Tarps & Camping Shelters

A tent tarp or camping shelter to accessorise or modify your hiking tent

During your Tour du Mont-Blanc hike, you thought of all your hiking gear, but forgot the tarp. You then endured, on one day, the torrential rains that fell upon you and your camping and bivouac gear. On your next hike, on the Camino de Santiago, you brought your trusty trekking tent and thought to take a tent tarp, but realised that a tent awning would have made you feel more comfortable in your camping tent, especially after a few days of hiking. Whether you are off to explore the beautiful pine forests of the Alps or prefer to head to the Nordic paths of Norway to admire the Northern Lights, your hiking tent should be as comfortable as possible for you to rest as well as in your bed. For an additional tent shelter, for more space or to enhance the quality of your adventure, the tarp and the awning are accessories not to be overlooked!

The tarp, a useful camping shelter for optimal waterproofing

In the list of gear for the outdoor explorer, the camping shelter holds a prominent place. To go fast and far, to move as quickly as possible, you might consider using a tarp, also known as a "tarpaulin", a lightweight and versatile tarp that allows you to stay connected with nature. The tent tarp as a sleeping option is generally aimed at experienced campers and hikers, who are used to staying in the heart of the wild. However, the bivouac tarp can be used by all athletes to create an additional shelter. The hiking tarp is popular because, in addition to its lightweight and quick setup, the tarp enhances the quality of contact with the wild and preserved nature.

The tent awning, ideal for expanding your camping tent

The sun is at its zenith and you would like to enjoy some shade for lunch before heading out to explore the surroundings? The tent awning comes to your rescue to offer you shade and protection, so you can make the most of your meal and refreshing drinks. You won’t have to stay cooped up inside your family tent and can enjoy the unforgettable views offered by the surrounding nature.
The camping awning you are looking for can also be a caravan awning, providing you with the same benefits as your tent awning, but with larger dimensions.

Choosing the right camping awning and tarp for your tent

The camping awning and the hiking tarp are two accessories of your camping gear. In addition to your tent, the tent awning and the hiking tarp can provide you with a significant increase in comfort, especially for a long stay.
To choose your awning well and create an optimal camping shelter, think about the situations in which you will use it. If you plan to use your camping awning as an additional shelter, opt for a tent awning that is durable and relatively thick. Conversely, if you plan to use your awning to shield yourself from the sun during times when it’s best to avoid excessive exposure, you can choose a much thinner and easily transportable tent awning. This type of camping awning, thin and lightweight, can also be used to allow you to take a short nap before heading back on the sunny paths of the beach or mid-mountain.
Regarding the choice of your bivouac tarp, sand wind and heat, as well as extreme cold or animals and various insects found in humid climates like those in the jungle, will be tough enemies. Tarps can indeed be chosen based on different criteria related to the places you are about to visit. If you are looking for a tarp to protect you from the sun during the heat, prefer a hiking tarp in a light colour, which may have an aluminised side for enhanced protection. You can also consider a good survival blanket to complement your bivouac tarp purchase.
If you plan to stay in the desert, you won’t have the option to set up your hiking tarp using branches. You will need to think ahead and bring poles or walking poles. If you have to face sand wind, we recommend using your bivouac tarp to create a closed tipi, essential to avoid breathing in sand.
In the case where your tarp needs to protect you from the cold, again, plan for a hiking tarp with an aluminised side, which will enhance insulation.