Tarp Vs Rainfly | Which Is Better For Camping?
If you’re considering hammock or bivy camping, you should think about using a tarp or rainfly.
These two types of cover provide different levels of protection from the elements, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Both of them have their uses, but which is better for camping?
A rainfly is a tarp, but not every tarp is a rainfly. Both a rainfly and a regular tarp serve the same purpose- to protect you from the elements. A rainfly is made specifically for camping because it is more lightweight and has additional straps, whereas a tarp is better for a variety of uses besides camping due to its durable construction.
Let’s delve deeper into both of them for a better understanding.
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Tarp
A tarp is a large piece of fabric (mostly synthetic) that you can use to cover your entire backyard or patio. It can be used for many different purposes like covering furniture and decorations, keeping plants from the rain, protecting you from the sun’s rays, etc. In addition, it requires minimal maintenance and should last for years as long as it’s not abused.
All you have to do is unroll the tarp when you need it and roll it back up when you are finished. However, if you want to increase its longevity, pack it up when not being used regularly.
If you are on a tight budget, then you may also be able to use a tarp as your main shelter. Even if you don’t have a limited budget, this method is especially useful when you want to reduce the weight of your backpack.
However, this approach provides the least amount of protection from the elements compared to camping inside a tent or a hammock, which is why it should be used when the weather conditions are favorable and there is a very low chance of calamity occurring.
Curious read: Do You Need A Tarp With A Bivy?
It is also not a good idea to use a tarp when camping in inclement weather. This is due to the fact that a tarp alone is not insulated enough to maintain the temperature inside, plus the design leaves a lot of openings for cold air to enter.
This is also true for heavy rain. Since this method requires you to camp on the ground rather than an elevated surface, water can sweep inside the tarp and ruin your camping experience after a downpour.
To learn more, check this article on how to use a tarp as a shelter.
Types Of Tarp Based On Material
Tarps can be distinguished by the kind of material used in their construction. However, if it is intended for outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, etc., this list can be condensed to four different material choices. These include:
- Polyester: These tarps are ultralight, highly durable, and water-proof, with varying thicknesses from 6-25 mils. Polyester is extremely durable, so even if the tarp is handled roughly it won’t easily tear. These tarps are also relatively inexpensive, however, they have a few cons. Firstly, they have somewhat poor UV protection which means the colors may fade with long exposure to the sun, and secondly, they have a nominally mediocre lifespan of about 3-4 years.
- SilNylon: It is a portmanteau of Silicone and Nylon, and like polyester tarps, it is lightweight, durable, and waterproof, available in thicknesses ranging from 6 to 35 mils. In general, SilNylon tarps are better UV-resistant than polyester tarps and retain their colors for a longer period of time; however, they become soggy after moderate exposure to moisture, or in other words, they sink inwards when it rains. That said, they do tend to last a bit longer than polyester tarps with a lifespan of about 5-6 years.
- Vinyl: It is considered one of the most durable tarp materials that do not absorb any water while lasting for up to 10 years with proper care. These tarps range in thickness from 10-50 mils and can be used for a variety of other purposes besides camping, such as a long-term roof cover for your home or a simple cover for your vehicle. These tarps, however, are quite expensive and aren’t recommended for warm weather camping due to their thickness. Rather, reserve them for your cold-weather camping trips.
- Canvas: Canvas tarps are probably the least popular choice for camping, but for very good reasons. Unlike polyester or nylon tarps, these tarps are not naturally waterproof, so they need to be treated manually, and they are also more expensive. Tarps like these are typically used for small outdoor events like a reunion or a picnic, where they are configured as a canopy rather than a rain tarp. For summer camping, however, when you want to enjoy the breeze, but not the sun, this tarp will be the perfect solution.
Note: The thickness of tarps is measured in mils (1/1000 of an inch). For warm/rainy weather camping a 4-6 mils width, polyester/SilNylon tarp will suffice. However, for cold weather camping, especially if you are hammock camping, an 8 mils or thicker vinyl tarp should make your trip more enjoyable.
What Are The Uses Of A Tarp?
Here are some of the most common uses of a tarp while camping:
- Hammock Camping: Even though a rainfly is the better choice for this, a standard tarp will do just fine. Set up a ridgeline across the trees, attach the guylines to the tarp attachment points, stake the guylines into the ground, and essentially you have a tarp over your hammock. Obviously, this is an oversimplified explanation, but for an in-depth guide, check this article out.
- Tent Footprint: You can use your tarp as a tent footprint to improve the insulation. In fact, this is the recommended way to insulate the tent from below. Furthermore, it protects the tent from getting damaged from friction with the ground, thereby extending its lifespan.
- Tarp Camping: As mentioned previously, you can use your tarp to create a shelter against light rain and winds without carrying a tent or hammock. This approach, however, is pretty restricted since it can only be used during mild weather conditions. Anything strong like heavy rain or snow will make it quite difficult to deal with, if not impossible.
- Tent Cover: The tarp will protect your tent from the elements since it was designed for it. With a polyester/SilNylon/Vinyl tarp, you can rest assured that water will not enter through it. In case you are still unsure, you can always use tent waterproofing sprays to add a water-resistant layer to your tent before setting up the tarp. By doing so, you can be 100% certain that water will not cause a problem during your trip.
Rainfly
A rainfly is a tarp designed specifically for outdoor use, especially camping. The biggest difference between a tarp and a rainfly is how many extra straps you get on the edges through which you can run the guy line.
These last much longer for outdoor uses, plus unlike regular tarps, you can get an ultralight tarp that reduces the weight of your backpack while still protecting you from the elements.
Depending on the quality of the material used as well as the overall weight of the product, rainfly(s) can cost anywhere from $10 to $300.
If you are a beginner, don’t stress over the expensive rainfly because those are meant for people who trek long distances on foot where every pound in their pack matters. A standard $10-15 rainfly should get you started, and you might not even need to switch ones if you get used to it.
Rainfly(s) are typically much thinner than regular tarps, while still offering all the benefits of tarps. As an example, a rainfly constructed with polyester would retain all the properties of a polyester tarp as well as be lightweight.
In terms of functionality, the two have some similarities, such as being used to cover furniture and other things plus the obvious, as a shelter from the elements. Rainflies, however, are not suitable as long-term roof covers or anything with long exposure to the elements due to their thin design.
Types Of Rain Fly Based On Their Shapes
A rainfly’s material of manufacture obviously matters, but what differentiates one rainfly from another is its shape. Some of the most common shapes include:
- Square Shape: It is probably the most commonly used rainfly, and for good reason. The shape of this rainfly allows for multiple configurations and can be used for other purposes as well, but in terms of camping, it can be used for both a hammock and a tent.
- Rectangular Shape: This is quite similar to a square rainfly, however much longer in length. This rainfly is best suited as a hammock tarp since it can easily encompass the entire hammock without stretching.
- Door Rainfly: This looks very similar to a square or rectangular rainfly, except for some additional straps along the ridgeline to hold the flap edges in place to act as a door. When camping in a hammock during heavy rain or snowfall, the flaps protect you from chill winds and splashes of water, thus providing better coverage from the elements.
- Hex Shape: In comparison with other shaped rainfly(s), this one offers the least amount of protection from the elements. It might, however, be a good option for those who want to enjoy the summer breeze without getting sunburned as this shape allows plenty of room for air to circulate.
What Are The Uses Of A Rainfly?
The uses of a rainfly are the same as that of a tarp, except it’s much more efficient. Here are some of the most common uses:
- Hammock Shelter: For hammock camping, a rainfly and a bug net are your best companions. The extra straps make complex configurations possible as well as increase the overall durability of the setup, and the bug net ensures you will not be woken up by annoying insects. If still in doubt, check this article on whether or not bug nets are needed for hammock camping.
- Tarp Shelter: In many ways, this is similar to using a tarp, however, a rainfly is more compact and made of lightweight material, so it takes up less room in your backpack and weighs less (which is essentially the selling point of a tarp shelter).
- Tent cover: Also similar to a tarp, except that a rainfly can be packed in a stuff sack whereas a tarp cannot. With respect to performance, they are almost indistinguishable.
- Tent footprint*: Unfortunately, a rainfly is not the best choice for being a tent footprint, and that is due to its thin construction. The purpose of a footprint is to protect the base of the tent from friction and to provide insulation from damp. A rainfly does neither of those things.
Tarp Vs Rainfly
When it comes to camping, rainfly is the obvious choice. Its lightweight construction supplemented with several extra straps gives it a much better grip and improves the durability of the build. A rainfly will be more efficient and easier to carry during any outdoor activity that involves bad weather.
However, if your plans include more than just camping, then a tarp will be more economical. You can also use the tarp as a tent footprint, which the rainfly fails to accomplish. With that being said, you can’t go wrong with either of them.
Here’s a table of comparisons between them:
| Features/Functions | Tarp | Rainfly |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Large piece of fabric (mostly synthetic) used to cover/protect stuff from dust or elements. | Tarp designed specifically for outdoor activities like camping |
| Weight | Moderately heavy | Lightweight |
| Stability | Mediocre; does not have enough straps/holes in-built | Great; Comes with a bunch of additional straps in-built |
| Tent footprint | Great; thick material which shields from friction damage as well as increase insulation | Poor; thin construction which can easily be damaged from friction |
| Hammock shelter | Mediocre; does not have enough straps/holes in-built | Great; Comes with a bunch of additional straps in-built that keeps the rainfly from getting blown away |
| Tarp shelter | Good; though does not have enough straps, the thickness makes up for it | Good; thin, so less insulation, but less weight to carry |
| Cost | $ | $$ |
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can A Tarp Block Wind?
This depends on the material used to make the tarp as well as how you configure the tarp (especially when you are hammock camping). A tarp made of a very light fabric will not block the wind, but one made of heavier fabric (polyester, nylon, vinyl) will.
Is A Rainfly Waterproof?
If manufactured from polyester, silnylon, or vinyl, then yes, but if made from canvas, then no.
Can You Camp Without A Tarp Or Rainfly?
If the weather is clear without any signs of a storm, then yes, if not, then you might want to bring a rainfly/tarp along with you.
Can You Use A Tarp As A Tent Footprint?
Yes, in fact using a tarp for it is the preferred way of doing it.
Can You Use A Tarp As A Rainfly?
Yes, you can use it to accomplish anything you would have accomplished with a rainfly, although it will be less efficient.
Can You Use A Rainfly As A Tarp?
It depends. If it relates to camping, then yes, with some exceptions (such as a tent footprint). If not, then maybe up to a limited capacity.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a backpacker or a hiker, a tarp or rainfly will prove indispensable to you in case of poor weather conditions. If you want specialized equipment that is lightweight and provides stability to your build, a rainfly might be your best option.
However, if you plan on reusing the fabric for purposes other than camping, a regular tarp is more economical. In either case, you can’t go wrong.
Anyways, as always, stay safe and happy adventuring!
Subho
When he is not out exploring new adventures, he is a camping nerd who can be found in front of his laptop researching various tricks and tips as well as keeping up with the latest trends.