Are Tarps the marmite of the camping world?

[Robson Valley]

I won't waste any spit to say that hammocks are crap. They don't suit my wilderness. Simple as that.
Must be something finer than the usual tropical mosquito bar. Like our bears care?

 

[Toddy]

My 'wilderness' is (thankfully) devoid of major predators, except humans. The wildlife that assaults us are generally insects. We don't have to worry about snakes, scorpions, spiders, bears, wolves, wild cattle, mountain lions or jackals.
We do have hedgehogs, badgers, deer, otters, ( and one interesting morning a stoat running through my tent; I'd the side walls rolled up) owls, wildcats and an assortment of bats, though.

Tarps are perfectly serviceable here, apart from the damned midgies, harvestmen, jenny longlegs and ticks. Thus the request for the midge net....apart from Winter and early Spring, we're spared the insect annoyances then, but the view from the tarp is still beautiful

 

[Janne]

One solution I like is to use the outside part of a tent only.

 

[Janne]

The question is not Marmite or nothing, the question is Marmite or Vegemite!


I prefer Nutella though!

 

[Paul_B]

My 'wilderness' is (thankfully) devoid of major predators, except humans. The wildlife that assaults us are generally insects. We don't have to worry about snakes, scorpions, spiders, bears, wolves, wild cattle, mountain lions or jackals.
We do have hedgehogs, badgers, deer, otters, ( and one interesting morning a stoat running through my tent; I'd the side walls rolled up) owls, wildcats and an assortment of bats, though.

Tarps are perfectly serviceable here, apart from the damned midgies, harvestmen, jenny longlegs and ticks. Thus the request for the midge net....apart from Winter and early Spring, we're spared the insect annoyances then, but the view from the tarp is still beautiful

Have you not mentioned the slugs? Another nuisance I've heard from people who have never tried tarps (not implying ppl like you just others claim slugs are a big problem for tarp users).

One thread that I read that was going down the road of tarps let everything get at you got turned on its head by one poster telling the story of his tarp trip with his tent dwelling mates. He got all the midge, bug and slug claims then early morning there was a scream from one of the hermetically sealed tents followed by a zip and a series of thuds. Turns out the tent dweller had a big crawl into his ear, get confused about the way out and decided it was through his eardrum. Turns out it was a devil's coachman or devil's coach horse. I'm sure some of you people will know what that looks like. Think a bit earwig on steroids! About 20 to 32mm long and ugly as bugs come.

In case you're interested I've never had any slug, bug or midge issue of note with a tarp. Certainly not any more than I've had with tents. Mostly the lakes but also Scotland and Wales. I guess I'm lucky. Further proof in lucky is the fact I get very few tyre punctures cycling compared to others on cycling forums. Mentioning the puncture fairy by name gets some a puncture but not me. If I get more than one a year it's bad luck, others is one a week. Although I think when I do bring a tent I tend to find the midges, tarp less so.

 

[mousey]

devils coach men and ear wigs always remind me of that "Startrek mind control bug in the ear" scene

 

[sunndog]

I won't waste any spit to say that hammocks are crap. They don't suit my wilderness. Simple as that.
Must be something finer than the usual tropical mosquito bar. Like our bears care?

I used to go on the American hammock forum a lot and there are loads of member from B.C
Never a mention of bear problems beyond What they would expect in a tent. In fact hardly a mention of bears except from newbies worrying

 

[Tiley]

For comfort, it has to be tarp and hammock; for light weight, it's tarp and bivvy bag; for winter exploits, I tend to take a tent.

Like many others, I don't really enjoy the claustrophobia of a tent though they do provide a good, stable shelter when out on the hills in dodgy weather. That said, the tarp can be configured in so many different ways that, even using trekking poles rather than trees, there's always a good way of pitching it to avoid the worst.

The ultimate is the tarp and hammock. The hammock I use has a built in bug net so I don't get pestered but do get a wonderful night's sleep. Sometimes, I use the hammock on the ground to give me bug-free bliss along with the flexibility of hanging from trees, if they become available.

Since I never car camp - I'm always carrying the kit - weight is a consideration. I'm not a gram counter by temperament but I do like my sleep; the tarp and bivvy bag is a really good combination, offering huge flexibility for not many grams. There is something rather luxurious being able to get the stove into action without leaving the warmth of my sleeping bag - something I would not do in a tent - ever!

As for Marmite, I love it and eat it religiously as it does seem to have some mild bug-repelling qualities when ingested over time. Vegemite is a very poor relation by comparison. Nutella? Only on crepes.

 

[Toddy]

I found that slugs were much more a problem in tents without sewn in ground sheets.....and it's astonishing the wildlife that seems happy to snuggle down under a groundsheet of any variety. If your tent's up long enough mice will happily colonise underneath too.

I don't like fluttery things around me. I do like the mesh inner tents, and I like the old style tents that one could lift the side walls high enough to make almost a tarp. Heavy things to lug around though. Fair enough if it's for a group and you split the load.

I think the tarp/hammock thing really took off when folks tried to go lightweight.....and in Summer a silk sleeping bag is ample too. Either way there are a fair number of sites where hammocks just cannot be hung, and there are a fair number of sites where the ground is not a good idea for tents.
Flexibility rules

I have a hex fly, and it and a tent, that works well for me

M

 

[Hammock_man]

What about getting one of those great long tunnel tents and a stand for your hammock, best of both worlds. Oh and 10 Sherpa's to carry it all!

 

[bob_the_baker]

I definitely prefer a tarp over a tent, I'm also not very tasty to biting things. Hammock is also my preferred sleeping option, although if I'm out with the dog or Winter camping in Scotland I like to make a wooden bed, covered in moss and topped with a foam mat.

Hatchets - hate the little devils, give me my Hertfordshire pattern billhook any day

 

[Erbswurst]

I think it depends, where you are going.

If in the area usually mosquitos are a problem a tent is a good idea, in the hills and mountains and at the sea a tent is a good option too.

In the Forest the Tarp usually is enough, with hammock where the ground is complicated. Tarp and hammock are the best option in really hot conditions.

I usually prefere MILITARY PONCHO and BIVI BAG.
Because this is a really light weight option!

The Snugpack Special Forces Bivi Bag weights only 340g. The Defcon5 Poncho in Italian Camo weights only 400g.
So the set up weights together 740g. Plus 20g for a modern 2mm line.

That is simply an intelligent lightweight option. Both products have a Nato Stock Number, so you don't have to think about the quality.

And for me that combination gives enough protection in all weather conditions. I use the bivvy bag with the Snugpack Special Forces 1&2 Sleeping Bags. That combination is working very well.

Only in south European summer conditions I prefere 3x3m tarp with hammock and Snugpack Jungle Bag with the integrated moskito net. A hammock with integrated moskito net might be there a better option perhaps. But the Jungle Bag works on the ground very well too.

But for normal use in normal woodland conditions I recommend to everybody Military Poncho and Bivvy Bag!