It can be difficult to choose the right camping gear. We've created this comparison between tarp and tent to help you decide which shelter is best for you.
These two are enough?
For one reason, I have chosen to compare tents and tarps only: they are the most versatile. They are more niche-oriented than bivis and hammocks. You can only camp in hammocks where there are trees. Bivis tend to be for those who camp in extreme weather. This advice on hammock camping. This article on bivi camping.
TL; DR
The tent is best for you if you value creature comforts and ease-of-use. The tarp is for you if you are willing to make small sacrifices and wish to save space, money, and weight.
Comparison
This tarp vs. tent comparison will compare various types of materials and show how they stack up against one another.
Pitching - Tent
This is an important category for comparing shelter types and the tent is this one.
You don't have to think about pitching a tent. There is only one way to pitch it, and it's usually very simple. You can quickly learn how to pitch a tent, but there are also tents that are difficult to pitch.
Tarp - Packing
The Tarp is the best tent in this category. Because a Tarp is a flat sheet fabric, packing it is as simple as folding it up and sucking out any air. It is difficult to pack a tent that has at least some concave fabric. Because the fabric isn't folded well, it traps air and takes up valuable space in your bag.
This is in addition to the fact the tarp has less material. The tarp is nearly always easier to pack and takes up more space.
Weight - Tarp
Again, the tarp wins in this instance. A tarp is almost always lighter than a tent, because there's less material. My 3x3 tarp is 2.5x lighter that the Vango Nevis200 and offers more space.
Comfort - Tent
Comfort is a major consideration for campers when selecting a shelter. The tent is the best option, but not by much. A tent offers the benefit of a completely enclosed and (hopefully) dry sleeping space. You will get a good night's rest regardless of the location you pitch.
However, a tarp is not inherently waterproof and can be comfortable. It just requires more preparation and effort. Our Tarp Camping Tips will help you stay as comfortable as possible.
Tarp Price
A tarp is cheaper than a tent, as you may have guessed. A tarp takes less time to make, and there is less sewing. involved. This being said, when you get your shelter, be sure to include the cost of the walking sticks. This can often lower the cost difference. The tarp is an excellent budget-friendly piece gear.
Bad Weather - Tent
A tent is almost always more effective in bad weather because of its enclosed design. Although there are many great fully enclosed tarp pitch options, I prefer to bring a tent if the weather is bad.
Tarp with Flexibility
This is probably the greatest advantage to using a tarp. There are many pitches that can be used to cater for any weather. You have options, no matter what season it is. This allows you to adapt your shelter to suit the circumstances, instead of being stuck with one shelter.
Overview
All in all, it is hard to compare these two shelter types, as they are so different. If you prioritise comfort and ease of use over everything else, the tent is the shelter to go for. However, if you're willing to sacrifice some creature comforts, the weight, price and space savings make the tarp a no-brainer.
For more tent advice, check out our 5 tent tips, and for tarp camping see these posts on tarp tips and tarp pitches. Make sure to check out our tent footprint vs tarp post
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