Survival Debate: Tent or Tarp

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By Joel Jefferson •  2 min read

This week on survival debate we’ll discuss the advantages of carrying a tent or a tarp in your survival gear or Bug Out Bag. Do you prefer the comfort of a tent and live with the weight, or do you save room in your bag and go light with a tarp?

Tent

Pro:

Con:

Tarp

Pro:

Con:

Middle Ground

The only real middle ground for this debate is taking both, because you certainly wouldn’t want to go without at least one if you could help it. Taking both gives you a whole lot of options, and given how cheap and light a tarp is I am tempted to do that myself.

What if you have a large family or group?

That is a problem that we have been thinking about.  One of the cool products that we found is a dome shelter system that can sleep up to 30 to 40 adults depending on the size of the shelter.

Things to Consider When Choosing Between a Tent or Tarp

Where do you stand?

Personally, if I had to pick one, I would go with a tent. The amount of weather and insect protection you get from a tent really outweighs the weight issue for me. That, and long term tarp camping is just going to be miserable and eventually downright dangerous.

If you take a tent, tell us about it, and why you chose your tent. If you only have a tarp, was that a decision, or just because you haven’t bought a tent yet?

Joel Jefferson

Joel is one of the original founders of SurvivalCache.com. After college, he joined the USMC where he served as an (0302) Marine Infantry Officer. Joel is an avid outdoorsman and spends much of his free time in the mountains. Joel’s hobby is researching survival gear & weapons as well as prepping. Read his full interview here.