6 Camping Tarps That'll Upgrade Your Outdoor Adventures

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

So you've gotten into camping. You moved out West for work, and they issued you the mandated shiny new Bronco or 4Runner. You got your tent. You splurged on a packable fire pit, maybe even a fancy new smokeless fire pit. You are officially an outdoorsperson.

But what you really need now is a tarp. If you're camping in the American Southwest, you can make do without. But if you are anywhere else, anywhere where rain can show up in an instant, you're gonna want a tarp. Figure out how to tie them off properly, and you're set up to shield your crew from sun, wind, and rain. And in the event that you reeeaally get into it, tarps can become your main shelter, essentially cutting your pack weight in half.

If you don't know where to start, or just want some opinions before you buy a new tarp, we did the testing for you. These are the products that stood out. These are the best camping tarps on the market.

Multifunctional Outdoor Camping Tarp

Short of something you'd pick up from a literal surplus store, this is as close to you'll find to military standard. There’s 19 guy points and five tougher grommet points, plus a reinforced center. It makes for an endless amount of setups.

While it's by no means the lightest material, it packs into a decently small stuff sack and will last a long, long time.

HD Tarp Hexa Evo Pro

A lot of Snow Peak gear gets a bad rap as being over priced. Yes... this is an incredibly expensive tarp. But it's also huge (21 x 18.5 feet). One person can set it up in minutes. And it creates a proper outdoor living space. With the Wing Poles, you don't need anything but the ground to tie off to. It has a ton of space underneath, and when you pair it with a Takibi insert you can move a light fire underneath it in inclement weather.

An investment? Yes. A worthy investment? Absolutely.

Heavy Duty Tarp

If you want to swing all the way in the other direction, there's no reason to pay more than $30 for a tarp. Get your own ropes and stakes for another $30, and you're set. For a tarp, we like Grizzly Tarps because they last pretty well, and there's a nice variety of sizes.

It takes some know how to tie off, but once you get it down, there's a million ways to set up in any weather condition.

Flat Tarp

We wouldn't recommend buying ultralight unless you have a reason. (I.e. you are an ultralight backpacker.) When it comes to ultralight though, Hyperlite Mountain Gear has taken over the genre in recent years. And for good reason! The Dyneema fabric the brand uses is insanely durable for being paper thin. It's pricey, but it's freakishly light and will last a lifetime.

The tarp itself is a simple flat tarp with 16 guy points on the perimeter, 4 guy points on the interior. Pair it with a hammock for a real ultralight setup, or toss it in the car and use it as a living space when camping.

Life Tent

There’s no reason to not be prepared. Even on the lightest of hikes, bike rides, or boat trips, conditions can change in a second. This tarp packs down to the size of a soda can, so it's perfect for when you want to have an emergency shelter on hand. It can set up shelter for two, or serve as an emergency blanket. Hopefully you never really need it, but it's there for you.

Penta Tarp

The absolute perfect shape for a beach day. This tarp is low to the ground for the wind is blowing, and it provides a great deal of shade for coolers, gear, and low chairs. We love it anywhere the weather is nice enough that you don't need full rain coverage, but it really is best for a sunny beach day.

To top it all off, it's a much more approachable price than a lot of other Snow Peak gear.

You Might Also Like

• Kid Cudi Is All Right

• 16 Best Shoe Organizers For Storing and Displaying Your Kicks