I would use both honestly

 

I would expect the whole tarp idea works IN ADDITION to the tent: it creates a double wall on top where most of the heat losses happen. You might be able to achieve the same effect (for more money and less weight) if you use those super duper silicone impregnated covers.

 

The only time I camp with a tent anymore is in summer and that is because of bugs. I but in my BOB I just a large mosquito net and 2 10 x 10 tarps rolled up. It is about the same size as a real 2 man tent rolled up.

 

I keep a small blue tarp in my EDC so I can make a hobo tent if I have to get out of the city and can't get home easily, but I wouldn't favor a tarp over an actual tent.

I'd do as others have suggested and either use both, or upgrade to a better tent.

 

Seeing as how tent seams generally need to be treated at some point against rain if they are not equipped with covers I'd think the blue tarp might serve that purpose also and/or as a barrier between the ground and tent floor. I'd think tarp size would need to be a consideration in any case.
For the homeless I suspect they're choosing tarps because they're relatively cheap in comparison to a tent.
Me, I'd take both :.

 

The blue poly tarps are pretty cheap... go a little thicker or even a decent
waterproof duck canvas and you will be better off, particularily in heavy rain or snow. Weighs a little more, but you know it isn't going to rip under a load or in
a stiff wind. I got mine through a manufacturer who makes truck tarps. They always
screw up sizes on special orders, so you get a serious tarp at a really good price.

 

Why are those things always blue? Why not some other colors?

 

There are plenty of other colors, they just cost more

 

They probably figured out it was a good idea. Waterproof pretty much guaranteed, 2nd thermal barrier, reduces rain noise inside, maybe shelters a larger area.

Those aluminized Grabber tarps are pretty neat. Would provide a radiant barrier layer.
2 is 1 and all that type of thinking. Shelter is important and redundancy there is a good idea assuming you are OK with the added weight or space.

 

I have 3 or 4 green tarps in my BOB's. A tent would be the last thing I would grab.

 

I Use the Tarps, But Not to Replace Tent or Hammock...

Big problem with the plastic tarps is they don't stand up well to cold weather--though I haven't done enough winter camping with them to speak from experience. Anybody ever have one break in subzero weather?

The big advantage of tarps is that they can fold into so many configurations, and be used in different ways. But that doesn't mean it's the best tool for the job, especially a daily job.

My tent set-up uses 3 tarps. One is under the tent, and folded slightly smaller than the tent footprint. In the drier climates where I more often camp this is sufficient to keep rain away from the tent floor. I suppose heavier rains would call for a perimeter storm trench leading away from the tent?

The second is a just a cooking fly/rain shelter either on poles or ratcheted to trees or whatever's handy. Typically away from the tent, but can also extend over one entrance.

The third is sort of a spare, but has a drawcord all around the perimeter, so has special utility for hauling stuff along the ground, or covering things up to protect them from rain or prying eyes.

A good tent or hammock obviously has features you can't get from a tarp, whether spring-loaded poles, airspace between the tent and the fly, zippers, screens, etc. Hard to imagine assembling the same features with a tarp for the same weight, but if you don't need the features, then sure, go with a tarp.

My "northern" GHB has neither, just a heavy rubber/nylon poncho to wear or rig.

 

I suspect that the homeless tents you've seen w/ blue tarps are a legitimate response to cheap (or well-used) tents that already leak in heavy rain. Additionally, they protect the tent fabric/coatings from UV degradation. Thus extending the usable life of the tent.

If you have a quality tent with sealed seams to begin with, the blue tarp route isn't needed against precipitation. If your envisioned SHTF is going to go on for many months (or even years), then the tarp addition makes sense.

Besides using over a tent, the tarp can be used for additional areas that need shade or protection from the sky. Places to gather, sit, perform camp chores, cook, etc.

They are a staple in administrative refugee camps the world over. On the other hand, they are not found where folks with security concerns try to remain unnoticed.

 

Here is a OD drab aluminized blanket. a bit small for a shelter, but likely handy to have a couple.

 

Here is a OD drab aluminized blanket. a bit small for a shelter, but likely handy to have a couple.
Amazon.com: Rothco G.I. O.D. Casualty Blanket: Sports & Outdoors

I have that one. I keep in the car and it's very good. Used to recommend them on one of my old blogs and people reported back that they loved 'em.

It's a goodun.

 

I prefer shrink wrap material ,it's more durable and repairable It can weld to it's self no glue just heat .
One can literally make a boat or sled out of it.
The shrink wrap material they use for boats will last several years in direct sunlight far better then those cheap blue tarps, fact is better than any other tarp material sold.
I do not shrink it to any shape, I use it as is, and mostly for covering my truck in the winter to make it a dream getting the snow off the truck and having an ice free wind shield not to mention being easier to start.

 

I have a camo [blue tarp] I can't remember where I got it though.

 

It is not that the tents are inadequate, it is that having a fly over a tent that is going to be setup for a long time will make the tent last longer. A fly also makes a tent work better. One of the camping tricks that I learned is to stretch a big tarp over the top of my tent; it gives me an outside room with overhead shelter.

If you are bugging out without somewhere to go them you are not bugging out you are a refuge.

When you are bugging out you are trying to get to point A to point B as fast as you can wile going through points C,D,E and F. If there are MBZs between points A and B you may have to go through points J, R, Q and X. You should have caches in place with replacement gear at points C,D,E,F,J,R,Q, and X You should also have caches at and P,T and W just in case.

You are not on a camping, fishing or sightseeing trip you are bugging out. You should make use of natural cover whenever possible. Your clothing should keep you warm enough without a tent. When shelter is needed a well made improvised shelter should be sufficient. You do not need a three person tent as one person will be awake at all times, the person going down will use the bed roll of the one going on watch.

When bugging out a full night’s sleep will be a very rare event. For the most part the only sleep that your group will be getting is just enough so you can keep moving.

If you need shelter a GI poncho with liner and a sheet of plastic should be enough.

 

I have bought several camo tarps various sizes from sportsmans guide very reasonable price. why stand out by useing a bright blue tarp when for about $3.00 more you can get a camo 1.

 

Exactly. I have an 8 x 10 camo tarp in my BOB. It fits flat, unopened in its package, along the back rest inside my pack where a water bladder would normally go. Its still slick and shiny and the colors aren't natural looking, but its far better than BRIGHT BLUE.

A tent with a no fly or a fabric fly "might" not leak. But a tent with a tarp over it DEFINITELY won't leak. Not to mention it protects the tent from UV deterioration.

 

I used to use a blue tarp when I used a hammock many years ago. Now I use a tent with a camo tarp over it as a rain fly. Those blue tarps just say here I am.

 

The reasons have been pretty well covered; tent longevity, warmth, water resistance etc.
The blue tarps are about the cheapest, shortest lasting, IMO, followed by the green orange and camo colored ones.
The silver tarps are much tougher but also heavier (these work well for ground cloths).
Backpackers can benefit by carrying a sil-nylon tarp, these too are relatively fragile but much lighter than the colored tarps.
The heavy, stiff, silvered on one side, emergency/space blankets work well to wrap around a cooler but they too only last a year or two before the silver comes off.

Enjoy!

 

I have a couple of British army bashas. Camo and 7x8 with loads of connection points. Good for setting yp extra rain protection or entrance area with a tent. Lightweight. Make a pretty effective shelter, too.

 

Like the 5' X 7' ones that are free at harbor freight ?

 

Most of us plan on staying at our primary location but are prepared in case that isn't possible. If it is possible to stay at your primary location the tent will be excess, but if you have to evacuate, and your BOL is more than one day trip away it will b very nice to have.

 

I carry 2 blue tarps in my BOB... 1 has a space blanket stuck to it with spray adhesive in a strategic spot to reflect fire heat. Its for the actual shelter. The other is to seal off the open side of the shelter in the case of wind or horizontal rain.

I keep the tent in my INCH bag, which is set up to ride in the car only... It's too big and heavy to carry any significant distance.

 

Harbor Freight has a pretty good selection of camo tarps. They also have the heavier silver ones. For a bug out bag I'm not too worried about if the tarp is going to last 5 years. It just has to last long enough to get from point A to B. I've found that the HF tarps are not too bad. The Walmart ones however are practically one use only.

 

My BOB contains an old GI shelter half, poles and stakes. By old, one half is dated 1960 and the other half 1963, so older than me. The other half is in my INCH bag, so I have a 2 man shelter if bugging out with the family. Each half makes for a decent lean-to, which is adequate for most situations unless its raining like crazy.

They are heavy, but they work, and are rain repellant even after 50+ years. Went camping, I used both halves to create the full tent, a buddy used his $300 Gore-Tex 3 piece sleep system, the other guy used the poncho/ liner. When the heavens opened up and we got a massive downpour, guess who stayed dry all night?

The downside is, as mentioned, they are heavy. They don't compress very much so even folded and rolled, they take up a lot of space. But, it's something I've used in all seasons comfortably. Winter camping in January in Michigan, temps at night easy drop to -20. I stayed warm with nothing but a foam rubber mat between the frozen ground and my sleeping bag. They hold humane retain heat very well.

A tarp is suitable for temporary situations if you can't afford better. Tarps are cheap and plentiful, so it comes as no surprise to see them used in homeless camps. I'd wager that most of us can afford better, and prepare in advance so as not to be reduced to getting something that's merely adequate for the situation. Thrive, don't just survive.

 

I used the shelter halves in Army basic in 91'. Rained like a you know what and it held the rained out well. Its a matter of setting them up correctly and digging a treach around them to let rain water run off. Good in cold weather as well.

 

For years I carried, as a lighter weight alternative to a regular tarp, and cheaper than a Sil-nylon tarp;
A piece of heavy vis-queen (as GraniteMan mentioned) and later both the vis-queen and a piece of Tyvek house wrap (much more pleasant/quieter if you wash it a couple of times). These have a life time of several years (part time camping) though the Vis-queen will eventually turn to tatters due to U-V exposure.

If the bright white of the Tyvek bothers you some left over cans of spray paint can make it more camo.

Very good, quite hard to come by, but very heavy a rubberized military tank tarp can work for heavy duty applications (but would be a pain to pack into/out of an area).

Treated/oiled canvass has been a medium weight tarp material for at least a century.
Untreated canvass painter's tarp makes a good/tough base and cover for a swag/blanket roll/sleeping bag cover.

For small areas when I want to waterproof or restrict tent vents I use clear flexible plastic from the wallmart fabric section, it comes in at least 3 different thickness and can make pretty good flexible windows in a tent or fabric Jeep top.

Enjoy!