Rain that starts at 2 a.m. finds every weak point in a shelter: a seam that wicks, a ridgeline that sags under the weight of water, a tarp too small to cover the hammock once the wind shifts. A backpacking tarp is the cheapest way to add a dry layer over a tent, a hammock, or a ground setup, but the listings blur together fast. Most say “waterproof” without stating the fabric, the coating, or what comes in the bag.
I compared the Best Backpacking Tarps by reading the stated fabric and coating, the packed weight, the number of tie-out points, and what hardware ships with each one. The picks below range from a small footprint that saves a tent floor to large rectangular shelters sized for two people.
My overall pick for best backpacking tarps is the Clostnature 87x59in Heavy Duty Tent Footprint. It is a 210T polyester ground sheet that folds down to roughly the size of a phone, which makes it an easy add to a pack when you want a barrier between your tent floor and abrasive ground. My top picks are just below.
Best Backpacking Tarps at a Glance
| Product | NT Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Clostnature 87x59in Tent Footprint with 210T | 9.9 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Best for Car Camping FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Camping Tarp with 210T | 9.8 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Best for Hammock Camping Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Rain Fly with 3000mm | 9.8 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Gold Armour Rainfly Tarp with 5,000mm Waterproof | 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon | |
| Best for Backpacking BravArrk 10x10ft Waterproof Camping Tarp Shelter | 9.4 | Check Price on Amazon | |
In-Depth Reviews
The Clostnature 87 x 59 inch tent footprint is a 9.8 oz ground sheet in 210T ripstop polyester with a waterproof coating, sized for a two-person tent.
Key Facts
- Item Weight
- 9.8 oz
- Size
- 87 x 59 in
- Material
- 210T Ripstop Polyester
- Warranty
- One-Year Guarantee
Pros
- +9.8 oz weight keeps pack load low on long approaches
- +Folds into included drawstring bag about cellphone size
- +210T ripstop polyester offers abrasion resistance under tents
- +One-year guarantee covers material and workmanship defects
Cons
- −Sized only for Clostnature two-person tents, not universal
- −No hydrostatic head or waterproof rating disclosed in listing
- −Stakes and guy lines not included with footprint
Detailed Review
The Clostnature footprint measures 87 by 59 inches, a size that matches the floor of a Clostnature two-person tent. At 9.8 ounces, it adds less weight than a filled water bottle to a pack, and the included drawstring bag folds it down to roughly cellphone size. The 210T ripstop polyester has a waterproof coating, though the listing does not state a hydrostatic head or a waterproof rating, so I would treat it as a water-resistant ground layer rather than a standalone shelter.
I see this working best for car campers and weekend backpackers who want to keep a tent floor off abrasive dirt and pine needles. The ripstop weave should resist snagging on twigs better than a plain taffeta sheet, and the compact packed size means it can live in a lid pocket without displacing much else.
Worth knowing before you buy: this is cut for a specific Clostnature two-person tent, not a universal fit, and stakes are not included. For my money, it suits someone who already owns that tent or wants a cheap, light ground cloth for hammock and beach use.
FREE SOLDIER 10x10.5 ft camping tarp in 210T ripstop polyester with 2500 PU waterproof rating, weighing 42 oz and including guy lines and stuff sack.
Key Facts
- Item Weight
- 42 oz
- Size
- 10 x 10.5 ft
- Material
- 210T Ripstop Polyester
- Water Protection
- 2500 PU Waterproof Rating
Pros
- +2500 PU waterproof rating on 210T ripstop polyester
- +19 guy points and 5 grommets for flexible pitching
- +Includes 4 guy lines with tensioners and stuff sack
- +Rectangle shape works as ground sheet or hammock shelter
Cons
- −42 oz weight is heavy for ultralight backpacking trips
- −No stakes included, so separate purchase required
- −Fabric thickness adds bulk in the stuff sack
Detailed Review
The FREE SOLDIER Waterproof Camping Tarp measures 10 by 10.5 feet and uses 210T ripstop polyester with a 2500 PU waterproof rating, which is the spec I would weigh first for a shelter. At 42 ounces, it is not a piece I would carry on a fast-and-light overnight, but the size and 19 guy points make it a practical pick for car camping or a base camp where the tarp stays put.
The rectangle cut and 5 reinforced grommets let me see this pitched as a ground sheet, an awning, or a hammock rain fly, and the included 4 guy lines with tensioners save a separate purchase. Heat-sealed seams along the ridgeline are the kind of detail that matters when rain settles in for the night.
Worth knowing before you buy: the 42-ounce weight and no stakes in the kit mean you are packing the bulk and buying tie-downs separately. I rate this a reasonable choice for a fixed camp or a two-person shelter where weight is not the deciding factor.
Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Rain Fly is a 26 oz ripstop nylon tarp with taped seams, 11 ft by 9 ft coverage, six guy lines, and aluminum stakes.
Key Facts
- Item Weight
- 26 oz
- Dimensions
- 11 ft x 9 ft
- Material
- Ripstop Nylon
- Water Protection
- 3000 mm PU Coating
Pros
- +Complete kit includes stakes, guy lines, and carry bag
- +Ripstop nylon with taped seams for rain protection
- +Compact fold size fits minimalist packs and car kits
Cons
- −26 oz is heavier than silnylon or DCF tarps
- −No corner guy points or catenary cut for taut pitch
- −Stakes may bend in hard or rocky ground
Detailed Review
The Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Rain Fly is a 26 oz ripstop nylon tarp measuring 11 ft by 9 ft, which is enough coverage for a hammock or a small tent system. The 3000 mm PU coating and taped seams are the details that matter when a forecast turns wet on a shoulder-season overnight.
I'd consider this for hammock campers who want a dedicated rain fly without piecing together a separate tarp and lines. The included six 10-foot guy lines and aluminum stakes make setup straightforward, and the whole kit folds into the supplied carry bag. The main trade-off is weight: at 26 oz it sits above silnylon or DCF options, so I see it fitting casual backpackers and car campers more than ounce-counting thru-hikers.
The Gold Armour Rainfly Tarp is a 12ft x 10ft waterproof shelter with 33 tie-down points and a 5,000mm rating, plus stakes, ropes, and tensioners included.
Key Facts
- Size
- 12ft x 10ft
- Water Protection
- 5,000mm Waterproof Rating
- Included
- Stakes, Ropes, Tensioners, Gear Sack
- Color
- OD Green
Pros
- +33 tie-down points allow flexible pitching options
- +5,000mm waterproof rating for wet weather
- +Complete package includes stakes, ropes, and tensioners
- +Rain-proof gear sack for organized storage
Cons
- −At 12ft x 10ft, it may be too large for solo ultralight trips
- −No weight listed, so packed weight remains unknown
- −Setup requires practice to achieve taut pitch
Detailed Review
The Gold Armour Rainfly Tarp measures 12ft x 10ft and carries a 5,000mm waterproof rating, which I see as a solid choice for hammock campers facing steady rain. Its 33 tie-down loops give plenty of anchor points, so I'd consider pitching it in an A-frame over a hammock or as a ground sheet under a sleeping pad.
The package includes stakes, ropes, and tensioners, which means you can set it up without hunting for extra cord. I rate the included rain-proof gear sack as a practical touch for keeping the tarp separate from other gear in a pack.
Worth knowing before you buy: the 12ft x 10ft size adds bulk for solo backpackers, and the listing does not state a packed weight. For my money, this suits group campers or those who want a versatile shelter without piecing together a kit.
BravArrk's 10x10ft waterproof camping tarp shelter weighs 2.2 lbs and includes six stakes, six guy lines, and a carry sack.
Key Facts
- Item Weight
- 2.2 pounds
- Size
- 10x10ft
- Included
- 6 stakes, 6 guy lines, accessory bag, carry sack
- Color
- Green
Pros
- +Six stakes and six guy lines expand pitch options
- +Taped heat-sealed seams reduce seam seepage risk
- +2.2 lb packed weight suits backpacking carry
- +Folds into included storage sack for compact transport
Cons
- −No hydrostatic head rating disclosed for waterproofing
- −Single 10x10ft size limits coverage for larger groups
- −Green color only, no high-visibility option for alpine use
Detailed Review
BravArrk's 10x10ft tarp shelter carries a listed 2.2 lb packed weight and ships with six stakes, six guy lines, and a storage sack. That stake count matters on a windy ridge, where a four-point pitch can flap; the extra anchors let me see this holding a tighter A-frame or lean-to. The taped heat-sealed seams are the detail I'd weigh most for wet shoulder-season trips, since seam seepage is the usual failure point on budget tarps.
Worth knowing before you buy: the listing gives no hydrostatic head rating, so I'd treat this as water-resistant rather than a measured waterproof barrier for sustained storms. UPF30-50 UV defense is stated, which helps for sun shade at exposed camps, though it is a range rather than a fixed number.
I rate this a reasonable pick for three-season backpacking and car camping shelter duty, not for alpine or expedition use.
FAQs
Can you use a backpacking tarp as a tent footprint?
A rectangular tarp works as a footprint when it is cut or folded close to your tent’s floor size, because excess fabric collects water and funnels it under the tent. A dedicated footprint like the Clostnature sheet is sized for a specific tent, so it sits flush and adds little bulk. A larger tarp gives more coverage but weighs more and needs trimming or careful folding.
How much should a backpacking tarp weigh?
For solo backpacking, a tarp in the 1 to 2 pound range is a reasonable target, while anything past 2.5 pounds starts to compete with a light tent. The trade-off is fabric thickness: heavier coatings resist abrasion and hold up to repeated pitching. On a multi-day loop, that extra weight buys durability, so the right number depends on how often you set it up.
Is a tarp better than a tent for hammock camping?
A tarp is the standard cover for hammock camping because it pitches over the hammock ridgeline and lets air move underneath, which reduces condensation compared with a closed tent. Look for a rectangular or catenary-cut fly with enough width to cover the hammock ends when rain blows sideways. On rocky descents, poles work best paired with tent waterproofing sprays that refresh the coating on older fabric.
Do tarp stakes and guy lines come included?
Most camping tarps ship with guy lines and stakes, but the count and quality vary, so check the accessory list before buying. Six stakes and six lines give more anchoring options than the four-line kits common at this size. If you pitch on hard or rocky ground, plan to swap in stakes suited to that surface, since the included ones are usually basic aluminum.
Final Thoughts
What matters most in a backpacking tarp is matching the size and fabric weight to how you will use it: a small footprint for protecting a tent floor, a mid-size fly for hammock coverage, or a large rectangular shelter for two people and gear. The coating and seam construction decide how it handles a long, wet night, and the packed weight decides whether it earns a place in your pack.
For most trips, the Clostnature 87x59in Heavy Duty Tent Footprint is the pick I would start with. It is a 210T polyester ground sheet that folds into a drawstring bag about the size of a phone, so it adds a protective layer under a tent without much bulk, and it doubles as a sunshade or picnic mat when you are not using it under a floor. It fits a two-person tent and is best for campers who want floor protection rather than a full overhead shelter. If you need a large fly to cover a hammock or a group cooking area, look at the bigger rectangular tarps instead. Check the current price on Amazon, and the size question stops being a guess.