How to make a Hexpeak Tent with a 3m x3m DD Tarp setup 

I'm loving the DD tarps, I just bought a 4m x 4m. Now I want the 5m x 5m! lol Having a fascination for tarpology vid collections...

After seeing this video, I ended up buying a DD Tarp! You're right... it's a good tarp!

Great instructional video and nice setup. Thank you for sharing. I like the way you show and review the finished tarp shelter BEFORE you show how to set it up. I prefer to see what’s going to be built at the beginning of the video rather than waiting till the end. Well done.

Hi Paul, came across your video! Thanks for the shout out and super cool that you tried the hex design. I like how you take the time to show how to pitch it. Tight pitch too. It should be very well suited for your conditions. Cheers! Papa hiker

I have recently tried this on a night when it was very stormy, I added a simple groundsheet and it was lovely and warm, thanks very much I have recommended this to my buddies

I love this setup in Indonesia. Very strong for survive when the strong winds.

Hands down, best tarp tent setup. I've just got back from an overnight camp. 45+mph winds and heavy rain. The tent was solid (although my walking pole fell over a few times).

Excellent presentation. Yeah man, PapaHiker is a great channel for an endless supply of tarp set ups/tutorials. You did a great job here, and glad I saw this. I usually go for the 3 sided pyramid, but this would provide more room, I think. Looks more spacious than what I end up with using that 3 sided configuration. Gonna try this out this weekend. Thanks for sharing, mate!!

Thanks for this video Paul. After watching your instructions I'm sleeping in this this pitch tonight. 👍

a few times now, i've been using two hiking poles instead of one, lashed together at the handles to form an A, giving me much more room inside, without the single pole in the middle. you could use branches too....i made a mark on the edge of my tap to show what length i would need to cut them.

Nice one Pablo!! Knew I could count on you as always, I bought this tarp today as my tent is only small with no room for a brew in bad weather, most reviews involve trees and prussic knots , ridge lines and being Ray Mears to set it up , I just wanted a brew out of the rain and this set up is perfect thank you

Great video Paul. I found that, if you peg down one of the vertical flaps to the ground outside it helps during rainfall. You can do that on the opposite side as well, but getting in and out is a little more convoluted then. Plus I prefer making that in a little porch area anyway provided the rain isn't getting in from that side. Actually, that's another aspect of the brilliance of this hex tent. Wind turned and rain getting in your porch? Peg down the entrance and open up the other end instead.

I've using this set up a year or two now when the weather requires it, and I can confirm it is faily strong. A bit flappy when there is a real hoolie blowing though. You can also make a more permanant door by using a second walking pole to support one of the 'doors'. Some judicious use of a guy line or two and hey presto, a shelter, not disimilar to a trailstar.

That is a great setup for a storm/rain shelter. more of an emergency shelter I think due to it being sealed. Good if hiking to sit out a short storm I think. I am sure you could make an almost porch area using another trekking pole at the entrance too. I am going to have a play around, thanks Paul and Papa Hiker

I am 6’1’’ and it’s really tight to sleep in. In saying that it’s a great sturdy shelter

Thanks for the video, had to try it. Tried it - got wet - gave up. There was too much condensation inside the tent even when vented. As a 6 footer, I found either my head or my feet were acting as wicks. A wet sleeping bag is not conducive to a good nights sleep. I'll go back to an open front arrangement, thanks.

I've just purchased a Tarp for a quick storm shelter when in the Peaks if the weather turns. And who turns up at the top of my search🤣 Paul Messner your a legend you should make a pocket book with all your tips and tricks.

At last!! An excellent video explaining how to do this. I didn't have a piece of string handy, so I used the centre loop doubled over the top of the walking pole.

In my set up I have a number of pre-tied loops of various length and cord weight. Mostly I use them to make quick prusik loops which I then use with a stick, or duffel coat toggle to hold tarps, but they would also work well in place of the carabiner, and avoid wear damage through metal on metal in windy weather.

Hey.. great pitch.. I have used some of Papa Hiiker´s pitches lately... I havent tried this one yet, but could I suggest, if you use the other 2 sides of the tarps to act as doorways, you would have the center line of the tarp (the one that has the extra anchor loops) on the side walls, wich would allow you to stake them out and get extra space inside... other wise you would have to "make" your own tie out points, which can de done, but it takes more time and effrot. Tell me what you think.. you mught have already tried it but, just in case.. Great videos!!

Pros.... nice shelter, fairly strong, some floor coverage. Thanks for telling us the height of the pole! Good tutorial. Cons... not all 3x3 tarps have this tie out configuration. But that’s our problem not yours.

you made me to buy this tarp and its the perfect choise for me biking in the mountains and have to pass overnight in a quick made shelter with minimum and ultralight equipement.tks

Interestimg set up. Rain today, Xmas Eve, frost tomorrow, Xmas Day, with rain again on Boxing Day. This set up will do the job nicely. Happy Crimbo!

hello Paul, i have one question,do you have problems of humidity in this kind of tarp configuration? does your sleeping bag is wet in the morning? thank you for this video

Wouldn't the "door" crease and the "back" crease funnel water into the tent?

I'm going to use this setup soon when I attempt the Pennine Way! Thank you, very clear and informative

Neat video. Years ago Kathmandu Trekking sold a rather special elastomer fabric 3M x 3M tarp and claimed it could be pitched this way but never elaborated on how. Your video is right on target. Since that company is long since history, I reckon I'll follow your lead with a DD tarp. Cheers!

Excellent and clear video. I've just come back from an overnight canoe/ camping trip. I used this tarp set up. It was very successful: strong, stable and plenty of room. . Thank you for the video.

Great video and a very cool shelter design. I had to laugh, though, when he was talking about getting in and out, and said that reattaching the loop to the carabiner was just as easy from the inside as it was the outside. Uh huh... sure. How about demonstrating that bit, then. That said, I really enjoy the simple and concise way he does his videos. So many other content creators want to chat about their knowledge, and fill the videos up with noise. It's great how he just gets down to business.

True legend as ever ... I thought you looked a tad younger in this video.. then i saw it was 6 years ago 😂😂😂😂.

Nice one I'm guessing if you had 2 poles you could keep the 'door' open whilst you get your gear inside and/or get a brew on. ATB

I can’t tell you how good your videos are!

Have you tried it with one side open for a porch instead of closing with carabiner? Seems like a natural for an open shelter during the day.

seen some papa hiker vids in the past, i don't know how i missed the one on this design . got some spare time so trying it out now cheers

Thanks Paul, your video combined with Papa Hikers floor plan made the design easy to understand. I live next to the Brecon Beacons which always seem to be windy. I will definitely try this set up.

Thanks for this. Just came from Papa Hiker's channel but this is a much clearer tutorial on how to set the tarp up. Cheers!

this is really good, and one could use the "door" or opening as a sort of vestibule. thanks :) I missed this one

thanks for the video I tried this set up on one of my camping, surprisingly, it's very comfortable and lots of room for my gear.

Best one tarp video I've ever seen mate!!!! Can't wait to try it out!

would the tarp hold up with a set of hiking poles in an inverted V setup? trying to see if the inside space may be mad more useful. Thanks for the setup video.

Thank you. Quick and simple, I can't wait to try it out in the Lakes.

Nicely shown Paul. I have seen Papa Hiker's chanel and he does have some interesting ideas.

The "Door" areas hang inside the tent how do you secure them so the rain doesn't enter the main area? it looks from the video like you have two "Gullies" for the rain to enter though

Looking good..nex time i ll try it with the 4x4 Tarp....on a canoetrip in winter

Hi paul great video, What shelter do u prefer for all around use, tarps ,Tents Etc?

i'm a bit confused... The loop you show at 0:47 is not present on the finished tent at the end of the video?

Thank you for this very nice an intresting Video. I have the same DD Tarp. I guess i try the setup in the next time. Very nice setup. Sorry for my bad english, the scool is a very long time done.

Some of the hammock tarps out there, such as the Kelty Noah 12, is a 12 foot tarp but has some arcing along the edges so it is not exactly a 12 ft. Square tarp. Do you think that this shelter to be set up with one of those as well?

Thanks - love this ! I also saw it on Papa Hiker but wasn’t able to figure it out, so thanks for that :)

Absolutely nice setup video . Thank you for showing me that. I'll try it next time . Have a nice time ... Make sure nothing eats you 🤣🤣😀

Thanks for the video , How do you manage it during heavy rain , the water will seep in the tent

Tried it today. Works great. .

Nicely done sir! Enjoy your teaching style.

I think that's really cool - but still don't understand why not just get a tent with sown in ground sheet ? - they are not much heavier -

Great detail. Those brief videos are hard to understand for beginner like me.

Thanks for sharing this with us Paul. Great video.

Nice video Paul I will have to try and do it as I have got a 3x3 and I've got the big 4x4 mate ⛺️👍🇬🇧

Great design, thank you for elaborating the setup in clear detail.

Can it stand on a windy situation, like up to 30 km wind speed?

That looks safe and warm! But what about the condensation, though?

Big fan of poppa hiker, and thanx

What walking pole did you use? I'm new to all this but have bought the tarp you use, and want to try this set up. I have watched a lot of tarp set ups where people use a walking pole but so far nobody has said what sort they use. I realize the one you use is extendable but that's about all I can work out about what sort it is! If I buy a dirt cheap will that do the job? I can see from a search that they vary tremendously in price.

I live where heavy rain is an issue. Will those doorway act as rain gutters and funnel water inside the shelter?

This is an awesome set up, but is there a risk of it ripping from being pulled so tight, especially with a strong wind?

Great video! I may well end up buying one of these, they seem so versatile. Thanks.

Great vid Paul, will be giving this a whirl with my DD tarp!!

I use bungee cord to attach the trek pole to the middle

Could you use a ridgeline to connect to the top middle instead of having a pole? How would this compare to using the pole in terms of stability, longevity etc?

great video mate, do you think this shelter will work with a 4x4 and a longer pole?stick??? also when you showed how to get in it it kinda looked like it could have a porch door opening, what do you think??

Hi looking to get dd superlight tarp 3x3 for my set up, what is the footprint dimensions once its erect? Thanks great video 👍

Nice configuration for bad weather.

Fantastic setup Paul, thanks for sharing. I'm off to get me a 3x3. Some potential to add a couple of mods to this setup too. Great video. ATB

I needed that !! Thank you😃

Thanks Paul. That looks really useful. Definitely going to give that one a try.

nice snd easy to follow that.

Could you use anything instead of the walking pole ? I'm looking to use something like this on a bike tour so wouldn't have a walking pole but could carry a telescopic pole of some sort.

Great vid mate, thanks for the clear description.

could you use a 4x4 tarp or would you need a longer extension pole.

Solid video. No nonsense, very useful. Thanks a lot

Thanks for the video, I’ll have a little play around with this design next time I’m out,

Bonjour How many person inside ?

Hi Paul enjoyed the video,would you recommend this setup for doing the west highland way as I'm told the weather might be very changeable.

Hello Paul, I'm new to your channel, very nice video, made it very easy to understand. Cheers.

I would imagine this could be done with a ridge line instead of a pole in woodland for extra room as well.

Awesome mate. Thank you.

Awesome!!! I got to try someday

Would you say that 1.25cm is the default setting to use for the dd 3x3 tarp for this setup and others that uses only one walking pole? Thanks!!

Very nice origami!

Thank you very much indeed ,this is brilliant and much appreciated 😃👌😃

Thank you fore the inspiration. I have to try this design :-)

Genius, will give it a go. great stuff thanks for sharing.

Great video. Great set up. Thanks.

Does it work with a 3.5 x 3.5 ? Thanks.

Nice, great idea if you have no cordage

Tks Paul for sharing your skills, excellent idea 💡. Tks for. 👍 crack on 👍

Hi! Other suggestions of tarp setups from me ​@588s with a door and floor too

amazing set up pal I love will defo try this one a.t.b am bushcraft

nice one paul !

Hi! I can set it up perfectly and it's really strong pitch...but I see no chance of fitting me and my sleeping mat and sleeping bag without touching the walls of the tarp..and thus getting wet...it is just me? What I'm doing wrong?

Nice demo! Do you think an inner nest would fit in this? Such as the DD pyramid or Luxe V4A inner? I'm keen to get rid of all my tents and go with a DD 3x3 but have tent option with an inner. Thanks!