 18 rated sleeping bag that has a hood like section that provides rain cover for the head, it makes me look like a giant caterpillar. We removed the dreadful come and shoot me Velcro hook and loop tapes and zippers and fitted a line of HD press studs. I have no desire to fight with zips or Velcro if trouble hits my bivouac.
Failing that I sleep in my BOV or a Travel Lodge
Failing that I sleep in my BOV or a Travel Lodge
Anyone else as baffled as me as to why manufacturers fit shoot me now Velcro on tactical gear required to be as silent as possible? There was a UK company a while back making SAS Windproof smocks out of expensive Low Rustle Rip stop fabric so the jacket was nice and quiet, then they used Velcro on the Cuffs, Rank Tabs, Name Labels and edges of the pockets !!!!!.
Great info , thanks. I will be hunting around for a camo tarp, had not thought of the shock cord but of course makes perfect sense, do not want to cut paracord if you don't have to and will keep it tight and fast set up/tear down. I know that civil war reenactors carry tarps and two together made a two man pup tent, every man carried one.
Yes, I can envision different weather situations. Here you never know what you are going to get. 30 temp changes in one day, so I think for the Midwest a tarp would be best, then carry repellant and cotton for the ears, ( don't like to think they can get inside my ears) but still want to hear. I also have a gnat hat, very light weight. We had an issue with these tiny gnats from Canada for a few years, they seem to have thinned out a lot, but everybody and I mean everybody was wearing special hats and vanilla. Then some sort of spray I think called "buggins", sold like hotcakes. I like the idea of a hammock when the weather is hot. But, I appreciate all the wise words and will go with a tarp.
Good question for the maker.
You're a hoot! I do have a 1965 Yellowstone if the suitable occasion should arise. Thanks.
I don't know Indiana but if you get a proper winter you want a double sided tarp one side in woodland the other in white.
Didn't know there was such a thing. Never know how much snow, it could be a foot that stays on for 3 days or 2 inches that stays on 2 weeks. it is crazy weather around here. I don't know why they bother trying to predict it. Overall we only get 1-2 good hard snows a year, but it does get in the 10's a lot.
If you cannot find a twin sided tarp ( northern European Military surplus used to have them) then carry a spray can of white rubberised acrylic paint if you can to break up the outline.
Just a funny note to add to this thread, I had asked an ebayer what the weight and mil thickness of their tarp was, the response came back in broken English and gave only a measurement. A supposed USA seller. Needless to say but I will say it anyway, I will not buy from this seller.
Probably Chinese they do it on an industrial scale.
Depends on where you are really. 9 times out of 10, a tarp will be better/more versatile. However, in extreme cold, I'd opt for a small dome tent. Also, in the extreme heat and insectness of FL, I'd opt for a small dome tent.
They are easy to put up, don't require trees, extremely light, and do amazingly well in high winds (that have destroyed heavier tents, from my own experience). In FL, the insect net is just a godsend.
They are easy to put up, don't require trees, extremely light, and do amazingly well in high winds (that have destroyed heavier tents, from my own experience). In FL, the insect net is just a godsend.
Here, I use a DIY full screen side zip hammock, or a single person tent, or a tarp. Just depends on the time of year and where I am going. On the river, if I camp on the bank, I can get some crazy mosquitos. If I go out on a sandbar, none. But on the sandbar, I need the tent because there aren't any trees to tie off to. lol.
Still, I have done a two week unsupported canoe trip, in July in Illinois, and been just fine with a tarp and a bugnet.
I made a few bugnets that go over a boonie hat, can't believe I didn't make a few years ago. Makes foraging and fishing super nice.
Still, I have done a two week unsupported canoe trip, in July in Illinois, and been just fine with a tarp and a bugnet.
I made a few bugnets that go over a boonie hat, can't believe I didn't make a few years ago. Makes foraging and fishing super nice.
My little dome tent, is a small bag, can set up in under 10 minutes, and keep wind and rain off me (and insects) in even stormy FL weather. It also keeps me from being on the wet ground in the rain. For here in FL, I certainly prefer a tent. That said, in my GHB (get home bag), I have a tarp and bungee cords (as well as some simple stakes), because it's much flatter...though I do have the tent behind the seat of the truck....
on the moors a tent is essential as on the high moors there are no trees, in the woods I would use a tarp.
when bugging out i'd use a tarp as a tent is too all enclosing and muffles the sounds and I want to be able to hear what is going on.
when bugging out i'd use a tarp as a tent is too all enclosing and muffles the sounds and I want to be able to hear what is going on.
