About Tarptent

Tarptents are ultralight, mobile shelters that shed everything from flying bugs to summer snow. Elegant and airy, Tarptents set up virtually anywhere. Designed by and for the outdoor enthusiast, Tarptents keep you dry and sane no matter the elements. Made in the U.S.A and constructed of the lightest and highest quality materials available, Tarptents let you focus on the joy of the journey, not on the pain of getting there.

Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

The first Tarptent was born in the spring of 1999. Then an 18-ounce solo shelter, now a battle-tested warrior, it's still going strong after 3,000 miles on the trail.

Since then, Tarptents have successfully traversed all 3 ultra-long distance U.S. trails: The Pacific Crest, Appalachian, and Continental Divide. Simple and efficient, the original Tarptent remains a classic. For you do-it-yourselfers, we're proud to offer the original Tarptent plans for free.

Fast forward to 2002: the Next Generation. The road to improvement is spanned by an arch -- nature's perfect design element. Maximizing space, strength, and aesthetics, the arch is built into every next generation Tarptent. These tents offer improved space, easier setup, better wind and weather resistance, and require fewer stakes than original Tarptents with no weight penalty.

New patent-pending Tarptents are also catenary cut so they shed wind and rain with aplomb. Each Tarptent features a zippered entry, full bathtub floor, and beaks.

Tarptent: because a shelter is a terrible thing to lug.

What's next? You tell us. We listen.