TENT V TARP| Ex-Royal Marine & Bushcraft Instructor's View - TARPOLOGY 2021 

You and I are on the same boat. I use both but prefer a tarp. After years in the Marine Corps and still battling PTSD, I like the ability to see my surroundings. Plus, it gives you a feeling of being a part of nature. Such a great feeling of waking up in the morning and seeing the natural world come to life.

I use tents, tarps and hammocks, depending on terrain, altitude and climate. I'm pleased you touched on the psychological benefits of immersing yourself in the outdoors. Never underestimate the power of mother nature. Happy camping.

nice views, I find in australia a tent is most useful because of the bugs, spiders, mosquitos and snakes that can come in to your sleep area plus the possums that try to rummage through my bag for food at night. I do love the tarp setups and use them when the weather is colder. thanks, i like your channel

Slept under a tarp many times, love the 360° views, the zombies can't creep up on you. Did an overnighter in a one man tent last year and had the worst nightmares I've ever had ,felt like I was paralysed and being suffocated by the tent . Bact to tarps for me . Great series of videos

I've tried both. I think I want to like the tarp more but a tent is a luxury thing for me. It's nice having a shielded space to crawl into at night and something about having walls and a roof is very comforting to me. Especially in areas where there aren't so many trees or bushes to run lines for tarps is when I enjoy having a free standing tent.

I like both! I've had some good nights in a tent and I love the hide-away feeling I get when I'm inside a 3 or 4 person tent. I love the cocoon-like feeling I get when I'm in my hammock under a tarp-even in a rainstorm! I like the floating on air feeling of a hammock & I absolutely love being up under a tarp! But I would not go to ground with only a tarp unless it was a dire emergency or in a relatively open area in full daylight. Where I live, there are some nasty things that will slither up and "greet" you if your laying out at night under nothing but a tarp!

i absolutely love your reasoning for a tarp, theres an ancient sense about waking up with your surroundings.

Also important is the number of nights you plan to spend. The longer you stay the closer you get to a tent solution. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge.

3 by 3 DD tarp is perfect for me either for woodlands moorlands or mountains

Thanks for the video, great as always. Tents with a mesh canopy above the floor can provide nearly the same views thru the mesh. Tarps are lightweight and strong now. Leave the tent fly at home and put a tarp above the tent, a practical hybrid. My only concern is a tarp alone is the most vulnerable to exposure to dangerous insects, snakes, etc. This is crucial when ticks are prevalent. This can be solved with the addition of a floored mesh inner or a bivy bag. I understand environment, weather, and skill set are the practical determining factors for safety with personal preference being secondary for pleasure.

You have such a good clear way of explaining things and expressing your thoughts and feelings on the topic you are talking about.

I totally agree. I love my tarps and have loads of different sizes, but I also have many tents and bivvies and swags. I use them for different things and times. But to truly relax you can't beat a tarp. The best thing is to wake up in the woods or mountains or hills with a view and just take a deep breath and relax.

Fantastic video, the first of yours I've seen. I've woken up under a tarp in woodland many times, deer wandering by and never felt less stressed. Subscribed!

I would have to agree despite owning a few tents. My wife prefers the tent to better keep the kiddies in check. I love tarps and the total versatility. As a kid my dad used to create a "tarp-city" with 3 massive tarp we always took camping with us. For myself, my bushcraft shelter faces the rising sun....nothing like it! I'll take that hands down every time! I love watching these vids as they are very informative and enjoyable!

Thanks for taking the time. Good one.👍

Loving your videos. Looking forward to getting out with my tarp as soon as possible.

Superb tips mate and absolutely spot on about being part of the environment, it is very grounding to be among nature, you can turn up and largely nothing cares less whether you are there or not, it just is. We have a huge responsibility to protect that enormous part of our World, absolutely huge, and the surest way to develp a deep respect for nature is to go out and live with it, particularly through each season, it moves with total ease and elegance. All the best to you, you share a brilliant message with kindness. Thanks.

Great video, thanks for sharing.

My wife and I just got started doing this so we're still trying to decide what's best for us. We use hammocks and tarps on day hikes and just lounging after lunch on Sundays but use a tent for camping. I like the openness of a tarp with or without the hammock but she likes the "security" of a tent. Thanks for all you do.

Brilliant and I agree I always prefer using a tarp over anything else, although I was out in my hot tent and wood stove for the first time last week and I loved it.. Warm and cosy in a tent during winter... Great watch pal

Great Vid! Quick,simple,effective.

Tarp for me, I used to use them basha style with a Ridge line but more recently I've been setting it pyramid style and love it, it's the weight and packed size for me

Like your point of view. Very inspiring!

Really love your videos

Thank you for sharing your views. Take care of yourself, brother.

I'm much like yourself & choose either a tarp or tent depending on terrain & other environmental factors. 100% agree with you....can't beat the sound of rain on canvas, regardless of whether you use a tent or tarp. Keep up the great work! Greetings from Australia

Good video, and description of the 2 systems, Sir. I love that Bergen !!! Keep up the great work !!!

Lovely video, thank you. I have just been on a 30 day 550 mile hike and I used a tent. I think next time I will try a tarp for the reasons you explained, plus they're obviously lighter. I look forward to mastering the art of tarps in the coming months😁

Here is Australia the tent is the way to go, to many mosquitoes, snakes and creepy crawlies here.

Another great video... tarp and bivvy man myself, when I’m motocamping... as you quite rightly pointed out, you can get to see all around you, and feel more intune with the surroundings. Cheers Royal Stay well Steve, from over here in 🇨🇦

Well done my friend very well put and I agree with you 100% 👊😉👍

I'm a tent camper during peak bug season but switch to my tarp/bivy once the weather cools!! It's all about what keeps you comfortable enough to get you outside!!!

Excellent video, thank you for sharing this with us. Looking forward to being able to go out again, lockdown has been very hard on us that already struggled with mental health issues See you out there! 👍

Your logic and reasoning is why I subscribed, well done sir. I would also add the breathability of the tarp, there are some tents that allow for air to circulate, but I always suffer at night

Thank you for the upload. Great mindset indeed 😎

Love it Royal !! Did an over nighter, with some lads from the club de tir, Saturday night 4 Septembre, Everybody was stoked, In Novembre we're doing a classroom map reading class, then a map to ground séance and another over nighter in self supporting bivvies. Using Tarpology as the base .We do this free as you do in your videos. You and Rammer are inpirational, even to the old and bold. L&R G

Totally agree - when flying solo off the beaten track it's hammock under tarp every time, but in a busy setting, campsite or licensed pitch nothing says "stay away" more clearly than a bloke alone under a tarp surrounded by empty cans and damp socks! A word of warning, avoid tarps when camping in orchards - the slugs will find you!!! Love the tutorials - keep it up, and stay safe!

I’ve been a tarp and hammock guy for over 20 years, all seasons from bitterly cold and snow, spring storms, summer heat. BUT I also camp in the National Forest that is heavily treed, always have something available. My friend and I got caught in some unpredicted weather, we strung up two tarps and two ponchos and created an enclosed shelter over both hammocks, sat in our Helinox chairs with the Biolite stove cranked up in winter and stayed nice and dry and warm while cold rain poured down. Definitely need the right terrain and miles of string!

Tarps are ok in storms/high winds if you make it into the all-enclosed tent configuration and peg EVERY point down. I use my DD 9x9 tarp when wild-camping in the Scottish Highlands, in all seasons, and it's never let me down yet.

I agree, tarp is my preference as well.

I love and use both my tent and my tarp, and my choice depends on the trip, area, weather, climate and season. I only just learned how to make a tarp tent like you showed, now I will perhaps use the tarp even more haha.

+2 on leighrate's point. I use a Slumberjack tarp which is good for 2-3 season's here. Can push it into the winter but, having a wood stove in your tent/tarp set up is very helpful. My go-to for tent is a Seek Outside Cimmaron with a wood stove (Titanium, super light), also has a bug bar for the mosquitoes etc for the buggy parts of the summer.

Enjoyed the video. Although I’m not able to do any camping yet I think the tarp will be my go to. Possibly in a bivvy big beneath the shelter of a tarp. Keep them coming Nick 👌👌👌👍👍👍😁😁

*Salutes you for your Service, Sir* I am a Brit, in a wheelchair & very interested in Bushcraft, Survival techniques. Went Camping ALONE for the first time in my life (50yrs), back in 2019 to a Wilderness gathering show, Loved every second of it but unfortunately the Pandemic stopped the 2020 meet :( So, as I am high Risk because of my Disability, I have been grounded to MBY (My back Yard) Tarp ALL the way

I love the content, seems like you love the roots of the all the bushcraft, a tent that might appeal to you( and this is just a suggestion) the snugpak scorpion 2. Think you'll like it

Its all new tome. Never done it before and was planning a hiking trip in Sri Lanka I wondered about snakes, bugs, and bloody Mosquitoes. so I opted for a lightweight one man tent. I have recently purchased a hammock and tarp, which I am going to try here in the UK. Great show by the way, In fact the best, and thanks.

I watch your channel for the Trapology, knots and canteen cup cooking

As a old Amazon River explorer the tarp is my favorite and a hammock and a compact bug net when needed. Enjoy nature and don't lock yourself away from it. Life is short so enjoy ! Hugs great video

Only into tarps recently after years of different tents and a couple of vans too My new set up is genuine hybrid.. super lightweight pyramid tent held by top loop with bungee to overhead branch.no inner just a plastic groundsheet when needed.i can have it fully open with doors both sides or fully enclosed or half&half.. usually sleep with at least one side open

I e video it's great to have someone knowledgeable makeing this type of video big thanks

I like the security of being sheltered with four walls around me when using a tent but prefer more portability of a tarp. I'm gonna be a bushcraft newbie and will be receiving a camping tarp soon as well as other essential camping supplies inspired by your videos and advice! Thank you!

Great video and very interesting how you fashioned the tarp into a tent with a walking stick.

DD travel hammock is also a mesh tent. So you can still bivvy & tarp with it. Just add a wide wire coat hanger at each end suspended by elastic bungees under the tarp to spread the bug mesh out around you.

I've only been camping three times over the past year but I use the tarp all the time now. I actually seperated my ground sheet/mosquito net from my tent, and have thought about packing that to use with the tarp. Tarp for rain/wind shelter and then possibly propping up the mozzy net/ground sheet under it, to keep out those midgies (in Scotland!) I still haven't tried that configuration yet but I imagine it will still be better walled into a tent where you can't see anything.

The tarp is king 👍

For me it has to tarp ie basha love sleeping out under a basha best feeling ever 👍🏻

Great vid, keep em coming. Whats the solution using the tarp in tent style when driving rain.

I have both tents and tarps. The latest tent I got is a one Tigris tangram which has doors and mesh which can be rolled up or down depending on the weather. ...

Cheers mate, i'm the same ref being in touch with your surroundings in a tarp..... Waking up to rain dripping away around you and cooking up a nice bacon butty in the dry under your tarp does it for me, am I the only one? Haha!

Loving your work mate, tarps in the hills with no trees about? Would love to see some ideas on setups for that 👍

Good video. Might I suggest a simple sheet of clear plastic and a heavy duty garbage bag (I use a 55 gallon drum liner). You can build a storm-proof shelter without cordage or stakes in about a half hour. I own some of the most expensive outdoor gear you can buy....and I rarely use it.

The tarp is the way to go

Really impressed by the tarp tent. What do you think of hot tents? Thank you. Glad I discovered your channel.

I am right with you. Tarp most of the time, on the ground or over my hammock. Tent for mid winter or if the weather is horrendous. Regards JB.

Very cool 🤠

Enjoyed the filming of this. Better than when you’re being filmed 👍🏻 Here you with the Tarpology. I’ve a Hilleberg Akto. A flecktarn poncho. A Polish Lavvu 2 A Basha A 4x4 DD camo tarp. A tent tipi Safir cp9 Sorted !

I have had my second shot! This old codger will soon be out in the wild again! If I do not comment often tis only cause I am taking and using your excellent advice, this does not mean though I will not check in for refinements, and to see you do your excellent videos!

I want to be able to see as much around me (and above me - the Night Sky) as I can, so my next tent (for recreation) has the option of deploying the rain fly as little or as much as I want. For a tarp, just get a $20-25 dollar pre-formed mosquito netting which is a combo of the A frame and plough point. Enjoyed your video as usual !!

Great points, all; well done, sir (“sh*t me..” hilarious); trying a tarp for my next trip, thanks to these videos - grateful

Tarp all day long for me. That feeling of being a part of your surroundings is second to none.

I use both. Most of the time I cover my tent for stealth wild camping.

Really gotten into these vids, just fantastic. I really miss that closer feel to nature. That being said, I have an enormous 4 man popup with windows, two porches and a porch extension. Whole lot can be erected in 5 to 10 minutes and down in half that. It's not lightweight, but it's bloody luxurious 😂

I'm like you tarp all day long great video buddy thank you for sharing

Love the ”spiritual” approach of views, light, air and interacting with the nature. Tarpauling all the way!! I have a 3by3 (metres) and I think the square shape is not the optimum. Making a floor out of it makes the roofing too small. And only to use it for a roof makes it too big. I will try the tent setup with the pole.

Very well done, some people's accents are hard to listen to, not yours. Very pleasant to listen to u talk

I am setup for solo hiking and have both tent and tarp options. For me, it's about practicality & comfort. Part of that practicality is weight and bulk. My tent is a Dan Durston X-Mid 1P and my tarp is a small superlight DD Tarp-S. Both are quite light weight and both pitch with walking poles. But a major difference is but and other critter protection. The tent protects against mozzies, snakes and spiders, the tarp does not. So, the way I see it is that the tarp offers the lightest and least bulky unplanned overnight weather protection available & for that I am prepared to risk the creepy crawlies. Back in the 60s, I did plenty of camping with no creepy crawly protection at all & I didn't die, so that's mostly fine really. Back then it was vintage Japara tent & bush stick poles, no floor of any kind, no mozzie net, no sleeping mat. At best we just had a vinyl ground sheet & not so warm thin sleeping bag. Just put on every stitch of clothing & tossed and turned till sleep overcame discomfort. I have since had a few Wolf spider invade an open shelter (usually when it's raining) & that can be scary as they tend to run quite fast towards movement. So you got about one chance to get them before they make contact & your probably not going back to sleep after that experience because you'll thinking, " what if that had been a Funnel Web?" which are most active at night & extremely aggressive and deadly. (welcome to Australia) So these days, if I am planning a hike, I tend to be taking more gear anyway & opt for a tent, simply because it's more comfortable & secure against adverse weather & little intruders.

Where did you get that sweater from it looks great?

like the tarp but like midge protection from the tent too

Always like the jumpers you wear wot make are they please?

Thanks for this. Just moving to tarp as I get back into motorcycle camping and light camping. Any chance we can see the tarp tent with floor set-up you did at a slower speed, please? Cheers. MG

I like to use tarps, tents and hammocks but it depends on the season and environment. For example, I live near a lots of water with lots of all grass spiders, mosquitos, chiggers etc. Tent camping is the safe, comfortable way to go in the Summer in that environment. However spring and autumn tarp camping is great. Hammock camping is great when the ground is excessively wet during our rain season (Summer) and an enjoyable alternative to tarps or tents sometimes.

Tarp for me, i do use both but there is something about a tarp. As long as you use a midge net on those trips up to Scotland during the Summer months. Regards Geordie

Hi love the vid would you be able to tell me the size of the tarp you used to make that tarp tent ? Thanks!

One thing I don't love when it comes to being in a tarp or bivvy, slugs. Never see them but they turn up to the party still.

Great video, to the point and informative. Which dd tarp are you using to make your tarp tent layout with a floor?

Great video 👍 Totally agree with the tarp preference over tent! Out of interest what’s the make of the jumper? - I’m looking for a new one 😀

OneTigris Backwoods Bungalow Ultralight Bushcraft Shelter Version 2.0 something between TENT and TARP. absolutely fantastic. highly recommended.

I love my tent, tall enough to stand in and do everything in if it is raining. I love my tarp for the versatility, however the Hammock wins. I live in mosquito territory, tick, and black flies. The bug netting on my hammock lets me extend my tarp time. I get the benefits of Bri in my surroundings, open if I want and closed up tight if needed. Off the ground which has so many benefits, stand up height and do everything under cover. Light weight compared to my tent. Best thing is the heat control in a hammock. Does not heat up in the sun, with the under quilt it holds heat for the night and I can use a top cover or not based on my temperature in the night.

Horses for course as you say. Bit of both. Like the freedom of a tarp and bivy, but also like security feeling of a tent and bug free night. Summer in the West Highlands in a midge cloud, gotta be a tent, hanging a net in a tarp is messy. Winter with a buddy walking in all weather, sharing a tent is much more snug. Solo or small group walks on UK long distance footpaths, with mixed terrain, and stealthy wild camping, gotta be a tarp and bivy.

For mosquitoes/bugs alone, a tent rules supreme during all but the coldest months when insects are absent. Then, with high winds or rain storms, a tent is king again as it is fully enclosed on all sides. Finally, a tent has a waterproof tub floor, so a tent is a clear winner if storm water starts to accumulate or flow on the ground or is soggy to begin with. A tarp is indeed superior for "flexibility", but it doesn't outweigh the benefits of tents, just ask the Bedouin who have lived in tents for THOUSANDS of years not to mention to keep out sand storms and cobras. The only circumstance that a tarp could be advantageous is a cold calm night where you have a fire going all night and you're laying perpendicular to the fire for maximum radiant warmth, but you could do the same by leaving your tent door open.

Curious do you guys have cord already on your loops on your tarps? OR do you attach line separately depending on conditions/surroundings?

Go booty. Im 6'4" ... I dont fit in most hiking tents. Ive never been in a tent and stayed dry. I carry 2 tarps: 4m x 4m and a 2m x 2m both are budget blue tarps. So far they have served me well and occasionally saved my arse for the last 8 years!

So many different things go into my choices. Weight, size which falls under pack ability. Then my second thought is bugs. Tents equal netting. Now my biggest thing because I love cold weather camping. A sealed floor is a big deal in snow, meaning I can set up without worrying about melting. I love tarps when it’s me an my dog, but when my queen comes she prefers a castle. I’m a vet an can sleep anywhere. My girl she is as tough as they come, but because of past life experience she likes feeling inclosed. We lived through a home invasion I’m only now getting her back in the woods after 5 years. It wasn’t easy for me either, when you lose safety at home it’s very hard to deal with. Then nothing is as bad as having the one you love yell help an you can’t get to them. Anyway getting back to nature an the outdoors is helping a great deal. That was a very nice tent you had there. It’s hard to find a roomie affordable backpack tent I really like. I guess it’s like a camping knife you keep getting different ones until you luck it the right one. Nice video

Hi Nick, Firstly, thank you. Your videos are great as you explain of lot of little things as you’re going along, such as what your doing and why, which is really helpful; you’re also very genuine and therefore very watchable. I’ve been checking back to see if you’ve added anymore to your tarpology series as I’m quite curious as to what you use (and why) for guy lines and ridge lines. My understanding is paracord vs poly options, where para has stretch which may or may not be good, but absorbs water which is probably not ideal in the UK, and poly doesn’t stretch or absorb water. What do you use and is this a video you’re going to do something on? Thanks for everything you’ve put out so far, I look forward to seeing more in the future. Best Craig

Good video! Thanks for putting that together. Seems like you can make a tarp into a tent (if needed), but you cannot really make a tent into a tarp. I'd say tarp wins on versatility. Plus all the other pros you listed. Simple is better.

To me: If it's going to be a tent, I'm going to either in Artic conditions, or somewhere where I am absolutely certain of my security. Anywhere else I'll take the tarp.

I love using my British amy basha and bashs poles and British amy gore tex bivvy bag

If tarp is the way to go, what size do you recommend for 1 person and a dog? I suppose one advantage of a tent is that my pup won't sneak off in the night to go exploring...

tents are for those who sleep in, not for those who wish to be inside of the moment! No judgement just instinctual comfort to knowing exactly where I am!

i think tarps are best I've use them all the time .👍🥩💯