Whilst I've been browsing looking at various tarps and tarp tents and what not I've seen quite a few immersion ways of setting tarps up along with a few nice looking shaped ones too.

So. Anyone want to skate their favourite set up?

Nice shaped tarps?
Well pitched square ones?

Anyone any good at getting nice set ups workout using poles wroth standard tarps?


Pics help obviously.

I'm a fan of poles (well I would be), for around 80g the versatitity they offer far outweighs the weight penalty. If I'm on my own then I tend to favour a small tarp set up as a half pyramid, adding a second pole, a stick or your bike at the rear increases space and keeps the rear panel taught if the wind gets up.



If I have company and can be arsed carrying a big tarp, then I'll do something similar but use the extra material to produce more protection, you can fit 3 folk in this.

I used to use the bike but then bought a coule of poles from stu and never went back. As Stu says the versatility is worth every gram of weight.

For general use I tend to just put up a a-frame. When the weather is a bit crapper I tend to use these two set ups below, both courtesy of Stu.

Both nice looking set ups.

My tarp dosnt have any tie outs in the middle of the body like those. It only has 8 around the edges.
Also, I dont have poles as always tried to stay minimal (I know they're light)

as such end up with this


or this



Not bad, but not suitable for high winds.

Is that first one using the bars as an upright? How do you get under there? Are you a PORG?

I could show you mine but they mostly involve continuous ridgelines, trees and hammocks. Not so much use I guess ;-)

Is that first one using the bars as an upright? How do you get under there? Are you a PORG?

I knew there must be a good reason for running stupidly wide bars

Guys, which tarps are those?

I'm currently undecided between the Alpkit bicycle 3.5, Alpkit bicycle 7 and the Silwing. I'm aware that the 3.5 is single person and the others are for two, I might get the 3.5 AND one of the other two as my wife might want to accompany me on some rides. Also the 3.5 looks summer/race only so something a bit bigger might be more suitable at times.

Buying two isn't exactly going to break the bank

Mine is a Borah gear.

I'm not a PORG, but not a giant either 5ft 11in

Bars as an upright yes. Its never quite as high as I want though. I just roll in the side. Not so much fun in the wet.

bicycle 3.5 nearest camera and Mikes ID Siltarp1 ... both a similar size.




Composites is a bicycle 7 and FLVs is from Borah Gear.

No reason why something like a 3.5 should be considered summer or race use only. Both the tarps in the pic were put up in a pretty severe storm (although we obviously looked for a sheltered pitch) ... no one got wet

Stu that DD tarp set up is interesting!

is it a 3x3?

What is your order of put up?

is it a 3x3?

No, it's the monster XL version.

What is your order of put up?

I recall it's, rear corners, insert centre pole, front middle, front corners, insert front pole and guy it off, then go round and add other lines / pegs as you see fit.

I have a silwing and reckon it is plenty big enough for two and at 317g it is only 27g heavier than the Terra Nova comp 1 tarp it replaced. I' m very happy with it.

s8tannorm wrote:bicycle 3.5 nearest camera and Mikes ID Siltarp1 ... both a similar size.

No reason why something like a 3.5 should be considered summer or race use only. Both the tarps in the pic were put up in a pretty severe storm (although we obviously looked for a sheltered pitch) ... no one got wet

I had some polythene lying around so cut out the size of the bicycle 3.5 but without trying it out in various configurations it takes a bit of (non-existent) mental athletics to find what works.

Might have to order a pole or poles from you in the near future

Flying V for me. My bivvy bag is eVent so I don't mind that the lower end is uncovered. I get a really good view out and enough space under it to organise myself.

Bike as a "pole"


Paddle as a "pole"


In both photos I've found something to attach a mid point guy to get a wee bit extra height.

When traveling light or not expecting rain I'll take this 230g 8.5x4.5 foot MYOG tarp.


If expecting liquid sunshine I'll take the Rig7 and set it up as a pyramid (of sorts) using a stick or tie off to a tree.

The Rig7 is weighty but gives loads of options and luxurious space.

s8tannorm wrote:I'm a fan of poles (well I would be), for around 80g the versatitity they offer far outweighs the weight

Freudian slip Stu?

IMG_0204 by james*o, on Flickr

Or

IMAG2857 by james*o, on Flickr

Depends if I cba to take the front wheel off. A BB pole is better as I can leave the wheel in the bike and get more space under the tarp. 2 pegs and a line let you set the bike up as a very stable base, have used this in a heavy thunderstorm with a bivi bag and stayed dry. The tarp's only small but it covers my upper 2/3 well enough.

Just ordered the Alpkit bicycle 3.5 and some line and clippers. Cue a bit of fun working out the best set-up

s8tannorm wrote:

Composites is a bicycle 7 and FLVs is from Borah Gear.

I have a Rig7 but the one in the photos up there is the Rig3.5. I haven't used the RIg7 since getting the Rig3.5, other than to lend it to Chew one time.

I have a Rig7 but the one in the photos up there is the Rig3.5. I haven't used the RIg7 since getting the Rig3.5, other than to lend it to Chew one time.

Sorry Neil, my mistake ... it looks bigger in the pictures

I should of put a match box in shot for scale.

quick update
lair came through from bear paw
looks really nice and the pole from stu works perfectly
all based on a garden test of course

tarp is 370g pegs 80 Pole 81

Did you get a 'beak' Dave or not bother?

Very nice. The Lair with a clip-in beak and a midge net looks to me to be close to the perfect set-up for versatility, lightness and weather/bug-proofing. How much did you pay, if you don't mind me asking? And did you get stung for customs, etc?

I got a mesh inner fir those tent type nights but didn't bother with the beak as I don't think I'd ever use it.

I paid whatever it says on the website. something like 235 dollars

Got stung 21 quid by the customs. '

2 weeks from ordering to getting. I diddnt care about colour though